Archive: M&A, Rauhnee's archive list, my page
http://www.shadowynd.com/~elaynas_den/index.html
Category: Drama/Action. Third in the Stargate Jedi series.
Feedback: Is cherished, adored, appreciated, and answered.
Dedicated: To Allen, whose insistence on Teal'c was a major
plot bunny. Much thanks to Rauhnee and Allen for the exhaustive
betaing.
Summary: SGC-1 assists Obi-Wan with a Goa'uld problem.
Disclaimer: The boys belong to George Lucas, Stargate to MGM,
Gekko, whomever.
Spoilers: Minor for SGC-1 season 3, none for SW:TPM.
The members of SGC-1 and General Hammond patiently listened to
a new mission briefing from the team's civilian scientist,
Daniel Jackson. Or at least, they attempted to be patient.
Daniel had been downright twitchy for several days, drumming
his fingers on the table and constantly moving as he discussed
the possibilities of PFR-356. The team's leader, Colonel Jack
O'Neill, would have liked to grab him, hold him, and kiss him
senseless until Daniel stopped fidgeting. He could imagine
Hammond's scathing lecture on such behavior, right before
Hammond drummed him out of the Air Force. Finally, Jack
couldn't tolerate it. He grabbed Daniel's hands and held them
flat on the table.
"For chrissake, Daniel, what's wrong with you?" Jack colored
his voice with irritation. In the curious logic of the
military, Hammond would forgive his impatience with a perceived
subordinate more than his concern for a lover.
Daniel shrugged and grimaced, the base's fluorescent lighting
reflecting off his glasses. "I don't know. I feel restless,
disturbed."
"It is Obi-Wan," Teal'c said calmly.
"How do you know that?" Jack demanded.
Teal'c arched an eyebrow at Jack, as if astonished that the
Colonel had not made the logical deduction himself. "Daniel is
responding to stimulus outside himself."
"He may be right," Daniel said, considering the suggestion.
"But if it is Obi-Wan, it's not like last time. He hasn't been
physically hurt."
A control technician announced over the base's loudspeakers.
"Incoming traveler. General Hammond, please report to the
control room."
Chevron 3 locked before the five reached the busy control room.
They waited as the remaining 4 Chevrons locked into position
and the Stargate whooshed its dimensional gateway to another
world. None of the SGC teams were due back, so an unexpected
traveler meant either an off-world team in trouble, or
unexpected company.
As soon as the technician confirmed the incoming signal was
Jedi, Hammond ordered the iris open and SGC-1 moved to the
Stargate room.
Obi-Wan Kenobi stepped through the Stargate's shimmering silver
surface. Daniel approached him, clasping hands and hugging him
briefly, as did Sam. Jack and Teal'c restrained themselves to
handshakes as the General asked, "Obi-Wan, dare I hope this
time you have good news from the Jedi Council?"
"No, General, I'm afraid I am here without their knowledge or
permission. I have come with a personal request of my own." The
Padawan's effort to maintain serenity was obvious. "I need the
assistance of the SGC-1 team. Qui-Gon..." He stopped, realizing
he looked solely at Daniel. What had to be said must go
directly to the General. Looking at anyone else implied a
disregard for military chain of command. Obi-Wan turned and
took a full step closer to the base commander.
"Qui-Gon has become Goa'uld."
In the conference room, Obi-Wan wrapped his hands around a cup
of hot coffee, as if squeezing a tangible object could vanquish
the horror. "Your universe is so different from ours. The only
connection seems to be a dominant human species, but we have no
planet Earth. We have so many non-humanoid races that
apparently never evolved in your universe that it astounds us.
The Jedi researchers have been analyzing the information I
provided from Daniel's memories, and comparing it to our own
mythology and history banks. They found evidence of Stargates
on a few planets in our own universe via descriptions of 'Great
Silver Circles' that allowed instantaneous travel between
worlds. They also found descriptions which fit Goa'uld,
'serpent monsters' which enslaved humanoid populations. Our
researchers theorized that the Goa'uld were vanquished before
they could take control. Perhaps by the original creators of
the Stargates. Perhaps by the Sith."
"Sith?" Jack asked in his 'I'm clueless here' tone of voice.
Daniel shook his head at Jack, indicating that the Sith were an
unimportant detour.
Obi-Wan continued without acknowledging the interruption,
staring at the coffee's fluid surface. "It was believed that
several Stargates may still exist on remote planets. The rest
must have been destroyed. Qui-Gon and I were sent to explore
Taberus, a planet rich with the Dark Side. It seemed most
likely to have been a Goa'uld stronghold. The Council hoped it
contained useful archeological information."
"Okay, dark side?" Jack hoped his flippant tone would earn a
small smile from Obi-Wan. He was wrong.
"Evil, pure evil." Obi-Wan shuddered. "We landed on the planet
in a small spacecraft. We found the Stargate but the dial-home
device was destroyed. We were searching the deserted ruins of a
nearby temple when it happened. I was several feet from
Qui-Gon. I heard a noise and turned to see a Goa'uld spring
from an animal and enter his body. I - I ran. I knew I couldn't
kill Qui-Gon and I doubted I could overpower him. Not alone."
Obi-Wan's voice lowered as he confessed his shameful reaction.
Sam reached out and clasped her hands around his. "We
understand, Obi-Wan, we've been in similar situations."
The young Jedi didn't dislodge her hands, but his bitter
inflection indicated he resisted her attempt at comfort. "Well,
the Jedi Council haven't. They've decided I'm a hysteric, that
I'm unstable because of what happened with Daniel and again
when I was brutalized. They sent another Master/Padawan team to
retrieve Qui-Gon, even though I begged them to send more than
two people." His despair at his own actions and the folly of
the Jedi Council was evident from his tone, which cut with
pain's sharp edge.
"So what did you do?" asked General Hammond. "How did you get
here?"
"I explored Daniel's memories and took lessons from James
Bond." He finally gave the attentive audience a tight smile but
his eyes stayed grim. "I faked a message to the space port to
have a ship prepared for me. It was rather ridiculously easy -
the Jedi don't protect themselves from within. I flew to
Kalistan and traveled through the Stargate to you. Qui-Gon must
be captured before he escapes Taberus. We have no time to
waste."
"General, we have to help." Daniel was the first to speak,
still compelled by the loyalty forged in bonding with Obi-Wan.
Hammond raised a profound objection. "You have no idea how
dangerous this man could be. He has Jedi abilities with a
Goa'uld's ruthlessness."
Obi-Wan contradicted, "I don't know how dangerous Qui-Gon would
actually be, General. I admit he is one of our best warriors.
But much of Jedi abilities depend on training as well as a high
midi-chlorian count. It's never been demonstrated that Goa'uld
can tap into a host's learned skills."
Obi-Wan paused, marshaling his arguments. "Even if the Goa'uld
can control the Force, Qui-Gon is used to working with me,
having my support, and countering blaster attacks rather than
gunfire. I believe with five of us, we can overwhelm him, if
necessary wound him enough that the symbiont must concentrate
on healing the host body. It's a violent action, but it may be
the only way to capture Qui-Gon, keep him under control, and
return him to Coruscant. I trust the Jedi healers will find a
way to kill the symbiont."
Sam hesitated adding her suggestion, not wanting to imply the
Jedi healers couldn't save Obi-Wan's Master. "Maybe we should
return Qui-Gon to our universe, take him to Cimmeria and let
'Thor's Hammer' destroy the symbiont."
"I've thought of the Asgard device. The Council wouldn't
believe me when I described what happened to Qui-Gon, despite
what I've learned from Daniel about the Goa'uld. They can
hardly deny the truth with a possessed Qui-Gon in front of
them. Yes, I wish to save Qui-Gon. But just as importantly, the
Council must realize the danger of the Goa'uld and that any and
all Goa'uld on Taberus must be contained."
The General reflected while Sam and Obi-Wan discussed
practicalities. He wanted to raise more protests. SGC-1 would
be alone in a foreign universe, accompanied by an admitted
fugitive, without support from the local government. Moreover,
the mission would be to capture an individual who might be as
easy to handle as Obi-Wan hoped, or more dangerous than any
enemy yet encountered. Hammond studied his best team's eyes,
one member at a time. Their determination to support the Jedi
was plain. He believed sometimes command must know when to
follow subordinates' orders. Risking everything was better than
deserting Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Hammond gave his consent with a
studied nod.
The trip through the Kalistan Stargate was uneventful, the
"jumping tracks" quirk working perfectly. Obi-Wan's 'borrowed'
spaceship rested on the open ground close to the Stargate and
lifted off easily, launching the five toward Taberus.
The rest had followed Obi-Wan on a tour after entering the ship
but the Colonel's interest in examining ship designs and
engines was limited. Instead he waited in a tiny communal room,
sitting at the plain white table. Clearly the ship was designed
for function rather than comfort. Living space was severely
restricted, leaving five people feeling like three too many in
the narrow corridors.
Jack hated waiting. Trust the military to be perverse - take
energetic young college graduates, ready to be officers, teach
them to both follow commands and lead others, to kill
strangers, to think quickly under fire. And then teach them to
wait, wait for orders, wait to arrive at the battlefield, wait
for the support units, wait for enemy fire, sometimes wait and
pray for the signal to retreat.
He stifled impatience, having surrendered to waiting as his
only useful function. Thankfully, Daniel walked in and lounged
on the bench next to him.
"Have a good chat with Obi-Wan?" Jack tried lightening the
atmosphere, though his attempt to keep jealousy from his voice
was not entirely successful. Falling deeply in love with Daniel
wasn't wise, but Jack hadn't been able to help himself. He
envied the unshakable tie between the scientist and the Jedi.
"He's teaching Teal'c the controls of this ship. He thinks
someone else should know how to pilot."
Jack draped an arm around the man, pulling him into a casual
embrace. His touch encouraged Daniel's admitting, "I think
Obi-Wan will kill Qui-Gon rather than permit him to remain
Goa'uld."
"A Jedi Goa'uld would be a nasty guy to have loose in anyone's
universe." Jack wasn't particularly surprised at Obi-Wan's
decision. He'd skimmed Daniel's report on the Jedi universe,
deciding the chapters on trade dynamics were dull beyond
military regs. He knew Jedi cherished peace above self. Killing
Qui-Gon might be doing him a favor - the Master would hate to
be imprisoned in his mind, knowing that his body was used for
evil.
"To kill his lover - I don't know if I could kill Shau'ri,"
Daniel confessed.
"Shau'ri is one woman. She needs Goa'uld technology to be truly
powerful. Qui-Gon has Jedi abilities. Hopefully, he doesn't
know now, but sooner or later he'll figure out how to use the
Force." The differences between Qui-Gon and Shau'ri's
situations excused Daniel's hesitation in Jack's mind. "And
Obi-Wan's a trained warrior."
Major Carter entered before Daniel could chastise himself for
being a scientist rather than a warrior. He started to push
away from Jack, but found himself clasped fast. "Sam already
knows, Daniel. It's a little late for pretense," Jack assured.
The scientist shifted closer to Jack, relishing the chance to
not lie. His life was conflicted enough, torn between Jack and
Shau'ri. Maintaining the constant facade around SGC
Headquarters was a drain on his emotional resources. Always
knowing he couldn't touch Jack, couldn't smile too much,
couldn't let his eyes linger on his lover's handsome face. At
least, now, he could be himself on missions.
Sam opened cabinets, acting as if the exchange hadn't happened.
"Obi-Wan said there was a drink which resembled cold coffee."
Finding the container described by the Jedi, she lifted it out
and waved it at the two men. "Want some?" After their nods, she
located cups and began pouring, moving to sit at the table
opposite them. "Sir, if I may ask a question?"
Jack would have liked to say no and avoid the Major's probing,
but figured since he'd let Daniel handle the initial confession
of their relationship, Sam deserved a crack at him. She
smothered her curiosity at the SGC headquarters, but no one was
likely to overhear them in space.
Taking his grimacing as permission, Sam continued, "I must
admit I was surprised. I believe when homosexual relationships
were mentioned in the past, the kindest phrase you tossed
around was 'not appropriate behavior for the military'. And
let's see - words like 'loathsome' and 'repulsive.'"
The Colonel squirmed, trapped by his prior statements. "I got
burned once, okay? Look, in college, I had this one roommate
and we... I was falling in love, I guess. Then one night we had
sex and the next morning he pretended like it never happened.
It really shook me up in a lot of ways. I felt betrayed.
"I like women, I knew I was entering the military. Suppressing
that interest - just seemed easiest. So maybe I occasionally
went a little overboard at fitting in. Sometimes I even made
myself believe I had never felt that way." He decided to turn
the tables, uncomfortable at exposing himself. "And may we
inquire about your love life, Major? Since we're dealing with
true confessions? Anything you want to share with your
buddies?"
"No, sir. Not at the moment." Sam began rising, picking up her
drink. "But if I ever jump Janet, I'll be sure to let you
know." With that parting shot, she sailed out of the room,
leaving Jack and Daniel trying to determine if she was serious.
*******
Taberus was rife with the Dark Side in Obi-Wan's estimation,
and the beautiful vegetation wildly overgrown, leaving many
avenues for ambush. Like on many planets, the Stargate was
located in a meadow, spacious enough for Obi-Wan to land his
ship gracefully next to another spaceship of the same design.
The alertness of SGC-1 could be observed in their stances,
weapons at ready, eyes scanning the surrounding territory as
they waited for Obi-Wan to explore the other Jedi ship.
Walking down the ramp, Obi-Wan shook his head, indicating
confusion. He deactivated his lightsaber but kept it in his
grasp. "No one is aboard. It appears functional. If the
Master/Padawan team were successful in capturing Qui-Gon, they
should have returned to Coruscant by now."
Teal'c uttered one of Obi-Wan's fears. "If they did not take
your warnings seriously, they may have been captured or killed
by the Goa'uld. Or became Goa'uld themselves. We do not know
how many symbionts may live on this planet."
"I don't understand why the Qui-Gon Goa'uld didn't take the
ship and leave the planet," Sam remarked. She'd temporarily
hosted a member of the Goa'uld renegade group, the Tok'Ra. She
intimately knew the quest for power that drove most Goa'uld.
Being trapped on a deserted planet would not satisfy one of the
symbionts.
"He's waiting for Obi-Wan." Everyone stared at Daniel, who
appeared oblivious to their reaction, seeking inside himself
for answers. "I can feel him. He knew Obi-Wan would return."
"That doesn't make sense, Daniel." Sam questioned, "How can you
feel him if Obi-Wan can't? And why would a Goa'uld care about a
host's apprentice?"
Worry touched Obi-Wan's semblance of calm. "I've kept my
shields up, hoping to surprise him. I should have realized that
Daniel has no shields. Our prior bond must make Daniel
vulnerable to Qui-Gon. But why the symbiont would want me - I
have no answer."
"Can he tell that the rest of us are here?" Sam asked.
"Jedi normally don't have the ability to register life forms
from a distance. Qui-Gon can only sense me when my shields are
down because of our bond through the Force. But now that he's
touched Daniel's mind, he'll guess the rest of you are
present."
Jack blew a frustrated breath. This mission began foolhardy and
was quickly going from bad to disastrous as they rushed
headlong into danger. "And he'll know you're here because how
else could we get here?" No one answered the rhetorical
question. "Do we have any plan other than finding him and
overpowering him?" As the Jedi shook his head in hopeless
response, Jack continued, "you might as well lower your shields
and point us in the right direction then. Unless Daniel can be
our human compass?"
Daniel also signaled no with a shake of his head. "I can feel
him. I can't pinpoint a location."
Directing his attention internally to the life-bond which
linked himself to his Master, Obi-Wan stared sightlessly at the
surrounding greenery. "He's at the temple. The symbiont is in
control but Qui-Gon is fighting him. That may give us an
advantage."
"To the temple it is then. Stay alert. Remember our best-case
scenario - we have two allies wandering around this planet.
Worst-case - there are now three Jedi Goa'uld. I'm hoping for
best-case scenario myself. But I'll settle for five against
one." With that optimistic proclamation, Jack headed in the
direction Obi-Wan indicated.
Jack forgot to mention that any scenario might deteriorate into
a debacle which would have been embarrassing under less dire
circumstances.
The Goa'uld was easily found, not hiding his presence. SGC
lobbed tear gas, though as Obi-Wan predicted, Qui-Gon held his
breath through the fumes.
Separating, each entered the temple through different doorways
breathing through masks to avoid the lingering acrid gas. The
Jedi Goa'uld was calm, alert, and with one wave of his hand,
people flew through the air like toys tossed from a child's
fist. As the greatest threat, Qui-Gon slammed Obi-Wan hardest
into crumbling bricks, rendering him unconscious. SGC-1 opened
fire but the bullets ricocheted away, hitting a swirling energy
field. Obi-Wan had guessed disastrously wrong about the
Goa'uld's ability to control the Force. If anything, rather
than being weaker, the Goa'uld used the Force even more
vigorously than the Jedi Master. Teal'c was assaulted next,
then Jack, and finally Daniel as the Jedi sneered
contemptuously.
Seeing Qui-Gon effortlessly defeat her team, Sam's feet knew
now was the time to restrategize. The Jedi Goa'uld controlled
an immensely powerful Force, and Goa'uld were never hesitant to
use force. She retreated through a half-collapsed temple
doorway, flying across the overgrown grass to gain safe cover
in the forest beyond.
Sam continued running until a stitch hit her side, forcing her
to stop, gasping for breath, her gun cradled in her arms.
Following Jack's final instructions before they stormed the
temple was now more important than her teammates' lives. The
last person had to return to the ships, destroy the engines
enough to prevent take-off, and alert Coruscant. Surely the
Jedi Council would listen to a strange woman from another
dimensional plain telling the same story as Obi-Wan. Maybe the
planet could be quarantined, confining Qui-Gon.
Calling on her military training, Sam slowed her breathing,
calming herself enough to make sure she was heading in the
correct direction. She cursed that they hadn't been pessimistic
enough to set the ships' self-destructs. No one had truly
wanted to believe Qui-Gon might be irretrievable. Shau'ri and
her brother Skarra had fought their Goa'uld symbionts at
different times to covertly assist SGC-1. The team all hoped
Qui-Gon would be more resistant than the Abydons.
The thought that Qui-Gon might escape the planet with the
Master/Padawan rescue team had driven SGC to move too quickly
for logical preparations. Battles 'off the cuff' never went
well in Sam's estimation and this one hadn't diminished that
belief.
When the harsh noise of her own breath settled, Sam heard a
step behind her and turned to see a stranger grinning at her.
She smiled back with relief at the young woman, obviously a
Padawan by her spiky black hair and braid dangling over one
shoulder. At least one of the Master/Padawan team survived.
Another Jedi could help her sabotage the ships and validate her
story, thus improving her chances to force the Council into
action.
Then Sam's abilities as a former host warned her, this Padawan
encased a symbiont. Raising her gun took no more than a second,
but that was a second too long. The Padawan lifted her hand and
Sam's body flew through the air before connecting heavily with
the ground.
Teal'c recovered first, finding himself bound in bands of Force
energy. He rolled and struggled but could not free himself from
the invisible ties. Qui-Gon's lean figure hovered over Daniel,
patiently winding vine strands around his hands. A make-shift
remedy, but Teal'c realized tight plant would be as limiting as
rope, thus allowing the Goa'uld to cease the draining flow of
energy. Obi-Wan's hands and legs were already tied; Jack's
unconscious figure lay too far away for Teal'c to assess.
Sensing his motion, Qui-Gon crossed the temple, to kneel beside
Teal'c. "You are awake," he said in an almost soothing tone,
one hand caressing the Jaffa's cheek. "I am Karvas and your
Master."
"I will serve no Goa'uld."
Karvas did not acknowledge Teal'c's words, but steadily
unbuttoned the Jaffa's shirt, exposing the criss cross cuts in
his abdomen that signaled the presence of a Goa'uld symbiont.
His hands delicately traced the cuts as an expression of
rapturous wonder crossed his face. "There has been so few of us
for so long," he murmured, uncaring of his audience. Leaning
forward, he ran his face over the incisions, licking
delicately. "I shall put you in Obi-Wan." Karvas reflected a
moment, seeming to communicate with the larvae, then shook his
head, still lost in his Goa'uld meld. "No, you are too young. I
must have an adult symbiont for my Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's fight
against Karvas had obsessed the symbiont with possessing the
Jedi apprentice.
Teal'c tried to growl, to force the Master away from him, but
the Force energy bands held him, hands tight to his sides. A
voice whispered in his mind //Distract him. Give Obi-Wan time
to recover... Or Sam to disable the ships.// and Teal'c
realized that the scientist spoke to him. Risking a sharp
glance, he saw that Daniel watched the scene with slitted eyes.
Teal'c didn't dwell on Daniel's telepathic ability, accepting
the logic of his suggestion. Delay was a valid military tactic.
"Are you warrior enough to fight me without your powers?" he
snarled, challenging Karvas.
"I have already fought you and won." Karvas' smile mocked the
Jaffa's feeble dare. "You are completely in my control." Karvas
leaned forward, resting his body on top of Teal'c's, their
faces only inches away. Long brown hair fell loose, touching
the Jaffa's bald head on each side. "You shall obey me." Their
lips met, Karvas' thinner lips forcing open the fuller lips of
the Jaffa's. His tongue invaded, demanding Teal'c to respond.
Teal'c was startled at Karvas' actions. Not entirely at the
sexual desire, since many Goa'ulds fully enjoyed all the human
body's possibilities. In Teal'c's experience, the Goa'ulds
rarely approached their Jaffa warriors, who would have been
overwhelmed at the thought of mating with a god. Besides, the
Goa'uld preferred the rush of dominating slaves. Here, in this
universe, the system lords had never risen to power, his people
were never enslaved if they even existed, and warriors never
treated with a respectful distance. Teal'c was viewed as a
potential slave, a body for Karvas' use until his larvae was
old enough to choose its own host.
The revulsion at the thought of kissing a Goa'uld was
suppressed. Time and distraction were the important factors.
Teal'c concentrated on Qui-Gon rather than Karvas--on the
Jedi's agile tongue seeking his own, the warm heat of his mouth
exciting Teal'c's senses, too long suppressed by his concern
with Earth's confusing sexual attitudes. Strong hands felt the
skin of his head, traced the symbol of Aphophis on his
forehead. The lips left his, the mobile tongue licking his
cheekbones, discovering the sensitive earlobe. Teal'c could
feel his breath increasing, his own arousal reacting to the
delicate touch. He had never been dominated in sex; never known
the thrill of being held down, a toy for his partner's use.
Qui-Gon - it was only Qui-Gon, the Jedi Master's capable hands
exploring the heavy bunched muscles of Teal'c's chest, rubbing
the ebony skin. That tongue again, on his nipples, suckling one
while a blunt thumb rubbed the other. Teal'c tried to move,
discovering that the bands were loosened by the preoccupation
with sex. Rather than breaking away, he grabbed at Qui-Gon,
caressing the strong planes of his back, stroking the small of
the limber back, reaching further down to cup the tense cheeks
through the linen of the Jedi's trousers. His hold was broken
as Qui-Gon moved further down his body, finding the belt
buckle, undoing the zip, exposing Teal'c's erection to vision
and touch.
Qui-Gon savored the feel of Teal'c's powerful hardness, the
curling hair surrounding the groin, caressing the heavy
testicles. Thrusting into the Jedi's hand, Teal'c groaned
harshly as Qui-Gon stroked his erection.
With one hand at the base of Teal'c's cock, Qui-Gon tasted the
tip, sucking lightly, teasing the plush head with his tongue.
Opening his mouth wider, he swallowed as much of the length as
he could, engulfing the shaft, his tongue rolling, creating wet
paths of desire that spread throughout Teal'c's body. The Jaffa
groaned, delighted by the wondrous feeling, a sensation too
long denied. He thrust into that warm, seeking mouth. Qui-Gon's
strong hands flexed on his firm thighs.
Sensing that Teal'c was too close, Qui-Gon pulled back,
dragging his lips and tongue off in one final, lingering
caress. Teal'c could feel the sweat gather on his forehead as
Qui-Gon slithered back up his body, loosening his own trousers,
erection meeting erection. Heated bodies bumped together, hips
bucking and jerking as each was driven with overwhelming
hunger, lips and tongues frantically devouring. The orgasm
shredded Teal'c's sanity first, as he held tightly to the Jedi,
howling in his excitement, his low voice blending with
Qui-Gon's harsh cry as he quickly erupted.
In that split second, as Qui-Gon lay shuddering in Teal'c's
arms, sides heaving as he gasped for breath, Obi-Wan struck.
Not with the strength of his arm, but with the power of his
mind. As Daniel hoped, Obi-Wan had remained quiet after
regaining consciousness, dampening his thoughts, swallowing the
unworthy shimmer of jealousy that rose at the vision of Teal'c
with Qui-Gon. While the Jedi believed in the sanctity of love,
possessiveness of the physical form did not command them.
Obi-Wan smashed through the Goa'uld's mind and through
Qui-Gon's own shields, yanking at Qui-Gon's soul and mental
energy. Fortifying that spirit with the essence of his own
midi-chlorians, he bound the two of them together, cocooning
Qui-Gon with the power of his passion and the uniting love of
their life-bond. He pulled Qui-Gon to the forefront of his own
mind, shoving the Karvas personality screeching defiantly into
the dark recesses of the brain.
Teal'c saw the glow of the Goa'uld's presence fade from
Qui-Gon's eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"At the moment, but Karvas is fighting back." The Jedi
disengaged himself from Teal'c, both men rising and
straightening their clothes. Qui-Gon took a moment to place his
hands on the Jaffa's shoulders as Teal'c rebuttoned his jacket.
"Thank you. You may have just saved my life." Qui-Gon hurried
to Obi-Wan, releasing him from the cords as Teal'c did the same
for Daniel.
All four men froze as Jack recovered, grabbed his gun, rolling
into firing position on the ground before his action could be
expected and countered. "Qui-Gon freeze!" Jack yelled as he
pointed his gun at the Jedi Master, expecting Daniel, Teal'c
and Obi-Wan to drop to the floor and leave a clear line of
sight. Jack was willing to risk shooting Qui-Gon to protect his
friends, depending on the symbiont's strength to keep the
Jedi's body alive. He was shocked when the three formed a loose
circle around Qui-Gon.
"Jack, it's okay!" Daniel yelled back, fluttering his hands in
a 'Stop!' gesture. "Obi-Wan is helping Qui-Gon control the
Goa'uld."
"Oh. Everything's hunky dory now?" The Colonel rose from the
ground, keeping his gun pointed at the four, uncertain whether
to trust them. The Goa'uld were born manipulators, but it
seemed unlikely another three had entered the Temple and taken
over his friends while he was knocked out. "Don't tell me I
missed the main event while unconscious?"
Teal'c abridged his report. "I do not think 'hunky dory' is an
appropriate assessment. It would be more accurate to say that
the situation is currently stabilized."
"Thanks for the correction." He was tempted to ask why Teal'c
and Qui-Gon were so disheveled and stained, but stopped
himself. Someone would explain later if they thought he needed
to know. Jack had the military instinct not to ask a question
when discretion seemed prudent. "So, we can leave?"
"I think we should." Qui-Gon's tone was pained and the look of
concentration on his face agonized. Karvas continued struggling
for dominance, having lived too many years without a human host
to willingly relinquish this victim.
"Carter?" Jack looked around as if expecting the blond Major to
suddenly emerge from a cloaking field. No luck. "She must be
headed to the ships. Let's hope she hasn't managed to disable
both."
Qui-Gon chimed in, "Padawan Zly has a Gao'uld inside her. Sam
isn't aware of her danger. The Padawan's symbiont wants off
this planet as much as mine does. We'd better get to Sam before
Zly does."
They staggered to Obi-Wan's ship, no longer alert, dedicated
warriors, but a stumbling mess of exhausted men: four physical
battered, the fifth fighting for possession of his soul. The
Jedi kept both hands tightly clasped, as if the physical
connection helped withstand Karvas' mental assault. One of
Daniel's hands rested on each Jedi's back, lending support.
Jack led to scan for trouble and thus first saw the other ship
missing. Carter sat on the ground by the destroyed dial-home
device, apparently dazed and confused.
Jack rushed forward, "Carter, you okay?" He squatted to examine
her face, gentling his voice in response to Sam's lost
expression.
"I don't know sir - I don't know."
"Stand up." The command was softly given, as he helped her rise
to her feet. Physically, she seemed unharmed. "Were both of the
Jedi on the other ship when it left?"
Slight comprehension began to register in her eyes. "I saw a
Jedi .... I saw .... I don't know sir."
Jack sighed with annoyance. "At least one of them must have
escaped. We'll deal with that later. C'mon gang, let's get out
of here. Teal'c, you'll have to pilot. I don't think Obi-Wan
and Daniel can separate from Qui-Gon." The Jaffa stoically
accepted the responsibility and the six reeled up the ramp.
Once aboard, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon fell onto the bench flanking
the table. They leaned into each other. Neither spoke. Their
faces shouted of Qui-Gon's internal battle. Daniel slid onto
the bench next to Qui-Gon, who broke his hands free from
Obi-Wan's to hug both men close. It could have made a beautiful
tableau; the older Jedi with the two younger men cradled in his
arms, heads leaning against his shoulders, the ends of his
silver brown hair falling over their dark brown and tawny blond
locks. The cream of Jedi tunics contrasting with the blue of
Daniel's uniform. The scientist's glasses slightly fogged by
the change in temperature from the coolness of the planet to
the interior of the ship. Three men, all very handsome in
different ways, holding each other with care and compassion.
The sweat and strain disfiguring their faces from the ferocious
inner conflict ruined the image.
Teal'c passed them en route to the control room to start the
ship's engines. As Jack and Sam watched the motionless men the
Colonel asked, "Major, do you think you can contact Coruscant?
Let them know we're coming and Qui-Gon's condition? I think
Daniel's back in the bond."
"Yes, sir. I'm sure Teal'c and I can figure out the
communicator. May I ask what you're going to do?"
Shucking off his submachine gun and flack jacket, Jack sat down
across from the trio. To the major's chill shock, O'Neill
placed his service revolver on the table. "I'm going to put a
bullet in Qui-Gon's symbiont if they start losing this war." He
never sounded deadlier.
"Sir, maybe I should - "
He cut off her suggestion. "No, Major. If anything happens to
Qui-Gon, it will be on my head. Just make sure Coruscant is
ready for us."
"Yes, sir." Carter accepted the dismissal and left to handle
her assignment.
In their hundreds of missions, the members of the SGC-1 had
deciphered a significant number of alien technologies. Teal'c
mastered the ship with stunning flare, guiding it deftly off
planet and soaring through space. Sam struggled momentarily
with the communicator, but it was reasonably simple, designed
for use by humans or humanoids. By the cream tunic worn by the
blue-skinned person who answered her mayday, Sam was positive
she'd reached the Jedi Temple on her first attempt.
Unfortunately, no one factored on Obi-Wan, Daniel and Qui-Gon
all being semi-comatose when she needed an interpreter and she
didn't know Republican Basic. So even though she knew it didn't
make logical sense, Sam did what most Americans tend to do when
speaking to someone using a foreign language - talk louder and
clearer.
"My name is Major Samantha Carter of Stargate Command, SGC-1.
We have Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on board. Qui-Gon is
possessed by a Goa'uld. We are in need of immediate medical
assistance." She emphasized the Jedi's names, speaking them
even louder and clearer.
The blue-skinned individual listened to her repetitions several
times, before walking away from the communication signal. Not
good, but not bad, in her opinion. At least he hadn't closed
the channel, deciding she was a lunatic. She and Teal'c
exchanged a glance, but he only raised an expressive eyebrow
and resumed checking instruments on the pilot's console.
Looking back to the communication screen, a small green being
appeared sitting in a chair. "Master Yoda, am I. Assistance,
need you?"
Yes, English! Incredibly bad syntax, but understandable. Sam
stopped herself from an exuberant victory cheer. "My name is
Major Samantha Carter of Stargate Command, SGC-1. We have
Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on board. Qui-Gon is possessed
by a Goa'uld. We are in need of immediate medical assistance."
The green gnome took the news without overt response. "Fly to
Coruscant, can you?"
"Yes, we are on our way. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Daniel Jackson
are bonded together. They are controlling the symbiont."
"Then correct, Obi-Wan was." The green ears lowered straight
down on each side, seeming to signify sadness. "Misjudged him,
we did. Bring my Padawan to us, you will. Save him, we must
try."
Your Padawan? Carter tried to imagine a young Qui-Gon, standing
respectfully behind this green imp, hands clasped in the folds
of his sleeves, as Obi-Wan stood deferentially behind Qui-Gon.
Maybe when Qui-Gon was young, but once he started growing, his
lanky body reaching full height ... Her mind rejected that
image even as Yoda's ears perked up and a hint of smile crept
into the corners of his mouth. "We're on our way," Carter
promised.
Carter checked on the four men several times during the voyage,
but the tableau rarely changed. Jack occasionally stretched and
she persuaded him to eat a little, but otherwise the three
remained trapped in the mental nightmare, while the Colonel
stayed devoted to his protective duty. Now, as they arrived at
Coruscant, Sam was secretly relieved she had never bonded with
Obi-Wan and Jack had refused her offer of assisting guard.
Leaning over Teal'c to stare out the navigation window, she
gaped at the astonishing sight. Daniel's report had
concentrated on facts, omitting many physical descriptions.
Even if he tried, words couldn't replicate some realities. The
entire world was a never-ending city. From horizon to horizon,
pole to pole, graceful skyscrapers rose, so tall that their
beginning was lost in the distance. The sight was breathtaking.
Atmospheric spaceships of many varieties sailed in long streams
of traffic. People were too small to distinguish against the
majesty of the buildings, but Sam knew a stunning blend of
unusual races would be represented in the swarming crowds.
Teal'c skillfully landed the ship atop a floating platform.
//Anti-gravitation?// Sam marveled. Looking out, she could see
several waiting figures, two tall, one short, all wearing Jedi
robes. Teal'c powered down the ship and the two left the
cockpit. Daniel, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and Jack were already
descending the ramp as they followed.
Little was said. Everyone knew the dire nature of Qui-Gon's
predicament. One of the taller Jedi stepped forward, hands
squeezing Qui-Gon's upper arms. "Come, Qui-Gon, let us help
you." Qui-Gon leaned into the healer's strength, before walking
off with him, Obi-Wan and Daniel robotically attending.
"We'll be waiting!" Jack called after them in his overly cheery
tone. "So - I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill. And you guys are?"
The dark-skinned bald Jedi introduced himself. "I am Mace
Windu. The Jedi wish to thank you for rescuing Qui-Gon."
"Well, you know, we coulda avoided all this if you guys had
just listened to Obi-Wan." Jack believed in respect for the
chain of command, but not to the point of stupidity. For the
Jedi Council not to trust the only Goa'uld expert in their
entire universe was fairly senseless in his opinion.
Master Windu's lips tightened, his only sign of displeasure at
the Colonel's bluntness, but he accepted the reprimand with
grace.
"Thank you for my Padawan, I do." Jack, Sam and Teal'c looked
down at the short figure, Sam recognizing Qui-Gon's Master. The
tall Jaffa noted the green gnome at his feet barely reached his
thighs.
Sensing Teal'c's reaction, the gnome craned his head back to
see his ebony face. "Surprised, are you?" he inquired.
"I had not realized a Jedi Master could be so short," Teal'c
responded calmly. All of a sudden, he felt his feet lift off
the ground. An invisible hand pushed him back and he landed
softly on his back on the ground. Yoda hobbled to stand by
Teal'c's head and glanced down.
"Shorter than me, you are now." At least Yoda's demonstration
of the Force was considerably kinder than Karvas'. Though,
Teal'c mused, unlikely to end so pleasantly with wild sex.
"Yoda," Mace said patiently, "we have more urgent concerns."
Yoda laid back his ears at the muted scold and freed Teal'c.
"Concerns, yes, but urgent for us, no. Wait for Chu'ron to say
what he can do, we must. Come," the Master said, gesturing for
Jack, Sam and Teal'c to follow him. "Clean clothes, food and
sleep you want."
Too weary to argue, the three members of SGC-1 accompanied Yoda
into the Jedi Temple.
Jack, Sam, and Teal'c showered, changed into clean clothes,
ate, then napped before being summoned. Chu'ron wished their
participation in a healing ceremony. The Jedi declined to
explain the ritual, stating that preconceptions might ruin the
flow of energy. The four members of SGC-1, Obi-Wan, and Chu'ron
spaced themselves around Qui-Gon's prone form. Most sat
cross-legged, though Daniel curled one leg into his chest,
resting his chin on his knee. Obi-Wan cradled Qui-Gon's head in
his lap, their hands locked once more in a deathgrip, eyes
focused only on each other, as Qui-Gon fought off Karvas'
increasingly manic mind attacks.
The Master/Padawan's hands clasped so long so tightly,
Obi-Wan's fingers were becoming bloodlessly pale without
circulation. He thought of another time....
His hands were clenched then, but for more satisfying reasons.
Those few exciting weeks after the formation of the life-bond.
Missions and duties and responsibilities existed during the
day. At night, life revolved only around Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
New lovers, exploring each other's bodies with passionate
intensity. Years of suppressed fantasies could now be
fulfilled. Laying on his stomach, on Qui-Gon's big bed, now
their big bed, his Master massaging his shoulders, working each
muscle, digging into the tenseness from a tiring day of
training. Obi-Wan's hands clenching the pillow as the touch
became more exciting, less medicinal, when his tight buttocks
were kneaded. His hips thrust automatically into the bed
responding to those inquisitive fingers, trying to restrain
himself from panting, wanting to stretch out the pleasure. The
sensitive finger tips traced the crevice between his cheeks,
one digit sliding inside the opening, easing the way....
Chu'ron captured Obi-Wan's passion, the drive of the Padawan's
love, building mental energy to physically imprison the Goa'uld
symbiont within Qui-Gon's body.
Even laying on the ground, a fine sheen of sweat on his
forehead, Qui-Gon radiated a regal dignity that Sam found
magnetic. Thrown into this unknowable ritual, she could only
sit beside Qui-Gon's hip and nervously stare at the floor.
Her eyes flicked to his long thigh. For a moment, she wondered
what would have happened if she had pressed the issue back at
the SGC Command, if she'd just jumped his bones after Obi-Wan
suggested she should. Would Qui-Gon have protested? Jumped
those long, sturdy bones....
And she remembered Dave. Dave of the dark hair and blue eyes,
bluer than Qui-Gon's. His mocking smile and the way he'd pushed
her constantly. Teased her, taunted her, demanded her best,
never revealing if her best was satisfactory.
She broke one night when they worked late on her fighting
skills, alone in the gym. Tripping him, landing on him, kissing
him, her hands sliding under the Air Force sweatshirt to caress
his furry chest, crisp hair tickling her palms.
Half of her petrified at her own actions - she was ravishing a
superior officer. Half of her no longer cared. She needed this,
needed to have this, lived too long within the prescribed
military rules. When his nimble fingers released the clasp of
her bra and began kneading her breasts, she broke the desperate
kiss. He smiled. "Finally," he murmured, "a little initiative.
I may make an officer of you yet."
Adding Sam's energy, drawing intensity from her memory, Chu'ron
began twisting the symbiont, cutting off the blood within its
system.
Jack's eyes met Daniel's as they sat on opposite sides of
Qui-Gon. And then they were walking in the forest after a
mission. Despite success, despite returning safely, Jack nearly
lost Daniel that day. Jack was clobbered with the realization
of losing him. He'd restrained his fear during the mission,
during debriefing, while in the SGC Command Center. Now,
pushing him against a tree, he locked their lips together,
kissing wildly, as if the taste of Daniel could erase the fear.
He had never been so afraid for a compatriot, but he'd never
fought alongside a lover. His lips dropped to the pulse in the
scientist's neck, wanting the reassurance of the strong heart
beat. Daniel's hands pressed against Jack's shoulders as he
muttered, "Jesus, Jack, do NOT give me a hickey."
Reason penetrated Jack's driving need. The Colonel kneeled
before the younger man, unzipped his pants and freed Daniel's
cock. Using one long finger, O'Neill traced the vein on its
sensitive underside. Daniel was alive and wholly his. Licking
at the tip, tasting the sharp flavor, his tongue circling the
soft head, hearing an ecstatic moan as the length in his mouth
increasingly stiffened....
Snaring the power of Jack and Daniel's shared vision, Chu'ron
began squeezing the life from every cell of Karvas' body.
Teal'c realized something unusual was occurring, as Sam slumped
to the floor, breath slowing. Daniel's hands squeezed himself
by the legs. Jack panted. Obi-Wan leaned down, awkwardly
bending his back, to kiss Qui-Gon on the forehead. Kisses could
be so uncomfortable when loving someone the first time.
Adjusting to the feel of another body, the taste of another's
mouth...
Nas'n was so handsome, so strong. A dedicated warrior, like
Teal'c, honored to be in service of the Gods. No matter how
many sessions they trained together, Teal'c always fought a
second battle for internal concentration, to avoid losing
himself in the fascination of watching powerful muscles
rippling under ebony skin. That first time no words were
spoken. Their eyes admitted the attraction that could no longer
be denied or ignored. Dropping weapons, stepping together, lips
meeting with voracious hunger, hands ripping without care at
the metal links of their uniforms. Teal'c wanted to taste all
of that warm mouth, licking tongue and teeth with frantic
haste. He felt supple fingers burrowing into his clothes,
stroking him, as his own hand found Nas'n. Sinking to their
knees....
Chu'ron tapped Teal'c's power, crushing Karvas. The symbiont
raged, but the healer's mental energy, supplemented by Obi-Wan
and SGC-1, held him easily.
Obi-Wan moaned in response to those clever fingers, looking
back at his lover, as he felt the hardness slide into his body.
Qui-Gon holding his hips as he thrust slowly, Obi-Wan's body
adjusting to his size, eyes speaking their adoration.....
Dave felt so good inside her, so solid, as she rode him,
rocking and crying. Then it wasn't Dave, but Qui-Gon staring up
at her, his blue eyes so similar and it didn't matter who, as
long as she could be lost forever within this feeling....
The throbbing in Jack's mouth signaled imminent release as he
sucked harder, wanting to drive his love insane. He looked up,
waiting to see that beloved face, but it wasn't Daniel, it was
Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon's hands in his hair, Qui-Gon's face contorted
with pleasure....
Teal'c and Nas'n were pumping each other, the desperate need to
achieve satisfaction overriding any other thought. A little
rough, a little careless in their intense need. Then it was
Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon's hand on his cock. Qui-Gon's lips on his
own...
Daniel knew he couldn't wait any longer. His balls were
tightening, preparing to release, he had to plunge as deeply as
he could into that engulfing mouth. But it wasn't Jack's, it
was Qui-Gon eagerly licking, swallowing his come ....
Thoughts and memories blended together in one long
kaleidoscopic vision of erotic power, all directed toward the
Jedi Master. Every dream centered on Qui-Gon, his tall form,
handsome face, long hair, hard muscles. Lips kissed his, sucked
at his nipples, rising them to taut peaks. Tongues licked at
his tongue, made wet paths on his golden skin. White teeth took
delicate bites as five sets of hands visualized stroking his
body and tangling in the strands of his hair. Sexuality
released, devouring their minds in a torrential outpouring of
emotion and frenzied need. Writhing on the hard floor,
unconscious of their actions, immersed in the rush of sensation
from their imaginations reaching throughout every erogenous
zone in their bodies, they flared in a cascade of overwhelming
strength.
To those adept in the Force, power strobed pulsar-like in the
healing room. Qui-Gon was a brilliant quasar. He would have
blinded the humans were they not part of the starshine
themselves.
With one last sharp attack of mental energy, Chu'ron strangled
Karvas, every cell in the symbiont's body collapsing into
singularity. The Goa'uld ceased being, freeing Qui-Gon from
captivity.
Jack woke to the sound of crying. Shifting on the hard floor,
he listened to the sobs. Happy tears, he decided. Tears of
relief. Opening one eye, he looked at the high arched ceiling.
Focusing hurt. He shut his eye, resting his brain, hearing the
gentle murmur of two male voices intermingling, "Obi-Wan,
Master, Padawan, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan..." Tried to open his eyes
again, rolling his head toward the noise. Their hand clasp
released, each man's fingers stroked the other's face in
wondering exploration. Happy ending. Good. He shut his eyes
again. He didn't want to watch. That is, it hurt to watch -
because it hurt. He decided to sleep on it.
Suddenly he felt his body lifted, held against another's chest.
A cup tilted against his lips. He drank refreshing water,
knowing he was both exhausted and dehydrated. His military
experience prepared him for mind-wrenching bodily fatigue but
that never made it easier. He was wrung out and left to dry.
When the Jedi visited Earth, they played ping-pong, saw a
movie, had sex ... but no! Here in the Jedi universe, they
fought nasty Goa'ulds. They were challenged, tried not to kill
friends, and mentally drained.
Jedi hospitality sucked.
He risked another peek. A Jedi with green skin and a long neck
was holding him. His neck was amazingly flexible, curving in a
half circle so that the alien could look Jack in the face. That
sight made the pain even worse. The contortion reminded O'Neill
of the morning after his bachelor party. As if sensing his
discomfort, the Jedi's head straightened back up to a point two
feet over the Colonel's head. Definite improvement.
Daniel whimpered from the other side Qui-Gon's body. "I think
I'm glad we can take Shau'ri and Skaara to Thor's Hammer." His
teammates grunted agreement with the inference. Jedi Healers or
Masters sat beside each member of SGC-1, helping them recover.
Even the placid Chu'ron appeared mildly ruffled by the
experience. "If for any reason the Hammer does not work, I will
gladly provide assistance." He swallowed, as if regretting the
offer. "It was difficult to know how the mental energy would
flow. Obi-Wan's feelings for his Master became the dominant
impetus in the mind link. With another person, another person's
controlling emotions....Shau'ri is your wife? And Skaara a
young male?"
Daniel could guess correctly where Chu'ron's questions were
leading. "Yes."
"Then your emotions would likely control for Shau'ri and for a
young male," Chu'ron shrugged, permitting the obvious
conclusion to be drawn. Apparently, young men were the same in
both universes. "The experience would likely be similar."
Daniel whimpered again, remaining curled in a small ball.
"We'll try the Asgard first, thanks."
Jack was acutely aware that he'd come in his pants, though he
was too tired to be embarrassed. He wasn't even going to think
about repeating this experience with Daniel's wife or her
younger brother. The Asgard were cool little gray aliens -
totally calm and gentle. They could handle any future
symbiont-host extractions.
Carter was cradled by one of the women Jedi, an almost
Arabic-looking woman with black hair tied in two braids. "When
it started, it was a real experience from my life, but then...
- Did everyone focus on Qui-Gon?"
"Major, we are not discussing this. Ever. Never. Not between
us, not with anyone else." Jack's command was less firm than he
hoped, given the cotton filling his mouth.
The Jaffa disagreed, though politely. "Colonel, I think it
would be wise if we discussed what has occurred." Jack glared
at him, noting at least he wasn't the only one with a wet stain
drying on his pants.
The healer supported Teal'c. "Discussion can be very important,
Colonel. It was Qui-Gon's report about what happened during his
second visit to Earth that directed me how to kill the
symbiont. The mental energy of your species during sexual
release is quite astonishing."
"What happened on Earth?" Sam asked quizzically. Qui-Gon hadn't
been present at the motel, but he had been in mental touch with
Obi-Wan. Did that mean...? Her thoughts were broken by Jack's
yelp.
"And we are definitely not discussing that!"
Despite her fatigue, Sam glowered at Jack. Trust the man who
could be so outspoken and blunt to become reticent about the
most interesting events.
"My friends, forgive me." Qui-Gon was sitting up, Obi-Wan's
strong arms supporting him. "Forgive me."
"Hey, any time," Daniel mumbled flippantly through tired lips.
"You do not realize. The symbionts knew of your universe from
my memories. They lost control here a long time ago and were
almost completely destroyed. They cannot regain power. The Jedi
are too strong. I withheld as much information as I could, but
Karvas extracted Earth's coordinates. It was obvious to him
Obi-Wan would seek your help. It was a trap. I fear your signal
device has been stolen." Qui-Gon modulated his voice to
softness as he confessed.
"Carter?" Jack asked. Sam supervised the packing of the
equipment. The device was critical to their trip home. Without
an acceptable signal, Hammond would close the iris over the
Earth Stargate and any incoming travellers would be killed,
smashed against the titanium plating as they tried to
reintegrate dimensionally.
"I don't know sir. I never looked after we left Taberus. It
could have been taken." Sam was as controlled as years of
disciplined training required, sweat shining on her face and
plastering her blond hair to her forehead.
//Shit!// Jack thought. Then articulated it. "Shit! Which one
escaped? Or both? What's Earth facing?"
"Only the Padawan, Zly. She killed her Master," Qui-Gon
confessed with despair.
"So how do we get home? We have to help Earth. If the Padawan
Goa'uld is in charge, she won't allow us through with the
signal we gave to the Jedi. She may not let any of the SGC
teams return." Sam dared the question everyone dreaded
expressing and the worst scenario imaginable.
Since the device was gone, stolen by the Padawan, the Jedi
Council instantly dispatched a team to Kalistan while SGC-1
recovered. No one believed they would arrive before the Padawan
fled to an unsuspecting Earth. Too much time had elapsed while
SGC-1 rescued Qui-Gon, traveled to Coruscant, and killed the
symbiont.
Showered and dressed in clean clothes, the quartet and Obi-Wan
gathered around one of the dining tables at the Academy.
Chu'ron continued examining Qui-Gon to ensure every trace of
the symbiont was eradicated.
Daniel shared Sam's anxiety but tried to be optimistic.
"Hopefully, she'll only scan the database for coordinates and
immediately travel to a Goa'uld planet, leaving Earth alone.
She may be as powerful as Karvas with Jedi powers, but
controlling the entire base for any length of time would be
difficult."
Teal'c offered the most feasible alternative. "Even if the
General is in charge, he may reject any future signal from the
Jedi. He will have recognized her uniform. I recommend
travelling from Kalistan to another planet in our universe,
connecting up with another SGC team and using their signal
device."
Sam shook her head in frustration. "But that assumes that she
did leave. If she didn't, we'd only be wasting time. Besides,
after being attacked by the Padawan, the General may not trust
us if we come through with another team. The Goa'ulds have
fought among themselves in the past. Just because we're not
with her doesn't mean we're still good guys."
The discussion washed over Jack as he mulled the issues and
ate. Jedi food tasted great but too obviously healthy for his
appetite. Valid points were being made but the Colonel was too
impatient to wait. Daniel would know exactly what teams were on
which planets and be able to recite their coordinates, but even
he couldn't predict how far any particular team had wandered
from the gate. Jack needed reassurance Earth was okay without
bouncing around the universe seeking comrades. "I think we
should send a signal device through with a message that will
attract Hammond's attention. Something un-Goa'uld. See if he'll
send at least a mobile unit to Kalistan to check."
Sam could tell that the Colonel had a definite idea. "What
sir?"
"Big band. Hammond loves that music. He's got a CD system
hidden in the credenza in his office," Jack revealed their
superior's secret. "Listens when he works late."
The Jaffa accurately critiqued the scheme. "This attempt will
only be successful if the Padawan did leave the base and if the
General believes a Goa'uld would not think of large band
music."
"Hammond and I had a chat once," Jack said, noting to explain
big band music upon safe Earth return. "The Goa'uld may control
humans, but they generally act like arrogant Goa'uld. I think
it's worth the trip to Kalistan and tossing a recording through
to see if Hammond will remember that conversation. And if the
Padawan's in control and doesn't respond, we'll link up with
another SGC team and try to contact the Asgard for help."
"I hate to be pessimistic, sir, but it also depends on whether
Hammond trusts that you haven't been possessed by a Goa'uld.
They can suppress their arrogance to be deceptive."
Jack shrugged to Sam's comment. The biggest bonus and problem
with intelligent team members was their ability to analyze
strategic pitfalls. "Obi, how about it? Can you record some big
band from Daniel's memories onto a signal device? Fairly
quickly so we can get going?" Obi-Wan looked blankly at Jack,
then blankly at Daniel. "Oh chrissake, don't tell me Daniel's
never heard big band."
Daniel and Obi-Wan stared at each other, searching memories for
endless seconds before Obi-Wan whistled a brief refrain.
"Little Brown Jug," the Colonel gleefully identified the tune.
"Glenn Miller. That works. One of Hammond's favorites."
Obi-Wan rose to this feet. "I will talk to Je'tik, one of our
best musicians, and have him record the tune. It will be done
by the time Qui-Gon is released from the healers."
"We'll wait," Jack replied flippantly. His words belied his
inner anxiety, cursing at the damage the Padawan might have
done to his friends and comrades. Even if Zly went to another
planet, a Goa'uld was likely to create havoc first.
"Obi-Wan - just a minute." The Jedi sat back down again in
response to Sam's request. "I grabbed these while I was
checking on the signal device." Handing him an envelope, she
said, "We had them prepared in case we ever got to visit you."
Opening the flap, Obi-Wan smiled at the first depthless
two-dimensional image. It showed him standing with Hazel in
front of the grocery store. He flipped through, smiling more.
He and Jack in front of the movie theater. He and Daniel, ready
to eat steaks. Himself, lounging on the fence in his black
leather outfit. He and Qui-Gon leaning against the motorcycles
at the end of the trip. A final shot of SGC-1, Hammond, Frasier
and the two Jedi by the Earth Stargate. Hammond had blustered,
but allowed himself to be persuaded to pose with the group.
Janet gleefully cited her lack of height and positioned herself
at the front, with Qui-Gon's hands resting on her shoulders.
"Thank you. I shall appreciate having these souvenirs after we
deliver you back to Earth," he promised. "Come." He smiled as
he rose, gesturing them to accompany him. Jack fidgeted
impatiently to get going, but Obi-Wan sensed Daniel's eagerness
to see the Academy. "Let me take you on a tour on the way to
Je'tik. You should see our home before you leave."
Daniel was so ecstatic, his unrestrained ebullience was almost
embarrassing in the hallowed halls of the Jedi Academy. "Jedi
High," as Jack referred to it. They toured the buildings where
Obi-Wan had spent virtually his whole life. Daniel's faded
share-bond memories flooded back anew in a dazzling explosion
of sights and sounds. Jack was more right than he joked. For
Daniel this was a high school reunion, where forgotten friends
and barely remembered places and events come sharply back into
focus. The scientist gushed enthusiasm, co-opting the Jedi's
role as tour guide, gleefully identifying locations, recounting
stories of Obi-Wan's life. They walked through the teaching
rooms, Daniel fondly reminiscing about past teachers and
difficult lessons. In the young student dormitories, Daniel
described childhood games, shuddering as he recalled his fear
of never being chosen as a Padawan. In the gardens, he proudly
showed plants, "I hybridized. I mean Obi-Wan developed." At the
Center for Music and Cultural Expression Daniel confessed his
absolute inability to sing or dance. Or was it Obi-Wan's
inability? None of the other members of SGC-1 were sure as his
use of the terms "I" and "Obi-Wan" merged. Obi-Wan smiled,
letting the words flood from Daniel's mouth, instinctively
understanding the scientist's need to connect with this place
where he lived all his life and yet never visited.
The meeting with Je'tik was terse. He touched the heads of
Obi-Wan and Daniel briefly, heard the music in their minds,
pronounced it full of satisfying vigor and passion, then
promised to deliver a functioning signal device within the
hour.
Teal'c questioned his Jedi friend as the group left the
musician. "I am surprised, Obi-Wan. I did not realize Jedi
created art."
"Much of a Jedi's life orbits around helping other cultures
resolve their differences. Appreciating a people's art and
music can be one of the most effective ways to comprehend their
concerns or way of life. It's only logical that art, music,
drama are honored and studied by us. Though... -"
Everyone paused as Obi-Wan's words faltered. Daniel picked up
his train of thought. "Jedi music itself generally tries to
replicate the divine feeling of being intimately in touch with
the Force."
Colonel O'Neill could guess what that meant. "Ya can't dance to
it. Not much of a beat, huh?"
"It's not rock n roll," Obi-Wan agreed, a quirky smile on his
mouth.
"Bant!" Daniel yelled, as one of Obi-Wan's oldest and dearest
friends rounded the corner and began walking down the hallway
toward them. He rushed to greet her.
Pulling his hat off and scratching his head, Jack asked,
"Major, please tell me Daniel isn't hugging a big fish. A
surprised big fish in Jedi uniform."
"I think she's a Calamarian, sir. They were mentioned in
Daniel's report. Maybe you should read it, sir."
"Major, would you dare to imply that I didn't read every word
of that tome Daniel produced? Hi-ya," he smiled at Bant as
Daniel introduced her to everyone. Bant accepted the hasty
greetings with aplomb, instantly connecting this unusual
stranger with Obi-Wan's tales of Earth. She was genuinely
pleased to meet his Terran friends.
At the training grounds, they stopped momentarily to watch the
day's sparring sessions. The older students, the 11 and 12 year
olds, hoping to be chosen soon as Padawans, practiced with
sabers at reduced strength. They demonstrated astonishing
skill, even at their young age. Many possessed Obi-Wan's
gymnastic ability, adding leaps and backwards flips into the
matches. Obi-Wan tensed as large hands settled on his
shoulders, then relaxed as he recognized the sure touch of his
Master. Turning on the bench, his eyes fastened onto Qui-Gon's
smiling visage before their lips and arms held each other fast.
SGC-1 averted their gazes toward the match until Jack wondered
when the happy reunion would end. "Hey come on! Enough
necking."
"I apologize." Qui-Gon hugged Obi-Wan to him, his words
directed to SGC-1 but his eyes caressing the fair head resting
on his chest. "Chu'ron has released me. Our ship and signal
device are prepared. We should leave immediately."
"Yeah," Jack agreed. "Let's get out of here and find out what's
happened back home."
Confirming their fear didn't take long. The Jedi team failed to
stop the Padawan Goa'uld, succeeding only in finding her
deserted ship. They waited on Kalistan for the others to
arrive, ready to travel through to Earth if necessary. Standing
with SGC-1, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, all watched as Daniel dialed
home. The wormhole formed and Jack tossed through the signal
device. Surprisingly, the wait was short. Within five minutes,
a wormhole formed. Jedi hands held lightsabers tightly; SGC-1
cradled their guns in their arms.
A mobile video recorder trundled through, slowly panning over
the gathered crowd. Either Hammond was in charge, or the
Padawan was interested in them for some unpleasant reason. Jack
hoped the former as he hunkered on the ground by its
microphone.
"General, we saved Qui-Gon, but another Jedi Goa'uld stole our
signal device. We are not Goa'uld but we know you may not
believe us." He swallowed, not wanting to say the rest. Jack
was deadly serious few times in his life, but this was one of
them and his voice wavered. "We know you may not let us come
home, but we need to know at least if you guys are okay. Send
us a sign." He didn't mention connecting with another SGC team,
not wanting the Padawan to close any doors she may have
overlooked.
"Convince me." Hammond's quiet voice ordered.
The Colonel tottered off balance before rising. Hammond stood
before him, having stepped through the wormhole just before it
dissolved. He wore full battle gear.
He repeated, "Convince me you're not Goa'uld. You've got ten
minutes. If I don't walk over to the recorder and give a
signal, access from this gate stays closed forever. No more
Jedi. No exceptions."
Jack dropped his weapon. He stifled his need to ask what the
Jedi symbiont had done. In his early years in the service, he
often needed to break the tension of interminable waiting. He'd
learned ways to make people laugh or at least smile so they
wouldn't contemplate whether they would still be alive
tomorrow. So he riffed the Three Stooges (Now listen you
numbskull!), merged into Abbot and Costello (Who's on first?
No, who's on second.), added a little Marx Brothers (Madam, if
I was any closer, I'd be behind you), and even dabbled in some
W.C. Fields (Don't mind if I do...Don't mind if I do.),
changing his voice, inflection, and body postures to fit each
comic. He concluded with Durante's warning, "I've got a million
of 'em!" Then appended a Mae West afterthought, "...but I'll
[say] 'em one at a time."
Daniel and Obi-Wan laughed; Sam rolled her eyes; Teal'c and the
other Jedi paternalistically smiled, as if their child
exhibited bizarre behavior that must be tolerated to determine
the root cause.
Hammond raised his AK-47 point blank at O'Neill's chest. Sam
shivered at the sight. "I don't know who you think you are,
mister," the General sighted down his weapon. Speaking
meticulously, "There are some things not even a Goa'uld would
do. Only Jack O'Neill would be crass enough to misquote Mae
West." He lowered the gun in a way that showed neither his
finger was near the trigger nor was the safety released. "But
you do it again, Colonel, and I will have you shot."
"I shall live by those orders, sir." Jack half smirked, leaving
the General with the sense he'd just received another
one-liner.
Sam interjected, "The Padawan, sir?" She gladly returned to
business. All the delays agonized her, feeling personally
responsible for losing their signal device.
"Fortunately, we were only a means to an end, Major. The
Goa'uld scanned our database and as quickly left for Chulak."
Hammond didn't dwell on his own humiliation, waiting at the
ramp as she strolled through, assuming she came with SGC-1. She
took him captive; made him her human shield. With a lightsaber
at his throat, she ransacked the computers and ordered his
subordinates to dial Teal'c's home planet. Everyone complied,
unwilling to risk Hammond's life. She released him at the last
minute before stepping through the Stargate, but Hammond
dreaded her reappearance.
"She wanted to join other Goa'uld and knew Chulak was a favored
gathering planet. She wanted the companionship of her own kind.
...And power." Qui-Gon spoke softly, deeply regretting the
information he provided when his mind and body were beyond his
control. "General, I apologize that this woman is now loose in
your universe. She wouldn't be had your brave team not come to
save my life."
"All I can say, Master Jinn, is this time the Jedi Council damn
well better provide some help. She's one of yours. I expect you
to do something about her."
Obi-Wan focused on the panel's instrumentation, overriding the
navigation computer to calculate the coordinates for Coruscant.
The task was soothing. He liked losing himself in mathematical
equations. Qui-Gon sat serenely at his side, silent until the
glowing stars streaked into strands of white and the Padawan's
ship safely jumped into hyperspace. Checking the sensors, he
could see the other two ships behind, manned by members of the
Jedi team.
"Obi-Wan." Events blurred behind them like the stars. Now their
friends were home and the two Jedi needed to re-establish their
relationship. "Please."
The Padawan understood the request, reciprocating the feeling.
He switched the ship to auto-pilot, sagging back into the
chair. His shields had blocked much of his mind from Karvas to
avoid the maddening taint of the symbiont. Now he dropped all
his defenses and Qui-Gon groaned with an almost orgasmic
ecstasy as the life bond between the two was energized. No
lingering trace of the Goa'uld existed. The connection with SGC
was severed. It was only the two of them, Master and Padawan,
friends and lovers for eternity. Qui-Gon stretched out one
hand, connected with Obi-Wan's seeking hand, brought the
fingers to his lips.
Thoughts, pains, fears, hopes flowed between the two as they
explored each other's souls. Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan's anguish as
he deserted his Goa'uld possessed Master on Taberus and
murmured his response to that pain. "Obi-Wan, you had to flee.
If you hadn't, the Goa'uld that invaded Zly would have
possessed you. We could have gone to Coruscant together,
retrieved our own signal device, traveled to Earth. The Jedi
would never have known. Together - together you and I could
have enslaved the SGC command. Your actions were not shameful.
Forgive me, forgive the Council for not taking enough
precautions. Only by fleeing could you warn the Council and
trap Karvas until you returned. You have incurred no dishonor."
Obi-Wan shared Qui-Gon's agony that a promising Padawan was now
enslaved in his place and another Jedi Master dead. Unless Zly
could be saved, two lives were lost for his own. Though glad to
be alive and with Obi-Wan, the sacrifice was too high. Qui-Gon
expressed his frustration when Karvas schemed with the Padawan
to escape their universe. He regretted attacking Teal'c.
"Master, that wasn't you, that was Karvas. We all understand
the Goa'uld possession. You fought as hard as you could.
Besides, I think Teal'c enjoyed the experience."
Qui-Gon heard that last statement's half-teasing,
half-disgruntled intonation. "My love, does it bother you?" He
didn't search Obi-Wan's mind for the answer, but let the
Padawan examine his own feelings. Qui-Gon conceded, "In their
minds, they have now all made love to me."
"It bothered me, when Daniel kissed you." the youth confided.
"I loved you for so long and he kissed you before I could. I
was jealous-- and fearful. I was afraid his kiss might endanger
our Master/Padawan relationship, that you would realize my
feelings and not share them."
"Love," he touched Obi-Wan's consciousness. "I would have
spoken after your knighting ceremony. Only my concern for your
training held my tongue." The reassuring mind-kiss echoed his
words. "But Teal'c and the rest? No jealousy then?"
Obi-Wan smiled. "Their love saved your life. I can only
appreciate their help. And with our shields down, I know I have
all your heart."
"All my heart and soul, love. I could live without your
physical love. ...If I had to, though I would miss the
gratification of seeing your beauty in the midst of your
pleasure. But this sharing, this joining - I never want to be
separated from your mind again. I must know your thoughts; feel
your reactions. I never dreamed to experience such closeness
with another person."
They lapsed into silence, love pouring through their minds,
appreciating being in the moment with each other as the ship
carried them homeward. Finally, Obi-Wan disturbed the
satisfying bliss. "Master, Daniel said he was able to send a
thought to Teal'c. He didn't understand why. He spoke to me
privately. It frightened him."
"Yes." The word was soft. "Goa'uld are in our universe. The
midi-chlorians must exist in theirs."
"Then Daniel is instinctively using the Force. The bond and his
memories have allowed him to access Jedi abilities."
"I feared it since he experienced your pain when you were
attacked on our last mission. I planned to ask the Council for
permission to return to Earth after we researched the Stargates
and Goa'uld in our own universe. Daniel is a good man, but the
Force can be dangerous without proper training. We have a
responsibility to help him. We also have a responsibility to
Earth, for allowing a Jedi Goa'uld to invade their dimension.
Saving my life may have endangered their planet. I cannot rest
until this debt is repaid."
"Then we will return to Earth to train him? You will ask the
Council for permission now?"
"Obi-Wan - "
"No!" Obi-Wan reacted instantly to Qui-Gon's thought. "No. Not
Daniel."
Qui-Gon gripped Obi-Wan's protesting fist. "Removing his
memories is only one option. If his use is instinctive, an
erasure may not end it."
"Master, I - " Obi-Wan stopped, their life-bond-link showing
him all of Qui-Gon's speculations on Daniel and the potential
of Earth people. He practically gaped at his Master, stunned by
the scope of his plans. "You can't be serious. Daniel would
never be interested."
"That's why he would be the perfect person."
The apprentice shook his head in amazement. "Do you think the
Council will agree?"
"All I will ask the Council is that they grant us time to work
with Daniel and assess his universe while we seek the Padawan.
While Daniel may be strong in the Force, the midi-chlorian
level among Terrans may be weak. The Force will direct us to
the proper course."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan gnawed at the matter in his mind,
examining his knowledge of Daniel's personality and Earth
culture, trying to decide if Qui-Gon's ideas would work.
"Obi-Wan, we can't reveal anything to Daniel."
"No. I realize that, Master." Though he assented, he hated
concealing anything from the scientist. Qui-Gon was right.
Daniel couldn't know he was being judged; nor that his planet's
Force sensitivity could be decided based on the actions of one
man and the evaluation of one Master.
"We will both work with Daniel. But your training must not
suffer. You will be a great Jedi Knight."
"We will be together, Master. That's all that matters."
The Stargate started circling, signaling an incoming traveler.
As the final chevron locked, the technician listened for the ID
code. "It's Jedi, sir."
"Open the iris. Let them arrive," commanded Hammond.
Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were dressed atypically as they
stepped through the quicksilver surface of Stargate. Qui-Gon
wore a long-sleeved, buttoned down sky blue shirt, darker blue
slacks with a crease down the middle, and loafers. Obi-Wan
sported blue jeans, white t-shirt, sneakers, and a leather
jacket. Both carried large duffel bags over their shoulders.
The base commander extended a somewhat surprised greeting,
"Master Jinn."
"General Hammond. The Jedi Council agreed it would be
beneficial for my apprentice and I to spend some time on Earth,
both to defend you and to locate the Padawan Goa'uld. We will
attempt to return her to Coruscant, if feasible."
"We would appreciate that assistance. May I ask how long you'll
be with us?"
"However long you need us, General. But there are two
conditions."
Hammond wasn't surprised. Few elements of military life came
without complications. "Very well, Master Jinn. What
conditions?"
"My Padawan needs much training in the Jedi arts. We will
search for the escaped Goa'uld, prepare your people to defeat
her and assist your missions in any way possible, but Obi-Wan
and I will require time to work together."
"I can accept that. And the second?"
The Jedi Master hesitated, before speaking firmly. "Obi-Wan and
I are life mates, bonded together. We will be tactful, but you
must accept us as partners. In your terms, we are essentially
married. We will not pretend otherwise."
Hammond reflected before agreeing. "Very well. Welcome to the
permanent staff of the SGC, Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi."
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