Sodan Planet, Designation P9G-844, four days later.
Jolan was training Faith in the ritual fighting art of Kel Shak Lo for the past few days every morning as the Colonel watched on. Both of the men were surprised at the brunette's prowess with the training weapons once she had gotten used to them, as well as the various techniques within this particular fighting style. However, earlier Faith had already agreed with the Colonel that she wouldn't use her full strength unless she absolutely had to. Even so, the Colonel looked on in astonishment as he watched the young woman push back the seasoned warrior in only the fourth day of training. Colonel Mitchell recalled reading her file once he had received clearance from General O'Neill and was surprised at the contents.
"Sir" said the Colonel as he looked at the copy of the Slayer's file before looking up at General O'Neill, "you're kidding, right? This says she's been at it since she was a teenager."
"That was my first reaction when Major Rosenberg told me about Faith and Buffy Summers" said General O'Neill, "I don't like that she started out in a war so young but this is about the here and now, and she's proved herself a thousand times over since joining the SGC."
"She singlehandedly took out Anubis when he possessed Major Rosenberg's body?" said the Colonel surprised as he skimmed the various reports and ended up on the final page, "she possesses super-human strength, enhanced durability, enhanced agility, enhanced reflexes, enhanced stamina, enhanced healing abilities; and if that's not enough she's rated high on pretty much all of the weapons at the SGC, although she scored below average on use of sniper rifles?"
"She's trying to improve her level of patience" grinned the General, "but she's one of the best we have and since she's joined the SGC, she's grown in leaps and bounds."
"She even beat the Marines in SG3?" asked the Colonel as he read the rest of Faith's file with his eyes opened in disbelief.
"It was a bet" said the General as he leaned back, "they lost. They had to buy SG1 dinner at O'Malley's."
"Sir" said the Colonel as he looked up, "this is… I mean….."
"Don't mistake her as just some fighter" said the General as he leaned forward, "she's stubborn, intelligent, street smart, and can read people like crazy. Her other qualities would be your responsibility to find out. All in all, she's someone to have on our side….. I'm glad she's on our side."
That conversation was two months before he officially joined the SGC, before he had met Willow for the first time; and now as he looked at the woman training in front of him with Jolan, he knew that the grace with which she was training hid one deadly woman.
"We are done for the day" said Jolan as Faith handed him her weapon, a long wooden staff with broad cylinders on each end.
"I can keep going" said Faith as she took a few steps backwards as Jolan looked at her, "I'm not really tired yet."
"Very well" said Jolan, "we shall continue once Lord Haikon has finished meeting with a visitor that is due in a few moments."
"That's fine with me" said Faith as she gave Jolan a small bow before heading towards the Colonel.
"You alright?" asked Colonel Mitchell as he saw the bruises on Faith's arms, face and shoulders.
"Yeah" said Faith as the both of them walked out of the training ring and headed to the side of a building where they approach a bench with a bucket of water. Taking the cup that was on the bench, Faith scooped up some water and drank some of it before pouring the rest over her neck and shoulders as she closed her eyes, "oh I'm definitely gonna ask Red for a massage when we get back, and then…."
"Faith" said the Colonel as he nudged her arm.
"Sorry, Cam" said Faith as she drank another cup of water before handing it to the Colonel who was looking away from her, towards the entrance of the Sodan village.
Faith wondered what he was looking at and slowly turned around to face the direction the Colonel was facing when she got a huge surprise.
"Cam" said Faith as her voice became serious, "that's a…."
"Prior" said the Colonel as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked on as the Prior was accompanied into the village with two guards.
"Haikon never told us that a Prior had visited him earlier" said Faith as she recalled the conversation she and the Colonel had with Lord Haikon, the leader of the Sodan.
"This is one hell of a development" said the Colonel.
"This is the visitor that Jolan was talking about" said Faith as the Colonel nodded his head.
"Seems that way" replied the Colonel before he turned to Faith, "once the Prior leaves, I'll talk to Haikon while you train with Jolan."
"Alright" said Faith.
"Just be careful" said the Colonel.
"Of course" replied Faith as she gave a small smile at the Colonel before she turned and looked at the Prior as he walked up the stairs to Lord Haikon's house at the other end of the village.
Area 51, Nevada, 0730 hours, four days later.
Colonel Carter was tired, but not as tired as Dr. Lee and Willow who should be still sleeping on their cots in Area 51's Hanger Twelve where the Ancient ship was being kept. Waking up in her own quarters in the nearby base housing, she quickly ran over to the restroom and threw up before she went to the sink and began the process of washing her face and getting ready for the day. Once she had freshened up, she went back into her room and took out some pills that Dr. Lam had given her.
'Damn morning sickness' thought the Colonel to herself as she downed a pill before reaching for the phone and calling Pete in Colorado Springs. As the phone rang, she recalled how upset and angry Pete became when she told him that she had to go to Nevada urgently.
"No!" Pete had told her once she got home to pack some of her belongings for the trip with Willow and Dr. Lee, "this isn't your responsibility; you promised me that you wouldn't be going into any stressful situations."
"Pete" said the Colonel softly reaching for her to-go bag as she put some clothes and other essential items inside it, "we have two people, two of my colleagues…. Two of my friends lost out there, and I'm going to go everything I can within reason to get them back."
"I don't see why you have to do this" said Pete from behind her, "This is why I told you to retire from the Air Force, they'll always pull you back in no matter what, and you…. you want to prove yourself so much that you'd do anything to…"
"Stop it right there" said the Colonel as she turned around, "are you saying that you can have a job and I can't? Wait…. What I meant was that you can have a RISKY job and I can't?"
"Not while you're pregnant!" shouted Pete as he grabbed both of her arms and held on tightly, "what if something happens to the baby? What if you do something that causes problems with the baby's development, what then?"
"I'll be alright" sighed the Colonel as she closed her eyes, and gently pushed away Pete's hands from her arms before she turned back to complete her packing, "besides, Willow and another colleague will be there to keep an eye on me and make sure that…."
"She's a bad influence" said Pete as he walked in front of her, "she and the other one are bad influences on you and I don't feel comfortable in having them near the baby."
"Pete" said the Colonel, "not now, I need to go."
"Listen to me" said Pete, "when you get back from wherever you're going right now, I want you to quit the SGC. At least until you have the baby."
"Not now, Pete" said the Colonel softly, "there's a lot of work to be done."
"Sam!" said Pete as he stepped forward and grabbed her arms again, "you can teach at the academy, I don't want you out there while you're pregnant."
"I won't be out there!" shouted the Colonel after she finally lost her patience, "I'm stuck in the SGC while my team goes through the Gate. They get to travel to other worlds while I have the dubious honour of watching them leave, and hoping that all of them come back alive. I'm not out there where I should be, watching their backs and helping them come home alive… now this is the next best thing I can do.. working to bring them home."
"Sam" said Pete.
"No!" shouted the Colonel as she put her hand up indicating that Pete should stop talking, "we…. none of us would leave people behind… even if it they're dead… we'll bring them back either way."
"Wait, Sam" said Pete as the Colonel rushed out of the house.
"We'll talk when I get back" said the Colonel as she slammed the front door and walked quickly into the awaiting car where Willow was in the driver's seat with Dr. Lee sitting on the passenger side.
"Colonel" said Willow as she watched the blonde woman get into the back seat before she closed the door, "are you..?"
"Let's go, Willow" said the Colonel before the redhead could finish her sentence.
"Yes, ma'am" said Willow as she glanced at Dr. Lee who returned a look of confusion at her, "next stop, Peterson."
That was four days ago, and after she had left another message on Pete's voicemail, the Colonel changed before she headed out the door again and into her awaiting car, which was being driven by one of the SGC personnel stationed at the airbase that fueled the conspiracy theorists everywhere.
It took Colonel Carter less than thirty minutes to be driven to Hanger Twelve where she walked over to the adjoining locker room and put on some BDU's before heading to the hanger proper. Inputting a code into the panel of a side door, she walked in after it was accepted and stopped as she smiled. The ship was in the middle of the room with its rear hatch open as wires ran along the floor from inside some of the roof panels of the ship, which were connected to three laptops that were placed on tables on the right side of the ship.
As she walked towards the Puddle Jumper, which is what the Atlantis expedition called these vessels, she heard sounds from inside.
"Hey Bill" said the Colonel as she entered the Jumper through the rear entrance and approached Dr. Lee who dropped a piece of equipment in surprise as he stood up, "sorry."
"Colonel" said Dr. Lee as he shook his head before bending down to pick up what he dropped, "you startled me, that's all."
"How are things with the cloak?" asked Colonel Carter as she picked up a tablet that was on the console and flicked the screens with her fingers.
"Major Rosenberg stayed up late to finish the final assembly" said Dr. Lee, "we'll be ready to install it once you've tested it out."
"And the inertial dampening systems?" asked the Colonel as she remembered some of the scientists saying that they decided to take out that system as well for study so that they could possibly implement it on the F-302's as an upgrade to the current models being used.
"We've got that ready as well" said Dr. Lee as he handed the Colonel another tablet, "I just finished hooking it back on the power systems on this ship. Still can't believe those idiots took it out without telling any of us."
"Something tells me they won't be doing that again" said the Colonel as she recalled how she chewed out the scientists who had taken out further systems from the ship without permission.
"Colonel" said Willow as she walked into the ship carrying two large cups of coffee, along with a smaller cup in between them; and handed one to Dr. Lee.
"Ooooh Thank you" said Dr. Lee as he sipped the brew and closed his eyes, "that hit the spot."
"Hey" said Colonel Carter, "where's mine?"
"This is yours ma'am" said Willow as she handed the Colonel the smaller cup, "herbal tea, orders of Dr. Lam."
"Oh for crying out loud" said the Colonel reaching for the tea as Willow grinned before she turned around.
"Ah" said Willow as she walked out of the ship, "but wait."
Colonel Carter looked at Dr. Lee who simply shrugged his shoulders before Willow walked back in with three bags of food.
"Doc" said Willow as she handed Dr. Lee one of the bags who grabbed it appreciatively.
"Ma'am" said Willow as she handed the Colonel a bag before she sat down on the floor of the Puddle Jumper and opened the box that was in her bag.
"Ah breakfast" said Colonel Carter as she dug into the two bagels, eggs and hash browns.
After an hour of quietly eating breakfast, the three scientists went back to work.
"Alright" said Colonel Carter a few hours later as she stood next to Dr. Lee behind the tables while Willow was in the ship, "let's test the start-up sequence."
"Copy" said Willow as she sat on the pilots seat, "I'm ready ma'am."
"Bill?" asked the Colonel as she looked at her fellow scientist.
"Ready" said Dr. Lee as he pressed some buttons on two of the laptops, as Colonel Carter was looking at the screen in front of her.
"Willow" said the Colonel as she walked over to the rear hatch and pressed a button to close it, before heading back to the computers, "you're set. Power up whenever you're ready."
"Start up sequence in three…. two… one…" said Willow as she grabbed the controls and concentrated. A few seconds later, there was a hum from the engines as the lights of the cockpit and the console infront of her activated.
"Looks steady" said Dr. Lee.
"Power?" asked the Colonel as she spoke into a radio.
"Steady" said Willow.
"Navigation?" said Dr. Lee.
"Green" replied Willow as she looked at her Heads Up Display.
"Communications?" ask the Colonel.
"Communicating" said Willow with a smile, "radio and subspace communications all are green."
"Receiver?" asked Dr. Lee.
"I'm getting yours and Colonel Carter's transmitter signals" replied Willow as she looked at the small radar like console that they had put in the previous day, "working perfectly, so far."
"Propulsion?" asked the Colonel.
"It's…." said Willow as the ship started to float, the wings extended from the sides as she swung it around to face the two of them, "It's working. Not getting the power drain we received a few days ago, the bypass worked."
"Inertial dampening systems?" asked Dr. Lee.
"Dampening" smiled Willow.
"Alright" said Colonel Carter, "this is the most important part, how about the cloak?"
"Stand by" said Willow as she closed her eyes, "is it working?"
"Successful" said the Colonel, "are you reading a power drain?"
"No ma'am" said Willow as she looked at the power levels on her HUD, "looks like we're golden."
"Alright" said the Colonel, "land the ship, I'll contact General Landry and tell him that we need to conduct a flight test for a few hours and we'll have it back in the SGC by tomorrow morning."
"Yes, ma'am" said Willow as she gently put the ship down.
Area 51, Nevada, 0930 hours, the next day.
Dr. Lee, Colonel Carter and Willow had packed their belongings and placed them into the containers in the Puddle Jumper. They had conducted one more test early that morning before they were approved to head back to Colorado Springs. Once everyone was in the ship, the hanger doors were opened as Willow took her seat at the controls, with Colonel Carter sitting on the co-pilot's seat and Dr. Lee standing between them.
"Ready?" asked Willow as everyone nodded their heads, "here we go."
Willow held on to the controls as the ship rose slowly into the air as Colonel Carter got on the radio.
"Control" said the Colonel, "this is Jumper One, we're requesting departure clearance to Sierra Golf Charlie."
"Approved Colonel" said a voice over the radio, "Godspeed."
"Thank you" replied the Colonel as she nodded at Willow.
"Activating cloak" said Willow as she flew out of the hanger and straight into the open skies over Area 51.
"SGC Control" said Colonel Carter as she spoke into the subspace system, "ETA thirty minutes, please inform the General that all systems are a go for extraction."
"Copy" said Walter.
"Setting course for Cheyenne" said Willow as a new HUD came up on screen showing their current location and the SGC before she turned the ship level and flew at a high rate of speed towards the SGC.
"SGC control" said Willow after flying for twenty five minutes, "requesting roof access into base."
"Access approved" said Walter, "and hatch to level twenty five, Science Lab one has been opened."
"Thanks" said Willow as she eased the ship through the entry way at the top of the mountain before she squeezed it through another hatch that brought them into Science Lab One where General Landry and Daniel were already waiting for them.
"Daniel" smiled the Colonel who was the first person out the door, followed by Dr. Lee and then Willow.
"Hey Sam" said Daniel as he hugged the Colonel, "flight was alright?"
"Smooth" said Colonel Carter as she turned towards General Landry, "she's ready to go, Sir."
"Very well" said General Landry, "Teal'c has been interrogating Volnek for the past few days, but he hasn't offered anything new."
"How about the scans from the the Prometheus, Sir?" asked Willow, referring to the Earth ship's orbital scans.
"We still haven't bee able to find anything" said General Landry, "Colonel Pendergast seems to think that the atmosphere of the planet is preventing any workable orbital scans."
"I see" said Willow, "Sir, I'm ready to go."
"Briefing in ten" said the General as the Colonel, Willow, Dr. Lee, Colonel Carter and Daniel nodded in agreement.
Sodan Planet, Designation P9G-844, at the same time.
Faith was in the training ring blocking an attack from Jolan. The Sodan warrior thrusted his staff at Faith who blocked it, he then used his left hand to attempt a strike which Faith managed to push away. She then pushed away Jolan's staff before she quickly stepped forwards and swung her staff towards his legs. Jumping over the staff, Jolan was then unprepared for the mid-air punch from Faith and he ended up on the fine sand of the training ring as Colonel Mitchell looked on grimacing.
"Sorry about that" said Faith as she helped Jolan up, "I know it's not exactly part of the training but…"
"You took an advantage" said Jolan, "well done."
"Thanks" said Faith as she handed her staff over to Jolan, who caught it and tossed Faith a small bag as Colonel Mitchell walked over to her.
"Drink" said Jolan as Faith drank the contents and grimaced at the taste.
"Jolan" said the Colonel, "you never mentioned who she'll be fighting."
"Lord Haikon will determine that at the eve of her battle" said Jolan.
"And whoever I fight will be just as tough as the warrior I shot? Right?" asked Faith.
"His name is Volnek" said Jolan, "and yes, you will fight a warrior just as tough as him."
"Well" said Faith, "I'll try to give him a good fight."
"Now" said the Colonel, "let me ask you something…. A little change of subject if you will…. Just tell me honestly, do you really buy what those Priors are selling?"
"Lord Haikon has led us for more than a hundred years. He knows what is best for us all" said Jolan as he walked towards Faith and the Colonel.
"Jolan" said Faith, "I understand your loyalty to him and your people; all we're asking is what do you… and I don't mean everyone in the village… I mean what do you think?"
"It is not my place to question Lord Haikon's judgment" said Jolan as he passed by Faith and Colonel Mitchell.
"Well somebody better, because if you guys follow the Ori, all of your traditions, your tasty beverages, it's all going down the drain!" said the Colonel.
"Jolan" said Faith, "Haikon told us that you view the Ancients as your gods, that you want to follow the path they set out for enlightenment.. but if you and your people follow the Ori… then that path with be bathed in the blood of innocent people."
"People who you will have to destroy if they don't follow the Ori" said Colonel Mitchell, "is that something you're willing to do?"
"We are done here" said Jolan as he walked away from the training ring, leaving Faith and Colonel Mitchell there alone, when he suddenly stopped and turned around.
"How can you be sure that the Ori speak falsely?" asked Jolan as Faith and Colonel Mitchell walked towards him.
"Because we've seen entire worlds get wiped out because they refused to follow the Ori" said Faith
"We're not trying to tell you what to think" said Colonel Mitchell, "but if everything I believed was being threatened, I'd want to know."
"Jolan, your people shouldn't suffer for their faith" said Faith as she shook her head before the Sodan warrior turned around and walked away.
"Think we got to him?" asked Faith.
"I don't know" replied the Colonel, "how about you rest up, and I'll try one more shot at convincing Haikon."
"Cam" said Faith as she turned and suddenly stopped as she looked at the entrance of the village, "look."
"Great" said the Colonel as he saw the same Prior as earlier walk into the village escorted by two warriors. The Prior scanned the area around him as he walked, and soon settled his eyes on Faith and the Colonel before smiling.
Science Lab One, SGC, 1800 hours.
Willow and Daniel were preparing to leave for the Sodan planet as Colonel Carter and General Landry came in through the door.
"General" said Willow as she stepped out of the ship and stood at attention.
"At ease, Major" said the General.
"Here is a video of the prisoner" said Colonel Carter as she handed Willow a tablet, "Teal'c has brought in someone from one of the Free Jaffa settlements that have been affected by the Ori to try and convince him that the Ori aren't the gods that his people have been looking for."
"And since he's said that a Prior visited the Sodan" said Daniel, "we'll take the Anti-Prior device with us, in case the Prior shows up."
"Good" said the General as he looked at Willow, "are you sure about going there unarmed?"
"Sir" said Willow, "they probably think that we killed Volnek, I'm not sure how it would look if we had two fully armed SG teams coming in a cloaked ship."
"They'd probably think it's an invasion force and try to shoot us, which would increase the likelihood of casualties" said Colonel Carter.
"And if a Prior really did visit them" said Daniel, "he's probably been spreading stories about us."
"As in, we should not be trusted and that we are the enemy?" asked General Landry.
"Yes" replied both Willow and Daniel together.
"Fine" said General Landry as he looked at Willow, "be extremely careful."
"Yes, Sir" said Willow.
"You have a go" said General Landry as Willow and Daniel in their tactical vests and BDU's entered the Puddle Jumper and closed the rear hatch.
"Ready, Daniel?" said Willow as the archaeologist sat at the co-pilot's seat.
"Yup" said Daniel as the both of them waved at Colonel Carter as the ship lifted off the ground.
"SGC Control" said Willow as she flew the ship through an open hatch and down towards the Gateroom, "please dial P9G-844."
"Jumper One" said Walter, "Gate has been dialed and you are cleared to depart."
"Activating Cloak" said Willow as the ship vanished and floated in front of the open wormhole, "clearing Gateroom in three…. two… one…."
Willow flew through the open wormhole and into the Sodan planet where she immediately put the Puddle Jumper into a steep climb.
"SGC control" said Willow, "we are through to the other side."
"Next check in will be in" said Daniel as he checked his watch, "thirty minutes."
"Copy that" said Walter's voice, "Gate shutting down."
"Alright" said Daniel as communication with the SGC stopped and he flicked a switch on an instrument panel that was on the floor between them, "the receiver for the subcutaneous transmitters are online."
"See them?" asked Willow.
"Nothing yet" said Daniel as he waited to see two yellow blips on the radar screen, "maybe you should go higher?"
"Yea" said Willow as she increased the ship's altitude when there was the sound of a 'bing'.
"Got them" said Daniel, "due south, looks like somewhere around those mountainous areas."
"Got it" said Willow as she flew the Puddle Jumper towards Faith and the Colonel's location.
"Gonna tell Faith?" asked Daniel.
"I'm guessing that she knows already" said Willow smiling as she sensed Faith's presence through their link.
As she flew over the mountain range Willow and Daniel saw a small village nestled in one of the valley's below.
Sodan Village, at the same time.
"Faith!" shouted Colonel Mitchel as he saw the brunette suddenly stop mid-swing, giving Jolan an opportunity to swing his staff across her face.
Bearing the full brunt of the hit, Faith fell onto the surface of the training ring.
"You seem to have lost your concentration" said Jolan as he helped the Slayer stand up as she rubbed her jaw and wiped some of the blood that came down her mouth.
"Nah" said Faith as she glanced upwards into the sky, "just had something in my eye."
"Very well" said Jolan, "let us complete one more round of training and we will be done for today."
"Sure" smiled Faith as she looked back at Colonel Mitchell and gave a grin, "you lost the bet."
"Really?" asked the Colonel as he looked around. He recalled making a bet with Faith that it would take at least two to three weeks for them to be rescued by the SGC, whereas Faith bet that they'll be rescued in a little more than a week.
All of a sudden, every one at the training ring felt a rush of air appear from nowhere.
"I told you so!" said Faith as she shouted at the Colonel.
"What is the meaning of this!" shouted Jolan as the Puddle Jumper decloaked and softly landed in between the village and the training ring. It was a few seconds later that more Sodan warriors ran over to the now visible Puddle Jumper and formed a ring around it with their staff weapons aimed at the ready.
"Easy, Jolan" said Faith.
"They just came to take us home" replied the Colonel who held both of his hands up.
"You people have no honour" replied Jolan as he ordered some of the warriors to hold both Faith and the Colonel and bring them to the front of the ship so that whoever was flying would surrender.
Just as he, followed by Faith and Colonel Mitchell walked to the Puddle Jumper, they saw the rear hatch open.
"Major,….. Jackson" said the Colonel as the hatch opened to reveal Daniel and Willow with their hands up smiling, "come to rescue us have you?"
"Yes, Sir" said Willow as she and Daniel walked down the ramp.
"Take them" said Jolan as he nodded at Willow and Daniel, resulting in two Sodan warriors walking toward the redhead and Daniel.
"Listen!" shouted Willow, "we've come unarmed as a show of good faith, all we ask is to talk to your leader and have our people returned to us. In return, we'll have the Sodan warrior known as Volnek returned back to you."
"What trickery is this?" said Jolan as he aimed his weapon at Willow, "he was shot in his symbiote pouch.. there is no way he could have survived."
"Jolan" said the Colonel, "just listen to her, please."
"Daniel?" said Willow.
"Sorry" said Daniel as he held one hand up with the other inside his vest pocket and took out a small tablet, "I should have had this out earlier, this is a video showing that Volnek is very much alive and well. You see, with the help of the Tok'ra, we have found and refined a chemical known as Tretonin that has negated the use of a symbiote. He has the Tretonin running through his blood stream now."
"What is…." Said Jolan as he took the tablet and looked at the video in surprise, "my brother is alive?"
"Volnek's your brother?' said both Faith and Colonel Mitchell together.
"What is the meaning of this!?" shouted Haikon as he came through the ring of Sodan warriors.
"My lord" said Jolan as he bowed his head and handed him the tablet, "Volnek is alive, the ritual of Kal Shak Lo should not be carried out as he was not killed."
"I see" said Haikon as he watched the video before he turned to face the occupants of the Puddle Jumper for the first time, and looked on in shock with his mouth wide open as both Willow and Daniel stepped forward.
"Ummm" said Willow, "may we put our hands down?"
"Ye… Ye… yes" said a visibly shaken Haikon, "please accept our sincerest apologies."
Willow and Daniel put their hands down and looked at each other in surprise
"My Lord?" said Jolan, "are you alright?"
"Go to the library of the gods" said Haikon as he turned to Jolan, "get me the first of the scrolls."
"My Lord?" asked Jolan again, "that contains the history of the Sodan, why would….?"
"Jolan!" said Lord Haikon as he quickly calmed down, "please bring the scrolls to my home, and release the prisoners… there has been no death of a Sodan warrior.."
"Yes, my Lord" said Jolan as he bowed his head slightly and took two warrior with him.
"Thanks" said Colonel Mitchell as the warrior holding him let go, the same with Faith who then ran towards the redhead and Daniel.
"All of you have your duties" said Haikon as he looked at the other Sodan warriors who had deactivated their weapons, "go, now."
"Hey" said Willow as she squeezed Faith's arm and caressed her cheek, especially the injury she had just received.
"Ow" said Faith as she rubbed her arm, "sorry, just a little bruised from training today."
"You alright?" whispered Willow.
"Yea" smiled Faith as Haikon walked up to the four of them.
"Please" said Haikon as he reached out to hold Willow's hand, "I request an audience."
"Huh?" said Willow as she looked on confused as Haikon bowed his head slightly.
"Please" said Haikon as he motioned towards his home, "come this way."
"We're coming too" said the Colonel.
"If that is her wish" replied Haikon as he looked at Willow and then at the Colonel.
"Yes, please" said Willow nervously as she looked at the Colonel and shrugged her shoulders.
Mitchell: "Major?"
Willow: "I have no idea what's going on."
"Very well" said Haikon, "come."
The four members of SG1 followed Haikon to the other end of the village and walked up the stairs to his home. As they were going up the stairs, Daniel noticed that Haikon seemed to be glancing back at Willow who was walking behind him with Faith. To anyone else it seemed like a casual glance but Daniel had seen enough of the way that worshippers of the Goa'uld, when people thought of the snakes as gods, would look at them in reverence. That was the glance he had seen, once of reverence… as if he had seen the face of a god. He was also sure that Willow felt it through her empathic abilities which would explain why she was so nervous and…. fearful.
"Please" said Haikon as he led them into his home, "sit… guards, some drinks for our guests."
"Haikon" said Colonel Mitchell, "this is all well and good, but all we did was return Jolan's brother."
"You did more than that, Mitchell" said Haikon as he sat down behind a small table, "you have brought the one who all those years ago saved the Sodan."
"What?" said the entire group together.
"Lord Haikon?" said Jolan as he came into the room carrying a large book and a yellowing piece of rolled parchment, "as you requested."
"Thank you" said Haikon as he opened the thick book whose pages were already yellow in colour.
"This book has been kept in the Sodan library of the gods for thousands of years" said Haikon as he carefully opened the book, "it contains various accounts including the entire history of the Sodan from the time the first warrior found out Goa'uld were not the gods they claimed to be, to the discovery that the Ancients were the ones that the Sodan should be worshipping, and then to the founding of the first Sodan village on this planet."
"Wow" said Daniel as he reached for the book, "may I?"
"If she so wishes" said Haikon as he looked at Willow.
"Sir" said Willow nervously, "I don't know who you think I am but…."
"Please" said Haikon as he bowed his head while Jolan looked on in surprise, as did the rest of SG1, "I do not mean to insult you, I just beg you to read the pages I have indicated."
"Ummm…." said Willow confused as she felt waves of what seemed like awe come off Haikon, "Daniel, please?"
"Daniel" said Faith as she looked at the pages that Daniel had opened the book to, "isn't that…?"
"Looks like an ancient dialect of the Goa'uld" said Daniel as he moved closer to the small table where the book lay open.
"Our scribes have spend years adding to the book every few hundred years so that the Sodan of today would never forget their history" said Haikon.
"Amazing" said Daniel as he read the inscriptions on the book.
"What's it say, Jackson?" asked Colonel Mitchell.
"Looks like an entry from a Jaffa name Kest'ur" said Daniel.
"The first leader of the Sodan" replied Jolan as Haikon nodded.
"It says'" said Daniel as he scanned the page, "we have been running for months from the Jaffa of Ishkur, the pretender; the man who claims to be a god but is really flesh and blood. We have killed many of his Jaffa but he has many more who are loyal to him and will not follow our ways. Once I discovered who Iskur really was, I gathered other Jaffa who felt the same way… and all of us… his most elite fighting force choose to rebel in order to escape the torture of being indentured to false gods. He has ordered our deaths….. we are now traitors and exiled from his domain… and we could not be more proud."
"OK" said Colonel Mitchell as Daniel turned the page carefully.
"We have heard the legends" said Daniel as he read the book, "the legends of gods long ago."
"The Ancients?" said Willow as Haikon nodded his head.
"They are the true gods we should be worshiping" said Daniel as he moved on to the next page, "they are the ones who can show us the true path to enlightenment that we Jaffa…. No, not Jaffa… we Sodan seek. We want to be lifted into the embrace of the old gods so that we may be protected… so that we could protect others…. So that we can inspire the Jaffa to free themselves."
"The other pages are just series of accounts on the battles the Sodan fought against Ishkur's Jaffa" said Daniel as he turned the pages skimming through the contents until he stopped at the page Haikon had indicated, "This page was written a few years after they were exiled."
"What's it say, Daniel?" asked Faith.
"Ishkur's Jaffa were closing on us from all sides as we approached the Chappa'ai. In the end, we two hundred strong Sodan warriors were face to face with overwhelming odds" read Daniel from the page, "we faced five hundred of Ishkur's fiercest and most loyal Jaffa. I did not want us to stop… we received intelligence on the location of the legendary planet, Kheb… where we could begin our path to enlightenment.. where we could find peace. Instead, we were facing an army whose main goal was to slaughter us…. To quell the rebellion… to silence the Sodan. All of a sudden, I sensed something in the air and looked up. The rays of the sun that was shining upon us, was soon covered in clouds before our very eyes. I looked at my comrades who were equally confused as to what sort of sorcery was being performed."
"Someone intervened" said Faith, "didn't they?"
"I heard screams as lightning fell from the sky" said Daniel as he nodded and turned the page, "the lightning burned through every Jaffa…. Five hundred put down in a matter of seconds. Then once the last Jaffa fell, the clouds cleared and that's when I saw it… that's when I saw her. A bright white light that came down from the heavens and settled in front of the dialing device that activated the Chappa'ai. Cautiously, I came out of hiding with the rest of my comrades and approached the light. The closer I walked to it, the more it seemed alive.. it pulsed, as what looked like tentacles trailed along its side. And I knew in my heart that we were saved by one of the old gods, one of the ones we had heard about in whispers and I knelt down on the ground; as did my comrades."
"I thought ascended beings couldn't interfere?" asked Willow as she looked at Daniel as he turned the page.
"Oma interfered when we went to Kheb" whispered Daniel as he looked at the redhead, "and that was probably because Kheb was supposed to be some sanctuary… maybe that's why she wasn't punished by the Others."
"So this planet was some sort of sanctuary?" asked Faith.
"I don't know" said Daniel, "could be."
"I really don't like where this is heading" said Willow shaking her head.
"I read the report on your vision in Atlantis" said the Colonel, "is that what you're talking about?"
All Willow could do was nod her head silently as she looked at the Colonel and Faith in utter surprise.
"Major?" asked the Colonel.
"Willow?" asked Daniel.
"Keep on reading Daniel" said Willow before she looked at the Colonel.
"Right" replied Daniel as he read from the book, "as I offered my thanks to the god who had just saved my people, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw the light slowly dimming away to reveal a beautiful woman. She signaled me to stand and I could tell from her expression that she did not want others to kneel before her, so I had turned around and asked my fellow Sodan to stand before turning around once again. She was striking… hair as red as flames and eyes green as the leaves on the trees that surrounded us. She was dressed in a white robe and her smile, her smile was enough to make any man's heart stop. I had asked for her name, but she gave that smile again and turned around. Without even touching the dialing device, the woman had activated the Chappa'ai before turning back to me. I looked on as she held out her hand and reached for mine. Holding onto her hand she led me and the others through the Chappa'ai, and to a new world. Once the Chappa'ai was closed, and all my comrades present, did she walk along a path to a strange structure."
"The Gateway to Enlightenment" said Daniel as he looked up at Haikon, who nodded.
"She showed us what we had to do with the object, and then she turned to me and said only one word; Home."
"That's it?" asked the Colonel.
"At least of the ones that are relevant" said Daniel.
"My lord" said Jolan as he picked up the rolled parchment from the table and handed it to Haikon.
"This" said Haikon as he handed Willow the rolled parchment, "this is a recreation of a picture we found in one of the many cave dwellings along the mountains."
"Oh no" said Willow as shook her head while she gingerly opened the rolled parchment, "no… no… no…"
"Red" said Faith as she looked at the picture of a woman in a white robe with bright red hair and green eyes standing at the foot of a Stargate, "that's…"
"Athena" said Willow softly as she looked at Faith and then at the picture again, "it's Athena."
"Athena" said Haikon pleased after finally hearing the name of the woman in the picture and looked at Willow, "you are Athena."
"Huh?" said Willow as she looked up from the picture surprised, "no, I'm sorry but I'm not Athena. My name is Major Willow Rosenberg… I may just look like her but I'm not her."
"But the likeness is so…" said Jolan as he looked at the picture and then looked at Willow's face, "the resemblance is uncanny."
"We believe that Willow…. Major Rosenberg is a descendant of Athena" said Daniel, "you see, the Ancients…. For lack of a better term… mated with the people of Earth after they returned from Atlantis. If one of these Ancients was Athena, then she would have had a relationship with one of the early humans and her line and genetic makeup would have been passed down over thousands of years. That's how the Ancient gene has been passed among humans."
"I'm sorry" said Willow as she looked at a disappointed Haikon, "I'm not Athena, but that doesn't mean that she's not watching the Sodan… I'm sure that she'll show herself one day to you and your people."
"Cam" said Daniel as he looked at his wristwatch, "we need to check in with the SGC."
"Haikon" said Colonel Mitchell, "please let us have access to the Stargate, we need to let our people know that we're alright… and that they can make preparations for Volnek to return."
"Very well" said Haikon as he looked at Jolan and nodded.
"My lord" said Jolan as he stood up.
"Jackson" said the Colonel, "contact the SGC and tell them that we're alright and that no-one has been hurt."
"Right" said Daniel as he got up and was accompanied out of the house by Jolan.
"Haikon" said Colonel Mitchell, "I know this is a lot to take in but Major Rosenberg's not Athena, just as the Ori aren't the gods that you're looking for."
"Generations of my people fought and died" said Haikon sadly, "praying for the day when we could seek the path without recrimination. I know that the Ori are not the Ancients. But can there be any doubt that they are gods? And if they can lead us to the path of enlightenment, how can I refuse them?"
"Sir" said Willow as she leaned forward towards Haikon, "the Ori are not what they claim to be. You've read the book you showed us, they're not even close to doing what Athena did for your ancestors."
"The Prior has healed our sick. Caused our crops to grow as if by magic. Why should I doubt the power of the Ori?" asked Haikon, "especially when Athena has not come back to help those she had assisted thousands of years ago."
"The Ancients are not supposed to interfere in the lower planes of existence" said Faith calmly, "maybe after helping your people escape the Goa'uld, the Others punished her in some way? Anything could have happened, but you need to have faith that she's watching over you…. it is your people's faith that sustained you ever since Athena guided your ancestors to this world… don't let that faith be shattered by following these Ori."
"Their power is not what you should question" said Colonel Mitchell, "it's how they use it. Anyone refuses to worship them, and they die. And I'm not talking about a few non-believers here and there. I'm talking about whole planets wiped out!"
"Sir" said Willow as she looked at Haikon, "we built a weapon that is capable of blocking the powers of a Prior, it's been effective every time we've faced them."
"Have you been able to stop them completely?" asked Haikon.
"They always come back, but the point is….." said the Colonel as Haikon interrupted him.
"They always come back" said Haikon, "isn't that proof that the Ori uses their divine will to guide the Priors back to these worlds where they have been seemingly defeated?"
"Haikon" said Colonel Mitchell.
"You may leave" said Haikon as he turned to look at Willow, "thank you for coming to meet the Sodan, in a way… I wish you were the goddess who saved my people thousands of years ago."
"I'm sorry" said Willow, "but I'm not her, but I'm sure that Athena would not want you do this… killing innocent people in the name of the Ori."
The three of them could only look on as Haikon closed his eyes before he stood up.
"I thank you all for coming" said Haikon as the three remaining members of SG1 stood up, "but the Prior has promised us that which we have sought for thousands of years… a path to enlightenment. I only request that Volnek be returned to us once you have left."
"He will be" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Haikon" said Faith as the both of them bowed their heads towards each other, "please reconsider."
"Be safe" said Haikon as he gave Faith the traditional Jaffa handshake and put one hand on her shoulder, "you would make a fine warrior of the Sodan."
"Thanks" blushed Faith as she stepped back.
"Major" said Haikon as he turned to Willow as Colonel Mitchell and Faith were waiting for her on the balcony, "you really do look like Athena. I just hope that she comes to our aid should we make a mistake."
"Have faith, Sir" said Willow, "have faith that when it comes down to it….. when the Prior sends you on a mission to forcibly convert a world that refuses to follow Origin…. Have faith that you'll follow the traditions of the Sodan, not of the Ori."
Willow and Haikon simply bowed to each other before the redhead joined Faith and Colonel Mitchell and walked down the stairs towards the Puddle Jumper, where Daniel was already waiting for them after having sent a message to Stargate Command.
TBC.