Daughter
Chapter 50 – Purpose
Smith gazed around at the wide open platform that served as the space station's green level. They had been given a very different docking ring to use this time. He was trying to remind himself of what was here.
"So…" Carolyn started. "Why did you really want to be my sole escort?"
He pointed toward the lift he wanted to use in the station's common area. He smiled as they walked. "No real reason," he said innocently. "Like I said, I'm all you need."
"Mmm hmm, sure."
The marine chuckled.
Carolyn let her eyes wander, soaking in the amazing sight of the station while still following Smith closely. She'd never been to one of these before. She kept in mind Cameron's warning to stay close to SG-3 at all times while on board. He all but ordered her to never be alone here.
She scoffed when he suggested it. But now she was starting to understand. You could get lost in a place like this. People were everywhere. And it wasn't immediately clear to her which locals were friendly and which ones would seize the opportunity to attack her somehow.
"Don't worry, Doc," Smith spoke up, sensing her apprehension as they reached the elevator. "It's pretty safe in these public spaces, especially once it gets to daytime. Station police are everywhere, makin' sure people mind their business."
"But not where the rest of our group is going?"
He shrugged. "Only so much police available for patrols. They focus on where the businesses are. Money talks around here."
"Gee, doesn't it always."
"Yep." The lift they were waiting for arrived. "Stay close," he quietly advised. They let a few people exit, then got into the car. He encouraged her to place herself against the glass wall. Carolyn gazed through it and noted the glowing center column swirling with colorful gasses. Her eyes darted around at the wide open space they were now traversing, seeing more levels above and below them.
As the car moved upwards, she noticed Smith was purposely standing in her personal bubble. He had one hand on the railing, using his arm to act as a barrier between her and the other occupants of the lift. No one seemed to be paying attention to them. But Carolyn remained silent as a precaution. Smith also did not speak. His eyes focused on the folks around them.
They arrived on what seemed to be designated as the blue level. He led her out and through more crowds. Carolyn could tell this station was busy. She guessed there were thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people on board. It was amazing.
The pair eventually came upon a set of doors. A panel on the side glowed with writing that she couldn't understand. "This is it," Smith announced. "This is where I first met her." He opened one door and went right in.
A box-like robot scooted forward to chime at them in greeting.
"Hey, little guy. Where's Rellie?"
Carolyn blinked and pointed. "What is that?"
"Robot assistant." He smiled when the robot spun around and slid backwards. He understood it was asking them to follow. "She's here," he reported eagerly.
The anticipation on his face was unmistakable. Carolyn smiled slightly, remembering Elda's statement that he never admitted to anything when it came to this person she was about to meet. They all suspected something had gone on between them.
She was starting to believe it was true.
They both followed the robot, which Carolyn found cute, further into the facility. She guessed that Little Gracie would have loved to play with it. The place looked clean and bright. They passed several closed doors until they reached an open one.
The robot assistant dutifully chimed to announce the presence of visitors. Smith knocked and peeked in. A woman with striking black hair turned around. Her eyes widened at the sight of them. Carolyn sucked in a quiet breath. She was beautiful.
"Gordon?" the woman asked with surprise. She carefully dropped a box of medical supplies onto a counter. Then she slid a cart out of her way.
"Rellie," Smith said gently. He stepped into the room. Carolyn followed. "I tried to send you a message. Don't know if you got it."
"I got it, but I didn't believe it." She smiled and reached out her hands.
He instantly placed his in hers. "Seein' is believin'," he quipped, repeating his words from earlier.
The way they stared into each other's eyes made Carolyn think there was some extra meaning behind his words. She quirked a smile as the woman placed a sweet kiss on his lips. Smith didn't hesitate to respond. He smiled with satisfaction.
The doctor from Earth coughed lightly.
Smith breathed in. When he turned to her, he was grinning.
Carolyn's suspicions were definitely confirmed. Now she understood why he wanted the team to split up. They would have spoiled this little reunion for him.
"Dr. Lam, I want to introduce you to Aurelia Thel of Station Medical." He let go of her hands.
The pretty girl stepped closer and reached out a single hand. She looked at Smith as if checking to see if the gesture was correct. He nodded. Carolyn shook hers easily. "Hello, Dr. Lam. So he brought you here because you want to ask questions?"
Carolyn inclined her head. "Hello. Yes, if you don't mind. There are some things that I think you could help me with. Or if not you, maybe you could introduce me to someone with the right expertise. I have a number of patients who really need help."
Aurelia smiled. "Of course. Always the patients first."
Carolyn sighed in relief. "Always."
Crawford and Elda were giddy.
It had Baker quirking an amused brow toward their CO.
Reynolds rolled his eyes. He wasn't so entertained. He felt like they were being led on a wild goose chase as they weaved through random alleys between buildings on the red level. It was dark in this part of the space station. He kept watching corners, expecting random jokers to jump out and scare them as if they were in a haunted house.
The other two leading the way, however? They acted like they just scored a free vacation to Disney World. And Reynolds knew that shit was expensive.
"How much longer, Corporal?" he quietly complained. He didn't have a weapon drawn because his subordinates didn't seem to think they were needed. But his fingers were itching to have one ready in this unknown place.
"Almost there, sir."
Baker paused them. "What is that noise?"
They all heard a consistent thumping sound in the distance. Crawford and Elda seemed to crane their necks, as if that would help them hear it better. Realization slowly dawned on their faces. They grinned excitedly at each other.
"I love that one!" Elda squealed.
"I know. Come on!" Crawford grabbed her hand without thinking and made them dash off.
Reynolds raised his hands in frustration and was forced to follow.
Baker just laughed. "Aww, come on, Colonel. They're just excited to be back here. Can't you tell?"
"I swear to God. I should just tie them up in the shuttle until Mitchell gets here," he groused. "Then we can go the Hell home."
His 2IC chuckled more. They caught up to their teammates at the entrance to a random building. The constant noise had grown louder into a rapid beat. Crawford and Elda were impatiently trying to get inside. The young marine seemed to be having trouble using his data pad to gain access.
Elda smacked his arm lightly. "Hurry up."
"I'm trying, I'm trying."
The data pad spit back an error chime.
Elda groaned. "Gimme, gimme, gimme," she demanded.
Crawford huffed as he handed over the pad. He turned to Reynolds to explain. "Sir, this is where the group we hung with holds practice. Aurelia could be in there." He glanced at what Elda was doing. "You got it or what?"
"Hang on… got it." The lock on the door clicked, signaling that they could now enter. She put the data pad back into Crawford's tac vest pocket and patted it there.
Reynolds raised a brow. They were doing it again, acting all touchy and familiar. He looked at Baker pointedly.
His Lieutenant shrugged, silently reminding him that it was probably harmless. They'd already had a discussion about this. As far as Baker could tell, nothing happened between Elda and the Corporals when they were on this station. They were just stuck together long enough to get that comfortable. And Elda left Earth so often to be with her boyfriend that he was pretty certain she couldn't have been sleeping with either of the boys now. Hard to have an affair with marines when you were never on the same planet.
The older pair followed the younger ones into the now strikingly-loud practice area. Nothing was blocking the music thumping from there. Luckily for Reynolds's ears, the music ceased when a song ended.
Crawford and Elda were smiling ear to ear as they came upon their friends. About a dozen people who looked similar to their age were present. They were sweaty and breathless from the latest choreography they had just completed. The large space was surrounded by mirrors. A virtual display of two dancers appeared to be paused on the far side.
It wasn't long before a few of them noticed their entrance.
"Heyyyyyyyyyyyy!"
Crawford held out both arms. Elda jumped up and down excitedly, clapping her hands. Soon the dancers were crowding around them. Reynolds and Baker hung back to let them get the reunion out of their systems.
A few of the locals fingered their military uniforms. "This is what you wear where you're from?"
Elda laughed.
"Is Rellie here?" Crawford asked, looking all around.
"No, she said she was staying late at work tonight. Where's Gordy?"
Reynolds mouthed to Baker, "Gordy?" They both cracked grins.
Elda answered, "He went straight to her clinic, in case she was there."
"Okay. You gonna bring him down?"
Crawford glanced behind him at the rest of SG-3. "Maybe later. We just came by to check if she was here. And to say hi."
"Stay! We could use you!"
Other people in the crowd agreed.
The pair grinned. Elda answered for them graciously, "We would love to. But we're still working. We'll find you all later, alright?" She pointed a thumb back toward the exit, signaling that they had to go.
The dancers pouted but let them leave.
As they began turning toward the doors, someone called out, "Hey, tomorrow, come on by to the venue. We'll get you in for free."
Crawford and Elda smiled excitedly. Their eyes shot to Reynolds.
He stared back like a father who had no interest in letting his kids borrow the family car. It was a look he was good at giving. He had a lot of practice.
Baker spoke up. "Can I come, too?"
Reynolds did a double-take.
"Sure!"
"Mitchell." Cameron glanced around the car dealership as he stood in line before the service desk. Nobody seemed to care that he had just picked up the phone.
"Sir, are you secure?"
"No, I am not."
"Understood, sir." The tech calling him from the control room now spoke more carefully, in case others were listening in. "You wanted to be informed when our team reached their destination. They sent back a confirmation. They made it there safely and are now attempting to establish contact with the person they went to see."
The Colonel let out a breath of relief. "Whoo boy, that is good to hear."
"Yes, sir."
"Anything else?"
"George called. He'll be around tomorrow."
"Time?"
"Thirteen hundred hours."
Cameron checked his watch. It was still just before 5:00 P.M. He glanced up to see the person ahead of him finishing up. It was now his turn to step up to the counter. He covered the receiver with his hand. "Lam, please," he requested to the person behind the desk. Turning back to his phone call, he said, "Send a message to Jackson and his lady for me. And I would bet our buddy, T, is still out of town?"
"Yes, sir."
"Give him a holler for me, too, if you could, please." Cameron made apologetic eye contact with the service tech. "Look, I gotta go."
"Have a good night, sir."
"You too, thanks."
Cameron put away his phone and simultaneously pulled out his wallet. "Sorry about that. How's the car?"
"Corporal Smith, please tell me that you got the Doc here in one piece," Reynolds said outside the medical facility.
He nodded while standing within the open entrance. "I did, sir. She's safe inside. Come on in."
The remainder of SG-3 entered. Smith led them to a large conference room where medical professionals typically engaged in discussions with patients and their families. Doctor Lam sat at a table with another woman. They both rose upon SG-3's appearance.
"Colonel," she greeted.
"Doc. Any problems?"
"No. We made it over here just fine."
"Good."
Aurelia smiled across the room at Crawford and Elda in greeting. She next studied Reynolds's face. "It's you."
The Colonel glanced at Smith questioningly.
He hopped into action. "Uhh, sir, this is Aurelia Thel of Station Medical. She's the one who helped us out. A lot. Rellie, this is Colonel Malcolm Reynolds. And that's Lieutenant Baker. He's second-in-command on our team."
Reynolds adopted a friendly smile and held out a hand. Baker did as well.
Aurelia shook hands with them awkwardly, finding the custom from Earth unfamiliar. "How are you doing?" she asked of Reynolds. "Any long-lasting complications?"
He patted his tac vest, gesturing to himself. "I'm fit for active duty. Feeling just fine now, thank you." He glanced at Carolyn, who was watching. "So I understand we have you to thank for watching out for my team here?"
She smiled humbly. "Apparently so. I will admit, I didn't realize what they were here for at first. But it was for a commendable reason in the end. Happy to help."
Reynolds found himself reassured. This young lady seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. And she must have the patience of a saint to have been able to deal with the three children on his team. He swore it was like raising teenagers with them around. He was still in the thick of that at home. He really didn't need more of it.
"How's all this going?" he now asked, gesturing to the tablets the women were examining on the table.
Carolyn sighed. "Colonel, you might want to sit down for this."
SG-3 settled into the seats at the table. Smith grit his teeth, having heard some of it already.
The doctor from Earth led their impromptu briefing. "Our perp from the moon? He is from here. She recognized him."
Aurelia reported, "He was one of my father's cousins. Studied genetics before he left here for good."
Elda suddenly looked guilty. She glanced worriedly at Crawford next to her. Smith sent her a look of support.
Reynolds grimaced. "I'm sorry for your loss, then."
Aurelia held up a palm. "You won't see me grieving. He was an outcast. I'm not exactly sure what he did, because it all happened when I was very young, but the family no longer acknowledges him. I barely knew him." She gazed around the table. "How did he die?"
Crawford reached out to squeeze Elda's hand under the table. Carolyn noticed this. Elda was frozen.
Reynolds answered, "One of his potential victims fought back. He lost. Then we found everyone trapped in his facility and freed them. When we investigated the situation, it led us here."
Elda breathed out slowly. Reynolds covered for her. He wasn't saying anything that wasn't true. But he wasn't telling the whole truth either. She felt relief that he was backing her up this way. The last thing she wanted was for Aurelia's family to know that it was her who was responsible for the death of one of their own.
The image of him staring at her while he died still haunted her dreams from time to time. The only time she slept well was on Tek'ron, with Jasuf there to hold her and keep the bad memories at bay. Elda regretted taking his life. But she didn't regret saving so many more lives in the process. And now they were here, hoping to find ways to improve those unfortunate lives he had ruined.
Aurelia nodded, seeming to understand. She accepted the Colonel's explanation without question. "Dr. Lam showed me the reports from his facility."
"She could read them easily," Carolyn pointed out. She snapped her fingers to emphasize how quickly she was able to bring her medical counterpart up to speed. The reports were all in her native written language, after all. And as a professional in a related field, Aurelia fully understood what was in those logs.
"The things he did to those people are considered illegal here. Even unholy. We have very strict rules on genetic manipulation. He followed none of them. I suspect that he wanted to leave our home to escape those rules. I can promise you: my father will be hearing about this."
"Actually," Reynolds responded, "we wouldn't mind meeting with him or some other station representative on the matter. Among others. Our people have an interest in establishing formal relations. We have another team on the way for that purpose."
Aurelia turned to Carolyn. "That's what you were saying, right?" The Earth doctor nodded. "Yes, I can tell him. He meets with outsiders all the time like that."
"Thank you very much."
Baker raised a finger briefly in the air. "If you don't mind me asking, how big is your family, exactly?"
"If you only count those who received Furling genetic code, then there are about seventy-five of us."
"Does it take all of you to run the station?"
"No. There's a minimum of ten required. But the jobs aren't as desirable as one would think. The tasks rotate among different members of our family. Right now it's my father's turn to be Station Master."
"Rellie, how long is he going to stay in charge?" Smith inquired.
"Ten more years, by station time."
"Plenty of time to get a decent accord in place and keep up with it," Reynolds surmised. "What happens when his term is up?"
Aurelia explained, "If there are no volunteers to take over his position, then it goes to a vote among the family."
"I'll bet he plans to enjoy a nice, long retirement."
She smiled. "I think so. He's already been doing this for forty years."
Everyone from Earth widened their eyes. "How old is your dad?" Crawford asked.
"One hundred and twelve galactic standard years. He's got about five more decades in him left," she reported with a soft smile.
"Almost like Jaffa," Elda said quietly.
"Uhhhhh," Smith wondered now. "Rellie, how old are you?"
Carolyn widened her eyes and smiled in amusement at his daring question.
"Forty-seven."
Smith's eyes bugged out. Crawford and Elda both looked surprised.
"You don't look a day over twenty-five," Baker commented graciously.
She smiled. "Thank you. But I'm hardly a child anymore."
Carolyn looked thoughtful. "What ages constitute childhood by your standards?"
"We aren't considered fully matured until perhaps forty years of age," Aurelia explained nonchalantly. "What's it like for you?"
Reynolds cut in, "It's legal to kick our kids out by eighteen. Even then, some don't leave 'til they're forty. But those are the bums."
Crawford and Baker squeezed their eyes shut as they quietly laughed. Smith laughed nervously with them, still flabbergasted by how old Rellie really was.
Aurelia and Elda seemed confused by Reynolds's explanation.
Carolyn stifled laughter, sensing Reynolds had some unresolved complaints fueling his response. "Technically, physical maturity is reached by our early twenties. Social maturity is another matter," she tried to better explain, sending an amused look the Colonel's way. "Our lifespans are nowhere near as long as yours. We're lucky if some of us make it past ninety."
Aurelia's eyes went wide at this. "That is fascinating. I know some scientists who would enjoy learning about why that is."
Reynolds gestured toward the tablets in front of them. "What about people that can help the Jaffa we found? They're in pretty bad shape. Right, Doc? That's why we're here?"
She nodded.
Aurelia locked eyes with him. "I will definitely connect you with someone for that. I've already sent the message."
Carolyn announced, "I have a meeting set up for the morning."
"Oh good," Elda said. "Rellie, thank you so much. You don't even know what this will mean to the Jaffa."
"Of course. If someone from my station caused all that suffering, we have to help make it right."
"Smith, you need to marry her," Elda declared.
"What!?"
Crawford began to crack up outside of the medical facility. He lowered his voice to a whisper so only Smith and Elda could hear. "Dude, she's a cougar!" He laughed more.
Smith dropped his head into his hand. He shook it side to side.
Elda smacked Crawford's arm. "Shut up for a second." She turned back to Smith. "Aurelia is a goddess at this point. You need to worship her, Smitty."
"Elda, where the hell is this coming from?" he asked incredulously.
"Finding someone as pure-hearted as her in this galaxy is rare! If she's capable of helping those Jaffa, she's worth more than her weight in naquedah."
"Gold," Crawford corrected. "Worth more than her weight in gold."
"I don't know how much gold is worth. But I know how much she would cost in naquedah. Leave me alone, Crawfy!"
He merely laughed at her innocent frustration. She was too adorable.
Smith continued to be overwhelmed. "Baby, if you like her so much then you marry her."
"She wouldn't marry me. She likes you!" Elda tilted her head. "Besides, I already have Jasuf."
Crawford poked his elbow into Smith's ribs and flapped a hand toward Elda. "She's gonna be like a Jaffa queen someday, remember? We can't mess that up."
Elda groaned and pushed him.
Crawford cracked up more.
"Corporal Crawford!" Reynolds yelled.
He straightened up. His eyes darted to their commanding officer in the doorway.
"I thought you were securing accommodations! What the hell are you three still doing here? Get your asses moving!"
"Yes, sir!" Crawford forcefully grabbed Elda and Smith by their vests and pulled them along.
Elda didn't complain. "I think he's 'hangry'," she commented with fingers up in air quotes around the last word.
"Shut up, Baby Cakes."
When the door opened, Elda peeked her head in cautiously. Her eyes went wide and her mouth gaped. "Wow." She stepped into their new accommodation, letting Carolyn follow in behind her.
The doctor gazed around, seeing a basic motel room not unlike ones on Earth. There were two beds, a closet, and a smaller door likely for the bathroom.
Elda explored the space, peeking under beds and into the closet. She smiled. "This is so much nicer than the little place we had last time."
Carolyn dropped her dufflebag onto the floor next to one bed. "Really?" She began rifling through its contents.
Elda turned toward her. "You don't seem as impressed."
The doctor looked up and around again. "Well, it looks just like a basic room. What was your other one like?"
"All we had was an accommodation with four walls. Crawford called it a studio. No beds or furniture. It had a single washroom for the three of us to share."
"No beds? Did you sleep on the floor?"
"We acquired sleeping mats. And those were on the floor."
"Oh my gosh. You really did have nothing while you were here." Carolyn was now reminded of the basic things she took for granted. She made up her mind to better appreciate everything she could so easily afford.
Elda told her SG-3 only had Jasuf's money to start with when they first got here. It was not nearly enough to keep them going for two whole months. They had to get creative. The trio barely scrounged together enough cash for basic necessities.
"We were almost living in squalor. I know that's not something everyone else is used to. But I am. This feels like a luxury to me," she said, gesturing around at their small accommodation.
Carolyn didn't know if she would be resilient enough to handle what Elda had already been through. She was privileged growing up in comparison. She never dealt with anything close to poverty or scarcity. Both of her parents had decent jobs that paid the bills. This girl really was strong in so many ways. She admired her for managing to turn out so well despite everything.
The other Vala really did a great job.
"I tell you what," the doctor decided. "You get to claim the bed you want."
Elda considered them both. She pointed. "I'll take this one, closer to the door. That way I can shoot anyone who invades our space first and give you time to find cover."
Carolyn blinked. She was serious. "Okay," she agreed. She moved her dufflebag away to the furthest bed. "Question: You really think someone's going to bust down that door? Even though the marines will be right next to us?"
The young blonde shrugged. "Never hurts to be prepared."
Now Carolyn was beyond curious. As she pulled out the items from her bag and placed them on the bed, she asked, "Did that happen to you a lot growing up?"
"Handful of times," Elda reported nonchalantly. "Usually in a place Vala couldn't properly secure. She always made sure we had a space with an alternate exit, though, even if it was only small enough for me to squeeze through as a child."
Carolyn's eyes were wide. "What were you supposed to do if you could get out, but she couldn't?"
Elda sighed. "We had a number of back-up plans. But when I was little, I was supposed to go find Teal'c or the Hak'tyl in the event something happened to my mother. She burned a couple of gate addresses into my mind."
"No wonder you really care about the Jaffa. They were always your back-up."
She nodded emphatically. "For my entire life."
Carolyn tilted her head. "Did you ever go to Tek'ron when you were growing up?"
"No, I don't think so. We only ever went to Nesa's Hak'tyl settlement on another world. And when we saw Teal'c, it was all over the galaxy."
The doctor remembered Nesa. She was one of the first patients to accept tretonin, and she had done it at a young age. Carolyn's predecessor, Dr. Fraiser, made it a point to keep her on the list of research subjects from early on. Watching how Nesa fared long-term would inform their longitudinal study of the effects of the drug on Jaffa physiology.
"Why did Nesa have her own separate settlement anyway?"
Elda shrugged. "Not sure. The most I heard was she didn't get along with someone on the other planet. So Ishta gave her the space to spread out."
Carolyn squinted her eyes.
Elda pursed her lips, now also curious. She bared her hands outward. "No idea who the other party could have been," she explained, realizing what they were both thinking. Some questions would simply never be answered.
"Did you ever meet Ishta as a kid?"
"A few times when she visited Nesa's tribe with Teal'c."
"So she was with him in your time?"
"They were married."
Carolyn's mouth gaped in delight. "That's good."
Elda smiled. "It is. It's comforting to know that some things remain the same… in both timelines."
The doctor let out a breath, once again in awe of this person before her: a time traveler. "I can't even imagine what life would be like without you, Gracie."
Her niece blinked, touched. "I'd like to think that you were still happy, in my time."
"Really?"
Elda smiled enigmatically, remembering that when she met Carolyn as an adult, the doctor had a different surname. And a shiny ring on her left fourth finger. "Really."
Carolyn smiled slightly, hopeful that perhaps Cameron had something to do with it.
Reynolds stared up at the large set of double-doors for a research facility. His eyes darted left and right, taking in the massive structure that made up a building on the yellow level. He didn't have a hope in Hell of maintaining a secure perimeter. He didn't have the manpower for that.
He turned to Aurelia, who had led them here. "How many entrances are there to this place?"
"Several, secured by credentials. Only the people who work here can use those other doors. This is the only one guests use," she explained, pointing at the main entrance. "And you wouldn't be able to go anywhere inside without an escort from someone who works here. Not even me."
"So you're saying it's considered a secure facility?"
"Yes, Colonel, it is. The work done in here is sensitive."
Close to the vest it was.
"Baker, Crawford, man this door. I'll move in with the Doc. Smith, Elda, bring up the rear." His subordinates nodded.
"After you," he said to Aurelia, gesturing for her to move ahead of the group.
She flashed her access card across a reader on the side of one door. The system chimed, acknowledging her request. An eye above the reader spat out lasers to envelop her body, scanning to confirm her identity.
A message flashed across the holographic display. Elda recognized the translated writing in Goa'uld. It was welcoming her as a station representative.
The massive doors clicked and opened under their own power. Aurelia led the group in. Baker and Crawford posted themselves just outside the double-doors.
A woman with short, dark hair was waiting for them inside a simple white lobby. She wore a plain jumpsuit with numerous pockets. Various metal tools peeked out of them. Her jawline was sharp, and her height was decidedly tall.
Smith studied her closely. She looked nothing like Rellie, who had soft lines and curves. Maybe this was a more distant relative.
The woman reached out her hands. Aurelia immediately placed hers within. "Auntie."
"Aurelia," a smooth voice greeted. "Your message was curious. Does your father know you are receiving visitors and bringing them to me?"
Rellie pulled away. "He knows now." She waved a hand in the group's direction. "These people are from a planet called Earth. They've discovered some atrocities committed by one of our former brethren. This medical professional here is Dr. Carolyn Lam. She seeks solutions to reverse or mitigate what has been done."
The woman regarded Carolyn curiously.
"Dr. Lam, this is Eruce Thel, my aunt and the researcher I told you about."
Carolyn nodded her head toward her respectfully. She didn't reach out a hand, knowing that was a very Earth-specific custom. She had already observed Rellie's unfamiliarity with it. It didn't make sense to engage in it here.
"This is her escort. They call themselves SG-3."
"You are not armed," Eruce Thel noted, looking down at Carolyn.
"No," she answered back. "I prefer not to be. My hands usually heal, not handle weapons."
"In our culture, such a privilege is afforded to only the most important of dignitaries. Your choice is commendable. But also dangerous. I will presume your practices are different where you come from and accept this."
Carolyn squinted her eyes briefly. "Thank you," she responded simply.
The woman now regarded SG-3. "They appear sufficiently armed. That is good. Come, I will show you to a place where we can speak comfortably."
Reynolds hazarded a curious glance back at Smith and Elda. They shrugged.
Carolyn adjusted the bag on her shoulder holding all the tablets she'd brought with her. The devices were filled with copies of the logs from the moon where they found the Jaffa test subjects.
Eruce Thel seemed to glide across the smooth, marble-like floor as she walked. She exuded a calm grace that implied she had years and years of experience behind her. Carolyn guessed she might be a lot older than she looked, now knowing the long life expectancies of people here.
They reached a large room devoid of furniture, except for a circular table in the center. Molded seats rose up out of the floor upon the group's entry. It would seem sensors in the walls detected their presence and brought up just the right amount of chairs for the people it counted.
Elda's eyes darted up and around. She spied two other entryways. Beyond them was a plain white corridor. Bright light infiltrated the room from those openings. There was a catwalk set up around the ceiling perimeter, likely to service the holographic emitters embedded along the upper edges. No one seemed to be up there. Service ladders were positioned on opposite corners of the room, allowing access to the catwalk. There didn't seem to be any other way up there.
Satisfied that no one else was about, her gaze focused on the three entrances trisecting the perimeter. She knew what she would want done if she had the choice. Either request those doors be closed, or have each of the members of SG-3 pick a door to watch. But it wasn't her call. She waited for Reynolds to decide.
"Can we close these doors?" he asked.
"They will shut automatically once we activate our displays," Rellie's aunt explained. "Our space is secure. We will not be disturbed here." She gestured to the seats around the table. "Please, be seated."
"Thank you for granting us an audience, Aunt Eruce," Rellie said as she took a seat next to her.
Carolyn placed herself on Rellie's opposite side. Reynolds nodded for his subordinates to take the seats offered to them. He wasn't going to cause offense by ordering them to remain standing. For now. This was supposed to be a friendly meeting.
But he expected Smith and Elda to jump into action the moment any hint of shit hit the fan.
"Let's show her what you showed me," Rellie said to Carolyn.
The doctor pulled the numerous tablets out of her bag. She pushed one in Eruce's direction and tapped on it. The display lit up with a photograph of a body bag with the zipper pulled down to reveal a face. "Here is the person we believe originated from this station."
The tall woman leaned down to stare at the image. Her jaw clenched in obvious disappointment. "Ventho," she spat out with disgust. "Aurelia, do you remember him?"
"Barely."
"He left our home when you were but a child. Too young to understand the monstrous things he attempted to do."
Carolyn grimaced. "Then it sounds like you might not be surprised to hear what he did out in the wider galaxy."
Elda's mouth opened slightly as she watched them intently. She tried to hold herself back from interjecting into the conversation. It wasn't her place to speak. But she truly wanted to express her extreme displeasure over what she discovered on that forsaken moon.
"Show me," Eruce requested.
Carolyn turned on another tablet and handed it over. It contained some of the logs from the facility.
The researcher took it and analyzed the hardware. She turned it around in her hands, determining whether or not it might be compatible with her own systems. She seemed to reach a conclusion. One of her hands reached into the space above the center of the table. A virtual menu was activated, containing written words in what Smith and Elda recognized as station language. She manipulated the display until it chimed.
Eruce rose to place the tablet in the center of the table.
Suddenly, the doors shut. Elda's head snapped up when people appeared all over the room. She instantly stood, hands hovering over her blasters.
Smith was just as surprised and followed her. His eyes darted around.
Reynolds watched them with quiet satisfaction, never leaving his seat. "At ease," he calmed them. The pair glanced at their CO to see he wasn't surprised in the least. They sat back down.
Holographic emitters were projecting static images of the Jaffa test subjects.
Elda's eyes were drawn to the sight of one Jaffa standing nearby. She recognized him as the kind one she first met when she was captured. He was the friendliest of the group, even offering to free her bonds and explain a little about their situation. She would have been honored to know his name, but he did not yet remember it. For now, he was safe on Tek'ron with the other survivors.
The station researcher drew closer to another of the Jaffa projections. Her hand instinctively rose near a female's face and activated a holographic report in the air.
Carolyn's eyes went wide, never having realized that feature was possible within the logs they found. She stood to join Eruce at her side.
The sharp-jawed woman appeared to narrow her eyes at what she was reading. She was oozing with disapproval. "It would seem this individual's genetic code was manipulated in violation of our laws. I suspect all of them were subjected to similar abuses."
Carolyn grit her teeth. "This one died."
"That is unsurprising." Eruce tapped around more within the report. "Ventho attempted to devolve her genetic make-up. I do not understand why."
"Devolve?" Carolyn repeated with confusion.
Eruce moved on to another Jaffa display. The report dropped when she stepped away. The researcher leaned in to read another report attached to the next test subject. She scowled. "I would think this one also expired."
Carolyn frowned. "Yes, he did."
Elda watched them forlornly. She glanced at Smith and Reynolds, whose expressions were grim.
"What species are these unfortunate people?" Eruce asked as she gazed around at all the displays.
"Jaffa."
There were nearly fifty Jaffa featured here. Carolyn attempted to treat thirty-eight of them. She certainly didn't recognize every single one displayed here. The logs showed there were many more experimented upon before SG-3 ever discovered the facility.
Eruce looked perplexed. "I fail to conceive of the purpose of this venture. What would be served by devolving their genetic code?" she wondered. She left this display and studied another.
Carolyn thought hard. She, too, had no idea why the Jaffa would be experimented upon. She looked over at Elda. "Elda, didn't you say the man said something about 'helping' the Jaffa?"
"In some twisted way, yes, he did say that," Elda responded with disgust.
Aurelia regarded her curiously.
Smith bit his lip. He thought they weren't going to mention that Elda had anything to do with her deceased family member. He would need to come up with some sly explanation for this in case Rellie ever asked. It wouldn't do anyone any good to reveal that Elda killed someone she knew, even if Rellie didn't care for the guy.
"The only 'help' the Jaffa need already comes in the form of tretonin," Reynolds offered. "Otherwise they're pretty good at taking care of themselves. Have been for eons."
"Curious. I am not familiar with 'tretonin,'" Eruce responded.
Carolyn supplied, "It's a drug modeled after the Goa'uld symbiotes that Jaffa are physically-dependent on to survive."
"Goa'uld?" Eruce repeated as she examined yet another unfortunate Jaffa on display. Carolyn continued to follow her, in awe of the technology being used here.
"Have you heard of them?"
"Distantly. They are snake-like creatures that take human hosts, are they not?"
Carolyn grimaced. "Yes."
"The Goa'uld are a minor curiosity. But these Jaffa, as you call them, are different?"
"The Jaffa were made to be the servants of the Goa'uld," Elda declared from her seat at the table.
"Made?" Eruce asked. She turned to give Elda her full attention. "Please elaborate."
Elda took in a breath. "Carolyn? Maybe you'd be better at this than me," she said deferentially.
"We have records from a planet called Dakara showing how the Jaffa were created. Evolved in stages…" Carolyn paused as her eyes went wide with realization. "…from humans." Her hand covered her mouth.
"Doc?" Reynolds asked curiously.
Carolyn's eyes shut briefly. Then she let her hand drop. "You said these people were being devolved?"
Eruce nodded affirmatively.
The doctor addressed SG-3. "I think he might have been looking for a way to free them from dependence on symbiotes. Without the need for tretonin."
Elda gasped. "That's why the bounty was for Jaffa with symbiotes!"
"Oh shit," Smith muttered.
"Oh shit, indeed," Reynolds concurred.
"I would be interested to see these records you speak of," Eruce said.
Carolyn immediately went back to the table. "They're here." She activated all of the other tablets until she found the right one.
Eruce removed the first tablet from the center, thereby deactivating the holographic displays. The Jaffa disappeared from the room. She replaced it with the new one Carolyn gave her. Now the room lit up with words in Ancient Alteran writing. The people from Earth gazed around in wonder as virtual text scrolled around them in the air.
"This is in a language no one speaks anymore," Carolyn said.
Their host was not bothered by this detail. She tapped on the menu above the table center, which seemed to respond positively by the way it chimed. "This writing is known to our database," she announced. All of the Alteran text was instantly replaced with station language.
The SGC personnel dropped their mouths open. Smith's finger pointed in the air aimlessly.
Aurelia tilted her head at the writing. Her eyes followed as some of it floated across her view. "This was also illegal," she commented.
"Yes," her aunt agreed. "It would seem these Goa'uld lacked the same regard for ethics as Ventho." Eruce walked beside some text in the air. "The Jaffa were indeed created in stages. Each generation yielded a different change."
"The Goa'uldies played God," Reynolds grumbled.
"Emphasis on 'played,'" Carolyn muttered.
"Ugh," Elda grunted with extreme revulsion. "They ruin everything." She shivered.