Warning: Character Death, Violence, Language, Sexual Actions.
Rating: Adult Slash.
Archive: RSD, Yes, just say where.
Pairings: Martouf/Daniel.
Series/Sequel: Daniel of Malksur. Sequel to Wreck On The Information Highway
Summary: For the SGC, the age of innocence is over. Their first major casualty since the founding has many questioning the policies. Every where they go chaos ensues. Enemies becoming friends, friends becoming enemies, and their preconceived notions being challenged; how far will they bend before the core snaps?
Timeline/Spoilers: Season 2 - In the Line of Duty ~/~ The Tok'ra. _______________________________________________________
Martouf silently followed Dr. Fraiser through her rounds. When she marked something down on the charts, he was quick to observe. He was learning the way these Tau'ri interacted and it was surprisingly similar to his own people. Though there was one major difference, he had never seen so many sick people that weren't dying at one time.
There were memories of plagues he had experienced, plagues his ancestors had invented. Many people became sick at the same time. It was a form of punishment, more often than not, for only a perceived slight. The helpless feelings he felt from previous hosts made him empathize with Janet's work.
"Your people are most unique. Almost every civilization we have interacted with has barely reached the level of medical sophistication that were present five thousand years ago." Martouf caught a clip board that a patient knocked from Janet's hand before giving it back to her.
"Thanks. We have come a long way, but not without a lot of controversy. Most of our modern medicine was tested in ways that could get a doctor thrown in prison today." Reaching out, Janet hit the button to increase the sedative in the Nasian man's drip. She checked his vitals a little longer then patted his arm. "You will be better soon."
The man glared at her, but soon drifted off back to sleep.
"Is there something special you wanted, Martouf? I noticed you were reluctant to aid your people earlier, so I find it hard to accept you are suddenly interested in my medicines." Pulling the charts on another patient, Janet glanced at the numbers and shook her head.
All along the hall, patients laid in beds imported for just such an emergency. They had expected the base personnel to need this in case they brought back a virus through the gate. This entire level had been outfitted with oxygen plugs and life support monitoring devices. The ceiling even had hooks for privacy curtains.
When Martouf remained silent, Janet decided to fill the void. "Two hundred Nasians needed medical attention. We were going to send some to the Naval Academy Hospital. When I discovered Jolinar inside Daniel, the base was sealed off and we had to treat them all here. Thank god we had the necessary equipment."
"When in times of need, decisions of great consequence are made." Martouf followed her silently for three more patients before he decided on how to best approach the subject on his mind. "You asked me this morning if I had any mourning rituals and I told you the Tok'ra do not. That does not mean my original home does not. I was wondering what would Daniel's people consider appropriate for such an occasion?"
Janet stopped in her tracks. Spinning to face him, she frowned at his eager look. She took decided to be cautious. "Well, I'm not exactly sure. When things are settled down a bit, the entire base will hold him a funeral. There will be a gathering of people who knew him so we can remember him. Most likely food will be served and we will talk about what he meant to us. A prayer will be said and probably a cadence played. He wasn't military, so there won't be an elaborate ceremony."
"Why do your people not offer the same ritual for all who die? Do you not hold all to be equal? Your government charter says that you do." Seeing her reluctance to continue the discussion, he switched tactics. "Are Daniel's customs the same as your own?"
"Yes, well, I dunno." Pursing her lips, she thought it out a second. "I would think not. He is a citizen of this country, but he is also Abydosian."
"He is from the planet of Abydos? I was unaware the Supreme System Lord allowed their people to gain the knowledge of the Chappa'ai." Feeling this new information could gain him further access, he acted the part of the clueless.
"No. His wife, however, is. By our laws, if you marry someone from another country they become a US Citizen. By their laws, you become a member of their family, one of their people. And it would be they who would intern his body in tomb of her family. Daniel told me this while I was treating him for staff burns over a month... ago." Janet paused in her talk, a distant look coming over her. She took a shuddering breath before blowing it out quickly. "I'm sorry, but is that all you wanted to talk about? I really have to get back to work."
"Yes. I do not require anything further." Turning away, he was about to leave when he caught himself. Martouf glanced over his shoulder. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Janet took a minute to collect herself and brush her clothes down. "It is going to be okay. I will get through this. I always get through this."
He opened his eyes for the first time of his own will. Expecting the demon that had claimed control of him to seize back the reins, he flinched. When nothing came, he felt oddly empty. They said the absence of pain was almost as great as the pain itself. For the first time in his life, Major Louis Ferretti understood what that meant.
Tears stung his eyes and he automatically reached up to wipe them away. Seeing his hand responding of his own will made them come faster. Turning it over, he sniffed. "God, that is a beautiful thing."
"There are no such things." The voice seemed to come from a viper, complete with hissing letters.
Ferretti glanced up to see a woman he had never seen before standing over him with a piece of equipment he recognized all too well. He tried to smack her hand away, but she caught his arm and pushed it back down to his side. "What do you want with me?"
"You will be silent until I am completely sure that the vile ka'muk was removed." Her blue eyes glowed white in anger. Tapping the hand device, with the ribbon device, she ran it over his face. The golden light from her palm flowed through him.
Unlike the previous experiences, this did not hurt. Ferretti thought it almost tickled, but the fluttering was all in his head, literally. After a moment the warm light blinked out and her hand was removed from his field of vision. He tried sitting up again, finding she was out of reach. "What is going on here?"
"The Ash'rak has been removed. You may go." Anise removed the central crystal from her ribbon device and placed it at the center of her control board of crystals. Immediately, the board lit up and several other crystals sunk in to the device. When she didn't hear movement, she turned back to look at Ferretti. "The exit is that way. Be sure to cloth yourself."
Lou glanced down at his body and quickly covered himself. Sliding off the bed, he quickly ran out the door into a locker room.
Ignoring the slap of bare feet on the floor, Anise continued to check over her readings. She growled in disgust over the lost opportunity to gather information from the now dead Ash'rak. Gathering the consul's top, she slammed it shut and twisted the locking mechanism.
The Command Staff had gathered in the conference room with the ruling Council of the Tok'ra and Major Davis. General Hammond was not a bit surprised to see his second in command supporting a few new bruises and bandages. Apparently he still hadn't learned to keep his mouth shut. They had gathered there to announce the president's decision about the proposed alliance. Had he not known the beings across from him were millennia old aliens, he would think them eccentric new agers.
Perseus was now in purple robes, a crystal around his neck. Saroush was in a matching colored blouse and skirt. Garshaw was wrapped in a black kimono engraved in silver. Then there were the other five people he didn't recognize. He would have to take their word that these scantly clad beings were in fact high ranking beings and not whores. Apparently the vanity of the Goa'uld was not limited to those claiming to be gods.
On his right sat Major Davis, next was Major Maybourne and finally, Dr. Fraiser. On his left sat Colonel O'Niell, followed by Sargent Silar, and last Dr. Beltran. The last member of their command staff seemed about to kill over from a heart attack brought on by the beings in front of him. Hammond frowned at him, he would have to seek a replacement scientist at the earliest convenience.
Clearing his throat to get their attention, Hammond smiled genially. "Well, I would like to thank all of you for coming here on such short notice. I know you wish to be among your people getting things ready to move to your new home. I have some good news for you in that regard. Your new home is ready for settlement and exploration."
High Councilor Perseus smile gratefully, inclining his head in acceptance. He gestured for the others to keep their peace. "We are most appreciative of this, General."
"It is the least we could do. You have delivered back to us Major Ferretti. He has been debriefed and expressed his gratitude." Hammond felt the need to make this as much ass kissing as possible. If they were going to accept his offer, it had to look like they were doing him the favor.
Garshaw inclined her head with a slight smile. "We are happy to be of service. I am only sorry that it had to be under these circumstances."
George shook his head. There was no need for apologizes anymore. "Don't be. More good has come out of this than tragedy."
Raising his hand, Jack shook to fingers to get their attention. "Let us not forget those we have lost in these recent events and those who are responsible."
"He is correct, General. We must be sure to thank the Goa'uld for their actions." Teal'c's smile made even a few of the Tok'ra uneasy. His intentions were clear and left Jack biting back his response.
After shifting uneasily, Jack sat back in his chair and folded his arms. He began to spin it from side to side in thought. "Just how long will it take you fellas to move to the new world?"
"A matter of hours." Saroush was the one to answer this time. She knew what he was trying to do and decided it would be best if she dealt with him. "We have the ability to grow a new home to suit our needs in a fraction of that time. The rest will be spent, as you say, 'moving in'."
"General." Garshaw closed her eyes and let her head drop signaling Josef was now in control. "We feel it best if this request came from a more human appeal."
Sitting at attention, General Hammond gave her his undivided attention. A sick twisting of his stomach signaled the next bit of news would not be to his liking.
"Martouf has asked that we be allowed to bring the body of your friend Daniel back with us through the Chappa'ai. He wishes to honor the request of the deceased and return his body home, back to Abydos." Josef sat back at the angered glares from Jack and Dr. Beltran.
"Absolutely not! That little wormy bastard isn't going to lay another hand on him!" When there was no response to back him up, Jack turned to Hammond. "Tell me you aren't thinking of allowing them to fuck with his body, General. Say what we are all thinking. It's real easy, n-o, two little letters, one little word."
Closing his eyes, Hammond fiddled with the papers on the table. "I am sorry, Jack, but it is a possibility we must consider. In Dr. Jackson's file, it does specifically say he wished to be buried among his wife's people. Also, the gate to Abydos is blocked on their end, we can hardly go back."
"Yeah, but to let them take him?" Jack was almost livid now. His hands itched to pound on the table. "Sir, with all do respect, that is passing the buck! Not to mention the fact that Marty guy has a thing for touching Daniel's body! Who knows what weird sorta fetish he has." Leaning on the table now, he clenched his fist around a pen until it groaned under the pressure.
"We have anticipated this, General Hammond." Josef, feeling confident once more, decided to press the issue. "All who wish to accompany the body may do so. We have a Tel'tac at our disposal and it would be no trouble at all to take along a few of your personnel to say their final good byes."
General Hammond faced Jack. "Well, Colonel?"
Jack sat there. He knew the little bastards had planned this and out maneuvered him. The only problem was he couldn't see their angle clearly. Certainly, there was the need to retrieve the damned snake still inside Daniel, but there was something else going on. From what he had seen, these people were too damned paranoid to just squander resources like this. Grinding his teeth, he nodded once.
"Very well, it is settled." Standing, Josef signaled for her fellow councilors to join her. "The Tel'tac shall arrive at the new home world in two days time. Our preparations for the journey shall be ready by then. I respectfully request that all your traditions concerning the body not including the burial be handled in that time."
"I'll see to it." Janet looked to the general. When he nodded, she returned his gesture.
"Oh, there is one more thing." Garshaw was now speaking, using her own base tones. "The people of Abydos have a strict code of conduct concerning the dead. You must not alter Dr. Jackson's body in any form. Only their priests are allowed to remove his organs for entombment." Upon seeing the queazy looks of the SGC, she gave a faint smile. "I take it you do not remove the organs before burial?"
"No, we don't," Jack snapped.
"Hmm, most unusual." Inclining her head, Garshaw bowed slightly to the General. "We must get back to our people. If you will excuse us."
"Of course." Hammond watched as they filed from the room in almost single file. When the last of them had departed, he nodded to the SF to close the door.
Jack was the first to speak after the door was locked. "I don't like it, sir. We shouldn't trust them, they're Goa'uld!"
"I concur with Colonel O'Niell. However, I also must point out, that though I do not completely trust them, it is only because they have yet to prove themselves in battle." Teal'c laid his arms on the rest of his chair. Observing the others, he raised an eyebrow. "As has been pointed out, we must begin to form powerful alliances wherever possible."
"What do you think, Major Davis, you are the one who shall be working with them?" Hammond ignored Jack's shocked expression. Giving Davis his undivided attention, he gave the impression of being fully open. "Your input is invaluable."
Before Davis could speak, Jack interrupted. "What does he have to do with this anyways? Until just a few weeks ago I had never heard of this yahoo." He glanced at Davis with a grimace. "No offense, but you're kinda green."
"None taken, you needle dicked, bug fucker." Davis smiled.
"What was that?" Jack searched Davis for any response. He was disappointed by the immaculate presence of the Major.
"I said none taken, sir." Davis ignored the muttering of Colonel O'Niell in favor of returning the General's attention. "I agree with Teal'c's assessment. Though they are turning out better than we had hoped, we should take anything they offer with a grain of salt. Major Ferretti's release was a token of good faith, but not a complete agreement. For all we know, they could take off the moment we turn our backs and we'd see hide nor hair of them ever again."
"You have a point. There is no one hundred percent guarantee. However, that is why you are there. I am sure you can sweet talk them in to remaining if only in spirit." As much as it amused the General to hear his Second in Command's teeth grind, it was getting a bit out of hand. Sighing, he decided it was best to humor the ass before he started braying again. It was way past time to get the Colonel some free time. "Major Davis is the person who has been responsible for keeping the Stargate Program open these past several weeks. In fact, that nice shiny bonus you are so pleased with, he is also responsible for."
Dr. Beltran finally blew his top. How could these people sit here and debate the use of a man when one of their own laid dead in the morgue by the hands of the very people they are trying to promote? Standing up, he slammed his fists on the table. "What the hell is wrong with you people? Is there not a decent bone in your despicable bodies? Dr. Jackson isn't even cold yet and you are already planning promotions and pissing about the presence of a rival."
"Sit down, Doctor." This was going to be a constant battle, George just knew. It always happened when a prominent member was lost, especially if that person was a civilian. "We are well aware what Dr. Jackson's loss means. However, this is a military base, we can't just cease to function, even for a moment. Life continues, we grieve and move on. The life of a soldier means you learn to accept loss."
"Well I am not! I will never get used to it, I refuse! General, if being a part of the SGC means I lose what is left of my humanity, then perhaps I should leave." Turning, he was shocked to see his way blocked by Teal'c. "What do you want?"
"For all your knowledge, you are a fool. I agree, it is best you leave." Twisting to the side, he let the man pass him, then followed him to the door. After opening the door, he ushered the man from the room and firmly shut it behind him. He returned to the table and sat down. "I am sorry, General Hammond, but I could not sit idly by and allow that man to accuse you of being any less a human for not being beholdent unto his beliefs."
"Way to go, T." Jack gave his team mate a thumbs up.
"I did not do it for recognition, O'Niell. You have done the same for me in the presence of far more dangerous of foes." Tilting his chair back, Teal'c focused his attention on the General. "Perhaps, he is not the right person to fill the position left by Daniel Jackson."
Nodding, General Hammond glanced to each member of his staff. "I agree, Teal'c. At the moment, though, he is the best we have. That will change very soon. In fact, I will be contacting Dr. Katherine Langford in regards to a new replacement. Besides, she will want to know about Dr. Jackson."
"Speaking of, Daniel, sir, I request permission to join the group leaving with the body to say my good byes in person." Dr. Fraiser was almost as shocked as the others by her request.
"Get Dr. Warner to take your place. Tell those others who wish to join you to get me the request forms and I'll approve them. Any one else here wish to go? Jack?" Hammond glanced over at his silent second.
"No, sir. I must respectfully decline. I said my good byes already." Jack kept his gaze directly on the clock.
"Are you certain? He was your friend, Colonel. We can get along without you long enough to..." Hammond was cut off by Jack's cutting motion.
Jack shook his head in denial. "Send Teal'c. Someone's got to stay here and take care of Major Carter. T can make sure that the Goa'uld don't molest Daniel any further."
"They are not Goa'uld, O'Niell."
"Can it, Teal'c. You can call a snake whatever you want, that doesn't change the fact it's still a snake."
The chanting filled the cement room as three women and two men in white robes washed the body of Dr. Jackson. Smoke from brazers filled with incense covered the room in a haze. After they had scrubbed the body from head to toe with the honey waters, they dried him with white lennons.
After they finished, they took the clothes and tossed them in a fire pit to be burned later. Three urns were placed on the slab around the body. Inside was a mixture of ash and spices. Cold water was dumped in the urns and mixed with a reed. The three women each took a fragment of the reed and dipped one end in the mixture. They turned back to his body and began inscribing the words from the book of the dead on his skin.
Their movements were sure, speaking of long practice and clear intent. Slowly, the art and hieroglyphics took shape. After the words had been inscribed, the women stepped back and removed the urns. A set of six urns on each side of the body were put in their place. Water was added to the mixtures.
The two men mixed the colors each with a different reed. When they had finished, they picked up small brushes made from human hair and balsa wood. Dipping in the colors, they spread the dyes inside the hieroglyphics, filling out the images. Soon after they finished, the urns were removed and the body allowed to dry.
After the dyes dried, the five returned, bringing with them bundles of cloth and a wooden scepter. The bundles were placed on a table next to the body for later use. The head priest brought the wood scepter above his head and closed his eyes. His fellow priests picked up wooden sticks and began beating them in tune with a chant he started.
The priest brought the scepter down in an arc and jammed it in the mouth of the body. He used the flat end to pry the nearly frozen flesh apart. When it was completely open, he pulled out the scepter and shook it three times. His chanting ended in time with the beat.
From outside the autopsy room, General Hammond, SG-1, and half the base's top officers watched through the one way mirror as Daniel's body was wrapped in the Egyptian Cotton. Under the first layer was tied in herbs and a few trinkets sacred to Daniel including a golden necklace from Sha're. When they completed the second layer, several poems chosen by the gathered people were included in the wrappings. The third layer was more herbs and a hand full of scarabs. The fourth and final layer held nothing in it, but was painted in blue and wrapped in a beaded funeral shawl. The shawl was sealed in place with melted wax and six scarab pens.
After the body had been sealed, it was placed inside the wooden sarcophagus that had been hand carved and assembled by Teal'c. The lid was placed on and locked in place with plant fiber ropes woven through the lid and base. When the final knot had been tied, the priests blew out the braziers and opened the ventilation to clear out the smoke.
The priests walked from the room and left the door open for the gathered people to visit the body. Several people came in trailed a hand over the smooth finished sarcophagus, placing a flower or other memento on top. The last through the line was Jack, Sam, Teal'c, Janet, and General Hammond.
Jack stood off to the side while Sam was eased by Teal'c over to lay a single rose on the box. When she had placed kiss upon her palm then to the box, she turned to Teal'c and he helped her back in to her wheel chair. She smiled as he patted her shoulder. "That really looks like him, Teal'c, did you paint it yourself?"
"I did not. It was, in fact, Major Castleman who procured the colorings needed and painted the lid. I merely added the ritual symbols to aid him to his final rest." When she nodded in understanding, he pushed her chair around the table and out the door.
Janet came to stand next to the sarcophagus, hands in her pockets and head lowered. "I, uh, wish there was more I could have done for you, Daniel. Losing you was the first time I have ever actually cried over losing a patient. As a doctor, we are taught that we can't save them all and that loss is something we will have to deal with over time. As a base physician, you'd think I would have gotten used to this by now. But I haven't and it's just so hard..." her voice cracked up and she glanced up to hold back the tears.
Clearing her throat, Janet continued. "It's hard to say good bye to a friend, one whom I've shared so much with over the past year. Despite the fact that most of your visits weren't your fault, I never grew tired of patching you up. You were one of the more pleasant members of SG-1 to deal with." A snort behind her reminded Janet she wasn't alone. After taking a deep breath, she nodded in thought. "This is getting a little long winded, so I'll wrap it up. Wherever you are out there in this big Universe, I hope you are happier there. We'll continue on hoping that this really was for the best and not just some damned random accident that never should have happened. And, uh, I think I'm done now. Go in peace, Daniel."
Hammond watched her place a kiss upon the coffin before quickly walking from the room. When all that were left was him and Jack, George stepped up to the table and rested a hand on top of the painted sarcophagus. He ran his fingers slowly over the smooth surface, tracing the outlines of the painted face. Tapping it a few times gently, he smiled and snorted. With a final tap, he placed his hands back in his pockets and drifted from the room.
Jack stood there, silently staring at the coffin. Time seemed to pass for an eternity. Without a word, he walked out.
The five priests walked back in the room and headed for the coffin. Behind them entered Martouf, Perseus, and Garshaw.
Garshaw's hands tensely held at her sides, she gestured at the coffin. "Be quick about it. We do not have much time."
The Tok'ra priests quickly set to work untying the knots on the sarcophagus. When they had removed the ropes, they took off the lid and pulled out the body. In its place they stuck several stones from a box hidden under the table. They quickly stuck Daniel's body in the box that had held the stones and sealed the lid in place with a twist of the mongoose symbol on top. After replacing the lid, they threaded the ropes through the coffin and tied the knots once more.
Garshaw turned to Martouf as the priests hauled the stone's box from the room with Daniel's body. "You had better be correct about this. If you fail and they find out, I will gladly hand you over to them."
"I will not. This can be done and will be." Martouf glanced one last time at the sarcophagus and smiled. "The Jaffa did a remarkable job for such a short time."
"We would have done no less for your mate. Jolinar was a great part of the resistance long before even we came along." Turning on her heel, Garshaw headed for the door. She stopped just inside the jam. "It is best you do not speak of Dr. Jackson again, nor confront his former friends. I am ordering you through the Chappa'ai with the first group to the new home world."
"As you wish." Nodding once, he followed her through the door.
Harry listened to the irate senator on the other end of the line with a look of amusement. There were days when it was just so good to be him. When the man was just about to reach a crescendo, Harry hit the disconnect button. "Stick that up your chimney, you old wind bag."
"You know, that could very well have ended your career." Paul Davis grimaced at the idea of his own career. Tomorrow he would be leaving with the mourners and the first ambassadorial mission to the Tok'ra's home. One of the reasons he was having lunch with this man was the fact he knew the Major was well aware of General Hammond's ambitions. Another factor was that he was the only man on the base at the moment with a sense of humor.
Snorting, Harry picked up his fork and stuck a piece of pie in his mouth. After finishing, he wiped with a napkin and pushed the plate away. "It has always been my good fortune to have higher friends than him and it pisses him off."
"Just how do you know Senator Dale Montrose? It has been my understanding you stuck to the seedier side of the senatorial committees. You've never struck me as the type to support ultra right wing fuck headed conservatives." Davis picked up his drink and sucked on the straw until there was nothing left in the glass. Frowning, he put it back down and wiped his hands on his pants.
Maybourne watched him with a slight frown of his own. "You've the habits of a marine."
"Thanks, my father is one." Putting the cup back in the McDonald's bag, Paul wadded it up and threw it in the trash can. He was about to make a score sound when a burp came out instead. "Good one!"
Still looking a little perturbed, Harry swiveled his chair to the side. "Yes, well, that being as it may, I have the manners of a genteel. My father saw to that."
"Who is your father?" Picking at his teeth, Paul laid back in his chair and threw an arm over the back.
Now smiling, Harry placed his feet on the desk top. "Senator Dale Montrose."
Paul froze mid check. Blinking, he narrowed his eyes in concentration. "No shit?"
"Maybourne is my mother's name. They weren't married when she had me and his original wife divorced him for my existence. They married, he changed my last name. I turned eighteen, I changed it back. He disowned me and has tried to ruin my career ever since." Crossing his legs, Harry folded his arms behind his head. "You know, my maternal grand father used to say the biggest piles of shit grew the prettiest of flowers. Of course he always said it to my father. Yet, some how, I still don't think he understands what he meant."
Eyeing the other man speculatively, he let a small smile pass. "You know, I'm not sure if I should believe you and laugh, or call you a liar and laugh."
"What's it matter, you still get a laugh." Raising his eyebrows, Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "So what brings you to my neck of the woods?"
"For a temporary posting, you've rooted yourself in here quite well." Paul gave the man a shrewd look. This was going to be the moment of truth. "Who do you think is going to take my post when I leave tomorrow?"
Harry shrugged. "My sources say Major Freemont from the Army Division. He's on SG-8 as part of the archeology team. A quiet officer that keeps his head down, his nose out of other people's business."
"Sounds like the perfect mole."
Smiling, Maybourne sat up and pulled his feet from the desk. "Oh, he is, he is. They got him so well trained, I'd bet good money he'd roll over and play dead if you knew the right words."
"Then what do you suggest we do about him?" This would be the final time he tested the Major. If Harry was going to do something, it would be now.
"We watch him carefully. When he finally reveals his sources; which he will do very shortly because their kind never have the patience for a long term operation when things start to go their way; he and all his little people will be crushed under my boot. Then I can go back to Area 51 with the thought that the SGC is my new best friends and the knowledge that Jack is burning with hatred because he owes me one."
General Hammond stood at ease while the parade of Tok'ra, Base personnel, and Scientists escorted the sarcophagus up the gate ramp. He would have had an honor guard here but for the fact Daniel Jackson was not military. It gauled him that Senator Kinsey had had the president pull rank on this decision. Rules were that only a military burial would receive the honor guard and all that it entailed.
He wasn't the only one that felt this way. Several personnel had taken to wearing black bands around their arms, even the scientists. Dr. Fraiser, Teal'c and Major Davis were the only senior base members heading with the funeral procession. Janet turned to look one last time at her daughter who was in Captain Carter's arms. She blew her a kiss and waved good bye.
The group started to move forward as the pall bearers holding the sarcophagus moved through the gate. As the last of them disappeared through the gate, Janet faced forward. She adjusted her pack strap and the scarf around her hair. Where they were going the women wore their hair in such clothing and she was going to have to get used to it. The five days it would take to transport Daniel's body would be plenty of time to train herself.
When the last of his people had passed through the gate, Hammond signaled for the gate to be shut down. The air in the room seemed to become stifling and many people fled through the open doors. George was one of the few who remained to stare at the gate. In his mind, it was finally over. Dr. Jackson was now truly gone and things would go on.
Sam tapped Cassie so she would stand up from her lap. Major Castleman stood behind her, pushing her chair while the little girl led the way from the gate room. It bothered her that the Colonel hadn't even bothered to show up for the final procession. He hadn't said one word about Daniel in her presence since he died. That had been five days ago.
She knew he was grieving for their friend in his own way, but it was at least polite to acknowledge he had existed. People didn't drop out of existence because they died. Daniel had made an impact in their lives, he had existed. It worried her that Jack seemed to forget that little bit of information. When Cassie tugged on her hand, she smiled despite the pain. "What say we stop by the commissary and grab a bite to eat."
Major Castleman was about to object, but Sam gave him a stern look. "As you wish, Captain."
Hammond watched them go. He knew it was part of the process. He knew it all forwards and backwards. Old relationships died, new ones formed, people changed to accommodate, never the same twice. Staring at his command, Hammond knew this was a turning point in the war with the Goa'uld.
Saroush glanced about the small room with resignation. This was it, the final place she would probably ever live. In some way it was comforting to know that the travels, the constant running was finally over. In another, it felt like a betrayal of everything she had lived for, giving up before the fight was over. Either way, she had made her choice and planned to enjoy what little there was left in her life.
"Daunting, isn't it." George stood in the doorway, bottle of whiskey in hand. "I brought you a little house warming gift. Its a tradition here on Earth."
"I know this custom, we had it when I was here too." Walking over to Hammond, she reached out and accepted the bottle. "This is something I will never get used to, Earth language. These words are so indecipherable to me."
Chuckling, George read the label and shook his head. "I have trouble sometimes myself. These days it grows harder to read these new labels. The writing itself could be an ancient language." Taking the cap off, he sniffed it and handed it back to her. "Despite the label, it is good whiskey."
Saroush sniffed at it and smiled. "Did you know I was almost two thousand years before I first tasted alcohol? It was very bad, a local creation that had probably killed the maker from the flavor. I believe the only reason I survived was my healing ability."
"I remember the first time I tried this stuff, I felt like I was gonna cough up a lung. It was probably the fact it was cheap and I was celebrating a recent promotion. Until that point, I had stuck with the small stuff, nothing stronger than beer." Whistling, he walked over to the cabinet and pulled out two glasses. After pouring two fingers in each glass, he turned around to hand Saroush one. "This, I can tell you, is better by far."
"Well I would certainly hope so." Taking the offered glass, she eyed it wearily then held it high. "To whatever deity you believe in, may it save you from bad drink!"
"Amen." Tossing back his drink, he growled in appreciation. "Now that is good."
"I concur." She held out her glass for more. "Tell me, General Hammond, what made you decide I could stay here?"
Frowning, he poured her two more fingers. Then he poured himself some more and sat the bottle down. "At the time, it seemed the right thing to do. You wouldn't be safe in our world, too many unknowns. Add to that fact the knowns and your alien status, it was just safer for you."
"Probably a wise decision. There is little I can do to aid you, but where I may, I wish to be of service." Taking a sip of the whiskey, she smiled at the glass. "This is quite good."
"Thank you, on both accounts. I will take that in to advisement. I am sure we could use your help on several things. Wait until tomorrow, I'll have my aid draw up some papers." Holding up his glass, he clinked them together. "Tonight, we are here to drink and tell stories."
"All right." Taking another sip of the whiskey, she folded her hand under the glass. "What would you like to hear?"
"Whatever comes to mind. Part of our drinking customs is to share tells." Smiling, he sat down in a chair at the table in the room. "Take for instance, there was this man I knew, he could do the damnedest thing with two glasses of whiskey, a leather belt, and a bar of soap..."
Orange light shot straight through the opaque gel to the corpse inside. Its low hum filled the entire crystal room, causing the walls to echo with sympathetic vibrations.
A staff with a pronged head extended in to the gel from the head of the tank. Electricity flashed from the head and rendered the gel in to liquid. The corpse twitched from the exposure to the energy. Life flowed through the cells reanimating them.
Daniel's eyes shot open and he took in a deep breath of the liquid. The action caused the liquid to fill his lungs and he shot up in the tank. Hanging over the edge, he coughed up the liquid. His horse coughs forced blood to his ears and blotted out all sound.
The orange light faded and the healing crystals rose back in to the ceiling. Slowly, the rejuvenation liquid drained from the tank and warm water replaced it. A single figure entered the chamber carrying a wash cloth and woven robes.
Closing his eyes, Daniel laid back in the tank to let the liquid be washed from his body. The familiar, strong hands that ran the cloth over his body made him sigh. Opening his eyes, Daniel smiled at his mate. "Martouf."
"Do not speak, Jolinar, you are still very weak." His smile grew in brilliance as Daniel nodded and closed his eyes again. Martouf continued to run the cleaning cloth over Daniel's body, taking great care to massage the muscles and joints. When it came to cleaning the parts that were not normal to his memory of Jolinar, he turned a blind eye.
Daniel hummed in pleasure. He coughed a little before settling down again. Laying back, the water just barely covered his ear drums. The hollow sound of the water in his ears made the world dim and peaceful. With a slight surprise, he realized there was a tiny charge to the water. "Why am I in a Kolat tank?"
Martouf watched him, his mouth tight in a frown. Reluctantly, he decided to answer the question. "Your host suffered an attack, you were physically dead."
"Host?" Sitting up, Daniel examined his body. Floating in the water between his legs was a surprise. "I am male?"
"Yes, do you not remember taking a new host?" Frowning, Martouf turned away and headed for the controls of the machine. He activated the screen. Several symbols floated down and to the left across the screen. "This should not be. The process was to restore all of your memory."
"The human brain is very delicate, we can not be completely accurate." Having been alerted by Martouf's activating of the memory core, Anise entered the chamber with data pad in hand. "Despite my advanced knowledge, there are even some things that are beyond my capabilities, for now."
Daniel smirked. "You still haven't learned the meaning of modesty, I see."
Anise turned away from Martouf in a swift gesture that almost sent the device in her hand flying. Narrowing her eyes in displeasure, she took a step towards Daniel. "Modesty is a tactic promoted to keep the herds in corral. I have no need for it."
"And unchecked arrogance is the weakness of the oppressors." With careless grace, Daniel eased himself from the chamber and slid to the floor. He slipped twice before gaining his footing. When he was sure of his stance, he stared at Martouf expectantly. "I am sure whatever damage that still remains can be healed by myself in time. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to go lay down."
Smiling, Martouf left the console to come back to Daniel's side. "Certainly. Let me help you back to our rooms."
"That sounds good to me." Daniel wrapped one arm around Martouf's shoulders while the other gripped tight to the hand that slid around his waist. In a force of habit, he leaned in closer to Martouf and inhaled the scent of his mate. The familiar blush of his lover made him smile. "I am ready now."
Clearing his throat, Martouf glanced to the rigid Anise. "If you will excuse us, I must see to Jolinar's needs." Without waiting for her acceptance, he started moving, guiding Daniel from the room.
Over Martouf's shoulder, Daniel glimpsed Anise in full rage, eyes glowing and lips tightening. His own eyes glowed in acceptance of her challenge. It seemed he could not go away for even a short time without that child interfering with his relationship. Silently, he wondered what kind of damage she had inflicted upon Martouf.
As they walked slowly from the healing chamber, he came out in to primary corridors. It bothered him that the host was completely silent, but if it was so brain damaged, then it might be a blessing. A simple minded host was not a problem for a Goa'uld, but if a Tok'ra was caught unwary, it could cost them their life. The perceptions of the host were those of that symbiot. If at all muddled, decisions could not be made with a one hundred percent certainty and that was also fatal.
Deciding it was best not to mention this fact to Martouf, he smiled at his lover. Martouf was no longer a little taller. They were about the same height, in fact, he might be a little taller. Arching his back, he straightened his posture. It had been a while since he had a tall host.
The first person they encountered merely raised an eyebrow at Daniel's lack of clothing, but made no mention of it. The second did. She was little pleased to see Daniel in his natural state.
"Dr. Jackson, I presume. From what I understand of your people's customs, it is not common for you to walk around in a bare state. While it can be relaxing at times, it is very distracting." Garshaw caught his lack of recognition and shifted her attention to Martouf. "Can he understand a word I said?"
"Perfectly," Daniel responded. "I am simply curious as to who you are referring. From the way you are speaking, it is my host, however, I can not assume to answer. I have no memory of being among his people or having taken a new host."
"This is very serious. What is the last that you can recall." Moving closer, she took Daniel's arm in her hand comfortingly.
Daniel glanced down at her hand and released Martouf's hand to pat her on the shoulder. "Do not worry, young one, I am still in complete control of myself. I remember enough of my mission and will be ready to debrief after a short rest."
His words set her on edge. "Then you know who it was that ordered the Ash'rak to hunt you down and kill your previous host?"
Daniel's eyes flashed in anger, his voice lowering in the Goa'uld vocals. "I do."
Stepping back, Garshaw released his arm and nodded her acceptance. "Very well, we shall see you in the Council chamber in ten hours."
Closing his eyes in annoyance, Daniel took a deep breath. "That will be acceptable. I shall see you then. If you will excuse us, we wish to adjourn to our room."
"Of course." Garshaw watched them go, keeping a special eye on Jolinar's new host. He was standing tall and self assured, very much like the operative she remember from their last encounter. Too much like her. There wasn't a single shred of the current host in his actions as far as she could tell. This would have to be watched more closely.
Janet laid her head on the cold basin of the toilet and tried not to let the tears come again. She had been alternating puking and crying for the past hour and it was getting old fast. No knowing what the hell was wrong with her, she had decided to take a shower. The only good thing about this friggen alien ship was the fact it had running hot water. When she got out, she had swooned and rushed for the toilet.
Now, she was wondering if it was too late to ask them to turn around. The morning of the third day out and all was not well. They had another thirty-six hours before they reached Abydos by transport. Once there, they would put Daniel's dead ass in the ground and she could get back to her infirmary. Growling, she surged over the toilet and let loose another blow.
Deciding she was in a rather pissed off mood, she shakily stood up and turned to the wash basin to wash her face. She caught her reflection in the multitude of mirrors that lined the bathroom and grimaced. One, for the simple fact the Goa'uld vanity was too gaudy, and two, because she looked like hell.
She quickly washed the spit from her face and splashed water on her neck to cool herself down. After wiping the last of the water from her face and body, she picked up her clothes. There was no need for a bra on this mission, so she had left the extras back home. Her clothes were loose and flowing so it was easier to wear them.
The last to be donned were the leather boots, military edition. It would be a long time before she got another chance to wear them, so she was taking every advantage to put them on. So much nicer than those damned heels she was forced to wear by the dress code. Can't have a doctor wearing combat boots, it sends the wrong message.
Chuckling to herself, Janet burped and spit the bile in the sink. Damn flavor was going to be with her all morning if she didn't get it out soon. Opening the door lock, she was about run over by two of the scientists holding themselves. They pushed her and her clothes out of the bathroom and locked it tight behind them.
Janet stared in stunned silence at the long line that had formed. "Something I can help you with, ladies and gentleman?" The room went quiet. With a grunt of satisfaction, she walked down passed them towards the cargo bay and the sleeping quarters aligned there in.
The bay had been converted in to barracks by the Tok'ra for transport missions. Hers was by the doors leading in to the cockpit. Teal'c's was across from hers. Above her was Dr. Shijva, another archeologist. Glancing up at the snoring old man, she smiled at him. He had spent most of the time sleeping, claiming it was a welcome rest. She believed it was just his age catching up with him after a life in field work.
Sitting on Teal'c's bunk was Major Davis and Teal'c. They were in deep discussion that ended when she rounded the corner.
"Don't stop on my account." Putting down her clothes and amenities in the rack at the foot of her bed, Janet adjusted the scarf in her hair. "What is so interesting to you two?"
Davis glanced at Teal'c before licking his lips in thought. "Um, nothing really. I was just curious as to what Jaffa customs were."
"Indeed. I am more than happy to explain the ways of my people to one such as you. Your thoughts and insights are most welcome. I find it a pleasant change from the more stifling rules your people adhere to." Teal'c smiled serenely at Major Davis and Dr. Fraiser. "It has been quite sometime since anyone has asked of my customs. Daniel Jackson was the last to inquire."
"Hmm. Just what sorta customs were you curious about?" Janet sat down on the bed and laid back against the wall.
"Oh, nothing, just things." Scooting away from Teal'c, Paul put his hands on either side of him to help him stand. Moving over to Janet's bunk, he plopped down and scooted back to sit beside her. "Tell me, Janet, just what took you so long this morning? This makes three days in a row."
Janet raised an eyebrow, then two when Teal'c mimicked Davis' movements locking her on the other side. Facing ahead, she raised her head. "Nothing, just things."
"Uh hunh." Joining her in staring ahead, Paul sighed. After a few minutes of quiet, he asked, "are you pregnant?"
At the same time she asked, "are you gay?"
Neither of them spoke in the shocked silence.
Smiling, Teal'c folded his arms over his chest. "I believe the answer is yes to both questions."
All three sat there staring ahead not speaking. Above them Dr. Shijva laid staring up at the ceiling, wide eyed. This was definitely not what he had in mind coming on this trip.
Sam tooled around with the small device the Tok'ra had given her. Apparently it ran on just a small grain of Naquadah and the power cell would last a hundred years. The only problem was what the hell it did. She frowned when yet another sequence of buttons died out.
After three days of tinkering with it, there was almost nothing to show for it. She could get its controls to light up, but if she hit the wrong button, it would die. Trying a random button, she cheered with success when it lit up instead of killing the controls. She now knew the next light sequence to enter.
Tapping on the controls of the circle shaped device, she hit the appropriate code. When the entire board flashed, she cheered. When the entire thing died, she growled in anger. "God damn it! What the hell is wrong with this thing?"
"Yelling at the tech is never a good thing, Carter. It tends to blow up in our face." Jack stepped in to the private burn ward room. When Carter's cursing had woken the other burn patients a third time, Dr. Warner had her moved here and Jack was silently grateful to the man for it. He hated having all those Nasians looking at him, it just creeped him out.
Tossing him the disc, she glared at him. "Here, you deal with it! I've had it with the damned thing."
"Sure, I'll tinker with it, not!" Despite his words, he found that tapping the controls to produce lights in them became quickly addicting. After a minute, he remembered he came there for a reason. "So, Captain, do you know where Cassie is?"
"Yeah, Sargent Davis is teaching her how the gateroom controls operate." Laying back on her pillows with a sigh, Carter closed her eyes. It was about time to begin relaxing anyways, her burns were bothering her. She should never had agreed to watch Cassie, it was doing what the burns, countless Jaffa, and several threats of imminent destruction had failed. To drive her to completely nuts!
Unable to keep his eyes off the device, he quickened his reflexes he had developed from countless hours of video games with Teal'c, and the countless hours he been practicing to beat Teal'c. Not that he ever succeeded, the Jaffa was a friggen genius at the games. His actions increased until it had taken all his concentration again.
"Sir, is there a reason you came here, aside from playing with that?" She didn't really want to know. But if he asked her about Cassie, she knew it couldn't be good.
"Yeah, apparently she locked Walter out of the computer and the General is about to demote him back to private." Jack hit several buttons at once and the entire game lit up.
Music started playing from the device and a holographic image of a snake appeared above the controls. "Kest Uman, Kree!"
"Sweet!" Running his fingers through the snake, Jack smirked. "Apparently I beat it."
"What?" Sam's eyes opened and she stared at him in shock.
"I won the game. Kest Uman, Kree. Teal'c says that means, 'you have won, this time.' It is the only way I will know I have ever beat him. You know, for a guy with no sense of humor, he is a real smart ass when he wants to be." Shrugging, he handed the disc back to Carter and headed for the door. As he opened it with a key card, he turned back to her. "Oh, the general says come get the kid or he will do something really unpleasant."
Sam only nodded in dumb struck silence. It was a game. It was a game and Jack had beaten it. Jack had beaten it in under a two minutes and she had been working on it for four days... With a growl of rage she hurled the disc at the closed door.
The seven members of the Tok'ra Grand Council assembled in the Council chamber behind their crystal table. Aligned in order of importance, Garshaw was at the very end. She stood almost alone from the rest, her presence almost unfelt by the others. She would play arbiter for the victim. On the opposite side of her stood Joren, the newest member. He would play arbiter for the symbiot.
Perseus, in the middle, clanged his stone sphere to bring to order the proceedings. "Garshaw, you may begin."
Inclining her head, Garshaw turned to face the gathered members. "You are here to judge whether the host and the symbiot known respectively as Dr. Jackson and Jolinar are to be separated and the symbiot executed. I, having no personal knowledge of the host, must separate fact from the fiction. It is my intention that Jolinar did willfully possess an unwilling host and I will prove this."
Joren acknowledged the Council with a nod. "I, as a close confidant of Jolinar, intend to prove that he was incapable of controlling his actions."
A murmur ran through the gathered Tok'ra in the remaining Council chamber.
Perseus slammed the sphere to quiet them. "You do not contest the fact that Jolinar took his current host by force?"
"That is not in question. His state of being, however, is. It is my personal belief that Jolinar would never knowingly take an unwilling host." Inclining his head and sneering at the snort from a few of the gathered, Joren moved to stand in front of the Council. "That Jolinar took Dr. Jackson as host is a fact that is proven by the very existence of that person among us. That it was done so forcefully has been expressed to us by our new allies on numerous occasions. But what none, until now, have been able to determine was Jolinar's state of mind when he took Dr. Jackson. Or should I say, lack there of."
Perseus gave a preemptive bang of the sphere. Turning to Joren, he gave the man a hard stare. "What proof do you have of this?"
Smiling, Joren turned to face one of the gathered Tok'ra. "Please come forward and present your findings."
Anise stood up from the gathered number. Moving to the Council table, she set down on the center of it a small holographic projection device. She activated it with a wave of her hand over the central crystal. A base outline came online showing a human brain with a symbiot wrapped around the stem. "What you see here are the results of the pre-healing Jolinar. From this, the evidence presented by the Tau'ri healer, and the results of the Kolat tank there is only one conclusion I have been able to draw. Jolinar did not take the host willingly, that is, Jolinar was unwilling, not just the host."
"Explain!" Perseus' eyes glowed in outrage.
"Jolinar has no memory of the host's existence. In fact, Jolinar has no memory of ever having to leave Rosha because of the Ash'rak." Straightening her posture under their shocked gaze, she continued on undaunted. "The Tau'ri healer said that Jolinar died moments after being brought in to her care. That the tests they completed showed there was damage to the host's brain. She also stated that it was partially caused by the fact that the host suffered blunt force trauma to the head from impacting the dialing device.
"It is very simple to draw out the conclusion of Jolinar's last moments from all the gathered evidence. Jolinar was tortured to death by the Ash'rak. The symbiot, out of millennia old instincts, sought out a new host. By this time, Jolinar was beyond all thought and reason. There was no chance that he knew what he was doing." She was about to continue when she was interrupted by the throat clearing of a Council member.
"Do you think that by blinding us with your evidence and statistics that we would so easily forget the most basic of knowledge. A symbiot does not seek out a new host without conscious thought!" To the right of Perseus, towards Garshaw, Councilor Uriel glared at Anise. "If that were true, we all would abandon our hosts when their time of death came near! Do not presume to make fools of this Council."
"It does not fall upon me to do for you what has already been accomplished by yourself." She held up her hands and took a step back when Perseus banged the sphere. "I will not apologize, Councilor Uriel is not the master in this field of study, I am! You will not presume to judge evidence that you could not possibly hope to understand!"
"Then why do you continue to explain if we are so ignorant?" Joren's voice held a note of acid, enough to carry the feelings of the Council.
"My explanation is a translation of the evidence, not a direct telling. If you could understand the evidence as presented, my presence would not be required." Stepping forward again, she stared Joren and Uriel down. "Since I am still here, I suggest you with hold all comments until I am finished." She stood back and waited for their response.
Having had enough, Perseus slammed the sphere down. "All will be silent until after Anise has finished reporting her findings."
"Thank you." With an air of superiority reinstated, Anise turned back to the holo image. "This is an image of the prehealing brain of Dr. Jackson." She waved a hand over the image. It shifted to a new image, the coloring slightly changed. "This is a post healing. Note the similarities between the first and the second. That is damage caused not by, but aided by the presence of the symbiot. There is only one conclusion to be drawn.
"What little damage done by the symbiot upon entering the host was unintentional. There is evidence of wild movements, as if the symbiot was fighting to get in without regard to a host's welfare or its own existence. Had the host not suffered head injuries, there is little doubt he would have lived through the horrific experience. However, since the host did, the presence of the symbiot only served to increase the damage, not heal it as one would expect if the host was taken by a conscious symbiot.
"In fact, the host most assuredly died a slow, painful death. It is a blessing that neither the host nor Jolinar remember the experience. As to why they do not, the damage was done before death, thus could not be healed by the Kolat tank. The cause of death was the slow atrify of the brain, a very unpleasant experience for one such as we, it is unimaginable for the host.
Folding her hands over her chest, Anise turned to face Daniel. "The Kolat tank only heals preserved or living tissue, it is not a sarcophagus, it can not regenerate dead flesh. That you can not remember abandoning Rosha is evidence of the extensive damage done by the Ash'rak. As for why you do not remember taking this new host, that is simple. You were already dead. Given the fact that we take such a long time to break down and degenerate is the only reason your host and you live now for most certainly the host has not higher brain functions. Do you even sense the host's presence?"
Daniel glanced at Martouf, alarm slowly spreading over his face. Composing himself, he stood. He took a steadying breath and shook his head. "No, I do not. The host is completely silent."
The Council chamber was completely silent. In the quiet, several members adjusted their stances uncomfortably.
Garshaw decided someone needed to speak. Clearing her throat to get Anise's attention, she raised a hand to gesture a questioning. "Then what is the verdict, is Jolinar guilty?"
Anise compressed his lips in a thin line of displeasure. It was killing her to admit this, but it was the truth. "In my opinion, based upon the evidence, Jolinar is guilty of only one crime; having survived through extraordinary circumstances. May whatever new nightmares he suffers be weathered by all who care. That is all."
Perseus banged the sphere once more. "Very well, thank you for your assistance in this matter. Having no reason to doubt your findings and opinion, this Council accepts your decision and mandates it. Jolinar, you are free to continue your existence in this host until such time as you are no longer able."
Daniel nodded his acceptance and sat back down on the floor next to Martouf. He leaned in to his mate's touch and took a deep breath.
Garshaw resumed her place at the end of the table as head of the Council. "Now that this matter has been resolved, we must begin the debriefing of our fellow operative. What have you to say on your mission to infiltrate the system lord Cronus, Jolinar?"
Standing again, Daniel came forward to take Anise's place in front of the Council. Clearing his throat, he reached up to adjust something on his face only to find there was nothing there. With a grunt, he dropped his hand and placed it at his side. "It is as much as we expected. The Re'tu have infiltrated and destroyed many of the holdings of the system lords. The court at Amphipalee was summoned to generate ideas on how to deal with this and the threat of the Tau'ri. As was stated in my last report, Apophis is now among their number. If we wished to end the reign of these and many more, it would be best we strike while they are still in attendance."
"The court has already disbanded." Garshaw sighed at her own words, a golden opportunity wasted because of an assassin. "We had hoped you knew what their decision was. I suppose our next course of action is to send an infiltrator to see if we can at least glean that information from them."
"I do have one other piece of information that may prove of some use to us." Daniel smiled at the wary look the Council gave him. There were little more surprises they could take before it became too much. "You can remove Rhea's name from the list of producing queens. She will no longer trouble us by spawning the numbers which hunt us. A conveniently placed Naquadah bomb in her sarcophagus obliterated any traces of her existence."
"And cost you your life at the hands of an Ash'rak." Garshaw nearly came over the table at Daniel. "What you did was foolish at best. Your actions could have caused a backlash against us all. They will be twice as vigilant now!"
"I saw an opportunity to advance the cause and I took it. Do not tell me that none of you would have done the same in my situation. So I was caught before my mission was complete, I accomplished enough that it crippled a system lord. That is what we are doing, fighting to destroy them at every chance we get." When they were silent, Daniel's eyes glowed and he turned away. Storming from the chamber, he ignored the calls of the Council.
Garshaw turned to the Council and silenced them with a gesture. "What Jolinar did was very foolish, but he is correct. It is time we took a more active roll in wiping out the infestation that is the Goa'uld. However, we do not take these dangerous risks without first contacting the Council! There are always circumstances that we as individuals can not consider that the Council as a whole will. Any further decisions will be made by us. This Council is dismissed."
Martouf rose from the floor with the others. Giving Anise a grateful look, he took off after Daniel at a sprint.
Anise felt her hands tighten in to fists, crushing the holo graphic device. Next time she would let Jolinar die!