Daughter
A/N: This one is a real treat. Enjoy!
Chapter 56 – Best Kept Secret
"Sir, we have a contact. Ship just dropped out of hyperspace on the far side of the system," a bridge officer announced.
"Comms, relay a message to the Ha'tak and the station craft. Have them hide on the far side of the moon as we previously agreed."
"Yes, sir."
Within a few seconds, the other two ships in the moon's orbit disappeared from sensors. "Friendlies have hidden as requested."
"Good." The ship commander used the armpad of his seat to open up a signal to the surface. "Moon base, be advised, an unknown vessel has appeared in the system."
"Hammond, this is Carter. What's the vessel's course?"
The commander glanced at his officer. He nodded. "They're headed straight for us."
"Wait for it to hail you, as per the protocol. Give it permission to land. We'll be ready for it."
"Copy, Colonel. Hammond out."
"Elda Mal Doran, report to the main entrance. On the double."
She blinked. She'd just been discussing something with one of the SFs in her section. "Sorry," she apologized to him. "We'll talk later." She acknowledged the order on her radio and headed out immediately.
Mitchell was waiting for her, hand hovering above the P-90 clipped to his vest. She could see a tel'tak landing in the open space outside of the facility. The heat from the ship seemed to cause the air around it to ripple as it made contact with the ground.
"Oh shit," she muttered.
"Remind me what we're doing here?"
"You aren't doing anything. I have to get rid of that ship."
"Why?"
"It's probably a bounty hunter that never got the message that the job is cancelled."
"Oh shit, indeed."
Elda hurriedly began removing her gear and her tac vest. Mitchell raised a brow as he watched her. Then she threw her jacket on top of the pile. She was now only in her black sleeveless tank top.
He glanced around. Only two SFs were with them, and they didn't seem surprised in the least. "Elda? What are you doin'?"
"I can't look like a Tau'ri right now, Colonel. This is the best I can do on short notice." She sighed and murmured, "What I wouldn't give for my black suit right now." She glanced at the tel'tak and observed that its hatch was beginning to open. Slowly. "Look, stay here. I'll deal with this." She pointed a finger at him. "Don't let anyone leave through this door until I am done." Elda patted the radio on Mitchell's vest. "Except for Crawford and Smith. It would be nice to have them as back up for this."
"You want me to call them?"
"Yeah, if you can." Elda saw that the hatch was nearly done opening. "Gotta go." She rushed out.
The moment she reached the opening of the cargo ship, a young Jaffa tumbled down the ramp. She grit her teeth and raised her favorite blaster toward the hatch.
"Identify yourself," she demanded.
"Tensu, Bounty Hunter," a gruff voice responded. An Oranian with distinct scales and horns on his head became apparent at the opening. He had a blaster in each hand. One was trained on his Jaffa prisoner. The other now aimed at Elda. "I've come to fulfill a bounty and collect."
Elda glanced down at the unfortunate Jaffa male who appeared to have been mistreated. He bore a mark on his forehead that she did not recognize. She couldn't tell at first glance if he was a Loyalist or not. She'd have to watch her words carefully. "You didn't hear the news, did you?"
"What news?"
"Job's already been completed. We're no longer accepting bounties. You're too late," she spat out with annoyance.
A shot rang out of the bounty hunter's blaster toward her feet.
Elda's weapon rose higher. "Leave now, or I shoot back," she warned.
"I have two weapons to your one," the Oranian said.
Two new blasters whined on either side of him. "Count again," Crawford said menacingly. Smith smirked from the opposite side. They were only wearing their black sleeveless tops, just like Elda.
She adopted a superior, unbothered look and raised her second blaster, the one she'd brought back with her from the future. "I see four to two now. Care to test your odds?"
The Oranian grunted as his eyes scanned the group pointing weapons at him. He sneered at his Jaffa prisoner, who was just now attempting to stand. Despite the injuries he sustained by resisting his capture, the Jaffa was still holding onto his pride and pushing through the pain. "I demand my payment!"
"There is no payment for late work," Elda declared with an icy tone. "Boys, tell him what happens to bounty hunters that don't pay attention to the news."
"They disappear," Smith explained.
"Spread the word, Oranian. We're tired of having to off each and every one of you that bothers us. Job's been cancelled. The next of you bounty hunters to show up here will learn that the hard way. Again." Elda didn't flinch when the Oranian aimed both of his weapons toward her now in anger.
"You're lying."
"Ever wondered why you haven't heard back from a few of your friends? Or your enemies?" She raised a brow meaningfully, hoping that this non-human could read her facial expression. It was hit or miss with Oranians.
The bounty hunter remained silent for a moment, considering her words. It was true. There were a few contacts in the profession that had gone quiet. And he was well aware that this call for a bounty wasn't new. Perhaps he had wrongly presumed it was an ongoing request, not a one-time deal. Normally the flyers made that very clear.
No wonder he hadn't had much competition.
He spit outward in disgust, letting the liquid land where it may. He glanced at his former prisoner, who was glaring at him with a cold, hard stare. Then the Oranian backed up and hit the command to close the hatch.
The ramp slowly ascended to seal the cargo ship.
Smith and Crawford did not relax. They merely backed up in order to get clear of the tel'tak as it powered up and lifted off.
Now everyone turned their attention to the Jaffa. The trio didn't aim their weapons, but still held them ready just in case.
The Jaffa male tensed, eyes darting among the three humans before him, looking for weaknesses to exploit. He'd had the good sense to scan his surroundings. He saw plenty of ships parked on the surface of this celestial body.
Elda didn't make any effort to engage in usual Jaffa customs. She couldn't be sure of this Jaffa's loyalty. And he didn't need to know who she was. "Who do you serve?"
"I am my own master."
She wanted to believe him. But at the moment, she couldn't risk it. Alerting remnant Goa'uld of this curious operation was the last thing anyone needed. "From where do you hail?"
"That is for me to know and you to not."
She tilted her head. He was smart; she'd give him that. "You will be provided transport off this world." Elda sent a glance Crawford's way.
He backed up, eyes still on the Jaffa and weapon gripped tightly in one hand. He disappeared into the moon facility. All of their radios were in there dumped in separate piles. Mitchell and now Teal'c were watching from within the entrance.
Smith and Elda continued to stare down the unknown Jaffa while they waited.
No one spoke.
Eventually, another tel'tak moved from its parking space and landed next to them. When the hatch opened, a human in simple clothing with no insignia stood at the entrance. He had a blaster of his own ready in his hand. "Get in," he ordered the Jaffa.
The former prisoner glanced at Elda, who was obviously the leader here.
"You will not be harmed further." She bared her teeth. "Unless you choose to harm one of us first."
"What criminal works transpire here?" he asked suspiciously.
"Nothing that concerns you. Leave now." She raised her blaster toward him. Smith copied her actions, making sure to dial his weapon up to the highest level so that it would make an obvious, threatening sound. "Or you will not live to see another sunrise over your homeland."
The Jaffa made no further comment and walked up the ramp.
Elda made eye contact with the crewman from the Hammond and nodded. She knew another one was inside, manning the pilot's station. They would drop this Jaffa off at the nearest stargate and return to the base immediately. Everyone understood their assignments. Absolutely no one was to reveal what was really going on here on this moon.
When the tel'tak was out of sight, Smith and Elda breathed out sighs of relief.
Mitchell stepped out now and walked over to them. Teal'c was with him.
"Well, shit, Elda," the Colonel muttered. "Done that before?"
She gave him a tired look as she put both of her blasters back into her thigh holsters. "No. But we knew this might happen."
Smith stifled a yawn. "With permission, sir, I'll return to my post."
Mitchell raised a brow at him. He hardly seemed bothered by what they just had to deal with. "Proceed, Corporal." His eyes tracked Smith as the marine casually wandered back to the entrance to obtain the gear he hastily dumped on the floor.
Elda didn't ask for permission. She simply started to follow. This forced Mitchell and Teal'c to move. They weren't done. But she didn't care.
Sam sounded off on the radio. "Elda, report."
She slowed down to spin around and hit the button on her Jaffa uncle's tac vest. They all kept walking, with Elda moving backwards as she answered her mother. "Bounty hunter is gone. Jaffa prisoner is gone. No casualties. Facility is secure."
"Good work. Carter out."
The two members of SG-1 shared a look with each other as they all re-entered the structure. The men simply waited while Elda and Smith picked up their things. Smith left. Mitchell stopped Elda before she could leave, too. "Elda. What are we gonna do if more of those folks show up?"
"The same thing we did just now. You know, if I'm asleep, you could probably just copy what I did. Be nice not to be the only one to handle that."
"Excuse me?"
The SFs listening in stifled grins. Elda was so funny. She didn't give two shits about who she was talking to.
"Oh, alright, alright. We can ask Vala to do it." Elda began to turn. "Gotta get back to what I was doing." She then left as casually as Smith did.
Mitchell just stared after her with his face stuck in a squint. "I swear, T, the girl never stops surprising."
"Indeed."
"What happened out there?" Daniel asked curiously. "Why did everyone have to shelter in place?"
Mitchell rolled his eyes. He gestured to Sam, who they were visiting in the moon's command center. All of SG-1 was now here. Reynolds was absent, presumably making his rounds as base security chief.
Sam felt eyes on her and looked up. "What?" She glanced around at her former teammates then caught up to what she overheard Daniel ask. She was so busy studying her displays that it took her a second. "Oh." She glanced at the door, seeing no one else within listening range. "That was all Gracie."
The members of SG-1 continued to stare at her.
"Sam," Cameron prompted. "More detail, please."
She hit some commands on her console then looked back up to the team. "She figured there would be some stragglers trying to drop in unannounced to collect on the bounty for young Jaffa. So she suggested this protocol to handle the situation should it arise. Worked for me. So I approved it."
Vala blinked rapidly. "She suggested a protocol?"
"Yeah," Sam affirmed. She grinned proudly.
Vala tilted her head. "Okay, then."
"If he doesn't watch out, Reynolds will be out of a job," Daniel murmured.
Sam laughed and returned her attention to her displays.
"I suspect she could have her choice of leadership positions, DanielJackson."
"Sheesh," Mitchell said. "Wouldn't that make Mama and Papa proud."
Sam just smiled.
Carolyn arrived at the lab to find the team of geneticists busy at work.
Aurelia met her at the entrance. "Carolyn." They grasped hands in the standard station fashion.
"Aurelia."
"There may be some news. Eruce is ready to share with you. Please, come."
The doctor followed her counterpart into the sub-lab in the back. It was not the same. The sharp instruments hanging above the table were gone. A less foreboding storage compartment had replaced it. Carolyn recognized the gentler tools from Eruce's research facility peeking out of it. They were mostly used for examination, capable of scanning deep into tissue. Just a few of those instruments contained tightly-controlled lasers to provide access for minimally-invasive surgery.
"Dr. Lam, please come in," Eruce called from the other side of the table. She stood in the exact place where her student once did. A Jaffa patient rested on the flat surface before her. He appeared to be unconscious.
Carolyn stepped forward and gazed down. He was clean and dry. They had dressed him in a simple hospital gown from the Hammond's stock. His breathing was unlabored. His color was good. He didn't appear to be grimacing in pain. "How is he?" she asked, encouraged by her brief visual assessment.
"This patient is faring as well as he could be. We have determined that this Jaffa has the fewest genes to target for modification. We will attempt treatment for him first, then assess progress. I thought you might like to be present for the procedure. You may stay for as long as you like."
Dr. Lam was grateful. "Of course, thank you."
Eruce inclined her head. One of her subordinates stepped forward with a tablet now, hosting the medical chart she needed to refer to for the process. He attached it to a clip dangling down from the storage compartment.
Aurelia briefly touched Carolyn's arm to encourage her to sit off to the side. "There will be a significant increase in brightness while they work. Best not to be too close."
"How will this work?"
"Their team targets stem cells for genetic modification. They use their specialized tools to rearrange the base pairs that make up the genes being repaired. Those manipulated cells will be triggered to divide rapidly and replace the existing cells with features they don't want. They use a complex set of enzymes and electronic pulses to prompt the stem cells to become whatever body system they're trying to replace."
"Replace?"
"Yes."
"It sounds as if they'll be rebuilding the patient's body from the inside-out," Carolyn marveled.
"In a way, yes, they are. And each procedure is unique, tailored to the pre-determined goal and the current condition of the patient. Many times, these modifications have to be conducted in stages, for safety. It is a very difficult process. Without careful controls, I think you can imagine the potential problems that would result."
"Oh my God. Do you think that's what happened to these Jaffa already? Procedural mistakes?"
"Possibly. Ventho kept thorough notes, but he was obviously impatient and sloppy on the table. It is a wonder that not all of his subjects died here. Aunt Eruce and her team are going to do this the right way. But the process will take time."
"How much time?"
"It depends on how many organs and body systems require replacement for each person." Aurelia pulled out her own data pad and brought up information on the patient lying unconscious on the table. "For example, this Jaffa needs two organs replaced: his pouch and his heart. My Aunt Eruce is targeting three genes. I predict this will take a few hours. There is some hope that he will only need one procedure."
Carolyn nodded to her. She looked back at the table, where the patient's gown was now opened up. A basic sheet covered his genitals for modesty.
She watched in awe as a tool in Eruce's hand glowed bright like a blowtorch. She used a laser to create a minute opening in the Jaffa's abdomen. Its light seemed to disappear inside his body. Eruce's eyes glanced at the tablet hanging nearby. She pulled out a different tool and inserted it into the opening she made. She hit a few commands and a virtual display activated above the Jaffa's abdomen. Eruce regarded the HUD with focused attention as her hand carefully controlled the tool. Her assistant stood nearby, ready with other instruments.
The virtual display seemed to show DNA being ripped apart and rebuilt like children's building blocks. Piece by piece.
Carolyn had no idea how the geneticist knew what she was doing. But it was amazing to watch just the same.
Elda leaned over the Jaffa lying down in the vat. He'd been transferred back into the healing liquids after his procedure. They were now waking him. All the other Jaffa patients were still in stasis.
The Jaffa squinted as consciousness returned to him after two days.
"Brother," Elda called out soothingly. "You are safe."
He slowly opened his eyes to gaze at his liberator. "Lady Elda," he responded, voice hoarse from lack of use.
"What pain do you feel?"
He did not answer right away. He blinked rapidly as he regained awareness of his body. "I feel… less pain." His eyes locked with hers in awe.
Elda turned to Carolyn. That was an encouraging sign. They gave way for Aurelia to do an examination. She held a small sphere in her hand above him. When she squeezed the tennis ball-sized object, it chimed and floated in the air on its own. The Jaffa's body became awash with light as the sphere sent down passive lasers to scan him. Aurelia's data pad lit up with a live report. She studied it closely, clicking around here and there to dive deeper into different readings.
"You have small wounds from a procedure," she reported gently, "but we expect those to heal quickly. Your symbiote appears to be in good health. It should support your recovery well."
"What has transpired while I was made to sleep?"
"Your heart and your pouch were reverted to their original genetic states. Time will tell if normal function will return and remain. You will be allowed out of this lab. Dr. Lam's people will continue to monitor you."
The Jaffa nodded quietly. "If my body allows it, then Lady Elda, allow me to serve."
Elda found herself touched. He was barely able to stand on his own feet yet, and here he was, hoping to be the good Jaffa he was raised to be. Even if he still didn't know who he was. "You will serve yourself, Jaffa. You may be your own master." She smiled at him encouragingly. She was aware of the gentle education her tribespeople were providing. The refugees had been shown that life without Goa'uld oppression could be good and prosperous.
Whether or not the lesson would stick was the burning question in everyone's minds. There was a quiet fear among the people that the refugees would be quick to betray them if their memories, and Goa'uld loyalties, ever resurfaced. Some silently hoped they would never remember.
The Jaffa male's eyes shined with gratitude toward Elda.
She met his eyes with genuine kindness. "Much has been done. You can now continue your life without fear."
"As you say, My Lady."
Carolyn, SG-1, and SG-3 sat in a conference room up on the Hammond. Colonel Carter occupied the head of the table. Meanwhile SG-2 was busy on the surface with their own set of SFs, handling security.
Jack was on a large screen on the wall, gazing down at the meeting participants. "Dr. Lam, give me the 411."
"General, I'm pleased to report that three Jaffa survivors have undergone genetic repair. They seem to be doing well. They are being monitored closely for regression, but prognosis is optimistic."
"That's good, good news. What about the rest of them?"
"The station personnel are still determining the best approaches for the rest. Some patients had much more manipulation done to them than others. Eruce Thel chose to start with the easier cases while she familiarized herself with Jaffa physiology. Plus, those patients had the potential to be quick wins."
"Can't blame her for that. Colonel Carter?"
Sam jumped in. "Sir, moon base remains secure. We had a minor incident with a stray bounty hunter, but SG-3 handled it promptly."
The corner of Jack's mouth quirked into a smile. He heard about those details already. He knew their daughter was the primary reason the incident was resolved so quickly. He moved on. "How's our personnel?"
"Colonel Reynolds," Sam prompted. He was in a better position to report on that, considering he was in direct command of the security forces for their temporary base.
"Working like clockwork." Elda's eye squinted as she tried to understand his Earth phrasing. "Morale remains high. A few might be getting a little homesick, but that's not unexpected."
"Thank you, Colonel. SG-1? What have you got to report on the diplomatic front?"
Cameron easily responded for his team. "General, we are continuing to experience good relations with our allies here. The Tek'ronians are happy. The station people seem happy. They even struck up an accord with each other."
Jack adopted a satisfied smile and directed it toward everyone present. "Excellent."
Then he looked contemplative. He grew quiet. Everyone simply waited.
"I've had a thought," he suddenly announced.
Sam shared a quick glance with Daniel. Mitchell started blinking nervously. Teal'c's eyebrow raised. Vala simply watched, trying to guess what degree of mischief Jack intended to reach today.
"Corporal Smith," Jack said.
Everyone's eyes darted to him. He straightened up uncomfortably. "Sir?"
"I have a new role for you."
Elda instantly grinned. Reynolds's eye began to twitch.
Smith swallowed. He waited for the Head of Homeworld Command to explain.
"You're going to be our new official ambassador to the space station representing the SGC."
Elda hid her lips as color drained from Smith's face. She shared a glance with Crawford, who was struggling to stifle a laugh. The eyes of their senior officers on SG-3 went wide.
Smith coughed uncomfortably. "Yes, sir." He had no idea what was about to be expected of him. And by the way Elda was about to crack up, he had a bad feeling she was somehow involved. Although he couldn't fathom how.
Daniel rolled his eyes silently. Because of course Jack O'Neill would decide something like this out of nowhere.
"Daniel," Jack suddenly called. "Help him out."
The scholar snapped his head to the screen. He scrunched his face at him in annoyance.
Jack smiled.
Elda pinched Smith's cheeks in the mess hall. "You make for a great ambassador," she said sweetly as she leaned toward him. Crawford stood near with hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.
Smith was less than pleased. He gently pulled her hands away from his face. He kept a grip on her wrists for emphasis. "Imma say this once: Shut up, Baby Cakes." He let go of her and tried to get in line for food.
Elda only grinned wider.
The SFs watching from around the commissary sniggered. They whispered among each other, noting that Smith seemed to have drawn the attention of both Elda and the hot chick from the space station. He was achieving rock star status in their minds. And here they thought Crawford already scored big by having both Elda and his side piece outside the SGC.
Elda looked up at Crawford and seemed to crack another joke at Smith's expense. He laughed heartily while Smith turned red.
Yep, definitely sleeping together, the SFs thought.
Soon members of SG-1 wandered in. Daniel and Vala were shoulder to shoulder. They engaged in conversation with SG-3. Elda grabbed Daniel's arm to pull him closer to Smith. Vala didn't seem to mind this. She stared down at the food available in buffet trays while she listened in.
"What do you make of that?" one SF asked.
"He could be her Dad."
"He's banging her big sister."
The SFs all agreed there was nothing going on between Elda and the SGC's top linguist. She had plenty of other younger men to choose from on the base. And it was clear Crawford and Smith were her favorites. They hardly believed that she had a Jaffa boyfriend offworld, as her marine teammates loudly advertised. The SFs suspected that dude was made up, just to take the heat of all the rumors off of them.
They'd believe it when they saw it. And maybe not even then.
Meil'nor had been away too long. He felt his village summoning him, even though Jasuf reported no problems every time he called. His son was faring fine on his own. As he had trained to be. But the tribe leader could not ignore the sensation that he was overlooking his primary duty.
Things were calm here at the moon facility. He observed the way the humans from Earth worked like a well-oiled machine. He was satisfied with the care that the station visitors were providing to his brethren. And with Elda committed here, he felt Tek'ron had adequate representation.
So he summoned her to his side on the peltac.
"We will arrange for a changing of the guard," he declared to her.
"What do you require of me, Tribe Father?" she responded dutifully.
"I should like to borrow one of the empty ships on this moon to travel home with your sisters. The Ha'tak will remain here with its crew and continue to provide accommodations for our Jaffa refugees. I will send the borrowed ship back with a qualified pilot and a fresh guard."
Elda inclined her head. "I will request permission from Colonel Carter. I am sure she will agree. Will you travel to a gate or go directly to Tek'ron?"
He turned to the main console and activated navigation. It calculated the travel times between the moon and the two proposed destinations. "It is just as efficient to travel directly to our home via hyperspace. Tell your leadership they need not spare us a pilot. We will fare fine on our own with one of the tel'taks."
"As you say, Tribe Father."
"Lady Elda, you will continue to represent the interests of Tek'ron here."
"I shall," she promised, understanding his words to be an order. She didn't find it disconcerting this time. She was readily doing so already. The point of her being here was not only to work as part of SG-3, but to render direct support to the Jaffa they were helping.
"Shal kek."
Elda bowed and left. Outside of the bridge, she simply called for the Hammond to beam her to her mother's location.
They sent her to the command center on the moon. Colonels Carter and Reynolds were hardly surprised when she beamed in.
"Elda?" he asked. "What did your boyfriend's dad want?" He had a hole in his perimeter because she'd been called away. Baker was covering it now. Reynolds idly thought he should ask members of SG-1 to step in if this sort of thing kept happening.
Sam glanced at him with a quirk of her mouth and turned to hear Elda's response.
"He's requesting transport back to Tek'ron. Wants to rotate in a fresh pilot and a new guard for the Ha'tak."
"I'll see who the Hammond has available," Sam said.
"Oh… no. Colonel, he says they can handle flying one of the ships. He just wants to borrow one and then give it right back."
"I take it, he wants to leave the Ha'tak here in orbit?" Reynolds clarified.
"Correct."
The Colonels nodded to each other. The Ha'tak was useful to have around from a security standpoint. Plus, it was the only place to house the refugees once they were released from the facility's care. Absolutely none of the victims wanted to remain on the moon any longer than they had to. No one blamed them.
Sam agreed, "Alright, Elda, we can let them take their pick. Just ask the Jaffa to coordinate with the Hammond when they're lifting off."
"Will do." She glanced between them. "If there's nothing else, I'll let Master Meil'nor know, then return to what I was doing before."
Reynolds tilted his chin at her to go ahead. Elda left. He turned to Sam now with a questioning look. "Why do I get the feeling she's our little ambassador, too?"
Sam smiled. "I thought that was obvious."
"Sam," Reynolds complained. "I can't lose half my team to diplomacy."
She chuckled, completely understanding his worries. Jack had thrown him a curveball with his declaration that Smith should be an ambassador. She was only kidding when she, herself, suggested it. Apparently, Elda was more serious when she brought it up. Sam felt quietly satisfied that Jack was listening to the women in his life at all. "Relax, Mal. I'll make sure your team stays in tact."
He looked at her worriedly.
"I'll talk to Jack," she promised.
"I wouldn't ask you to do that, Sam," he said hesitantly. The last thing he was trying to do was lobby the wife of the Head of Homeworld Command. That would be professionally inappropriate. Just because they all knew each other well didn't give him the right.
She held up her hands. "I was already going to. You know how he is."
He grunted.
She laughed.
"Really?" Sam said with an arched brow.
Jack blinked on the screen. "What?"
"We don't actually need Corporal Smith to act as Earth's ambassador, Jack. We have Daniel for that."
"What?" he repeated. "It wasn't a half-bad idea. And if memory serves, it was half-your idea." He raised his own brow in challenge and pointed at her through the screen.
She huffed. "I could have sworn you knew me well enough by now to realize when I'm being sarcastic."
"Yeah, well, I don't get everything right every time."
Sam just smiled at him. "Did you take out the garbage? It's Tuesday."
"Doh. See?"
She just laughed. "What exactly do you expect Smith to do in this little role of his?"
"I dunno. Figured Daniel could give him some pointers. Show him the ropes."
"The ropes?"
"Yeah."
"Jack."
"Sam."
"You do realize that being an ambassador would require him to visit that space station on a regular basis, don't you?"
"Yeah? And?"
"And it's an entire day's travel away, one way? He still has his duties on SG-3. How is he expected to manage that?"
"I dunno. I'm open to ideas."
Sam shook her head and brought a hand up to her forehead. "Could we just pretend you were joking and pulling everyone's leg?"
"No."
"No?"
"No. I think he'd make a fine ambassador. He's already in good with the boss's kid from over there, right? Might as well lean on that. See what else we can get out of this new alliance of ours. Sounds like they're pretty cool over there."
Sam just stared at him for a moment. He might have been pulling her leg just now, pretending he didn't know what he was doing. But now she realized Jack knew exactly what he was doing giving Smith that extra job. He was serious about this.
"What about Reynolds?"
"He can afford to be without one of his guys here and there. He's got Gracie now to pick up some slack. He'll live."
"And what happens if Smith is gone, doing his thing, and then she has to also be gone because Meil'nor needs her down on that planet?"
"Well… then… Reynolds can enjoy a little down time."
"Jack, are you sure about this?"
"I have a pretty good feeling Reynolds could use the down time, Sam. Four kids. Remember?"
"So you're thinking of his best interests now?"
"I always am, with everyone over there. You know that. But especially him now that he's Gracie's commanding officer. Won't do anyone any good if he's burnt out."
"I hardly think he's close to burning out. I've been working closely with him for the past few days."
"And how many times has he not brought up one of those darling kids of his? Or his wife? He's missing them Sam. And missing out. It won't hurt him to have a little surprise time off here and there." Jack swallowed, thinking of the moments in Charlie's life that he missed out on because of this job of his. Some of his biggest regrets stemmed from not being completely there while his son was still alive. Reynolds was dealing with that now, times four. And they'd nearly just lost him a little over a month ago.
Sam looked contemplative, seeing that Jack wasn't wrong. Reynolds did love his family. And he did talk about them proudly whenever the conversation pivoted away from work. She had even heard that his eldest was thinking about becoming a marine.
"Let me get this straight. Smith becomes the official ambassador, leaving SG-3 short one from time to time. Gracie is already something of her own ambassador, potentially leaving SG-3 short two if her duties overlap. So is that the standing order? Down time for the team when both have to fulfill their other roles?"
"Don't see the harm in it. Leaves the rest free to enjoy their own pursuits. If another team could borrow one of 'em, I would allow it. We both know that when an SG-team gets down to three, things get a little sticky out there."
"Mitchell's close to being down to two," Sam noted.
"Yep. That's what happens when a Lover Boy knocks up a Space Princess."
Sam laughed loudly. "Poor Cam."
Jack merely grinned. "Teal'c will be fine. Maybe I need to come up with something for Cam, too."
"What's he going to be the ambassador of? Running marathons?"
He snorted. "Maybe he can run the base and let Hank have a vacation. Don't need him burning out either."
Sam smashed her lips together. She absolutely refused to be involved in that decision. Cam would kill her. She knew what that job was like. And it wasn't pretty.
"Elda," Reynolds's annoyed voice sounded off on the radio. "You've got another one."
She glanced at the SF nearest the ventilation shaft she had just been inspecting. She rolled her eyes to him. "I'll be right there," she replied into her radio.
"Have fun," the SF called.
Her hand raised in the air as she hurried away.
Smith was already at the main entrance removing his gear. "Another cargo ship," he commented.
Elda could see that he was right. She began taking off her tac vest and jacket with haste so they could once again obscure the fact that they were uniformed representatives of Earth. "Where's Crawfy?"
"Here." He dropped his things into a pile on the floor. He must have been removing them as he sped down the hall. He peeked out the window that was set into the door. "What do we got?"
"Another headache," Elda answered. "Come on. Same as before."
The trio ran out and flanked the tel'tak that was landing. Elda positioned herself just off to the side of the hatch that would open. Her teammates stayed hidden further around the corners, ready to jump out as needed.
When the ramp fully descended, she yelled, "Identify yourself!" Her blaster made an obvious whine as it charged up threateningly.
A man in a colorful robe stepped out casually. "Now, now," he said with ease, looking over in her direction. "I'm not here to harm anyone."
Elda's eyes went wide. She began blinking rapidly.
The older man offered her a friendly smile as he remained high up on the ramp, gazing down at her and her shiny blaster.
Crawford could tell she froze. He furrowed his brow, wondering what had her so surprised. He motioned for Smith to come around on the other side. "Hold it," he ordered with weapon raised.
"Don't move," Smith warned, suddenly appearing within the man's sight and also aiming a blaster.
"Well, don't you have a cute little party going on here on this moon," he said casually. He gazed around the surface, noting the ships he had already detected parked in neat rows. When he turned his head, he spied the entrance to the large structure that the ship visualized from orbit. And he was well aware of hidden vessels in the vicinity. He'd noticed the sudden disappearance of energy signatures the moment his ship exited hyperspace. The presence of a very Tau'ri-looking vessel in orbit, complete with its distinct military lingo when it demanded his identity, was obvious.
The man took a step forward.
"I said: Don't move," Crawford said forcefully. He came around Elda's other side to face the trespasser. His eyes darted past him, looking for other people aboard.
The colorfully-dressed man remained unbothered. "Go ahead and take a look if you like. I'm alone. And unarmed."
Elda's eye twitched dramatically. She had yet to say a word. She was still holding up her blaster, not moving from her place.
Crawford took that as a sign that he better do the talking instead. "State your business here."
"Why, I'm here to say hello! Say, is my darling daughter anywhere around? I'd love to check in and see how she's doing."
Crawford and Smith shared a confused glance. "Sorry, no idea who you're talking about."
The man chuckled amusedly. "Oh. Ho ho. My apologies, dear friend. I sometimes forget how much turnover you people have in your little stargating club." He waved a hand around as if brushing off his mistake. "Maybe you're new. But you must have heard of her by now. She goes by the name Vala. Gorgeous thing. Dark hair? Pretty accent? A penchant for shiny objects?"
The eyes of both marines snapped to Elda, whose eye was twitching even worse now.
The visitor noticed this. "How about you, pretty lady? You know my Vala?" He dared to take a few steps in Elda's direction on the ramp.
Crawford immediately slid sideways toward her protectively, blaster aimed squarely at the man's chest.
Elda reached over to place a gentle hand atop his. "Stand down," she said quietly.
He coughed, silently asking if she was sure.
Elda lowered her weapon and put it away. She pushed Crawford's hand down simultaneously. Smith scrunched his face.
The man on the ramp grinned. "What a sweet little thing you are. Thank you, dear." He briefly glanced at Smith behind him. "It's alright, son. Go ahead and search my ship." He gestured inside. Then he held up his fingers like air quotes. "Secure the perimeter, as you folks seem to want to say!" He laughed at his own joke.
Elda sighed. If she hadn't been so flabbergasted by his sudden appearance, she would be laughing along with him.
The arrival of Jacek was the absolute last thing she was expecting today.
Vala was going to flip out.
"How did you find this moon?" Elda asked suspiciously.
"Now that is a delightful story that I would love to tell you over dinner," the man said congenially.
Crawford's eyes narrowed in irritation as he watched the man descend the ramp. The visitor took in a deep breath, pretending to appreciate the dusty air of the moon. He held out his arms dramatically, as if taking in a beautiful sight. His gaze focused on the entrance to the mine not far away.
Elda finally began to move, but Crawford held out an arm to block her. His eyes caught hers. What are you doing?
I need to interrogate him.
He just propositioned you. You aren't going near him.
The corner of Elda's mouth twitched. She blinked once at Crawford to proclaim that she wasn't going to listen. Her voice adopted a tone of authority. "Search the ship, boys."
He instantly became annoyed with her.
Elda ran her hand along his outstretched arm to encourage it to retract. Crawford felt a pleasant tingle crawl up his spine. "Now, please," she said a little more nicely.
Smith tilted his chin up at Crawford, quietly telling him that they should hurry up and get this over with.
Elda ignored the glare she received from Crawford. He and Smith rushed up the ramp with blasters raised. "So…" she called to the new visitor. "What really brings you here?"
Jacek turned around to smile at her admiringly. "Oh a little of this. A little of that," he replied cryptically.
She really wasn't surprised by his non-answer. She could tell he felt as though he had the upper hand here.
"And how about you? What brings a beautiful little thing like yourself to this interesting location?"
Elda tilted her head and smiled. They were suddenly each other's marks. She resigned herself to just go along with it for now. She was over the initial shock of seeing him again after so many years. And he had no idea who she was. She could take advantage of that.
"Ship's clear," Smith announced as the boys reappeared.
She kept her eyes on Jacek. "One of you go inside and make a report."
The marines shared a look. Smith could tell Crawford was aggravated. He encouraged him to be the one to go in. They argued briefly via their eyes, but eventually, he acquiesced. Crawford warned Smith to watch her back.
Jacek watched with amusement as the muscle-bound male left. He glanced back at the other one, who was now glaring at him suspiciously. He laughed to himself. "You Tau'ri take your jobs so seriously. It's adorable."
Elda fought the way her face wanted to crack. She was inclined to agree. But she couldn't indulge Jacek and his humor. At least not until she figured out what he was really up to. There was always something with him. Her mother had made that very clear.
"Colonel Reynolds, this is Crawford. Come in."
Reynolds reached up to his radio as he continued walking, covering Smith's section while he was outside. He'd already begged Mitchell and Teal'c to take on the other two sections vacated by his subordinates. "What is it, Corporal?"
"Sir, we got a male individual out here claiming to be Vala's father. He's alone. Weird thing is: he doesn't seem to recognize Elda."
Reynolds stopped short. His eyes darted back and forth, wondering what the hell must be going on. "What's her twenty now?"
"Still outside. She's interrogating him. Smith is with her."
"Standby." Reynolds then asked, "Colonel Carter, did you catch that?"
Sam leaned down to speak into her own radio. "I did. Standby." She twisted a knob to switch channels. "Vala, this is Sam. Come in."
"Sam. What's up?"
"Did you happen to overhear anything happening on the security channel?"
"No," she responded confusedly. "Should I have?"
Sam sighed. Her friend wasn't going to be happy. "Meet me at the main entrance."
"Copy."
"Sam? What's going on out there?" It was Daniel's voice.
"Daniel… you don't wanna know. We'll take care of it." She switched back to the security channel now. "Corporal Crawford, be advised. Vala and I are coming up."
"Copy."
She hit the buttons on her main console in the control room to activate comms. "Hammond, this is Carter. Scan that ship. Look for bugs. Jam any outgoing transmissions. I want all of its signals dead."
"You got it, Colonel," the ship commander replied.
She groaned and exited the room. After a few minutes, she caught up with Vala just as she was approaching the final corridor that would lead them outside. She held up a hand to stop her. "Vala," she started hesitantly.
Her raven-haired friend tilted her head curiously. She simply waited.
"Sounds like Jacek is out there. Crawford already noticed that he has no idea who Elda is."
"Oh Gods," Vala muttered with an eye-roll.
"How are we gonna play this?"
"Carolyn already set up the backstory. We have different fathers."
Sam sighed in relief. "Thank God for Carolyn."
"Yes. Now to see what Jacek wants."
She turned to go, but Sam held out a gentle hand. "You gonna be okay?"
Vala grimaced. "Yeah, sure."
They both walked together to the main entrance where Crawford and two SFs were standing.
"Colonel. Vala," the marine greeted.
Vala went straight to the window to look out. A robed man with his back facing the entrance was out there speaking to Elda and Smith. She would recognize that gaudy attire anywhere. "Ugh." She turned to the marine. "Tell me exactly what he said."
"Said he was here to say hello. Started asking for you. Then when Elda asked him how he knew about the moon…" His face contorted into an angry expression. "…he suggested dinner to her."
Vala looked like she might be sick.
Crawford wasn't far behind.
Sam glanced back and forth between them in disgust.
They all knew what that meant out in the galaxy.
Crawford looked straight to Sam now. "Permission to beat his ass, Colonel?"
The SFs smirked as they listened in.
Sam appreciated the protectiveness he had for her daughter. She smiled slightly. "That's not up to me, Corporal." Her eyes flitted to Vala.
The raven-haired woman drew in a deep, calming breath. "Put your things back on, Crawford. Then join me."
"Yes, ma'am." He donned his jacket and tac vest easily. Vala bent down to retrieve his P-90 for him. He accepted it with a nod of thanks.
They exited the facility just in time to see Smith scowl and place himself between Elda and the other man. "Whoa, whoa. Hard stop. That there's crossin' a line," they heard him warn.
"Look at your little minion," Jacek's tickled voice retorted. "Isn't he just a sweetheart?"
Elda clasped her fingers together on Smith's shoulder and laid her chin atop them. "Isn't he, though?" she replied, directing a sweet smile toward her teammate. She leaned on him affectionately.
Crawford's eye twitched jealously.
"Jacek, you really should have called ahead," Vala said tiredly, announcing their approach.
The colorful robe he was wearing swayed dramatically as he spun around. He held out his arms. "There you are. Hug for Daddy."
Vala stopped before him and rolled her eyes.
Elda made eye contact with her and shook her head, still casually leaning on Smith. She told her mother that she hadn't gotten anything good out of him so far. She didn't feel too bad about it, though. He was a master at their craft after all. And he'd taken her by surprise. She would do better next time, if there was one.
Jacek let his arms drop, but his grin toward Vala never left his face. "My, my, look at you. Just as beautiful and well-fed as the last time I saw you on Earth. And is it me? Or are you glowing even more radiantly?"
Smith slowly turned his head to Elda. Is this guy serious?
Elda just shrugged with amusement. Now that her mother was here, she relaxed. Vala could handle him. She knew him better than her. She knew what buttons to press to get him to talk. Elda straightened up and clasped her hands behind her back to watch.
"I must say, this is quite an operation you have going here." Jacek leaned closer to his daughter. "What kind of an angle are we working?" he asked curiously.
Elda raised a brow from behind him. That question was awfully direct and obvious.
Vala's face remained carefully neutral. "Wouldn't you like to know," she said flatly. "Tell me, Dad." Her head tilted side to side unseriously as she said it. "What really brings you here?"
"I've come to see you, of course!"
Now Vala raised a brow.
"I heard the news! I just had to come congratulate you."
She patiently waited for him to reveal which news he supposedly knew about.
Jacek wagged a finger at her. "I just knew he was a keeper."
Elda hid her lips. She glanced quickly at Crawford, who was regarding Jacek with hostility. He seemed awfully offended by the older man's inappropriate remark toward her earlier. These Tau'ri men were all so sensitive.
Jacek looked at Crawford with a squint. His finger pointed. "Now I don't think it's him… right?"
Vala rolled her eyes once again.
"No, of course not. He belongs to her," Jacek concluded, pointing a thumb behind him toward Elda.
Crawford scrunched his face. Smith shook his head. His buddy was so obvious that even a complete stranger could call him out on it.
Now Jacek looked between Vala and Elda curiously. "Something awfully familiar about her. Where'd you find her?"
Smith tried looking to Crawford for answers, but the other marine still had no clue what was going on.
"Jacek," Vala said instead, "What exactly do you want?"
He held up two hands placatingly. "Alright, alright. I will admit, I wasn't just on my way here to see you."
Elda didn't believe for a second that he would tell them the whole truth.
"I was curious."
"About what?" Vala asked in another flat, unamused tone.
"About why anyone would abandon such a fruitful little mine back there. I swung by a couple of times just to ensure the place was deserted. This was about to be my payday, and well will you look at that, here I find all of you wonderful Tau'ri. Just a pleasant, wonderful, absolutely delightful surprise."
Elda laughed silently behind him. Her eyes squished together and her mouth opened wide, but no sound came out.
Smith bumped her shoulder to make her stop.
Crawford's eyes flitted between them and this surprisingly infuriating man in front of them.
Vala sucked in a deep breath. She let it out slowly. "You say you want what's in the mine?"
"Yes, Dear, I could have sworn I just did."
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Why not? I'm sure you could spare a few rocks for your dear old father." Jacek curved his hand around his mouth as if to cover a secret. "I'm sure none of you boys would mind, right? I know she understands," he said, turning to look behind him at Elda.
She grinned, clearly entertained right now.
Vala glared at her in warning. This was not the time to find him amusing. "The Tau'ri would never agree to let you skim off the top."
Jacek pretended to deflate. "No, I suppose not. Well, then! I imagine this would be an appropriate time to part ways. Oh! But before we do. I brought you a little something." His hand began reaching into his robes.
Both marines instantly raised their blasters at him in alarm.
Vala and Elda placed calming hands over theirs. They reluctantly lowered their weapons.
Jacek hardly noticed. He fished out a gold chain from his pocket. A bright red jewel dangled from it, catching the light and sparkling.
Elda tilted her head at Vala encouragingly.
Hesitantly, Vala held out her hand to accept his trinket. It would make him leave faster.
Jacek adopted a satisfied smile. He held out his arms again. "Come on. Hug for Daddy."
Vala blinked repeatedly and moved forward into his arms. She awkwardly patted his back.
He grinned as he turned toward Elda. "This one's got spunk." He patted her hair.
Elda smiled softly.
And then Jacek ventured up the ramp and back onto his ship. The hatch slowly whined closed.
Both marines stared open-mouthed. "Vala?" Crawford asked. "We're just going to let him leave?"
"Yeah," Smith agreed with the question.
Instead of answering directly, Vala reached a hand up to her radio. "Sam?"
"Hammond was able to jam his comms. Whatever he thought he was relaying, never made it out."
"Could we have someone track him?"
"Already on it."
Someone suddenly beamed down with a dart gun in hand. The man in a flightsuit aimed at the ascending ship and fired a shot. A small, almost imperceptible tracker stuck to its hull. Elda suspected it was the same one they used on the smuggler's tel'tak before. The man nodded to Vala respectfully, then signaled for the Hammond to beam him back up.
"Thank you, Sam," Vala said into her radio. Then she turned to the younger members of SG-3 with her. "Jacek will be back, I'm sure." She gazed up at the tel'tak now disappearing into orbit.
"Well, that was the highlight of my day," Elda announced nonchalantly. She looked at her watch. "Oooh, it's almost break time." She hit Smith's arm next to her. "Wanna get a snack with me?"
He looked back at her incredulously. "What? I'm still trying to figure out what just happened!"
"Someone please explain. We're not as seasoned as you two are. Yet," Crawford requested.
Vala pinched his cheek. "That is so sweet that you want to learn." She dropped her hand and addressed both marines. "My father is a classic old swindler. He is always working multiple jobs at once. 'Double dipping' you might say. His quip about the mine could easily be true. His other angle…"
"I think he means to find out what we're up to here," Elda cut in.
Vala pointed at her. "You might be right."
The marines looked between the two women. "Baby?" Smith asked Elda cautiously. "Why didn't that guy know who you were?"
Elda huffed. She gestured a hand toward Vala. "Do you want to tell it or should I?"
Vala sighed. "Elda is the family's best kept secret," she said easily. "Jacek doesn't know her because he isn't her father."
Both marines widened their eyes and said together, "Ohhhhhhhhhh."
Smith pointed aimlessly in the air. "So when he thought she seemed familiar…"
"It's probably because I remind him of our mother," Elda said with a devious grin, eyes twinkling conspiratorially toward Vala.
"Which one, Darling? The birth one or the step one? There was even a fake one."
The marines scrunched their faces in new confusion.
"The one who raised me."
Vala hummed with a smile.
A/N 2: One of my fave chapters just now. More mischief and hilarity is up next. See you next time...