Chapter Fourteen

18 May 2009 — Planet Designation: P5X-221 — 21:45 hours

 

The square was crammed with people.  Armed guards were pushing a struggling Cam in front of them, his weapons had been taken.  Soldiers also surrounded Daniel, Sitrik, and Proctor Odoaker as they were ushered towards the County Courthouse.  Jackson was beyond scared.  Not for himself but for his love and his friends.  What was going to happen?  Were his visions going to come true?  What could possibly be the point of this gift, if he couldn’t use it to save the ones he loved?

 

With a piercing pain, it came to him.  He remembered the first time the vision had come to him.  He and Vala were making love against the wall in his apartment.  He had seen the angry horde, the fire, and— words.  He felt as if he was going to be sick again, but shoved the feeling down.  There was no time for that.  He had to remember what the words were.  Why couldn’t he remember?  It was just a few words.

 

As they neared the stairs to the building, Daniel caught sight of the female half of his team.  Both women were surrounded by men in what looked the equivalent of hazmat suits.  The guards were herding the women in front of them, secured by a long pole with a noose around their neck like they use to subdue a wild animal.  Jackson’s mouth dropped open.  Mitchell tried to break away from the soldiers holding him and was rewarded with a gun butt to the back of the head.  He fell in a heap to the ground, then had his hands cuffed together behind his back.  A few of the screaming hoard tried to kick or hit him as Daniel pushed his way through the crowd to get to Cam and the two women.

 

Sam looked as if they had broken her nose.  There was blood gushing down the side of her face and she was panting.  Vala appeared just as bad.  Both her eyes were so swollen that she was peering through slits.  Her lips were bleeding profusely and she was clutching at her ribs.  But neither woman had a tear on their face.  Both stood as defiantly as possible.

 

“Daniel!” Vala screamed.

 

“Vala!  I’m here now!” he rushed up and without thinking, took her in his arms and kissed her.

 

The swarm of men began shouting louder and grabbed Daniel pulling him away from her.  Instigators started throwing stones at them.

 

“He has touched a woman!  He is a skrunilec!” one man yelled.

 

“He is tainted!” another cried.  “Unclean!”

 

The crowd started chanting, skrunilec, skrunilec, skrunilec.

 

“BACK OFF!!” Daniel yelled as he pulled his P-90 up and armed it.  He wasn’t sure what a skrunilec was, but the way they were yelling it, it couldn’t be good.

 

When Cam was hauled to his feet, he tried to head butt one of the guards only to be knocked unconscious in return, leaving Jackson on his own.  A soldier tried to grab Daniel from behind, but he swiveled around and punched the man in the face.  Raising his gun, he shot a few rounds into the air, trying to get them to back off, but it didn’t work.  Three of the larger guards rushed him and took him down.  They managed to relieve him of all his weapons and bloody his face as well.  Daniel tried with everything he had to shake the men off, but he was overwhelmed.  The biggest soldier had his arm around the off-worlder’s neck in a half-nelson and was pushing him through the front doors of the Courthouse.

 

As Daniel was manhandled inside, he looked back to see two men dragging Cam away towards the Stargate.  Sam and Vala were being forced into the same building but a different door.  He kept trying to fight his way back to his teammates, but it was hopeless.  The soldiers punched and kicked him attempting to subdue the enraged archeologist.  The Proctor came in and slammed the door shut, halting the assault.

 

“If I see another soldier hit that man they will be thrown into the vault!  Am I understood?!”

 

He walked over to Tau’ri and placed a hand on his shoulder.  He said in a pleading tone, “Dr. Jackson, please, you must calm yourself.”

 

“CALM myself?!” he spat blood on the floor and let out a harsh laugh, “Calm myself??  Vala is my… my girlfriend!  And Sam is my teammate and friend!  They’re being stoned and paraded around on, on, on catch poles!!!”

 

The Proctor’s eyes widened, “The dark haired woman is to be bonded to you?”

 

Daniel hated lying but, in this case, he didn’t see where it would hurt.  He painfully sat up on the dusty floor and leaned against the wall.  “Yes, she is.  What have you done with Colonel Mitchell?  I saw them dragging him somewhere.”

 

With a long and weary sigh, Odoaker sat heavily in a nearby chair.  “He will be taken to the ‘No Man’s Land’ and sent back to your planet.  As for the women… they will be held accountable for their crimes.  Something that is going to be a very hard for me to preside over.  We have never before had trouble of this nature with off-worlders.  But I guess it is my fault.  I agreed to let your women come.  I truly did not think that this transaction would sour so quickly.

 

“I had hoped that relations with the Tau’ri— such a powerful force in the universe, would be all to my advantage.  Many of the planets that we already trade with have spoken about your defeat of the System Lords and the Ori.  I only thought it would be beneficial to invite you here.  But now… I’m seriously considering retirement.  If only I could,” the older gentleman rubbed a gnarled hand over his face.  He looked about as tired as Daniel felt.

 

Sitrik entered the room with an air of victory.  His face was twisted in an ugly smile and he was almost tittering with a vicious glee.  “The other off-worlder has been left with their Jaffa.  I have armed soldiers surrounding ‘No Man’s Land’ with orders of ‘shoot to kill’ if either of them try to come back through.  They have refused to go back to their world, however.”

 

Daniel practically crawled into a straight-backed chair.  His whole body ached as he leaned over, elbows on his knees.  Hanging his head, he tried again to remember the words that his first vision gave him.  He closed his eyes and concentrated on the images.  As if a fog lifted, he saw the words again, a bhaint as an dlí— use the law.  That was the only way he could save his love and his friend.  He had to remember Ertieg’s laws.

 

“Proctor Odoaker,” Daniel said tiredly, “sir, may I go through your law book again?”

 

Sitrik jumped in between them, “No!  No!  You are not allowed.  The sentencing will start immediately as is the custom.”

 

Daniel looked at the Proctor imploringly.  The gentleman had nothing but sympathy for the off-worlder.

 

“I am sorry, Dr. Jackson, but Sitrik is correct.  We will start the sentencing in five counts.  Sitrik, will you tell the others to join us in the trial room.  Make sure those women are protected, I don’t want any more harm to come to them.”

 

Sitrik could hardly contain his excitement,  “Yes, Proctor.”

 

The high guard hauled Daniel up by one arm and frog-marched him into another room.  It was small and stiflingly hot.  As tired as he was, the heat didn’t help him any.  Shortly after he was settled at a table, his teammates were brought in.  He stood to go to them when a guard pushed him roughly back into the chair.

 

A side door opened and six men with the Proctor at the center marched in and sat at the big table that took up most of the front of the small room.  Then the back doors open and a rush of men crowded into the gallery.  The hazmat guards kept the crowd from closing in on the accused.  Daniel panted with the heat.  He took his tech vest and jacket off, using the sleeve to rub over his face.  It surprised him how much blood covered the cloth when he pulled it away.  He barely registered that someone was talking.  It was Sitrik… the little weasel.

 

“Most honorable, Proctor.  Gentlemen of Ertieg, these two off-worlder whores, felt it necessary to spit in our faces and flout the laws of this great nation.  They did so willingly and with the knowledge that it was forbidden, hid these weapons,” he held up two combat knives and a small pistol. “upon their persons.”

 

The yells and jeers rang thought out the courtroom and small stones were thrown at them.  Sitrik held his hand up to quiet the crowd.  When the crowd settle down, he continued, “Do you offer any legitimate reason for this?”

 

“Sir,” Carter said in a firm voice, “we are truly sorry for this… misunderstanding.  Vala and I are a part of a military team and, therefore, we are used to having weapons on us.  When we came here, we had every intention to leave all the weapons behind.  It just— slipped our mind about these.”

 

“LIES!” the ferret man screamed, “I have it on good authority that they conspired together and knowingly concealed these.”  More screaming ensued.

 

Daniel over at Sam surprised.  He didn’t know why he should be.  It was well in the character of both women.

 

The Proctor used what passed for a gavel and hit the table a few times.  “Sitrik, do you have proof of this accusation?”

 

With a feral sneer, he held up a small device and pushed a button.  Sam’s tinny voice was heard quite clearly throughout the room.

 

“Vala, do you have any weapons on you?”

 

“Yes.  You?” came the former pirate’s answer.

 

“Yeah, got it hidden.  We had better be careful.  They sound like they take the law very seriously.  Make sure you keep it concealed.”

 

The room exploded again and more stones were thrown towards the two females.

 

Daniel could hear Vala screaming, “YOU HAD THE ROOM BUGGED?”

 

They should have known.  It was a rookie mistake.

 

As the yells and jeers continued, Sitrik held his hand up to quiet the crowd.  When they did, he said, “Take them to the holding vault!  I have no further use for them.  Their very presence offends me.”

 

“Oh yeah?” Vala screamed, “You wanna know what I think of you— you piece of…”

 

One of the hazmat guys put a gag her as they were pulled away.  Sam called out to Daniel, but the guard behind him wouldn’t let even stand.  He saw the same fear on their faces that he had seen in his vision.

 

Sitrik started to speak again.  “As per our law, section 2; paragraph 3: no woman may be allowed to possess, carry, or use a weapon of any kind upon penalty of death, publicly, by fire and without delay.  These two will prove to the more lenient peoples of this nation that women are not to be trusted.  That they should not be allowed any privileges that a man is permitted.”

 

As he said that, Sitrik looked directly at the Proctor.  More shouting followed— all in support of what Sitrik had alleged.

 

Daniel was at the end of his rope, and it looked like the noose was knotted.  He was racking his brain, trying desperately to find some way that he could free Sam and Vala.  Both now condemned to death by fire.  He had gone through this with Vala already and did not wish to repeat the experience.  If only these people would just— SHUT UP! A surge of sickness welled up in him.

 

It was up to his resourcefulness to rescue his team.  With Cam and Teal’c not allowed out of the ‘No Man’s Land’, and his gear, including the radio, confiscated— he had to try something… anything.  Then it came to him.  There was a law that he could invoke.  One that was not used very often, if ever.

 

Shrugging off his sentry’s hand he stood up with his head bowed.  He waited to be acknowledged before speaking, as was custom.  The elder man nodded at Daniel.

 

“If it pleases, sir,” Daniel said in respectful tones, “I humbly wish to address the council.”

 

“Proceed.”

 

Taking a moment to organize his approach, he swallowed hard, “I’m a foreigner in your country, but it was your Honor that requested my people for help and trade relations.  I was given your book of law and came knowing them.  As I understand, the two women in question have been condemned because they’d been found with weapons upon their person.  And being women, they neither have nor ask for leniency that a man could.  Am I correct, sir?”

 

“You speak the truth,” the old man said.

 

Nodding, Daniel closed his eyes— the flash of Sam and Vala burning to death was so vivid he could smell their flesh cooking, feel the heat on his face.  He would not let that happen!  But he had promised never to ever leave her again.  If she was dead… the pledge would mean nothing.  His life would mean nothing.  Therein lies the rub.  Opening his eyes, he looked at the Proctor squarely.

 

“The law also says, in section 42; paragraph … ah, 18, that if there is someone with whom the accused has a bond, be it legal cohabitation or familiar, they may come forward to the Council to offer penance.  As one of the women in question is my superior and the other is my intended mate, I invoke that right.”

 

Wiping his hand a crossed his mouth, finding it was still bleeding, he closed his eyes and took a deep, steadying breath.

 

“I humbly offer myself in exchange for both women’s lives.  As it is written, two women are worth less than one man.”

 

A ruckus broke out immediately in the gallery and a relatively weighty rock hit Daniel in the back of the head.

 

“Unheard of!!” several men bellowed.

 

“Sacrilege of our laws!” more men roared.

 

“Skrunilec! Skrunilec! Skrunilec!” the chant started again.

 

The heavy gavel stone of the Proctor had crashed several times on his desk before order was restored.

 

Daniel, rubbing the back of his head were a lump was forming, said, “Since I’m offering this exchange freely and without reservation, I’m allowed to put forth the stipulations upon this agreement.  Both of these women must not be harmed in any way.  They are to be escorted to the Stargate and allowed to go back to our planet.  Does the Proctor, ever wise, agree to this?”

 

Sitrik was seeing red.  He had big plans for taking Proctor Odoaker’s place because of the trouble these off-worlders had caused.  The rat-faced man started another spattering of skrunilec chants.

 

Daniel held his breath.  He’d rolled the dice, now he waited for the verdict.  He heard the protests flying around the small room and saw many men waving fists in the air.  But he had eyes only for the old man that he had liked, before all hell had broken lose.  Even now, Daniel could understand his position, not that he agreed with it, but the law was the law.

 

Two loud crashes brought the assembled to order.  The Proctor stood and addressed all present.

 

“Never before has a man offered penance for a woman.  This is the cause of the outrage, Dr. Jackson.  And for you to offer yourself for both women—” the man shook his head and dropped his gaze before he continued, “I have accepted your sacrifice.  Your conditions are also agreeable.”

 

The room detonated into chaos.  It was so loud, Daniel wanted to put his hands over his ears— his head threatening to split in two.  Several more soldiers came running in to keep the crowd from rioting.  It took a good fifteen minutes to get the throng under control enough for the Proctor to speak again.

 

“As you are a man, you cannot be put to death.  Dr. Daniel Jackson, by the laws of this country, you have been convicted and sentenced.  You will live the remainder of your life on The Island.  I know that your world has more advanced technology and may try to mount a rescue, but I implore you— on your honor, that you will concede to your fate.  Only I have the authority to pardon you.”

 

“I will adhere to your mercy, Proctor, on my honor,” Daniel replied quietly.

 

“Then this case is dismissed.”

 

The crash of the stone echoed through Daniel as he closed his eyes and sunk into his chair.  Vala and his teammates were going to be safe.  That was all that mattered.

 

The crowd was being stirred up even more by Sitrik.  The guards had to push them literally out of the room.  When the place was quiet again, Daniel was able to breathe.  A hand on his shoulder startled him.  Looking up, the Proctor stood before him, kindness shown in his sad eyes.

 

“As you are from another planet and are bound to the two women, I grant you an audience with them before they leave.  Dr. Jackson,” he said, shaking his head in admiration.  “Never have I seen such selflessness shown by a man to a woman.  You are inspirational.  When the treaty is signed between our country and that of Sengo, I sincerely hope that your world and ours can have peaceful relations.”

 

Daniel did not tell him that if Jack had any say about it, it would be a cold day in hell before Earth would consider any sort of pact with these backwater, male chauvinistic, pompous asses.  Naquadria or not.  But why make matters worse for himself?

 

He smiled slightly, “Thank you, Proctor.”

 

“One question— why?  Why are you so willing to give up freedom for the rest of your life because of these women?”

 

Daniel straightened, “Because it’s the right thing to do,” then he added with a hitch in his voice, “and Vala is— my love and my life.  I could not stand to see her, or Sam, die for something as stupid as this.”

 

The Proctor’s eyes were moist with emotion, “You are an extraordinary man, Daniel Jackson.  My heart goes with you and I will make sure that when the laws of this land change for the better, you will be the first to have your freedom.”

 

The old man turned to go when Daniel stopped him.  “Proctor, what is skrunilec?”

 

With a great sigh, he answered, “It is a vulgar expression for people that wish to have freedom from the segregation laws.  It means, defiler— one that does not respect the gender apartheid.  I do not condone this term.”

 

After the Proctor had left the room, Sitrik slinked in.  The weasel faced man sneered at Daniel.  Standing beside the condemned man, he kicked the chair out from under him with amusement.

 

“You are a disgrace to the male species.  The way you touch and…” with a look of utter revulsion on his face, he continued, “kiss that, that… unclean thing.”

 

“She is a human being and worth infinitely more than you!” Daniel said rising from the floor.

 

Sitrik took the Proctor’s heavy gavel stone and hit Jackson across the face.  Daniel was again on the floor with a crash, blood again coursing down his chin from his mouth.  That was it.  He’d disliked this man from the moment he laid eyes on him.  Surging up, the usually peaceful explorer, grabbed the man, shoving him against the wall.  Daniel put his arm across his throat, holding him still.  Eyes wide with terror, Sitrik tried to call out, but could not.

 

With venom in his eyes, Daniel said in a low, growling voice, “Regardless of the situation, no matter how hopeless the outcome may be.  I will never quit, and I will never back down.  You have messed with my family, my clan, my pack.  I am patient and will wait until I see a weakness—”

 

The door burst opened and soldiers rushed Daniel, tackling him.  After a quick wrestling match, they had the off-worlder subdued and cuffed.  After they picked him up, the guards shoved him towards the door.  As Daniel passed, the arrogant little man spat in his face and said, “Enjoy your banishment, skrunilec.”

 

He was taken from the council chambers to the local jail.  There he was processed into their system.  They dressed him in the blue shirt and pants required of all prisoners.  An identification chip was inserted into his arm and he was given his new ‘name.’  Daniel was now known only as P-24601.

 

Shackled at the waist with his hands cuffed in front he was also placed in leg irons.  They even took his glasses away.  A soldier tried to get the torque off, but Jackson began to fight them, kicking and screaming that it could not come off.  As none of the men could get a good hold on it to unbend the thing, they gave up.

 

“You won’t last a day on The Island, skrunilec.  ‘Specially with that on you,” one of the guards grunted at him.

 

When all that was done, they took him to a small room.  There he sat for quite a long time, unsure of what was going to happen.  He was so tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep.  The door opened and Sam came in with Vala close behind.  Neither woman noticed the chains that bound their friend.

 

“Daniel!” Sam exclaimed, “they are letting us go!  How did you manage it?  You look terrible!”

 

Vala ran over to him as Sam spoke.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  Then she spotted the manacles.  With eyes wide, her face shown with confusion, then terror as understanding came to her.

 

“No!” she whispered, then screamed, “NO!!!  You can’t do this!  I just got you back.  NOOOO!!!”

 

Sam then saw the chains, “Daniel— what did you do?”

 

“The laws here favor men, Sam.  I offered myself in exchange for yours and Vala’s freedom.  Cam is with Teal’c waiting for you two and SG-2.  The treaty has been postponed for the time being… and probably forever, if I know Jack.”

 

By now, Vala was beside herself with rage.  Rage at the laws, rage at the situation, and rage at Daniel for putting himself in harm’s way— yet again!

 

“You and Vala would have been put to death.  As a man, I can’t be.  You have go home… both of you, and don’t return.”

 

Vala’s screamed at him, “No, no… no!  I won’t leave you!  They can’t make me leave you!!”

 

Daniel wished he could hold her, “Vala… love, this was the only way I could save you.  I had to do it.”

 

As he closed his eyes, he saw both women escorted to the Stargate.  Sam was struggling with Vala to get her through it, but the Colonel won and they were gone— Safe— Home.  When he opened his eyes, he saw the tears running down Sam’s swollen face.  Vala was plastered to him, hanging on for dear life.

 

“How will we be able to get you back?” Carter asked in hushed tones.

 

“The law…You have to use their directives.  It’s the only way, short of full-out assault.  Maybe you can use the trade agreement to my advantage.  I don’t know if that would work, but you can try.  And Sam… I gave my word that I wouldn’t try to escape.  You have to make sure Jack knows that.  And make sure that only men come back here.”

 

Four soldiers in their hazmat suits came into the room.  Two collared Carter with their catch-poles.  The others had a hell of a time trying to pry the dark haired woman away from their prisoner— without touching her, even though they were in protective gear.

 

“WAIT!  STOP!  Just— just give me a moment,” Jackson yelled at the soldiers, trying to get in between them and Vala.  “I’ll get her to leave with you… just… let me speak to her.”

 

The hazmat guards looked at each other, then nodded in agreement.  Neither of them relished the idea of having to touch the woman any more than what was strictly needed.

 

Turning back to his love, Daniel nuzzled her.  “Vala…Vala… you have to go.  I will not watch you burn to death again.  Help the SGC to find a loophole in their laws.  And take care of Aisling for me.  I know she won’t understand why I’m not with you.”

 

Unable to hold her in his arms, he clutched at her hands.  Placing his forehead to hers and looking into her tear stained and purpling face, he tried to let her know just how much he treasured her.  Vala kissed him, holding on to him fiercely.

 

He whispered, “I know you guys will find a way to get me out.  Please, my love… go with Sam and be safe.  Is é mo ghrá duit síoraí[i].”

 

Straightening her shoulders and assuming the air of her former defiant life, Vala kissed him once more, then turned and walked out the door.

 

Sam looked back to him and said,  “We’ll find a way to rescue you, Daniel.  I swear it.  We leave no one behind!”

 

He nodded his head sadly, “Don’t let Cam and Teal’c storm the castle.  It’s best if you follow the letter of the law.  Tell Jack that I’m fine and can wait for you to find a peaceful way to end this.  And Sam, make sure Vala doesn’t try anything… stupi…” he couldn’t finish as his voice failed and the tears came.

 

***

 

19 May 2009 — Planet Designation: P5X-221 — 06:00 hours

 

Daniel was roughly shoved into the back of what could only be described as a truck.  It’s canvas top tattered and the engine sounded like it was in serious need of a tune-up.  The guards laughed as he fell.  Someone picked him up and punched him in the gut.  Doubling over, Daniel spat blood from his mouth.  He wasn’t sure how much more punishment his body would take.  Just as the guard was about to strike him again, a sharp voice stopped him.

 

“If you hit that man again, I will make sure you will join him on The Island,” the Proctor said as he walked up to the truck.

 

The soldier snapped to attention.

 

“I am sorry, Dr. Jackson, for the treatment by my staff,” he apologized as he climbed into the truck and sat across from him.

 

Daniel spat another glob of blood before turning to him, “Whatever.  Do they treat all prisoners this way?”

 

Odoaker looked away for a moment, “It is because of what you did, Daniel.  Many consider your sacrifice for women as an insult.  To them, you are even worse than a murderer.”

 

The chained man slowly shook his head, “I thought you said that things were changing for the better… sir.”  He emphasized the last word with a passable O’Neill impression.

 

“It takes time, Dr. Jackson.  Surely social changes on your planet do not happen overnight.”

 

Daniel let out a short, derisive laugh, “No… no, they don’t.  There’s still a lot of prejudice in my country alone.”

 

“Then you know the difficulty in changing people’s mind of things inherently taught from birth.  However, what you have done will light a fire in the hearts of many.”

 

“If you immediately know the candlelight is fire, the meal was cooked a long time ago,” Daniel said quietly.

 

“Sir, we’re going to take the prisoner to guardhouse now,” a soldier told the Proctor.  “You’ll have to get out… sir.”

 

The old man shook his head, “No, I think that I’ll ride along.”

 

“Um… sir?” the guard looked barely out of boyhood, “Then you should ride up in front with us, sir.  You should not taint yourself with this filth.”

 

“I shall ride back here with Dr. Jackson, son.  You may tell the driver to proceed.”

 

Daniel stared at the man with a small amount of fondness restored.  He could tell that the Proctor truly felt sick about this whole mess.  He gave the man a slight smile, “On to Botany Bay.”

 

“What is Botany Bay?” the older man asked as the truck started out.

 

Jackson let out a painful sigh.  “On Earth, a long time ago, one of the biggest continents, an island also, was the penal colony for another country.  Botany Bay was where the ships dropped off prisoners.  It eventually became a country of its own called Australia.”

 

The Proctor hummed thoughtfully, “I can only hope something like that will happen here.  I do not think it will come in my lifetime though.”

 

“But you’ve started something here, Proctor.  Something that needed to be started.”

 

A large bump sent both men jolting forward.  Daniel fell to his already sore knees since his hands were bound and he couldn’t catch himself.  The old man reached out to help him up.  When he was back sitting, the Proctor reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.  He unlocked Daniel’s shackles for him.

 

“Thank you, sir.”

 

“Please, call me Odoaker.  Actually, I wish to learn more about your world, Daniel.”

 

“That would take a long time, Odoaker.  On my world, there are seven continents, around 195 countries and 6,800-6,900 distinct languages.  Not to mention about 21 major religions.”

 

“Oh my,” the gentleman said in awe.  “On one planet?  And… and you know about all of them?”

 

Daniel chuckled, “I know a little about a lot of them.  And more about a few.  For example; I’m fairly sure that your ancestors come from our planet, probably from the north of continent we now we call Europe.  That’s why most of your people are blonde and blue eyed.  Perhaps the words Germania, Nordic or Scandia may mean something to you?”

 

Odoaker shook his head.

 

Heaving a sigh, he shrugged his shoulder and continued, “At any rate, many of our countries are at war with each other over religion, land… food supplies.  I sometimes think they fight just because their parents did so.  Still… it’s all a terrible waste.”

 

“It sounds like you don’t approve of war, Daniel.  And yet… you are a soldier.”

 

He laughed for real this time, “I’m not a soldier.  I’m a scholar.  I’m the team’s linguist and archeologist.  My skills are mainly used for peaceful contact with new peoples.”

 

Odoaker eyed him, “You handle a weapon rather well for a scholar.”

 

“Hazards of being on a military team for twelve years,” he replied quietly.  “I’ve done my share of killing though… a fact I’m not proud of.”

 

Nodding understandably, “I can tell that you are a man of peace.  It is a shame that you’ve been forced to do what you despise.”

 

“Yeah… well… I still wouldn’t trade it for all the gold in a Ha’tak.  Just recently, I was injured and unable to walk for several months, so my future with SG-1 became uncertain.  This was my first mission back on the team,” Daniel explained rubbing his aching head.

 

“How were you injured?”

 

Daniel ran his hands through his hair, then rubbed his sore wrists.  “My legs were crushed in a cave-in.  I was pushing Vala out of the way when the ceiling came down on top of me.”

 

“You must really love her.”

 

With a sad smile, he nodded, “But I didn’t completely know it at the time.”

 

“Really?”  Odoaker seemed shocked, “I wish the men of this world would show such gallantry.”

 

“She’s a member of my team.  I would have done the same thing for anyone though.”

 

“I believe it,” the old man replied.  “How is it that you walk and with no limp?”

 

With a fond smile, Daniel’s eyes slid out of focus at remembering, “A race of beings called Tuatha Dé Danann took me in and replaced my legs.”

 

“Replaced them?”

 

“Yeah… um— I had to have them amputated, and these… people were able to heal me.  They gave me this too,” he said as he pointed to his torque.  “It can never come off.  The penalty is rather, well, let’s just say— if I value my sanity, it can’t come off.”

 

The older man’s eyes widened, “I’ll try to make sure that won’t happen, but keep it hidden as best you can.  Tell me, how many other species have you meet in your travels?”

 

“Oh… too many to number, Odoaker.  Anyway, guess I won’t be meeting anymore now.”

 

The Proctor looked away, “Ah, my boy.  I’m going to do everything I can to get you home to your girl.”

 

Daniel nodded, “Thank you.”

 

The truck turned into a compound and stopped at a gate.  The two men could hear the soldiers talking and then a gate opening up to let the truck pass.  Daniel could see a very long bridge that would take him to the penal colony soon.  It reminded him of some of the bridges he had seen in Florida.

 

Odoaker turned to Daniel, “I’m afraid I have to put the cuffs back on now, son.”

 

Jackson nodded his head and held out his hands.  Just as soon as the manacles were in place, the soldiers opened the back of the truck.  They helped Proctor Odoaker down and ushered him a little ways away.  The old man turned just as a guard shoved Daniel out.  He landed hard in the mud and had the wind knocked out of him.

 

“STOP!!!” Odoaker yelled at the guards.  “I have told you already; this man is not to be treated this way!”

 

The soldier bowed in acquiesces and moved to help the prisoner up.  They followed the Proctor into the small gatehouse.  Once inside, they shoved Daniel into a chair to complete his paperwork.  The old man sat next to him after telling the clerk that he needed to see the warden.

 

A huge, burly man came out into the office lobby looking very grumpy.  He schooled his features as soon as he saw the Proctor.  Standing at attention the man saluted.

 

“Sir,” his voice was deep and gravely, “I didn’t know you were coming today, Proctor.  I would have had a detail escort you.”

 

The older man raised a hand in acknowledgment, “There was no need for that, Corwin.  I am here to make sure my wishes are known for this prisoner,” he indicated to Daniel.  “He is not to be harmed in any way.  He has around his neck a collar that is NOT to be touched.  I will be making regular visits to make sure that you comply with my wishes.  Am I understood?” he finished with a glare.

 

“Yes, Proctor.  All will be adhered to as ordered,” the big man replied,  “but once he is out on The Island, we can’t do much to protect him.”

 

Odoaker leveled withering look at the warden, “Make no mistake; if this man is harmed in any way, I will consider it an affront to myself, and will relieve you of your duties.”

 

Corwin nodded, but the Proctor knew he did not like this edict.

 

Three guards came out and took Daniel by the arms.  The bound man stopped beside the older man.

 

“Thank you for your care, Odoaker.  I sincerely hope there will be a time that we can sit and talk together,” Jackson told him quietly.

 

“I will come and see you when I can, Daniel.  Be safe.”