Running;
feet pounding into the floor, breath catching in my throat; senses fully
attuned to the surroundings, nostrils catching the scent of jasmine in the warm
air, eyes squinting against the glare of bright moonlight streaming into the
hallway from tall stained glass windows. Another door; stop, weapon ready,
shoulder pushes as hand releases the catch, in … sweep left to right - windows,
stored boxes, no other door, clear … empty … back up, out, on to the next. All
around me the sounds of others repeating my movements, banging of doors, shouts
of “clear” echoing off the marble
walls; searching, searching, and not finding…
God, you have to be here, there’s nowhere else, this has to be
the place; there’s no more time to waste, so much already wasted… You’ve been
gone too long already, every minute more the threat grows, we could lose more
and more of you… till there’s nothing left to reclaim… NO. Not going to think
that, not going to happen. I will find you, and you’ll be YOU… That beautiful
mind will be intact and giving me all kinds of hell…
No more
doors here, sweep up the stairs, the last landing, more fucking marble, only
one door, follow the red dot… You WILL be
here. Suck in a breath, crank the handle, nudge the door and I’m in…
~ Å ~
The gate
room was buzzing with talk as the three teams prepared to depart. O'Neill,
impatiently waiting for half his team to show up, cast an eye over the hubbub.
In addition to the members of SG9 and SG3, General Hammond and Senator Murphy
were geared up and ready for this outing - well, geared up in the sense that
the FRED was loaded down with clothing bags, personal gear and briefcases,
instead of the usual scientific and survival gear.
This
mission was the successful culmination of months of negotiations conducted
first by SG3 and then SG9 with the people of the planet P2X 798, the Ehren. A
population on a technological par with Earth, they had long ago been abandoned
by the minor Goa’uld who had transplanted their ancestors from the ancient
Mediterranean region. Overlooked as other System Lords scrambled for power and
planets, they had developed along many similar lines to that of Earth, and had
greeted the teams from Earth with delight and wonder. When informed about the
present state of interstellar politics they had readily agreed to stand by
their distant cousins and offered their support in the battle against the
Goa’uld. Hence today; the final formal signing of a treaty of mutual support -
both in terms of defence and technology - between the people of the planets
Ehren and Earth. After the last treaty-signing debacle,
Jack
unsuccessfully tried to dodge the third glare from
“Sir, they
signed in five minutes ago. They should be here soon.” Sam excused herself from
Major Kovachek and moved back towards Jack. A clatter of footsteps announced
the arrival of the final two members of the mission - Daniel Jackson hurried in
juggling suit bags, kit bag, and laptop, looking windblown and breathless;
Teal’c followed him, suit bag draped over one arm, kitbag in the other and
looking completely unperturbed.
“General
Hammond, we apologise for our tardiness.” Teal’c made a graceful half bow to
his commander and the Senator. “We were delayed leaving
“That’s
alright, son. We have a couple of minutes left,”
Jack
followed Daniel to the FRED, watching as he loaded their gear on board. “Well,
it’s about time you guys showed up. Where’ve you been?”
“Hey,
Jack. Er, well, we both had some things to pick up in Denver, so we decided to
make a weekend of it.”
“Oh?” Jack
tried not to sound like a kid whose friends hadn’t asked him go to the park
with them. “What kind of things?”
“Um,
clothes, actually. And after last week we both felt the need to get out and act
like normal human beings for a bit.”
“Some kind
of archaeologist/Jaffa bonding thing?”
“No, more
like a ‘we got thrown out of a moving airplane with a parachute and survived to
tell the tale’ kind of thing. Hi, Sam.”
“Ahh!”
Okay, so maybe Jack was glad he hadn’t been around for that one.
Sam joined
them, smiling in appreciation at Daniel’s appearance. “Daniel, you’re looking
very dapper today.”
“He’s not
the only one.” Jack gazed in surprise at Teal’c as he too joined them by the
ramp.
Sam turned
and grinned at Teal'c. Dress blues were the order of the day for the military
members of the teams, and the civilians were dressed up accordingly. Daniel was
wearing his best suit, with a soft yellow tie and cream silk shirt. He looked
wonderful - the look of reserved introspection that had been so evident lately
no longer with him. And Teal'c... Teal'c looked amazing, decked out in dark
grey robes made of beautiful smooth wool, trimmed with matching silk edging. He
had the air of one who was supremely happy with his place in the world.
"Guys,
you look gorgeous! Where did you get the robes, Teal'c?"
“I
mentioned to Daniel Jackson how uncomfortable I found Tau'ri formal clothes. He
kindly introduced me to a clothier who was willing to produce these for
me."
"Daniel?
A tailor? "
"Oh,
Helen isn't a tailor. She's a costumier - specialises in reproduction costumes
for museums. She's based in Denver now. She does a bit of private tailoring on
the side."
"Well,
I think you both look lovely." Sam linked arms with her two handsome
friends and moved to the side of the ramp as the gate came alive, chevrons
lighting up one by one, connecting Earth to the stars. The wormhole belched into
life, its watery glow bathing the assembled teams in shimmering blue
reflection.
“Ehren
diplomatic party, you have a go.” Walter’s voice rang out from the control
room.
Hammond
strode up the ramp, relishing the surge of excitement at being able to set foot
on another planet again. This day had been a long time coming; the signing of a
treaty that would finally bring the SGC, the USA and the people of Earth a
strong and reliable ally. An ally prepared to stand side by side with them in
their fight against the Goa’uld. An ally prepared to equally share its
knowledge, science, medicine and culture. An ally that had no hidden agenda, no
secret self-serving purpose.
SG9 and
SG3 had put in a lot of hard work on this mission and were fully deserving of
the commendations they were to receive on their return. As was Major Davis,
whom he suspected had spent more time in airplanes than on the ground in the
last few months, as he handled the political end of not only this treaty but
also the ill-fated Tok’ra signing. Well, no such problems would dog these
proceedings, he thought. Just one of the reasons for insisting on SG1’s
presence - apart from being the SGC’s premier team and foremost experts on
first contacts and new civilizations - they needed this trip as a morale
booster. Their last few missions had been a trying combination of spectacular
successes and dismal failures, and he felt they deserved to share in the
success of the contact with the Ehren.
Exhaling,
Hammond closed his eyes and stepped into the cold embrace of the wormhole…and
out into paradise.
Ah yes,
another reason for bringing SG1’s stressed members - this part of the planet
was a tropical paradise. The Stargate sat on the crest of a small foothill
crouched at the base of towering volcanic mountains, high enough to give a
commanding view of the city and sheltered bay below. The city of Sorenia lay
spread out before them, a beautiful assemblage of housing, official buildings
and bustling commercial businesses stretched around the coastline of a wide
sheltered bay. Pristine white beaches, warm breezes laden with a myriad of
scents and pollens, and enthusiastic greenery made this one of the most
pleasant worlds ever contacted. A point surely not to be missed by a certain
colonel… right…
about…
“Oh, see!
Now this is just TYPICAL!!”
… now.
Biting
down a grin Hammond fixed O’Neill with a stern glance. “Is there a problem,
Colonel?”
“Well,
YEAH!! SG1 is the lead team in this outfit. We’re the first, the best, the ones
everyone else come to to help them out, translate this, figure out that, pull
their butts out of the fire - and what do WE get???”
“Jack….”
“WE get
every Ice World, Desert World, Welcome to HELL World there is.”
“Colonel…”
“And the
JARHEADS get PARADISE???”
“Don’t
make me come over there.”
“I’m just
sayin’.”
His hidden
grin now blossoming into a chuckle, Hammond escorted the Senator towards the
approaching Ehren welcoming party.
“Hey,
Teal’c! With all that water they must get some nice fishing… I wonder… T?
Where’d he go?”
~ Å ~
The
signing passed without a hitch, the solemn ceremony witnessed by most of the
populace of the city lining the tiers of an enormous amphitheatre. Afterwards,
the Earth representatives were treated to guided tours through Sorenia’s
museums, galleries and university. To be accurate, most of the SGC personnel
were - Jack O’Neill was last seen heading for a surf beach, many enthusiastic
Ehren and several fishing poles in tow.
Daniel and
Teal’c joined Dr. Llewellyn, SG3’s anthropologist, and a group of polite and
proud Ehren on a tour of the main museum in Sorenia. Room after room in the
stately, refined building showcased the beautifully diverse collection of art,
historical artifacts and industrial inventions.
“Daniel,
you’re going to love this city.” Kate Llewellyn flung out an all-encompassing
hand as they entered a long hall filled with tiny, intricate machines.
“Everything, from the smallest, most basic item of daily use like drinking mugs
to high powered medical instruments is designed with the fullest attention given
not just to its functionality but also to its aesthetic appeal.”
Daniel
looked up from his attempt to guess the purpose of a tiny mechanical machine
that was happily spinning and burping to itself. “Even today, when the society
is clearly very technologically advanced?”
“Especially
now. There seems to be a consensus of opinion that the beauty of an object
should not be lost to the practicalities of its use. The artistic merit of a
building, home, piece of equipment, even transport is considered paramount in
the design.”
Daniel
shared a rueful smile with his colleague. “Pity that philosophy didn’t take
hold on Earth.”
“Do the
artificers of the home-world no longer craft their wares to be pleasing to the
eye?”
Daniel and
Teal’c turned to greet the speaker. A tall woman moved slowly towards them, her
many layers of clothing floating about her body in filmy drifts, shading from
pale green at her shoulders to deep earthy tones at her ankles. Ankles that
were solidly encased in a pair of thick black Dr. Martens. It seemed Kate’s
love of the footwear had been shared with her new friend. Elegant full fleshed
arms were folded in front of her, raven black hair streaked with electric blue
framed a sweet, almost pixie shaped face. Challenging green eyes gazed at her visitors,
but her smile was genuine and welcoming.
Kate
stepped forward to do the introductions. “Teal’c, Daniel, I'd like to introduce
Director Honorine Spring, curator of the museum and leading authority on all
matters artistic in Sorenia. Honorine, this is Master Teal’c and Doctor Daniel
Jackson, both members of SG1.” She took a breath and quickly added, “Doctor
Jackson opened the Stargate on Earth for us, Honorine. And Master Teal’c has
been instrumental in assisting us with our battle against the Goa’uld. They are
both very valuable members of the SGC.” She flashed a proud grin at the two,
knowing they did not seek nor often receive outside acknowledgement of their
achievements.
Daniel
shot a later-for-you look at Kate and smiled a greeting at Honorine. “Hello.”
Teal’c
bowed his head and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Director.”
“A
pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled, Master Teal’c.” Honorine seemed to be
assessing them both, and apparently liking what she saw, repeated her first
question. “Do the artificers of the
home-world no longer craft their wares to be pleasing to the eye?”
“Well, we
do of course still have many, many artists who produce their work in many
different media, but the size and demands of our populations unfortunately
dictate that many things, particularly buildings are built primarily with
functionality in mind.” Daniel smiled as he replied, his right hand waving in
the air. “Artistic value often comes as an afterthought in many cases. Which is
not to say that everything built on Earth is unattractive. We just don’t have
the talent for melding the two philosophies as effectively as here on Ehren.”
“Ah,
perhaps this is because the Muses chose to join us in our exile, rather than
stay on Earth with the unbelievers when our god brought us to Ehren,” Honorine
offered.
Teal’c
looked away from another whizzing, singing machine that had captured his
attention. “The Muses?”
Honorine
smiled. “It is our belief that when our god placed us here the Muses settled
with us, and continue to bless and inspire us in all paths of life, to this
day. Everything we do, everything we create is inspired by them and done in
their honour. They have kept the beauty of life itself with us, and all on
Ehren hold them in the highest regard.”
Daniel
looked cautiously at the tall gangly lady. “Do the people of Ehren worship the
Muses as gods?”
Honorine
let out a happy hoot of laughter. “No, no, dear Doctor. Don’t concern yourself
that the Goa’uld have insinuated themselves here. The Muses are merely honoured
for their inspiration in our lives. They never were gods to us. The One God who
brought our ancestors to this planet has been gone from us for millennia now.”
“Honorine,
perhaps Daniel and Teal’c would like to see The Muses Sanctuary?” Kate
suggested.
“A wonderful
idea. But, first I would like to show you the museum’s most unique exhibit.”
Leading
the way in a swirl of green gauze Honorine ushered her guests into the wing
housing contemporary art, proudly bringing them to a halt before a wide open
space at the far end of the hall. Before them, perched on a pedestal, bathed in
rays of late afternoon sunshine beaming through the stained glass roof, sat a
curious amalgamation of crystal spheres; a little over two feet in diameter,
the object was mostly transparent, with brilliant colours refracted within the
crystalline structures. Sensing there was more to the exhibit than this static
display, Teal’c and Daniel waited politely.
Honorine
stepped up beside the pedestal and addressed them. “This is one of, if not the
most unique artwork ever constructed. The artist’s identity is a closely
guarded secret - he, or she, does not seek recognition at all. The artist
donated the Delphot to the museum purely for the satisfaction of seeing it used
by the people. It is so popular there are queues everyday. We would be honoured
if you wish to try it yourselves.”
Teal’c
paced curiously around the object. “What exactly does this device achieve?”
“Oh, I
would not want to spoil the surprise - and anyway the result is different for
each person. It is completely safe.” She smiled at the three, wanting so much
to share this special experience with the off-worlders. “Please…?”
“Alright,
well, I’m game, I guess.” Daniel tentatively stretched out his right hand to
hover over the crystals. “Um, where do I…”
“Place
your hand anywhere on the crystals.” The rest of their escort arranged
themselves in a semicircle around the exhibit - smiles of expectation lighting
their faces.
Unconsciously
holding his breath, Daniel dropped his hand onto the surface. For a moment
nothing happened, then as the startling cold of the crystals penetrated his
senses, he became aware of a harmonic, vibrating sound, so low as to be almost
at the edge of hearing. Steadily the sound increased, becoming a clear peal of
chimes, rising in a complicated, beautiful cadence. As the chiming rose, Daniel
raised his head to gaze up toward the skylights, and his jaw dropped in
astonishment. With shocking suddenness, a stream of rose pink coloured light
shot up from the top of the crystal exhibit, streaking straight up to the roof.
Upon contact with the glass roof the colour seemed to explode, shattering into
thousands of little pink puffy clouds that proceeded to drift around the room,
slowing in speed until they merely hovered, bumping gently into one another.
A burst of
cheers and applause from the assembled Ehren brought Daniel out of his daze and
he withdrew his hand, stepping back from the pedestal. At the loss of contact
with his hand the chiming began to fade, the puffy pink clouds also fading into
nothingness.
“This is
amazing. What makes it do that? Are the patterns random or does the machine
formulate them somehow? Teal’c, Kate you have to try it. We’ll have to show the
others. Jack and Sam would love it. It’ll drive Sam crazy….” Grinning, Daniel
stepped over to Honorine as Teal’c took his place at the pedestal. Still caught
up in the moment he did not pay much attention to the slight cold stinging of
his right hand.
As Teal’c
made contact, a deep booming BONG rang out and the entire room was flooded with
swirling, deep ruby red light. Gasps of appreciation and more applause rose
from the audience, Teal’c himself favoured the display with a smile. The
patterns of light shifted and raced about the room, the steady deep tone a
constant background noise until he withdrew his hand. “A most impressive
device,” he said, wishing briefly that he could share such a wonder with his
son. He stepped aside to make room for Kate. Dr. Llewellyn straightened her
skirt and confidently slapped her hand down on the top of the crystal object.
The object responded with a sing-song chime that rose in volume to accompany a
burst of yellow-orange light that rose to the roof, and coalesced into a fiery
sunset, complete with rays of sunlight streaking through a cloudy sky, an
incandescent setting sun sinking into the embrace of a mountain range and a
pale blue sky - a noticeably Earth sky.
As others
stepped up to activate the machine the SGC personnel moved back and followed
the curator from the room. Daniel rubbed his hand along his thigh, the cold
stinging sensation now dissipating. Turning to Teal’c and Kate he asked, “Does
your hand feel funny after touching that thing?”
Both shook
their heads. Honorine smiled at Daniel and explained, “Some people have found
the Delphot seems to leech the warmth from their hands. I can assure you it is
a temporary effect, and will cause no harm.”
“Oh.
Okay.” Daniel rubbed his hand again and tried to dispel the vague feeling of
unease that had settled over him. “So how come the Delphot produced nice
vibrant patterns for Kate and Teal’c and I got puffy pink clouds?”
“No one
really knows how the apparatus works, however some have theorized that it
somehow connects with the very essence of the person in contact with it, and
the result produced is directly influenced by that person’s true nature,” the
Director replied.
Daniel
felt his eyebrows climb in surprise. “Oh, wow. That’s… creepy, I think. Hey,
Teal’c. What do you think would happen if you let Junior have a go?”
Teal’c
felt a cold shudder creep up his spine and over his scalp. Contemplatively he
replied, “Very bad art, Daniel Jackson. Very Bad Art.”
Accompanied
by the sounds of laughter from Daniel and Kate, Honorine led them through the
maze of the museum and out along a broad tree lined avenue. A short trip across
soft yellow-green grass, and they passed into a shady fern filled gully. At the
centre of the gully, nestled in amongst a riot of colourful plants and trailing
vines stood a circle of nine statues. All were female, in varying poses. A
small number of people moved about the area, some laying offerings at the feet
of their particular Muse. Daniel felt an immediate sense of peaceful seclusion.
Honorine stood back and allowed Kate to introduce the Muses to Daniel and
Teal’c.
“I
couldn’t believe it when we first came here,” she said. “Straight out of
ancient Greek mythology. Even the names have stayed the same.” She motioned to
the closest statue, a thoughtful image posed under a shading tree, huge bound
books scattered at her feet. “Calliope.”
“Beautiful
voice,” Daniel translated for Teal’c. “She was the intellectual Muse, the
inspiration for epic poetry and philosophy. Wow, these are just beautiful.” His
gaze wondered on to the next statue. “Erato, the Muse of the lyric; and Urania,
the Muse of astronomy, or scientific wisdom.” He gestured at the three statues,
which were grouped somewhat closer together than the others. “These were the
original three Muses. And then there’s Terpsichore, the Muse of dance; Melpomene,
the Muse of tragedy; and beautiful Clio, the Muse of history.” He shared a grin
with Kate. “It’s always nice to have a Muse of your own.” Moving through the
heady fragrance of the gardens he inspected the final three. “Thalia, the Muse
of comedy; Euterpe, the Muse of music; and sweet little Polyhymnia, Muse of
sacred song.”
Daniel
stepped back to stand in front of the statue of Clio. The beautifully carved
stone seemed almost to be real, and he was reminded of another, smaller statue
of this particular Muse. It had been a birthday gift to him from Sarah, years
ago when they were living together in Chicago. He offered a sad smile to Clio,
thoughts of happier times and the fate of his lost friend sweeping through his
mind.
Caught up
in the beauty and peace of the place, Daniel turned and nodded to Honorine.
“Thank you for sharing this special place with us. It truly is beautiful.”
Honorine
smiled at him. “It is always a joy to share that which one loves with others
who hold the same appreciation. Unfortunately, I believe we must return to the
citadel now. The banquet will be due to start soon.”
Daniel
moved to follow the others, but at the beginning of the pathway he paused.
Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his notebook, and quickly scribbled down
a few lines.
Ever aware
of his teammate’s movements, Teal’c also paused, and watched as Daniel returned
to the feet of the statue of Clio. Taking a moment to gaze up into the sweet
face, her sceptical eyes seemed to return his regard. In her hands she held the
laurel wreath of victors, and the golden trumpet through which history is
proclaimed. Daniel smiled at her, then ducked his head, swiftly bent down and
placed his note under a small rock at her feet. Returning to Teal’c he crooked
a little self deprecating smile, and turned to follow the rest of their party.
Nodding in silent understanding, Teal’c followed in his friend’s footsteps.
~ Å ~
Evening
fell. Soft mid-summer breezes flowed inland from the sea, bringing the scent of
salt and freshness and peace to the crowds gathered on the rooftop of the
citadel - a magnificent marble building rising above the rest of the city, the
seat of government for the Ehren people. Dinner having been consumed in huge
quantities, a ball was now in full swing under the twinkling stars. Many of the
Ehren guests vied for the opportunity to dance or converse with their new
off-world allies. Senator Murphy was buried deep in conversation with a good
dozen eager Ehren diplomats, whilst General Hammond and Major Kovachek were
dividing their energies between whirling around the dance floor and striking up
new conversations. The three SGC teams were equally enthusiastic in getting to
know their hosts and the whole rooftop area rang to the sounds of talk and
music and laughter. Breathless, Daniel took his leave of his dance partner and
stepped away from the bright lights, still smiling at the sight of Sam and
Teal’c elegantly flowing around the dance floor.
Everyone,
it seemed was in the highest of spirits. Almost everyone.
~ Å ~
Look at them.
Fawning sycophants, believing their grovelling appreciation
keeps me alive, so desperate to appease me they blind themselves; fail to see I
stopped living years ago, cannot see that when they buried my love, my soul,
they buried me just as surely. They appreciate only what has passed; an artwork
once created is a dead thing, no longer of consequence. An Artist who cannot
create is no more alive than the dried flakes of paint on a brush.
I died long ago - needing only to be hidden in the embrace of
Mother Earth - oh, but even this is a lie; these strangers amongst us,
messengers from another world - tell us we spawned not on this land of our
ancestors, but a blue world that is only a point of light in the Mother’s
crown.
Huh, as if it matters…. They are just as blind, as dead to me as
I to them….
But what… what is THIS? This creature that floats into my
vision. Oh, ethereal, graceful, fey charidan of the night. His smile brings
holy Sun’s warm rays to rest on my cold heart. Blue eyes give summer’s light to
the death darkness of my soul.
In the interminable space between one second and the next, I
take a breath and begin to live again.
How can these shuttered fools about me fail to see my
resurrection?
This walking corpse lives once more…
~ Å ~
Daniel
slid out through the open doors onto the balcony, letting the noise and heat of
the party be washed away by the salty air and gentle rhythmic pounding of the
waves. Moving to a darkened corner of the balcony he leant on the railing and
tried to clear his mind. A feeling of melancholy was slowly eroding the upbeat
atmosphere of the day. He didn’t wish to spoil the night for the others, and
knew from experience that a little time on his own would perhaps snap him out
of it.
“Daniel?”
“Hey,
Sam.”
She came
toward him tentatively, not wishing to intrude on his peace if she was not
wanted. Suddenly not wanting to be alone with his thoughts, he smiled and she
stood next to him, propping her arms on the railing.
“Mmmm,
it’s lovely out here.”
They stood
together for a while in silence, sharing the peaceful scented evening. Above, a
fat, yellow full moon cast an ethereal light over them. The music and chatter
of the party muted behind them. A low sigh escaped Daniel’s lips. Wordlessly,
Sam slid closer, leaning her shoulder against her friend’s.
“I tried
to tell Sha’re about the sea. It’s hard to convey the smells and sound and
atmosphere of so much water to someone who’s never seen it”. Daniel’s voice was
soft, floating on the moonlit breeze like the scent of flowers. “It’s odd,
moments like this… I miss her so much. I just wish I could take her hand and go
for a stroll on the sand, watch her play in the water… hear her laugh again…
All those little moments we won’t get to share.”
Sam
thought back to the vibrant, loving woman she had met only once. Despite the
difference in their backgrounds, Sha’re and Daniel had seemed perfectly suited
to each other. In her experience such a marriage was rare, whatever side of the
universe you lived on.
“I wish
I’d known her better,” she said.
Daniel
glanced at her and smiled. “Yes, I think you would have been good friends. She
was always so interested in anything new to her. All the discoveries we’ve
made, the places we’ve been, and the people we’ve met. She would have soaked up
the stories like a sponge. Although she probably would have insisted on coming
with us in the first place.”
Sam smiled
at the thought of the colonel’s face on being told his little team would
include not only an alien, a civilian, a female astrophysicist, but also the
civilian’s wife. Still, having another woman around would have made some of the
quieter missions a bit more interesting.
“Sha’uri.”
Sam looked
up at him curiously. Daniel said the word gently, reverently. His breath
sighing out the second syllable. “Sha’uri.”
His gaze
fixed on the glowing trail of moonlight on the sea, he murmured, “It was her
maiden name. The same as her mother’s. When we married she changed the suffix
to ’re, in honour of our victory over Ra. Re was the true name of the ancient
Egyptian sun god, and in our wedding vows I paid him deference for giving me a
part of the sun in Sha’re’s smile. She was so proud..."
“Of?”
“Of being
free, being married. Married to me… of me, I guess.”
Daniel
looked out at the gently hissing surf, tumbling water glinting like diamonds in
the moonlight. The two friends stood silently together for a long time, the
hubbub of the reception muted under the relentless song of the sea.
When
Daniel spoke again, Sam had to lean forward to catch the soft words.
“I’ve
often thought that if we’d had a child…. None of this would have happened. I
wouldn’t have spent so much time in the cartouche room, wouldn’t have opened
the gate, would have been home… in Nagada with my wife… my child… my family…”
Sam slid
her arm around his waist in silent sympathy. Daniel so rarely opened up about
his lost wife and home, she did not want to spoil the moment with empty
platitudes. Daniel put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him;
accepting her silent support.
“But then,
I wouldn’t have met you, or Teal’c, or had the pleasure of Jack’s company
again, so…”
“So, every
cloud has a darker lining?”
His soft
snuff of laughter brought a smile to Sam’s face.
“Carter!
THERE you are. I’ve been looking all over.” Jack launched himself out onto the
balcony, a wash of noise and light following him. He frowned, catching a quick
glimpse of Daniel’s face before his friend turned to face the sea again.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing,
sir. Just getting some peace and quiet.”
“Oh. ‘Kay.
Carter. Come dance with me? Griff is making like Fred Astaire in there. We have
to hold our end up a bit.” Despite his complaints at being forced into formal
wear, Jack really did cut a handsome figure in his tux.
“Oh, um.
Sure, sir. Be delighted.” Sam leaned toward Daniel and whispered, “Should have
brought my combat boots…”
Jack
stepped aside to let Sam pass. “Daniel, you okay?”
Daniel
turned around again, favouring his friend with a small smile. “I’m fine Jack.
The noise was getting to me a bit. I think I’ll just stay out here for a
while.”
“Well, you
need anything, just yell. Okay?”
“Thanks,
Jack.”
“See ya.”
“Oh,
Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t
stand on Sam’s feet.”
“Very
funny.”
Content to
stay in the shadows of the balcony, Daniel let his thoughts float away with
sounds of the night. For a while he was in a pleasant limbo, no feelings or
sombre thoughts penetrated the quiet barrier on his mind. Gradually, though, he
became aware of the presence of another. Silent, watchful, hidden in the
darkness further along the balcony. Turning slightly, squinting into the gloom,
he could make out the figure of a man. Small, stooped with age, keen bird-like
eyes peered at him, and then darted away to something the man was holding in
his hand. His feeling of serenity broken, Daniel’s manners overcame him and he
moved forward.
“Um,
hello. My name is Daniel Jackson - one of the delegates from Earth…”
“You bear
the sadness of an old man, boy.”
“Oh?
Er...” There wasn’t much to say to that, short of divulging his life story. The
old man’s attention dipped to the object in his hand again. The minutes ticked
by, Daniel stood still, rather nonplussed by the sharp glances continuing to
come his way. Finally breaking the silence, he asked, “What are you doing?”
“The
moonlight gives you the look of an angel, boy.” The old man’s voice floated to
him, a dry cracked whisper.
“Wha..?
Err, um, thanks… I think. And I’m not a boy!” Daniel inched closer, making out
the sketchpad, the clawed hand flying over the page, a kind of charcoal pencil
clutched deftly in it. “You’re an artist?”
“Phah! If
you can call someone who hasn’t drawn a picture in years an artist, then yes, I
suppose I am.”
Sidling
even closer, Daniel looked over the bent shoulder. His own face gazed up at
him, turned slightly to one side, half hidden in the shadows of charcoal.
“That’s
very good,” he offered.
“Humph.”
~ Å ~
The fresh
morning light sparkled in the gentle swell of the surf. Too early to have
enough energy to form actual waves, the water fell in sleepy laps along the shoreline.
Quarrelling seabirds flapped away from the approaching sound of running feet.
Jack and Sam, sharing a desire to experience as much as possible of this
beautiful peaceful place, and despite going to sleep only a few hours earlier,
were enjoying their dawn run along the beach.
Reaching
the cliffs at the bay’s end, they slowed, then halted, lungs pulling in the
clean crisp air with gusto. They stood silently for a while, soaking in the
view and sharing the peace of the dawn.
“It’s a
pity we can’t convince Teal’c and Daniel to join us, sir,” Sam said.
Jack
grinned in agreement. Sucking in another lungful of pure air he laughed, “Hey,
if you can get Teal’c to change the habits of a hundred year lifetime, or find
a way to part Daniel from his nest, have at it, Carter.”
Sam pulled
a face and replied, “Think I’ll stick to physics, sir. I’m happier with
controllable explosions”
As Ehren’s
fat, yellow sun rose into the sky they retraced their path back to the complex
of cabins dotted along the beachfront that had been given over to the off-world
visitors. After a soak in the enormous bathtubs in their private bathrooms,
they joined their colleagues gathering for an al-fresco breakfast beneath the
shelter of an ancient spreading tree.
After
greeting General Hammond, the Senator and Major Kovachek, Jack automatically
checked for his team-mates; Teal’c was already packing away a hearty breakfast
at one of the bench tables, while listening to Griff’s description of one of
his team’s less than successful missions. Sam was sitting with Kate Llewellyn,
a large cup of black coffee made from Daniel’s private stash in her hand. And
Daniel - was nowhere to be seen. Sighing to himself, Jack armed himself with a
steaming cup of coffee and walked carefully down the pathway to Daniel’s cabin.
Banging
his fist on the door, Jack yodelled “Wakey, wakey, Daniel. Time to rise and
shine.”
Unsurprised
by the lack of response, Jack barged in through the annoyingly unlocked door.
“Up and at
‘em, buddy. Time to greet the new… day… What the-?”
Daniel was
conspicuous by his absence. His suits hung on the clothing pegs, shoes neatly
lined up under them. A quick glance into the bathroom confirmed his friend was
not lazing in the bath. Moving over to the bed, Jack began to frown. The bed covers
had been thrown so far back they draped onto the floor. Daniel’s glasses sat
folded on the glass and wicker bedside table. The slim book Sam had given
Daniel recently on a whim lay face down on the floor, its beautifully decorated
pages bent and abused. An empty drinking glass lay tipped on its side, escaped
water leaving a trail over the table and onto the floor. The water had long
since soaked into the rug.
Jack’s
mind quickly flashed back to the previous day, when he had sat sprawled on
Daniel’s bed watching him unpack. All the clothes his friend had brought with
him were still here; business suit, shirts, tux - with the high collar and
longer than normal length that on Jack would have looked absurd, but on Daniel
had created quite an effect - sweat pants and t-shirt for sleeping in. That was
it; everything was still here except for the clothing’s owner. Surely even
Daniel was not flaky enough to go out without clothes on.
His eyes
travelled back to the overturned glass, the precious book now damaged, the
bed’s light coverings now draped on the floor. In his mind’s eye, Jack could
almost see Daniel in bed, being dragged out of the bed, the coverings catching
on his body to fall just… so.
A cold
prickle crept across Jack’s brow. He picked up the delicate glasses, even as
his right hand went for the Berretta that was not at his side. Changing
direction to slap at the radio that was also not where it should be, he swore,
turned on his heel and bolted out the door.
~ Å ~
Do you have a name?
I care not.
Do you feel fear? Hate? Love? Anger? Compassion?
It matters not to me.
Do you lie at night in the arms of a lover?
Will she or he miss you now?
Do you devote your life to a purpose or do you float through
time untouched by the existence of others?
I care not.
Will people miss you now?
Will they care for a while, then forget you?
It is of no concern to me.
You mean nothing. What desires, ambitions, loves, hates you
possess will fade and dissipate as the summer flower withers, crumbles and
disperses on the cold uncaring winds of winter. You will become nothing -
needing only what I give you.
Desiring nothing but that which I
allow you to desire. Feeling nothing, seeing nothing, tasting, breathing
nothing that I do not control. You
are my clay, to be moulded and fitted to my needs and desires. You are my empty
canvas, awaiting the colours and textures that I will give you to come alive.
My Muse has returned.
It is you.
~ Å ~
Hours
later, Jack was still swearing to himself. A quick search by the SGC personnel
had determined Daniel was nowhere within the accommodation complex. No one had
seen him since they had returned from the ball in the Citadel in the early
hours of the morning. The immediate assumption of Goa’uld incursion was
dismissed. The Ehren Stargate was monitored constantly and had not been
activated since they themselves had come through the day before. The conclusion
was quickly reached that Daniel had been the victim of some kind of domestic
crime.
As they
all came together once more for a briefing with the local police, Jack was
finding it difficult to contain his anger. He rounded on Darmen Whey, the
Inspector General of the Ehren Constabulary. “So, what you’re saying is that
Daniel has just vanished off the face of… this earth… and you have no idea what
happened to him?”
Darmen
Whey, a tall, grey-haired man stared Jack down and said firmly, “At the moment,
no, we do not know what has happened to Doctor Jackson, but that is temporary,
I assure you.” Turning to the Senator and General Hammond, he continued; “Sirs,
I have all available police resources mobilized. It is only a matter of time
before we discover what befell Doctor Jackson. An abduction of this kind is
extremely rare in our society, and as this has happened to one of your party,
the suspects will be limited to those who have had contact with the Tau’ri or
who stand to gain something from disturbing the accord between our peoples.
Everyone who attended the signing ceremony, the tour parties and the ball last
evening is being questioned. It should not be too much longer before we gain
intelligence to assist our search.”
General
Hammond stepped in front of Jack before he could give further voice to his
frustrations. “We do appreciate all you are doing to find Doctor Jackson,
Darmen Whey. And I’m sure that he will be found safe and sound very soon.
Unfortunately, the Senator and I must return to our duties on Earth. If it’s
alright with you, I’d like to leave Major Kovachek here as our intermediary, as
well as the rest of our people, to help in the search.”
“Of
course, General Hammond.”
Leaving
the Senator to make his official farewells, Hammond gathered Jack and Major
Kovachek to one side. “Colonel, I’m leaving you in charge here. While I’m just
as concerned for Doctor Jackson’s wellbeing as you are, I must stress that you
do nothing to jeopardize the treaty with these people.” Cutting off Jack’s
protest, he turned to Kovachek, “And Major, I leave it to you to ensure that
diplomatic procedures are maintained.”
“Yes sir.”
Kovachek nodded, casting a concerned glance at Jack’s fuming face.
“General,
I’d like to request we at least have our combat gear sent through. I’ll be a
lot happier if we don’t have to rely completely on Ehren technology to
communicate between teams.”
“Granted,
Colonel. And Jack? Don’t worry. I’m sure the authorities will find Doctor
Jackson in no time at all.”
“Yes, sir.
I just hope he’s still in one piece when we do.”
Despatching
Sam and Major Griff back to earth to collect the team’s gear, Jack moved over
to the large picture windows at one end of the briefing room, gazing out at the
peaceful city that somewhere harboured his friend. His friend who had been
taken against his will, probably violently, and was being subjected to who knew
what now. Dammit Daniel. What the hell happened? Where are you? What
are they doing to you? Why is it that every psycho nut job in the universe is
attracted to you?
~ Å ~