Good evening,
Here is the next chapter. I'm setting up the bases of the story so not much action today but I hope it will be entertaining as we get acquainted with a new planet.
Thanks for reading.
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Chapter 3
As the gate shut down, SG-1 stood a moment taking in their surroundings. As far as they could see, there were fields, some trees and they could distinguish some houses here and there.
- Well, this is peaceful., Daniel said.
- Would you want the good ol' welcoming party with weapons and explosions?, O'Neill asked him back.
- Of course not., the archaelogist opposed to him., It's just different… and nice not to have to run for once.
- DHD is operational, sir., Carter stated.
- Good. So let's get there… wherever there is., the colonel ordered, resting his hand on his P90.
- I believe what you are looking for is in this direction, O'Neill., Teal'c informed him, pointing to what looked like a small village further away.
- Lead the way, big guy.
The jaffa leaned slightly then took the path that circulated between the fields. As they went, some people rose from their work in the fields and observed them out of curiosity. They were using scythes and forks to gather and pick their crops that seemed to be something closed to wheat.
- It looks like an agrarian community whose development would be as our society was one or two centuries before the industrial revolution. They don't seem to use animals., Daniel shared with them.
Next to each worker, there was a pannier and, as soon as it was full, they would take it on their back and carry it towards the village.
- It must take them days to harvest all fields. There are so many of them but it seems there's not so many people., Sam thought out loud.
- Well, it seems so. Maybe they have to produce a lot to have a decent quantity of food., Daniel assumed.
- This can be an interesting matter of trading., Jack told them.
- Yes, it can. Hopefully they might have something interesting for us. Otherwise, I don't think that will be of great interest for the powers-that-be., the archaelogist replied, pushing his glasses up on his nose.
- Well, let's see., Jack retorted as they approached the village.
The houses were made of wood and cob and the roofs were covered with straws. Smoke went out of some houses by openings on top of them. As they walked by an entrance, muddy water was thrown just in front of them.
- Hey, be careful!, the colonel shouted, looking with disgust a few inches away where the water had landed.
- I am sorry., said a middle-aged woman, coming out of the building.
- It's okay. You couldn't know., Daniel intervened.
- She could ha…, O'Neill began before shutting up after a glance from his friend.
- They're new boots. I don't want to fill another paper for new ones. Doubt poo and pee are valuable reasons to change them., he mumbled, making Sam giggle lightly.
He gave her a stern look that didn't really stop her but, inside, he was pleased to achieve this result.
- Err. Hi, we're explorers. I'm Daniel, this is colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter and Teal'c., Daniel introduced them.
- My name is Sosourou., she told them.
- Nice to meet you, Sosourou. We'd like to speak with the leaders of your village. We'd like to learn more about your planet, your culture, everything you can tell us., he explained to her.
- Come with me.
She drove them further away to a bigger building. They entered the place, finding rugs on the floor, hangings along the cob-made walls and a large fire burning in the center of the circular room.
- Please have a seat. I will warn our leader of your presence., she told them, indicating cushions spread around the fire before leaving them alone.
- So far, so good., O'Neill said, sitting down, wincing when his knees creaked.
- Did you see how many houses there were here?, Sam said to Daniel.
- Not a lot. I would say twenty or so…, he told her.
- If, let's say, they are on a four-member family basis, that would mean they are just a hundred of people around here. With all that space, it's incredible., she mused.
- I guess there are more than four people in a family, based on our history. Well, given the sanitary conditions we already saw, they might have great problems with diseases. Mortality rates must be high as it was in the seventeenth and eighteenth century on Earth, as it is still today in many developing countries…, the archaelogist stated.
- May the day be grateful for you., they suddenly heard.
They turned towards the entrance and saw a man wearing a red shirt standing. They all rose and smiled friendly to welcome him.
- May the day be grateful for you too., Daniel replied tentatively.
He hoped it was the right formula to answer with in this case and it seemed so as the man approached and took Daniel's hand to shake it before embracing him forcefully. He did the same with Teal'c and Colonel O'Neill but, when arriving in front of Sam, he just took off his hat and saluted her without touching her.
- I am Mahuntinso, the leader of this place. Where do you come from?, he asked them, curious, inviting them to sit down again.
- I'm Daniel Jackson and here are my friends : Teal'c, Colonel O'Neill and Major Samantha Carter. We come from Earth through the stargate., he answered to him.
- The stargate?, their host repeated, dumbfounded.
- Ah, the stargate… Well you know the big ring over there in the fields with symbols, vertical blue sea…, the archaelogist described.
- The doorway to destiny., the man understood.
- Well, yes, the doorway to destiny…, Daniel mumbled., So we came through the doorway to destiny and we would like to know about you, your people, your culture, everything you're willing to share with us. Maybe we could even help each other.
- We don't have a lot to share with you. We do not need lots of things. We grow our vegetables and cereals, heat our homes with the product of the woods around us, drink the water from the river near by., he told them, looking at them and observing the things made of material they didn't know of on their planet., but what we have we gladly share., he added.
- We are very thankful of that. I'd be very glad to learn more about your people, your habits, your history and I think Major Carter would appreciate if you authorized her to do some analyses.
Mahuntinso took a long look at the major who stayed put under his gaze before turning back to Daniel.
- What is "analyses"?, Mahuntinso asked him.
- It is a way to learn about things. For example, we analyze the soil, take a little bit and determine its composition, the things that are in it., Sam intervened.
- Major Carter is a soldier and also a scientist on our planet., Daniel explained patiently.
Even if it was not his way of thinking, he knew lots of civilizations had a certain idea of women's place in their community. It had already put her in awkward situations.
- Please do as you wish, Major Carter, but I would just ask you not to stay alone. We are not used to treat badly our women here but better be safe than sorry., he asked her.
- One of us will stay with her at all times., O'Neill said.
He hid his smirk when he heard her huff. He knew she was perfectly able to hold her own but they had plenty of time for Daniel to teach them to play along with off-world people's habits.
- You can use the room over there for the night and we would be very pleased if you join us for the celebration tonight., Mahuntinso offered them.
- A celebration?, O'Neill repeated, lifting an eyebrow.
- Tonight, we will go through the ceremony of mating., he announced to them.
Three of them shifted a little uncomfortably, dreading to assist to naughty scenes. Taking upon himself, Daniel cleared his throat and shot his question.
- What is a ceremony of mating?
- It is a ceremony during which a man and a woman agree to partake the rest of their lives together., the leader answered, easing their worries., Does it not exist on your planet?
- Yes, it does. We call that a wedding ceremony, marriage also., Daniel offered.
- Is Major Carter to share her life with one of you? Does she want to take part of the ceremony?, Mahuntinso asked.
Sam blushed, keeping her gaze focused on the fire and mostly herself from squirming. Please someone talk, she thought repeatedly just to break the heavy silence that had fallen upon them.
- Err… no, she is not. We are friends, only… friends, the four of us., Daniel said, surprised that none of both military people had denied it.
He took a brief look at them and felt like laughing seeing Sam looking down while Jack looked up at the ceiling, apparently mesmerized by the fire or the smoke lifting up in the air.
- It is surprising that a beautiful woman like you does not have a mate., the leader said, pointedly looking at her.
The way he said that stroke the colonel who gave him a stern look. He was always ready to defend his teammates and even more Carter who was too often the target of men's unwanted attention. Well, how could he blame them to yield in front of her looks and mind when he…? He stopped as soon as his mind took the wrong direction and came back to the moment.
- Some women on our planet are smart enough not to fall for our praises., he told him with a teasing tone.
Daniel looked at their host quite worried about his reaction to that rebuff but Mahuntinso simply laughed, visibly amused.
- We have some of them here too., he replied simply., Often, they are the most wanted.
- Same here…, Jack simply said, glad he had made his point.
- So who are the two lucky people?, Daniel asked, redirecting the talk on safer grounds.
- Two? Oh no, they are twenty-six people who are mated tonight., the leader told them., Look, I will tell you more about it later tonight. Now I have to prepare the ceremony.
- Okay. See you later then., Daniel saluted him.
As Mahuntinso left the building, they got up and looked around. Teal'c went around to inspect the place, Sam took a look at the room they had been given while Jack and Daniel stayed in the main room.
- So… Sure you don't want to take part to the ceremony?, Daniel asked to Jack playfully.
- Me? I wasn't the one interrogated., the latter pointed out.
- Yeah but you could feel… I don't know… involved maybe., the younger one suggested.
- I am not the one who has a woman on each planet I visit…, Jack shot back, making his friend cough, ill at ease, which made him smirk.
- I do not have a woman on each planet., he then protested.
- Teal'c, wouldn't you say Danny boy here has a woman on each planet?, Jack asked to the jaffa.
- I would not, O'Neill., Teal'c said calmly.
- Ah!, Daniel made satisfied, pointing his finger at Jack.
- But he sure has a lot of success., the jaffa went on.
- Ah!, Jack made back at the archaeologist.
Sam looked at them and shook her head, amused. These two were just like cats and dogs, unable to get together smoothly but unable to be separated too… well when things were just right and calm as they were presently.
- The room is pretty comfortable with beds and blankets, only one entrance and two openings with curtains. No real window., she told them.
- I wonder if they know of the Goa'uld., Daniel suddenly said., They didn't seem to be fearful of Teal'c.
- Well, you'll ask them later on. So tonight party. Tomorrow morning, Teal'c, you will go with Carter. Major, you have until 1300 to take every sample of whatever is interesting… or not. I will follow Daniel and hear how wonderfully he collects lots of useless information…, these words earned him a glare from his friend., err… sorry very interesting and of high importance for… someone information from the people here and, if we still have time, maybe take a look at the nearest ruins from the village., O'Neill decided.
- That will give us three hours left before going back home., Sam concluded, nodding.
- We have a plan and a celebration to attend., O'Neill stated, pushing Daniel towards the entrance., Do you think they have cake?
- Do you think it is a good idea to have cake? Do I have to refresh your memory with what happened on Argos?, Daniel asked him, raising an eyebrow.
O'Neill shuddered remembering how he had found himself contaminated by nanothings after a piece of cake brought him into a thirty-day-old girl's arms, making him grow old far too quickly. He could have died on that mission.
Hearing noises of what looked like celebration, they took the direction and found themselves in a clearing, joining a hundred or so people. Some women wore flower crowns on their head while other men had flower necklaces around their neck. People were chatting, laughing and passing from one group to another but, when Mahuntinso arrived, everyone went silent. The couples placed themselves in two lines and they listened to the leader's speech. The words were pretty common but some things called them out. When the ceremony came to an end, there were whistles and clapping and then a song everyone sang.
- Carter, you won't cry, will you?, O'Neill whispered a little loudly for their teammates to hear.
He needed to escape the tension of the moment. He had attended a lot of weddings during their missions and it was getting weirder, bringing unwanted emotions that he had to keep under control and sometimes it was not as easy as it used to be.
- Well, if you don't, I won't, sir., she replied cheekily.
- Smartass., he grumbled.
- Sir?, she said too innocently to be so.
- I don't cry, for crying out loud., he answered gruffly.
He heard her snicker and made his best not to smile. When the people began to scatter around, they saw the leader coming their way and greeted him.
- What do you think of our ceremony?, he asked them, smiling.
- It was interesting. I have some questions., Daniel said.
- Come on, Daniel. Keep that for later. Your ceremony is pretty good but there's something missing for it to be perfect., Jack said and the leader frowned quizzically.
- What is it?
- You may kiss the bride…, Jack answered all smile., At the end of the ceremony, the man gets to kiss his wife to show she…, he began before stopping himself from saying something that would provoke his major's wrath., to show they are something from there on.
- A kiss…, Mahuntinso whispered deep in thought.
- Yes a kiss… on the lips. A real kiss, not just a little peck, the real thing., Jack blabbered, not knowing why he couldn't stop him nor his mind from going into full daydreaming.
- I think we all understood your point, Jack., Daniel intervened, throwing him an exasperated look., Unless you want to show him what a kiss is…
The colonel stayed dumbfounded while Carter was victim of a coughing fit. Their reactions made Mahuntinso and Daniel chuckled a little.
- Mahuntinso, I was wondering : do you have lots of ceremonies to do throughout the year for you to do some of them the same evening?, Daniel asked.
- Do you not do the same on your planet?, the leader asked him back without answering.
- Generally not. On our planet, it is a very special day for the newly weds, the two mates. So we are used to celebrating them separately even though there are some places where they can do mass marriages., the archaelogist explained.
- Here those who want to get mated are to wait for the day of the ceremony. We celebrate once a year. It's easier to organize things in the village., Mahuntinso told them.
The four friends looked at each other, understanding the reasons why even if they found it a little sad. They followed Mahuntinso to the place where a party was organized. There were plenty of foods and beverages the four earthlings looked at suspiciously, trying to determine how safe it was to consume them.
- Don't you eat meat?, Sam asked, seeing a lot of vegetables, fruits and products based on them.
- Meat?, Mahuntinso said, dumbfounded.
- Yes, meat from animals, you know pig, cow, chicken… even fish?, she tried to explain.
- I do not know what you refer to., he answered her, shaking his head embarrassed.
- Sorry, I didn't want to embarrass you. We know each planet has similarities and differences with our own world., she evaded with a little smile that affected the man.
- Take a seat, please., he offered her, pointing to a wooden bench.
He sat down next to her with Daniel on his other side. Teal'c and O'Neill taking place on the other side of their teammates.
- Don't drink to much, Daniel., O'Neill warned him in a teasing tone.
The young man ignored him, turning his back to him to face Mahuntinso. They began talking about the food and drinks, the leader teaching them their names, then pointing to different people who may help them to learn more about them.
- Are the children already sleeping?, Daniel asked, seeing only very few of them around the place.
- No, they are all here from the youngest to the oldest., the leader told him, showing some of them in the distance., You seem surprised. Is it not the same way on your… planet?
- Well, are there other towns, villages around here?, Daniel asked.
- No, there isn't. We are the only ones., his counterpart said.
- So it is not the same on our planet. There are billions of people on our planet and the population grows at a steady pace… more or less., the archaeologist replied.
- Really? This is amazing. As far as I can remember, we always have lived like this, with a hundred or so people., Mahuntinso mused, looking at his people with a wistful look., It would be great to have more of us. It would be easier to take care of our fields. We lose a lot of our production because we are not enough and we cannot grow less. It would be too risky.
- We will have to talk about it with our leaders back on Earth but we may help you to improve the yield. We know when people are better fed, they are stronger and less prone to get sick and die., Sam said.
- You have that power?, he retorted in disbelief.
The four of them could hear behind it his will to give a better life to his people. They were perfectly aware that this village was on the verge to disappear as it already seemed hard for them to simply renew its people. The major smiled at him genuinely, feeling a little embarrassed by his gaze on her as if she was some kind of goddess.
- It is not a power. It is science. We make analyses, we study things to understand how they work and make the best of them. We have ways to increase your crops, maybe to help you implement sanitary measures to strengthen and increase your population., she corrected him.
- We don't know to pay for this., Mahuntinso whispered.
- Let's not dwell on that for the moment. Maybe you have something we can exchange with what we have., Daniel evaded.
- You are right, Daniel. Let's not dwell on that., the leader said, rising to his feet, taking his drink., I would like to drink to our new mates and our visitors. Have a long and happy life and be blessed with healthy children.
- Cheers., Jack said.
Mahuntinso looked at him, his head slightly tilted, as if contemplating him or his words before smiling cheerfully.
- Cheers!, he repeated, imitated by the villagers.
- At least, I will have taught them something., O'Neill bragged.
- Yeah, you're right. Next time, you can teach them how to fish., Daniel sneered.
He winked at Sam who giggled a little.
- Doubting of my abilities to fish, Major?, O'Neill lectured her.
- No, sir. I wouldn't dare. I was just wondering if there were as many fishes here than in your pond., she replied cheekily.
This time, it was Daniel who chuckled, amused by this little banter even if the joke wasn't new.
- Well, as they say, to see is to believe. If you can't trust my word, you will have to check it by yourself., he told her, knowing she wouldn't dare to say she would come to his cabin to see if it was true.
- I'll think of it, sir…, she only quipped.
- That you can do, Carter, and you do it good., he replied.
They exchanged a quick glance before drawing back their attention on the party that kept them awake way past after midnight.