Déjà
vu all over again.
Jack
entered the holding facility, keeping his distance as he gazed into Daniel's
cell. He shoved his hands into his
pocket, feeling Teal'c and General Hammond ease up behind him.
"Jack,"
Daniel said enthusiastically, hoping off the bed. "Come to get me out of
here?"
Jack
cleared his throat and exchanged a quick look with Teal'c. "Uh, not
exactly."
"What
do you mean?" Daniel asked, disappointed. He walked over to the bars that
separated him from the others, lacing his long fingers around the rods.
"You must have seen the test results by now."
"We
did."
Jack
rubbed his chin as he stared at Daniel.
He looked like Daniel. He talked
like Daniel. He acted like Daniel. More so than Carter did when Jolinar took
over her. Maybe whatever was in his
head hadn't taken control?
Wishful
thinking,
he thought dejectedly.
"Then,
you know I'm not a Goa'uld."
"Listen,
quit the crap, will ya?" Jack said irritably. He wasn't going to by into
this bull any longer. "The jig is up. You've been found out. So, let's drop the charade."
"I
don't understand," Daniel whispered, frowning.
"Who
are you and whom do you serve?" Teal'c asked coolly, stepping forward.
"I
don't know what you mean," Daniel stated, gripping the bars until his
knuckles turned white. "I'm not Goa'uld.
Look at the tests! They'll prove
it."
"We've
seen the tests," Hammond stated, entering the conversation. "You're
not making this any easier on yourself."
Daniel
laughed, a nervous laugh, as he rested his forehead against the bars.
"God, this is a nightmare," he whispered.
"You're
telling me," muttered Jack.
"I
know. I know you don't believe me, but you just have to trust me. You have to understand," Daniel stated,
making his case before them. "I'm not a Goa'uld."
Jack
managed to stay serious. "Okay. So you're not a Goa'uld. Then, what are you?"
Daniel
opened his mouth, exasperation flooding his face. "Jack! Come on! You know who I am!"
"No,
I don't."
"Yes! Yes, you do." He shook his head, running his fingers through his hair as he
began to pace in his cell. "I
can't believe this is happening. I just
can't believe this."
"Believe
it," General Hammond said sternly. "Because you are going to be held
under guard until we find a way to separate you from Doctor Jackson."
Daniel
shook his head, rubbing his arms as he paced. "This is all a mistake. This wasn't supposed to happen."
No
shit, Sherlock,
Jack thought angrily, swallowing down his frustration.
"What
error have you committed?" Teal'c questioned, clasping his hands behind
his back.
Daniel
just stared at him. "I'm in an
alternate reality again. That has to be
it."
"'Fraid
not," Jack informed him, shoving his hands into his pockets. He could only
wish it were some bizarre alternate reality. "So, it would be in your best
interest to fess up."
"Jack,
please."
"Obviously,
we're getting nowhere, General." Jack ignored Daniel, reminding himself
that he may not even be talking to his long-time teammate.
"Obviously,"
the General agreed, his face tight. He turned to Daniel. "So, until you
feel like cooperating, you're going to stay in that cell and think long and
hard about your current position."
"General,
no! Whatever the test results say,
they're wrong. You've misread them.
Misinterpreted them. Something! I am telling you, I am not a Goa'uld." He
lowered his voice. "You have to let me out."
"I'm
afraid I can't do that." General Hammond glanced over at Jack. "We'll
keep some airmen inside and outside the holding facility. If he's not
responsive before then, we'll leave him to the Tok'ra."
"Bad
idea, sir."
"Yes,"
Daniel agreed. "Bad idea. There is nothing wrong with me."
Jack
glared at Daniel, struggling with his anger.
"Oh, really?" He took a few steps closer to the cell.
"Would you like me to show you? I
can go get the results right now."
"There
is nothing wrong with me."
"Colonel…"
Hammond warned.
"Nothing
wrong," Jack repeated, knowing he was coming close to losing it. He was
sick of this. All of this. Years of fighting the Goa'uld. Years of close calls.
Years of watching Daniel die over and over…"Stop it. Stop it, now. I am not playing this little game you sick
snakes love so much."
"Excuse
me?" Daniel grumbled angrily. "What's the matter with you? I know this looks bad, but I am telling you
that I am fine. If I was one of the
Goa'uld, wouldn't I have hurt someone by now?"
"I
don't know. Would you?" Jack glared at him darkly. "We have a bunch
of people unconscious in our infirmary right now and they are the only ones,
aside from you, who knows what happened on that planet. Sounds suspiciously Goa'uld
to me."
"So,
you're saying I am responsible for them?
That this is my fault?"
Jack
glanced back at Hammond and Teal'c, who were watching the exchange
carefully. Making up his mind, Jack
returned his attention to Daniel and set his jaw.
"Yeah,
that's exactly what I am saying. And
you know what?" He narrowed his
eyes and forced himself to look beyond the familiar façade. "I am tired of
this game. This is your last warning.
Fess up, now."
Daniel
said nothing, but just shook his head irritably in response.
"Fine,
then." Swallowing hard, Jack continued. "Teal'c, go get me a zat
gun."
Teal'c
arched an eyebrow, glancing once at Hammond, and then back to Jack. "Are
you certain, O'Neill?"
"Oh
yeah. We're not going to get anywhere with this bastard." He sneered
coolly at Daniel, wishing it hadn't come to this. Hoping he was wrong. "So
if you won't let me talk to Daniel, I'll do it myself."
"Don't
do this, Jack!" Daniel pleaded, gripping the bars anxiously.
"Don't."
"Then
let me talk to Daniel."
"I'm
right here."
Jack
shook his head. "Not a good enough answer." Taking a step away from the cell, he turned away from Daniel and
motioned to the door. "You heard
me, Teal'c."
Hammond
held up his chin, regarding Jack carefully. "Colonel?"
"I've
done it before, sir, back with Skaara and it worked then. It's the only way
we'll get to talk to Daniel and find out what's happening."
The
general appeared to consider this, as he weighed his options. "Then, do
what you can, Colonel."
"No! This is crazy," Jack heard Daniel say.
"No,
you just don't want us to talk to Daniel," Jack mumbled, still refusing to
look back. If this really was a
Goa'uld, this was the only way Jack knew to get through to Daniel. If Daniel was still Daniel, it didn't
matter. He could take a little zat.
Besides, Jack was pissed off with him either way for getting himself into this
mess in the first place.
"There
has to be another way," Daniel offered.
"Yeah,
get out now!" Jack yelled, whipping around at Daniel, livid. "You
have no right to be there!"
"Teal'c,
do as Colonel O'Neill has instructed," Hammond said evenly.
"No!"
Jack
ignored him again, finding this situation increasingly difficult. With a nod,
he motioned Teal'c to the door. Teal'c bowed his head solemnly, glancing at
Hammond and Jack before heading towards the exit.
"Alright,
Colonel, if this doesn't work—"
"Oh,
it'll work," Jack said grudgingly, glancing at Hammond. "Then—"
"I
will kill the host!"
Feeling
his heart nearly stop, Jack gasped quietly, snapping his head back to the cell.
Deep down, he had hoped he was wrong, that he was overreacting.
Overcompensating. Something. Anything. But standing here now, looking at the man
behind bars, his rigid stance, his cool expression, his glowing eyes…
"You
son of a bitch," Jack swore, glowering at Daniel. Or whoever he was.
"I
will do it," came the low booming voice.
Jack
jerked his head back to Hammond who was standing speechless. Teal'c, situated behind him, had stopped,
his hand outstretched towards the door. His expression mirrored the concern and
the distress that had found its way into the general's features. Then, as if
the seriousness of the situation had finally settled into their minds, both
Hammond and Teal'c became quietly staid.
Teal'c
looked downright murderous.
Taking
long strides to meet Jack, Teal'c came to stand beside him, his face like stone
as his glare bore into Daniel. "I shall ask you again. Who are you and
whom do you serve?"
Daniel
did not move from his position, only turning his head slightly to stare at
Teal'c. "I serve all, yet serve none."
Wonderful, Jack thought, grinding his
teeth.
Hammond
spoke, taking his place to the right of Jack. "Who the hell are you?"
he asked, not bothering to mask the irritation in his voice. "And what do
you really expect to get from us?"
"I
am all that have come after me."
"What
the hell?" Jack rubbed his face, frowning fiercely at Daniel. Not Daniel, he reminded himself. A damn snake. "Quit playing these games
and spill, now."
Daniel
cocked his head, regarding Jack with amusement. "You are a curious one.
You make many demands, yet have nothing to show for them."
"I
wouldn't gloat if I were you," Jack muttering, seething. "You're the one behind bars."
"It
would be in your best interest to cooperate," Teal'c stated.
"So,
who are you?" Jack demanded.
"I
am nothing."
Jack
stole a glance at Teal'c, attempting to read his face for any sign of
understanding. He found nothing.
"Sirs,
I couldn't—"
Carter
stopped mid-sentence as she abruptly halted in the middle of the room. Carter was a sharp one and Jack knew she had
figured out what was going on the moment she caught sight of Daniel and his
rigid position. Her eyes widened and
she looked to Jack for some kind of insight.
Jack
shook his head. "Don't know. The Riddler here hasn't given us anything to
go on."
Inappropriate
sarcasm. But what else could he say? This wasn't Daniel. They'd lost Daniel.
"I'm
not going to ask you again," Hammond stated, his bald head turning a light
shade of red. "Who are you and what have you done to Doctor Jackson?"
"I
go by many names," Daniel replied, his unnatural voice grating at Jack's
ears. "Many, many names…"
"We
want to talk to Daniel," Carter insisted, her voice straining. Her lips
were tight, her jaw set. "Whom do you work for?"
"We
already tried that," Jack muttered. "This Goa'uld ain't
talking." He glanced over at Hammond.
"I say we go with the zat."
The
zat would work. The zat would let them
at least have a moment with Daniel, to reassure him. He must be going through hell.
I'm
not going to let this happen, Daniel, Jack thought to himself, hoping Daniel understood
somewhere in there.
"I'm
not a Goa'uld," Daniel said casually. "And, as I have stated before,
if you try such a foolish act, the host will die. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"You're
full of it," Jack retorted.
"And
you're ignorant. A discharge would surely kill my host in this case. And, as you can imagine, I would like to
avoid that as much as you would."
Carter
looked over at Jack. "What if he's right, sir?"
"He's
lying. They all lie," Jack
snapped.
"Colonel,
I am not willing to take that chance," Hammond commented, still eyeing Daniel
cautiously. "Especially if we have a safer option with the Tok'ra."
"Ah,
the Tok'ra," Daniel stated jubilantly. "I am looking forward to
meeting them."
"Sirs,"
Carter whispered, turning slightly away from the cell. "I'd like to speak
with you for moment, outside. It concerns the Tok'ra."
Hammond
nodded, motioning to Jack and Carter to follow him outside the holding
facility. Jack hesitated, watching as Teal'c continued to stare menacingly at
Daniel.
"Uh,
sir, I'd like to stay behind and keep an eye out."
"I'm
sure Teal'c will be just fine," Hammond stated.
"Colonel,
I'd really like to speak with you as well," Carter told him, her gaze
drifting back to Daniel.
Jack
hesitated again. "Teal'c?"
"I
will remain."
"Leaving
so soon?" Daniel asked, resting his chin against the bars. "We haven't yet begun
negotiations."
"You
are in no position to negotiate," Hammond said hotly, hovering near the
door.
"But
I believe I am," he said with a twisted smile. "I have the host and
the knowledge that you have been searching for years to obtain."
"And
you're behind bars which is where you're going to stay," Jack muttered.
"That
could be negotiable once you see what I have to offer."
Jack
shook his head. "I don't think so. The only way you're getting out of
there is when I rip you out."
"Jack,
come now…"
"Don’t
you call me that!" Jack yelled, pointing at Daniel. "You
worthless—"
"Colonel.
Outside. Now," Hammond commanded, swiping his key card to exit the room.
"Just
one thing before you have your little meeting," Daniel said. He walked over to the bed, picking up the
notebook and dangled it between the bars.
"My gift of goodwill to Major Carter."
She
hesitated, stealing a glance at Jack before carefully walking to the cell.
"Major…"
"I'm
okay," she replied, quickly snatching the notebook and flipping through
it. Frowning slightly, she glanced up at Daniel with wide eyes. "Some of
these diagrams look like schematics."
Daniel
smiled. "I offer this knowledge freely."
"Yeah,
sure you do," Jack grumbled again, signaling with a flick of his thumb to
the door. He had no patience for any of the Goa'uld's games. "Let's go,
Carter. And Teal'c," he started,
staring hard at the man. "Don't do anything."
Teal'c
straightened his chest. "I have no intention of harming
DanielJackson."
"Yeah,
I know that. Just…don't do
anything." He paused at the door, exchanging glances between Teal'c and
the man who once was Daniel. "You understand?"
Teal'c
nodded. "I understand."
To
be truthful, Teal'c did not understand the insistence in O'Neill's voice.
Teal'c had no intention of harming DanielJackson in any way. However, the being
in front of him was not DanielJackson.
Perhaps,
if this event had taken place several years ago, Teal'c would not feel as torn
as he did now. Defeat of the Goa'uld and the freedom of all Jaffa had always
been his priority as he traveled with his friends through the Chappa'ai. Yet,
time brought forth change and Teal'c could not deny the change that had taken
place.
His
many years traveling with the Tau'ri and living on the First World had caused
him to reevaluate his priorities. While he still strived to free his people and
overcome his oppressors, his loyalty to the Tau'ri had grown, starting with
that first day when he had pledged his allegiance to this world. Earth, and its many inhabitants, had begun
to feel more and more like home to him.
Perhaps
that is why, as he stood here in front of this cell, he so keenly felt the
battle between protecting the man who had forgiven him and welcomed him so
openly, and destroying the demon that possessed his soul.
"You
are very quiet, Jaffa," stated the Goa'uld in its signature alien rumble.
Teal'c
stared at him, raising an eyebrow.
"You
were once in the service of Apep. Apophis," the Goa'uld stated,
continuing. "The serpent god,
enemy of Ra."
"False
god," Teal'c stated. "Dead false god."
A
grin spread across the familiar face of his friend. "Apophis is dead,
yes. His weakness was his…passion. His passion for his offspring, for his queen,
for his revenge," the Goa'uld stated knowingly as he searched Teal'c. "This sense of passion he has instilled
in you, hasn't he?"
Teal'c
refused to comment, unwilling to be caught in the Goa'uld's game of words.
"Teal'c,
the great Jaffa warrior, who has used his passion to rise up against those he
served. Teal'c, who would sacrifice everything for the safety of his family.
Teal'c, who would fight to preserve the honor of his people. Teal'c, who would
seek revenge against transgressors."
"Your
words fall upon deaf ears," Teal'c told him, remaining firm.
"I
suppose one could call your commitment and sacrifice heroic, even
admirable." The Goa'uld smiled again, leaning against the metal bars of
his prison. "My host seems to think so."
"What
of DanielJackson?" Teal'c questioned venomously.
He
chuckled. "My host has a fondness for you. He finds your cause honorable and affords only the deepest
respect for you."
Teal'c
held his head up, clasping his hands tightly behind his back. He would not allow this Goa'uld to continue
to play these mind games, as O'Neill called them. He would remain vigilant and
protect his friend with all the skills that he had.
"My
Jaffa friend," the Goa'uld began again. "I agree that what you have
accomplished is quite admirable. Your loyalty to your beliefs and to your
friends shows remarkable courage and strength of character. With your might and strength, along with my
knowledge, we could accomplish many great and wondrous deeds across the galaxy."
"You
will not fool me with your empty promises," Teal'c said lowly, narrowing
his eyes.
"Not
empty promises. I speak the truth."
"The
Goa'uld do not know the meaning of the word," Teal'c responded quickly.
"No,
they do not," the other admitted, still eyeing Teal'c carefully. "But
as I have stated previously, I am no Goa'uld."
"Then
who are you and what purpose do you serve?"
He
smiled, turning away from Teal'c and moved towards the wall. Resting his head
casually against the concrete, he stared off into the distance.
"My
purpose is simple, yet complex. As sophisticated and as elegant as a spider's
web."
"Your
riddles prove useless," Teal'c mentioned angrily.
"Only
to the closed mind." He shook his
head, sighing with disappointment.
"I expected so much more from you, Teal'c. My host informs me that
you are a deep and understanding man.
Yet, I have seen none of it during this conversation."
"I
do not serve the Goa'uld."
"No,
no, you don't," the Goa'uld said quietly.
"Nor do I expect you to.
That is not what I ask."
Teal'c
remained like stone. "I will not free you."
"I
see. You are as close-minded as these humans."
Teal'c
glared at him, keeping his body in place. He would not be able to restrain
himself much longer. "Who are you?" he asked again.
The
Goa'uld smiled, stepping up to the metal bars, a pleasurable gleam to his
borrowed eyes. "I am the one who came forth from the great abyss, the
primeval waters of nothingness, to seed and flourish. I am the keeper of the
sacred, the measurer, the one that oversees all."
Teal'c
frowned as he listened to the Goa'uld speak.
It could not be so.
"I
am 'He who Balances,' 'Lord of the Divine Body,'" he continued, pausing
for only a brief moment. "I am the 'Voice of Ra.'"
Teal'c
stiffened, studying the Goa'uld one last time before turning to exit the room.
"What
do you mean?" O'Neill asked impatiently.
"I'm
just saying that lately I've been having a more difficult time reaching the
Tok'ra. They're always busy," Sam stated, starting to feel a little
defensive.
"Your
father is on the High Council!"
"I
know, Colonel, but I have to get through a bunch of bureaucratic red tape just
to talk to him anymore," she stressed, clutching the notebook tightly.
"I managed to leave a message."
"Great,
we've been reduced to using a Tok'ra answering machine," O'Neill mumbled,
obviously not pleased.
"I'm
not entirely happy with the state of affairs with our allies at this point,
either, Colonel, but they're still our allies," Hammond stated, glancing
at the both of them. "The truth
is, they're probably the best chance we have for Doctor Jackson and the
others."
"I'm
sure once my dad gets the message, he'll respond right away," Sam told
them, hoping her voice hadn't betrayed her own insecurities. "Plus, I'm sure the Tok'ra will be
interested from a tactical point of view."
"What?"
O'Neill asked.
She
cringed at the tone of his voice, but understood his frustration for it matched
her own. "If this really is a Goa'uld, whether it’s a new species or a
sub-species, the Tok'ra will want to question it." Feeling her cheeks redden, she glanced down
at the notebook, feeling guilty over the excitement she felt while Daniel
remained a prisoner in his own body. "We might be able to learn a great
deal about the Goa'uld from these notes alone."
"Carter…"
O'Neill warned, his tone becoming edgy.
"Sir,
I want Daniel back as much as you do.
And I don't mean to sound insensitive here, but we both know we have to
try and look at this from all angles."
"She's
right, Jack," Hammond said softly. "I hate this as much as you do.
But if we can obtain anything to help us during the time this Goa'uld is in
Doctor Jackson, we have to take advantage of it."
"I
know. I know this," the colonel muttered, placing his hands behind his
head and sighing. "I just hate
it."
"I
do too, sir," Sam admitted, hugging the notebook close. "But until
the Tok'ra get back to us…"
"Yeah,
I know."
"Well,
at least we're all in agreement," Hammond stated, eyeing his two officers
carefully. "Shall we go back in and see what we can find out from whoever
this is?"
"I
do not believe that will be wise, General Hammond."
Sam
turned to see Teal'c walking towards them, his normally neutral features
showing residual signs of unease and concern. Shifting her weight, she braced
herself for whatever bad news Teal'c might have.
"Why
do you say that, Teal'c?" General Hammond asked.
"I
have reason to believe the Goa'uld within is one of the most dangerous of all
the Goa'uld that I have encountered." Teal'c paused as if trying to
collect his thoughts. "I believe he should be held under the highest
security and full restraint."
Sam
gaped at him, before shooting a look at her commanding officer. He said nothing, his face pensive.
"Have
you ascertained exactly who this Goa'uld is?" Hammond asked with a frown.
"I
believe that I have."
"Who
is he?" Sam asked, biting back her fear.
"He
appears to be the one known as Thoth."
"Thoth?"
O'Neill questioned in disbelief.
"The Goa'uld we were just briefed about?"
"That
is correct, O'Neill."
"Well,
that would make sense, wouldn't it?" Sam took a step forward, catching the
attention of the three men in front of her. "The ruins supposedly belonged
to Thoth. What if Thoth had been hidden within the shrine all this time and
Daniel accidentally came across him?"
"Daniel
swears he didn't go fishing around in that lab," O'Neill stated firmly.
"But,
sir, we don't even know if that was Daniel we were talking to," she
commented, hating to crush his hope. "We know how a symbiote can mimic its
host's behavior. The likelihood is that
Daniel didn't come through the Gate at all.
It's been Thoth this whole time."
"Then,
why would Thoth give a demonstration on how to defeat the Goa'uld?"
Hammond questioned.
"Free
reign?" O'Neill guessed. "Wipe out the Goa'uld so he can have it all
for himself?"
"It's
a possibility, sir," Carter agreed, though did not feel entirely
comfortable with it.
"However,
Thoth was never a System Lord," Teal'c informed them.
"No?"
O'Neill was noticeably shocked. "Then, what the hell was he?"
"Jaffa
legend tells of a time when Thoth was one of the most influential of all the
Goa'uld. He would serve as mediator and negotiator among the System Lords
during their many quarrels and disputes. He was greatly revered and in the high
favor of Ra."
"Oh,
wonderful. Ra's boy," O'Neill muttered.
"Anything
else?" Hammond asked.
"I
have only met Thoth once, on a previous occasion," Teal'c continued.
"He was attempting to negotiate a deal between Apophis and two of his
daughters, Hauhet and Amaunet."
Sam
sucked in a deep breath.
"Whoa. Back up there a sec, T. Amaunet?"
Teal'c
nodded slightly. "That is correct, O'Neill. Thoth was eager to find new
mates for his daughters after the death of Heh and Amun." Teal'c stared at
him evenly. "As you are aware, half of the deal was successful and Apophis
took a new bride. Amaunet moved from
Jaffa priestess to priestess until I was able to find her a suitable
host."
"Now,
that's creepy," O'Neill said with disgust. He looked to Hammond.
"That's even more reason for us to get that out of Daniel. Now. He's going
to have some serious husband/daddy issues if we don't."
"Actually,
as DanielJackson has instructed us in the past, it is not uncommon for—"
"Not
listening, Teal'c. I've heard enough." O'Neill breathed out, shaking his
head. "Enough, right,
Carter?"
"Actually,
sir, I am a little troubled with this conversation."
"Uh…yeah,"
the colonel muttered bluntly. "That's pretty obvious."
"How
so, Major?" Hammond interjected.
"Well,
sir, I haven't been able to put my finger on it, but something just isn't right
about all this."
"There's
a Goa'uld in Daniel, Carter."
"No,
I mean about Thoth. I keep thinking
I've heard his name before. Before today."
She
couldn't seem to pinpoint when, though.
All afternoon it had been driving her crazy. Was it one of Daniel's previous lectures? Maybe a memory from
Jolinar? Or maybe she was just on edge
about this whole situation with Daniel?
"If
you can remember anything, be sure to let us know, Major," Hammond stated.
"But for now, I am taking what Teal'c has said under serious advisement. I
am going to have Doctor Jackson moved from his cell into a larger room where we
can watch him from an observation deck."
Sam
sighed. This was the situation with the
Stromos passengers all over again.
"Inside,
I will have him restrained until further notice. Only a select few will have
access to him."
"That
include us, sir?" O'Neill stated more than asked.
"That's
correct," Hammond answered.
"If
you are indeed going to head my warning, General Hammond, then I have more to
add."
"What
is it, Teal'c?" O'Neill wondered.
"If
the Goa'uld in DanielJackson is indeed Thoth, then we must proceed with extreme
caution. Jaffa legend tells a tale
where Thoth cannot lie."
Colonel
O'Neill glanced disbelievingly at Sam before turning his attention to Teal'c.
"Get out."
"I
have no intention of leaving, O'Neill."
"No,
Teal'c, the colonel means—"
"All
Goa'uld lie, Teal'c. It's what makes them snakes." O'Neill pointed to the
holding room. "He's been pretending to be Daniel. Isn't that a big enough
lie?"
"Indeed,"
Teal'c conceded. "However, Thoth is a master of words. He can and will use them to his advantage."
"And
Daniel's a linguist," Sam added dejectedly.
Hammond
was obviously displeased. "Then let's use the utmost care, people. And let's see what we can find out."
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