STARGATE: EXPLORER

by Lady Grey
Alpha/Beta by Jude

December 23

Three Days Later

Aboard the Gaia

Bap!

Daniel flinched, but too late; a tiny ink-filled pellet splattered against his bare chest, stinging and leaving a welt and a red stain where it had struck him. He was getting tired. Sweat was dripping down into his eyes, but he dared not wipe his brow and lose a fraction of a second’s concentration. 

“Move faster,” Scout ordered casually, and fired at him again.

Bap!

This time, the pellet only grazed his shoulder. “When do I get to shoot you, damn it?” Daniel demanded, dodging another shot, this time successfully.

It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the training; he really did, but he seemed to always be on the receiving end of the pain, and frustration was getting to him.

“All right. Fair enough.” Grinning, Scout stripped off the tissé, a gauntlet-mounted training weapon, and tossed it to Daniel. “Let’s see how you do against an old man, Grasshopper.”

Daniel caught the device. "You're not old. Barely hitting middle age, by Furling standards."  He stood still, panting as he strapped it onto his forearm, fastening the trigger across his palm.

He waited while Scout removed his belt and tunic to keep the ink pellets from staining his clothes. The elder was lean and muscular, as most of his people were; only those who had injuries or illnesses that prevented them from maintaining high levels of fitness were in less than fighting trim.

“Grasshopper? You know, I really wish Jack hadn’t sent you that pop-culture and slang primer,” Daniel observed. “You picked up a lot disgustingly fast.”

“The People learn quickly,” said the alien with a shrug. “Ready?”

Nodding, Daniel gave him no warning as he raised his arm and squeezed off the first shot.

And missed.

It was like watching a Tai Chi master and ballet dancer all rolled into one. Scout not only managed to move out of the way and dodge every pellet, he did it with feline grace. His movements seemed effortless, and by the time Daniel gave up, Scout hadn’t broken a sweat and was barely breathing hard.

“How do you do that?” Daniel demanded.

“I can anticipate your movements by how you prepare for them,” Scout told him. He began to demonstrate, raising his right arm as if he were about to fire the weapon. “Your eyes shift to the target first, then your balance changes. You shift your weight slightly before you fire, and you move with your whole arm, when it isn’t necessary for the use of the tissé. In your mind, you’re still shooting a gun or a zat.”

That made sense, but some of the finer points Daniel didn’t get. Scout fetched another tissé and activated a holographic target, setting the device to send signals rather than fire pellets. Daniel made the same adjustment to his tissé and listened intently to the lesson.

Half an hour later, they hit the showers, dressed, and went their separate ways. Daniel headed to his recently completed office, looking around in amazement at the incredible décor. This was another Furling touch of beauty, a hallmark of their culture and attention to detail.

They knew Daniel preferred subdued lighting out of habit, when he'd had to combat frequent headaches back at the SGC. He'd often enjoyed working in his shady backyard in Colorado Springs, sitting at a beat-up old picnic table beneath the trees to read or work on his laptop. After examining his memories of that time, the People had created this room as a place for Daniel to work in comfort and peace, with everything he needed at his fingertips.

The room was almost circular, but irregularly shaped. Jutting out from the wall beside his desk was the trunk of a manufactured tree, its limbs reaching up to the ceiling, tiny fabric leaves filtering the overhead lighting so that only a small patch of dappled artificial sunbeams were cast on his workspace. Air circulation in the room caused the leaves to rustle, creating a soothing background noise. Every wall seemed to be constructed of smoothly chiseled stones, displaying visible signs of wear and weathering, as though they had been standing for centuries. Plants were everywhere, dotted with bright splashes of colorful blooms, but Daniel’s favorites were the roses.

Those were not native to the Furlings’ world. They had been pulled from Daniel’s memory because the People thought they were beautiful, recreated as non-living decorations for his office. Vines were placed up the walls in long trailers, stood at the foot of the tree in long-stemmed bushes or in pots set here and there in small trees or draped from hanging baskets. A delicate floral perfume lightly scented the air, but not one of the realistic-looking plants was alive. They were graceful illusions, along with all the other woodsy decorations in the room, including the soft, moss-colored carpet on the floor.

In a sheltered area on the far side of the tree, a comfortable hammock was hung below a goose-necked reading lamp in a cozy corner, where he could lie back and relax. The lamp could be directed at the pages of his book or other materials, and the beam would move with perfectly synchronized light at just the right intensity, moving in rhythm with the swing of the hammock.

There was just enough outdoorsy decoration to create an atmosphere of serenity, without being overdone. The lines were clean, the furnishings functional, and there was plenty of space. He could even adjust the background noises to add sounds of falling water, thunder, rolling ocean waves, or animal calls, and change the ambient scents to more woodsy, spicy, or other aromas specifically geared to help him relax or concentrate. The Furlings seemed to have thought of every comfort for him when designing his workspace.

Daniel sighed as he entered the wonderfully appealing room and took a seat at his desk, preparing to do a little work on a Furling language lesson.

The desk was another amazing tool his hosts had created for his use, giving the appearance of being carved from a solid, massive piece of alabaster, but it was a technologically sophisticated machine designed by the People. The workspace appeared bare except for his laptop, which was a facsimile he preferred using until he grew more familiar with navigating the Furling database.  The computer wasn’t really there, either, present only as a holograph for him to use to connect to the advanced Furling information center.

He turned the interface on and the whole surface activated.  A three-dimensional star map appeared on the left side, schematics of the ship and its crew on the right, along with technical data reporting on every active system in a constant scroll just beneath the plan. His most recent investigations into Furling history were bookmarked on a virtual screen, and his favorite music began to play in the room, taken from Alpha's archives. 

He couldn’t help smiling, feeling instantly at ease.

Just as he started to navigate to the next language lesson, he discovered a message waiting for him instead.

It was a recorded transmission from Alpha, popping up on the other side of the desk in full holographic 3-D. He hesitated before opening the message, not certain if he should just pretend he hadn't received it for a few more days, or go ahead and face the music. There was no way he was going back to Alpha without Zeus's head on a platter, no matter what Jack said.

He pressed his lips together in determination and opened the recording with a scowl at the hologram appearing in the center of the room in a life-size display.

“Hello, Daniel.”

An image of Jack was standing, hands clasped behind his back, and he didn’t look too happy. He had his General face on, and his dark eyes were smoldering. He'd probably recorded this just when he'd received Daniel's transmission a few hours ago, announcing that he wouldn't be coming back to Alpha for Christmas, due to unforeseen circumstances.

“Oh, brother,” Daniel said aloud to himself with a weary sigh.  “Here it comes.”

“I just talked to Hunter. Heard you took off from Furling-world on a little sightseeing tour in one of their big honkin' new spaceships. I distinctly remember telling you that you were not to go on any witch hunts, but then, you never obeyed orders very well.”  Jack was obviously restraining himself, but his eyes were snapping with indignation.

Daniel pressed his lips together, knowing he couldn’t talk back to a recorded message.

Jack made an effort to appear casual, but his eyes narrowed with growing tension, and the edge in his voice got sharper with every sentence. “We got some visitors yesterday. Nafreyu says hi, by the way.”  Jack’s grin was patronizing, completely insincere. He bounced a little on his toes and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “Barn doors and horses come to mind, but I guess we’re not in a position to turn down any help from the Nox, no matter how tardy it might be, so thanks for sending 'em. Nice to see ‘em again.”

“You’re welcome,” Daniel murmured, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Jack’s eyebrows scrunched down as his glare intensified. “So, since you’re determined to get your ass shot off by somebody out there, I thought I’d better do my part to make sure someone’s watching your six properly. Not that the Furlings can’t do that, but… you know me; I like to have my people doing the job.”

Daniel’s eyes closed. He hung his head and sighed.

"I also distinctly remember telling you that hunting Zeus would likely put Alpha in danger, but I guess that isn't as important as your need for vengeance."

There was the expected knife in the heart, and it hurt, just as it was intended to do. Daniel touched his lower lip with his index finger, patting it thoughtfully. "I trust the Furlings, Jack. They'll look out for you."

As though Jack had heard him, he continued, "Yeah, Hunter said they have a couple of their ships on the way here, to look after us. That's what they've told us, anyway. Funny thing -- I didn't know they even had spaceships. That's something else you failed to mention to me."

Of course Jack would be suspicious. Even though the Furlings had already shown they meant no harm and had helped the human refugees neutralize numerous threats, it was part of Jack's nature and his job to be skeptical; that was what made him so good at taking care of others. He was rarely ever caught completely off-guard.

“Send us the coordinates of the planet nearest you with a stargate, and I’ll send your new team to ya,” Jack told him, his jaw tight, glare hot enough to start a fire, “and that’s not a request, Daniel. It’s an order. Merry damn Christmas to you, too.”  Jack stood there, glaring into the camera, obviously frustrated he couldn’t dress Daniel down further in person.  Daniel watched as Jack reached for the “off” switch on his end.  “General O’Neill, out.”

The holograph disappeared.

“Well.” As O’Neill tirades went, that one had been only middling. “Just when you said you couldn’t spare anybody, somehow you manage to find a few,” Daniel commented wryly to the empty room. “Might as well get this done.”

Then he grinned. “Won’t they be surprised to find out they’re coming right to the ship?”

He headed for the transporter room and put in a call to the Captain to meet him there. The ship would have to come to a full stop, and only Daniel could work the PDHD to open the stargate to their current location in space. Alpha would have to be contacted with the arrangements, and it could be hours before the team actually arrived.

Daniel was sure Jack would have a thing or two to say to him when a live connection had been established, but he'd rein it in a little because there would be an audience on both ends of the transmission.

Then Daniel chuckled a little as another realization struck home. Jack was going to be mighty pissed off when he found out Daniel was now something along the lines of a fleet admiral. This time, he hadn't just gone off to do his own thing -- he'd taken an entire race with him.

The bejeweled stargate roared to life with a watery flush, then settled down to placid rippling. A moment later, a woman stepped through dressed in green BDUs, suited up for a field mission, including P-90, tactical vest, and a black ball cap. She carried a large green duffel bag, and dropped it as soon as she’d crossed the space between the gate and the greeting party.

She glanced around the transporter room’s elegant décor, then back at Daniel, a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she studied him. “Doctor Jackson, I presume?” She extended a hand to him. “Colonel Rose MacFarland, reporting as ordered, to watch your six, sir.”

The Colonel was fiftyish, with dark brown hair gone silver at the temples, and intense brown eyes.  She had the look of someone accustomed to giving commands and being obeyed. Her Southern accent was unmistakable, her voice husky, as if she’d been a long-time smoker.

“Welcome aboard the Gaia, Colonel,” Daniel told her, shaking her hand.

The Colonel nodded, hurriedly stepping aside with her gear, still taking in the elegant surroundings with wonder in her expression. She shot a final glance at the gilded stargate. "Shiny. Thought we were gonna meet you on a planet, Doc? This feels like a spaceship."

"You got it in one, Colonel. But we'll get to that, I promise." Daniel turned his gaze back to the rippling event horizon. "How many more are coming?"

"Just two."

Doctor Carolyn Lam was next through the portal, dressed in blue jeans, a black turtleneck sweater and black leather jacket, a stethoscope draped around her neck. She was towing an anti-grav cart supplied by the Furlings, loaded with medical equipment and baggage. As soon as she spied her surroundings, she was obviously more than a little surprised.

“Hello again, Daniel. I wasn’t expecting… this. Where are we, exactly?” she asked, coming forward to shake his hand.

“It’s good to see you, too, Carolyn,” he answered politely. “Welcome aboard the Gaia.”

“Indeed.”

The sound of that familiar greeting in a deep, rumbling bass voice made Daniel’s head jerk upward, looking back at the event horizon at the last traveler to appear.  “Teal’c! OhmyGodTeal’c! You’re alive!”

“I am.”

Daniel rushed him, leaping up and throwing his arms around the big Jaffa’s neck with utter abandon. Daniel laughed, giddy with delight at seeing his old friend alive. One of Teal’c’s big hands came up around Daniel's ribs and held him in place, both feet dangling off the ground as Daniel pounded his friend's broad back and wide shoulders.

“It is good to see you also, DanielJackson,” he intoned. “You look well.”

Releasing his grip, Daniel slid down the big man’s gray-robed chest, and he looked back into familiar dark eyes. “Teal’c, I thought you were gone. With Earth.”

The Jaffa frowned, his narrowed eyes glimmering with leashed hatred. “I was called away suddenly for the birth of my grandson just before the destruction of my adopted world,” he told his old friend. “I have also been serving on the Jaffa council, and it has taken me some time to return to Alpha colony. O’Neill and I have had many discussions since my arrival a few days ago, and we both thought it appropriate that I come to visit you.” He glanced up meaningfully at the Furlings, then back at Daniel.

“They’re our friends, Teal’c,” Daniel assured him. “I trust them.”

Teal’c inclined his head, meaning that, although Daniel’s assurance had been accepted, Teal’c was going to make up his own mind about the truth of that statement.

Then Teal’c’s news finally sunk in, and Daniel grinned. “Congratulations! I can’t imagine you as a grandfather! You’ve got to tell me all about the baby, Rya’c and his wife, how the family’s doing. I want news!” He put a hand on his friend's shoulder and led him off, the other two new arrivals forgotten on the transporter deck.

“Think he even knows we’re still here?” Carolyn asked Rose.

“Boy’s got other thangs on his mind,” the Colonel returned with a crooked grin. “Let ‘im celebrate that.”

She turned to face the Mountain Clan giant, who was still watching them from beside the stargate controls, and approached him with her hand outstretched to introduce herself. “I am Captain,” the commander returned politely. “Welcome aboard the Gaia, goddess Earth. I would be pleased to show you to your quarters and give you a tour of your new home.”

“That’d be spiffy,” Rose told him, gazing with wonder around the spacious, elegant room. “She sure is a pretty gal.”

“This vessel has no gender,” the Furling told her. "It is a machine."

Doctor Lam smiled and explained to the alien. “It’s an old Earth tradition. Ships are often temperamental, but loved like a mate by their captain and crew. Since most of the ancient crews were all male, they gave the vessel a female identity. Sailors were often married, in a way, to their ships, and it made sense to them for the craft to be female.”

“ ‘Course, we don’t do the gender bias thing as much anymore,” Rose added. “Women serve in our military, even command some of our boats. It’s just so culturally embedded, we all kinda think of ‘em as gals.” She shrugged. “Whatever works, ya know?”

The giant smiled and nodded. “In deference to our human friends, we shall also adopt this gender identity for Gaia.” Captain gestured down the corridor where Daniel and Teal’c had gone. “This way, please.”

Daniel leaned against the doorway of the ship’s infirmary, watching Dr. Lam  just hours after her arrival.  She stood in the middle of the big room, her eyes wide, mouth hanging open, just turning in a small circle, looking around at all the equipment. He loved that look of wonder, whenever humans were introduced to so much Furling technology; they were like kids in a candy store, and he hadn’t exactly been immune himself. He was still discovering new things daily, as he explored their database or the ship itself, finding areas he’d missed on his initial inspection, or things that just hadn’t stuck in his memory because he'd been so overwhelmed by it all.

“So, what do you think?” he asked, strolling into the room.

“Wow,” she breathed, not quite registering his presence. “Look at all the toys!”

“Yeah. Wait till you learn how to work everything. Your head may explode.”

She finally made eye contact and focused on him. “You know, this was supposed to be a temporary assignment. I’m here to learn Furling healing methods, to study their physiology and medical technology, but that could take years, Daniel. Maybe the rest of my life.” She swore softly under her breath.

Daniel didn’t quite catch the word, but let it slide. “You’re right. Ernest Littlefield spent fifty years just studying one machine from the Four Races. We’ve got a whole culture here. The challenge is staggering. I doubt we'll ever understand the depth of what they know.”

He glanced around the infirmary, with its gleaming surfaces and elegantly decorated machines. The far wall was composed of floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the streaming aurora borealis of hyperspace. To the right, unused medical beds were folded up and attached to the wall with swirling gilded clasps. To the left were devices with various screens, platforms, and stations for medical research.

“You look healthy,” she observed, giving him a head-to-toe sweep. “You’ve really toned up since I saw you last. Still don’t need the glasses?”

“Not anymore,” he confessed with a shrug. “Something in that taimin tea they gave me when I was sick a few months ago, I think. Corrected my vision, cured my allergies, and all those headaches I used to have are a thing of the past. I'm in disgustingly perfect shape.”

She nodded as she slipped into doctor mode, pulled out a pad of paper and pen from her lab coat pocket, and began to jot down some notes. “I’m going to need a whole range of new samples from you, Daniel. Tissues, hair, skin, bone, body fluids… the works.” Her dark eyes rolled up to meet his steady gaze. “And by that I mean all body fluids. Understand?”

He frowned at her. “I know. I'm working on it.”

“I have a formula for a medication that may help.”

Daniel pulled a grimace. “Can we talk about this later?”

Her gaze dropped down to her notepad, and she didn’t repeat herself. “You’ve been living on a steady diet of alien food for months now. Your body has changed significantly. I need to know exactly how much, and what’s different. I've brought copies of all your previously recorded medical records for comparison."

She looked up at him again, her expression neutral and professional. “A team of the various Clans'll be meeting me here in a few hours to get me started on how to use the diagnostic and research devices. I’ll expect you here first thing in the morning to run a full gamut of tests and processing of biological samples. Come see me before you eat breakfast. And don’t be late.”

For a moment, Daniel just stared at her. He was not happy with this turn of events. He felt great, in the best condition of his life, and the People had taken excellent care of him. Normally he didn’t mind the poking and prodding he’d been through at the SGC. It was fairly routine, and he understood why it had had to be done, when he’d been going to various unexplored alien worlds. It was probably smart to do as she suggested, find out how much he’d changed, but that unspoken reminder of the order Jack had given him at Alpha made him balk.

“Look, Doctor Lam, there are other issues besides…" He cleared his throat, blushing to the roots of his hair as he forced the last word out of his mouth. "…performance.”

Her gaze softened with compassion. “General O'Neill is getting a little impatient,” she assured him. "One of the reasons he sent me here was to make sure you comply with the order. That wasn't the only reason, of course, but it's one of the big ones."

He turned away, talking to the floor, tucking his arms around his ribs, hugging himself for emotional support. “What if I… can’t?”

She was a beautiful woman. He didn’t want to admit to that kind of shortcoming in front of her. It wasn’t… manly.

Her response was gentle. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a little trouble, considering what you’ve been through. What you’ve seen. I saw the taped debriefing, and…” She took a deep breath, then exhaled with a sigh and gave him a sympathetic smile. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry, Daniel.”

“Easy for you to say,” he grumbled, heading for the door. “You won’t be the one with the cup, no magazine, and no privacy.”

“You can do it in your quarters, if you'd prefer.”

He chuckled bitterly. “Oh, you don’t understand, Doctor. There’s no such thing as privacy here.”

Ignoring her puzzled look, he hurried out the door, down the wide corridor to the quiet of his office, hoping to get his mind off the problem at hand. 

End Chapter 19
 

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