Axmin-Isteno of Cyria and Captain Samantha Carter of the Tau'ri and New Race are in the kilen, a designated room that benefits the ambition of operating hurora, if instructed. Along with many fortes on 81-F6Q, what it is and why it's a thing is ambiguous, so questioning a Cyrian may reign worthwhile.
Perhaps the youngest high-authoritarian Cyrian has the answers.
Recap: The Axmin of Cyria showcased her planet's main room to hydris. Next, pleasantries with the staron and rith, two additional commanders, endured, and to heed consisted of the most inadequate turn of events: The SG-1 Leader of the Tau'ri and the Rith of Cyria bloodily tussled. There, too, was a recounted word-slang or swearword.
Zilro.
What does it mean? Hopefully, sometime soon, we'll find out.
We'll revert to the scene in the main room for all the ducks to be in a row.
Isteno leads SG-1 into the room they've been waiting for, and they quickly dash to scrutinize their surroundings. They're like youngsters on a field trip.
In the corner, the lift rises, and two men exit. They're in attires similar to Isteno's, and the deduction skills of the colonel note that they must be Q'uobik and Tommen, the staron and the rith. The man on the left has a sun-kissed tone (much lighter than the colonel's), chestnut curls, and green eyes; the man on the right has a pale tone, shoulder-length hair pulled into a slick bun, and clear-blue eyes. The men are undoubtedly older than Isteno, and Jack wonders about the process of authority.
"I am Q'uobik, the Staron of the Cyrian Mastria," the man on the left culturally introduces himself with his palms facing outwards before forming a diamond shape with his hands. The team senses déjà vu from the Cyrian chappa'ai room. If one-plus-one equals two, then. . .
"I am Tommen, the Rith of the Cyrian Mastria," the man on the right announces likewise. He scrutinizes the four members, and his suspicious gaze settles on the colonel.
Well, would you look at that? The staron, axmin, and rith are all present.
Isteno steps forward, declaring, "Q'uobik, Tommen, these are members of SG-1 of the new Tau'ri planet. They voyage to barter and assemble an allyship with us. This is Teal'c, Daniel Jackson, Captain Samantha Carter, and Colonel Jack O'Neill."
The axmin steps back, and the staron steps forward with an optimistic aura. "Welcome, SG-1 of the rising Tau'ri planet and Fifth Race. Let's wish for a potential partnership. If it's to my understanding, Axmin-Isteno knew of SG-1 or one of you before today's adventure," states Q'uobik, the end sounding like a question.
Jack is hushed at the knowing comment and knows his team members are doing the same. Perhaps the opposing top-wear isn't in his favor as he senses Tommen's fierce stare. He remains unaffected by the rith, noting how the man has grown tense and apprehensive, which is disregarded yet unsatisfactory. Cautiously, he stands on the other side of Daniel and Sam, with Teal'c as the assuming leader. He stuffs his hands into his pockets and drops his head, examining his jet-black socks contrasting with the glossy floor.
The captain, ever the prevailing soldier, detects the tension between her CO and the rith, her blue orbs darting to and fro their being. This isn't the first time someone has foolishly stepped to the colonel but now isn't the time or place, just like any other encounter. Something isn't right. What's going on? She glances his way, yet he's willingly excluding himself from the setting, standing some steps away from the conversation. His head is bowed, his awareness has drifted, and, altogether, he's no-longer in command of SG-1.
The team understands that if the colonel relinquishes leadership to the captain or, in this case, Teal'c, there are two possibilities: He's wounded, or something or someone will affect his consciousness to guide his squad.
The team comprehends that, yes, but what or who is affecting their leader? Almost as if by a switch, the devil-may-care, untroubled demeanor of Jack O'Neill has disappeared. Teal'c creates his well-known, high-raised eyebrow before stepping forward with his hands clasped behind his back. Daniel attempts to glimpse at his friend to convey nonverbal communication, yet the man is proficient at not wanting to be meteorically seen.
Gah, what a maddening man. Why does he always falsely assume he must deal with everything alone?
Isteno nervously darts between the colonel and the rith, detecting the suspense surrounding them. Glory to Dasyn, please let there not be a dispute. Tommen may be out of his league with this one and should cease while he can. Inwardly, she sighs in bummer. She records the failed efforts of Jonathan's pack endeavoring to get through to him. There's something peculiar about the blonde woman. . .
What has Tommen done again?
How can the axmin communicate without divulging too much? She deems the only solution is to lead with the obvious. "I know of Jack O'Neill throughout the Galaxy. He is the slayer of Ra and Hathor, and he's a xastralion of refined Tau'ri and Ancient genetics." In conclusion, the axmin swiftly moves to stand alongside the captain. The towering blonde ganders her way, but she delivers a soft, closed-mouth smile.
"A xastralion?! They are extinct, are they not?" rhetorically voices Q'uobik with awe, not commenting on the colonel being the one to end Ra and Hathor. Hm. Xastralions aren't extinct if one is standing before him, obviously. "Very impressive, Colonel Jack O'Neill. I would've never considered meeting a rare species in this lifetime."
Poor, innocent Q'uobik. Identifying the effect his comments have on prominent members of the Tau'ri and Cyria society isn't in his repertoire as he's fonding over a hydris with an extensive career list on his home planet and throughout the far Galaxy.
And that's that.
Because the subsequent occurrences are inconclusive as to how they began.
Isteno judged something awry with Jonathan and Tommen, two of the most venturesome persons she's ever collaborated with. Tommen is many things, especially someone who's over his head one too many times. Nevertheless, out of all of the Cyrian Mastria, he's the only one adept at getting the job done — maintaining the Mastria's weaponry and protection detail. Really, in layperson's terms: A prizefighter with an association of weapons. Yeah, it could've been anyone from the streets of Cyria; moreover, when the klalgi — trial hardship — for the rith position transpired, and after several ferocious, bloody contests concluded, the last to rise from the rumble was none other than South Bayside's own, Tommen orr'im cren-mis'Anneth.
Just because he won the klalgi for the rith position doesn't qualify him to battle someone like Jack O'Neill.
Tau'ri's Jonathan 'Jack' O'Neill is someone who outclasses in advanced hand-to-hand combat (H2H) with techniques and approaches retained and dominated from around his planet — Iran, Russia, Germany, Iraq, the Middle East, African countries, Asian countries, and on. When in the Black Ops, the necessity for H2H was valueless when the immediate focus was — and will always be — destructive weaponry. Using potent weapons is cool and call, but none of Jack's former commanders could tell him shit because either way, he would grasp combat, too. As such, he's combined the home-bound Western style with the others he's accumulated over the years.
Interestingly, on paper, O'Neill and cren-mis'Anneth aren't too dissimilar in their dangerous background. Almost everything surrounding the colonel is unaccustomed: A Tau'ri-Human with a duo genetic code linked to the Ancients; a xastralion; the slayer of Ra and Hathor. Xastralions were myths or an old wive's tale passed through the grapevine and historically recounted. Today, Cyria's commanders met a living xastralion originating from the Tau'ri planet, with confirmation being of the said person activating a Cyrian device. But wait: The dots don't seem to connect, do they? If O'Neill, a Human, has a genetic code related to the Ancients, how did he activate a Cyrian device, and what about him doing so correlated to the mythical label? Hm. . .
Could this be why Tommen is indifferent to Jack, perhaps with undertones of enviousness, too? Eh, maybe. Let's not put it against him.
Tommen rushes and attempts to strike Jack, exclaiming, "You shouldn't be here! You're blasphemous; you're a zilro!"
Remember: Jack cautiously removed himself from the mass and was a few steps away. To get to him is to evade Daniel, Teal'c, Sam, and Isteno, who merged to their side not too long ago. The rith barreled through the four of them, knocking them to the ground and into each other like dominoes. It's not every day that the Big Guy is effortlessly rammed, nor his teammates. The rith is quite an opposing force, especially when he's enraged.
The colonel raises his head and releases his hands from his pockets. He presumed that such would occur, thus being prepared. He has some self-control and guarantees no casualty. He won't let anyone touch him and leave undeterred, regardless if they were just in the act.
On the floor, the trio of SG-1 and the axmin's limbs are hilariously twisted. Now untangled, they're moving to their feet but not fast enough.
Sam watches the men's fists and bodies gain blood as the blows echo and increase in volume.
Dodging and weaving with his guard-hand raised, he successfully blocks Tommen's strikes and counters with a destructive two-three-two trio to his ribcage and sternum before finalizing with a harrowing punch to the man's face that knocks him down. Blood spews from the opponent's nose and mouth, and his eye swells.
Oh, Jack. . .
Daniel and Teal'c successfully draw Jack from Tommen, but the damage is already done. The colonel raises his bloody hands in submission as he retreats, a vile expression completing his features as he stares down the man. Isteno and Q'uobik are frozen in mystification, their mouths agape and eyes skimming between the colonel and the rith.
On the floor, the rith sits on his rear, perhaps in embarrassment as he tends to his wounds. The colonel is hardly affected, though his breathing is slightly rugged, and his hands ache with favorable discomfort.
The colonel concludes to a downward headspace and hunts for blood. He strained to avert it, but it prevailed.
With a grimace, Jack raises his knuckles to his temples, beating himself in constriction. His unfocused eyes skim his surroundings, then conclude on Sam, who inhales sharply.
This isn't good for him or the others.
Sam desires nothing but for the others to disappear, and only she and Jack are present. They're having a nonverbal conversation.
Jack, please calm down.
Sam, something is happening to me. I don't know what to do.
Teal'c's eyes dart between the colonel and the captain, noting the woman's uneasiness and the man's rampant recoil.
This won't do. If anyone is going to restore semblance, then it will be him, goddamn it.
Jack doesn't know what to do; he doesn't know whether to gaze at Sam, beat his temples, or yield. Somehow, he's currently doing a mixture of all of the above.
Isteno resumes her position next to the doctor-soldier.
The pain is magnificent. It reminds him of Iran, Iraq, and other wielding instances. It reminds him of his childhood and upbringing in various countries, states, and cities as he defied to fend for himself and his family. No amount of sarcophaguses and self-healing antidotes can erase the evidence of past broken bones, scars, burns, blemishes, and overall history from his body.
It's been a long time since he's felt this way. His attempts at control persist in failing, and he desperately wants to surrender.
"Jack, stop. Go by one of the windows," insists Daniel as he rubs a hand over his face. He's standing in the middle of the room with Jack and Teal'c on the left and Sam, Isteno, and Q'uobik on the right. The archeologist doesn't know what to make of the last few minutes with his friend and the Rith of Cyria or how it came to be. He misgives, classifying the unforgivable moment as something that he possibly could've averted in the total degree of a military attitude, especially with the colonel relinquishing leadership to Teal'c.
The captain, too, doesn't know what just transpired in the past few minutes. She glimpses at Isteno, who concentrates on Jack — Jonathan — as he moves near a large window. Sensing a squeezing sensation on her arm, the axmin glances at her arm.
EK-JALA OR'ROC PASEH
JACK O'NEILL TAU'RI ^ KLIOIPE
Oh, no, supposes Isteno as she peeks at Tommen and Q'uobik. From the first scrutinization, neither inserted the code into the system.
Wait, what? If they didn't, who did?
Thinking fast, the axmin grasps the left arm of the captain's and utilizes hurora, and enters the kilen.
In the kilen, the captain's blue orbs survey her surroundings. There's a buzzing sensation traveling through her body, almost with a familiarity.
"Ah," begins the blonde in muttering deadpan, "dreamshadow, again."
Isteno smiles and replies in revision, "Actually, it differs from dreamshadow; it's hurora."
Sam sighs and nods simultaneously, her hands caressing the walls of the devoid room. It reminds her of the white solitary confinement room back at the Mountain, and she doesn't know how she feels about it. She asks, "Where are we?"
"This is the kilen," begins Isteno as she leans against the left wall with her hands folded over her abdomen. "It is a filler room where hurora is only competent to operate. During the acrux, the Cyrian Mastria can attain dreamshadow. However, only high-authoritarians possess hurora."
"Show me, please," nicely requests the captain. This is definitely something up her alley.
Isteno moves to another wall and delivers a come-hither movement to the blonde. Once the taller woman is alongside her, she raises her hand and builds a spiral movement. Out of evidently nowhere, a portal or something unlocks on the white wall. It's a vantablack waterhole of nothingness, though it sounds like looped water audio was recorded from thousands of feet above the sea level. As the second-in-command regards it, the wall portal looks like the quantum mirror securely stowed at the SGC or Area 51.
"This is hurora. Please, Captain Samantha Carter, give me your hand."
Nervously, the captain readjusts her backpack, runs a hand through her hair, then places her light-colored hand onto the axmin's darker-colored hand. This is it, Sam.
Axmin-Isteno presses buttons on the screen on her sleeve and then excitedly releases a breath with a chuckle. "I am always truthful, Captain Samantha Carter. There are limited opportunities to perform hurora, so I am very eager. If I am accurate, the same actions for traveling through the chappa'ai apply here, too. On the three-count, we will step through the portal. It is important not to release my hand. Is that understood?"
Ever the speedy trainee, the captain nods in understanding.
"On three. One, two . . . three!"
The women step towards the portal, anticipating to contact whatever the destination is.
Except, nothing happened.
"Uh," voices Sam. They're still in the white solitary confinement room. "Why didn't it work?"
Frowning, Isteno softly releases the other woman's hands and regards the screen on her sleeve. No. Why?!
"What is it, Isteno?" questions Sam.
Slowly, the axmin raises her head, and the captain is met with wide, frightened eyes. From her vanishing point, the taller woman can't read what the screen displays (although she wouldn't be able to even if she could see the screen entirely because she doesn't comprehend the Cyrios language). The youngest commander tilts the screen towards the other woman.
RITH-TOMMEN
S'USH TAM CYRIA
JACK O'NEILL TAU'RI ^ KLIOIPE
"What does it say?"
"Something has happened in the main room. Tommen has ordered the protection detail against Jack O'Neill. It says: PROHIBITED TAU'RI JACK O'NEILL and CYRIA PROTECTION DETAIL ORDERED BY RITH-TOMMEN."
My team. Jack, Teal'c, Daniel. . . JACK!
"Isteno, I need to be with Ja- I mean, my team. Either through dreamshadow or hurora, I need to return to the main room," reasons Sam.
Isteno uneasily chuckles, not meeting the eyes of the other woman.
"Unfortunately, that is not possible at this time. When the S'ush Tam Cyria is in operation, everything is in lockdown. We cannot leave the kilen until the order is terminated from Tommen or even Svelam, the anor of the S'ush Tam Cyria."
Silently, the captain moves to a far wall and uses the slickness of the wall to slide to the floor. She removes her backpack and withdraws a spare, full-water canteen from inside. Her long legs are extended, and her body begins to quiver. She's isolated from her team.
More importantly, she's separated from the colonel, her Jonathan-Jack-Jonah, and she can do nothing about it. She feels useless.
Oh, Jack. What are they doing to you?
A/N: An insight into the women's situation and, unfortunately, they're in a pickle. Someone sent a code, and it's not surprisingly not Tommen, Q'uobik, or Isteno. Who sent it, and what does it mean?
In a span of a few minutes: There are two codes against the colonel. What's happening?!