Chapter Thirteen

18 May 2009 — Earth: SGC — 09:30 hours

 

The briefing room was more crowded than usual.  With SG’s 1, and 2, J.A.G. representatives, and both Generals O’Neill and Landry in attendance, there was barely any room to breathe.  Daniel was so bushed from staying up late to read the law book, he couldn’t stifle the yawns.  Vala kept kicking him under the table to keep him awake.  Aisling steadily purring on his lap made sleep all the more inviting.

 

After everyone else had given their presentations, it was Daniel’s turn.  Glad to be doing something, he managed to wake up a bit.  He was already on his fifth cup of coffee and wanted this to go quickly… the bathroom was calling him.

 

“The Stargate is in between both of the sovereign nations.  There is a forty-foot radius… ah, marked with a fence, around the ‘gate that is considered ‘No Man’s Land.’  When we go through, we have to stay within this area until someone from the office of the Proctor of Ertieg and the Governor of Sengo comes to collect us.

 

“Since Ertieg has the most sway over trade relations and the medical… um, stuff that we are interested in, I thought that SG-1 should take on those negotiations, leaving SG-2 with Sengo.  I guess SG-9 we’ll split between us.”

 

“SG-9 will not be going with, Dr. Jackson,” Landry said.  “They have an urgent mission elsewhere.  That’s why I wanted you to read up on the laws.  Didn’t General O’Neill tell you that?”

 

The whole room looked over to Jack, who was doodling on the notepad in front of him.  As the quiet stretched on, he looked up, mildly surprised.

 

“Didn’t you tell Dr. Jackson he was going to have to do this without Major Kovacek?” Landry asked.

 

Jack gave him a small grin, “Oops.”

 

General Landry closed his eyes, shaking his head as the rest of the room started to snicker.

 

Slightly rattled, it took Daniel a moment to get his thoughts back on track.  “Oh— uh… That— that’s fine, I guess.  Anyway, the third country is actually a large island in the middle of a lake around the size of the Arabian Sea that they simply refer to as: The Island.”

 

“How big is The Island?” Mitchell asked, “Would there be any reason to check it out?”

 

“Um… no, not really.  It’s the largest land mass on the planet, but from what I can figure, it’s pretty inhospitable.  As for size, think… Alaska with some of the Yukon and British Columbia territories thrown in for good measure.  But both Ertieg and Sengo use it as a penal colony.  They send their criminals there to carve out whatever life they can.”

 

Mitchell raised his hand stopping Daniel again, “By the way, Major Griff will not be able to go with SG-2 this time around and has asked me if I could go in his stead.”

 

General Landry held up his hand also, stopping Daniel from continuing.  “Colonel Carter and Ms. Mal Doran have their own mission also.  Apparently General O’Neill forgot to let you know that as well.”

 

Daniel tossed his pencil in the air exasperated.  Maybe this won’t be the walk in the park he had hoped for.  Still, he didn’t want to show any weakness.  He thought about it for a moment and then shrugged.

 

“Teal’c and me should be okay to hammer out the details with Ertieg, Mitchell, and SG-2 can deal with Sengo.  Sam and Vala can do their thing.”

 

Jack pointedly stared at Daniel, “As long as Teal’c stays with you.  Carter and Vala will be your back-up.”

 

Daniel dropped his head to his chest and sighed in his new found native language, “Ó Dia maith[i]— I’m a big boy, Jack.  I don’t need an armed escort.  Besides,” he looked up sheepishly, “that was the other point I needed to make.  According to the laws of Ertieg and Sengo, Sam and Vala cannot carry any weapons.”

 

A plethora of voices rang out immediately in protest.  Daniel knew this was not going to go over very well.  General Landry had to hit the table with his empty coffee mug to get everyone’s attention, scaring Aisling enough for her to hiss at him.

 

“Settle down people!” he shouted over the din, ignoring the cat.  “Let Dr. Jackson continue.”

 

The room grew quiet and focus was back on Daniel.  “Thank you.  Both Ertieg and Sengo are a culture where women are considered property and kept segregated.  They have little to no rights and are basically second class citizens.  According to their laws— you two cannot be armed.  I’m sorry,” he said with an apologetic look to Sam and Vala, “you’ll have to leave all your weapons inside the ‘No Man’s Land’ by the Stargate.  Will that interfere with their mission?”

 

Hank shook his head and said, “It shouldn’t, no.  When I spoke with the Proctor, he suggested that some of the team tour their medical facilities and schools in Ertieg.  I thought it would be a good job for Colonel Carter and Ms. Mal Duran.  Guess that was a good decision then.”

 

Jack scowled and said, “Cam will have to go with you then.  No objections.  Teal’c can stay with Carter and Vala, Mitchell will stay with you.  Ferretti will just have to man up for this mission and do the negotiations.”

 

Lou scowled at O’Neill and quipped,  “Damn it, sir, I’m a soldier, not a diplomat!”

 

“As long as you don’t have a red shirt on, you’ll be fine, Ferretti!” Jack grinned at him.

 

Closing his eyes, Daniel rubbed his temple trying to ward off a headache that was threatening.  He knew he wasn’t going to win any argument with Jack over their safety.  Bowing his head, he acquiesced.

 

“Fine.  I don’t have any more to tell you.  I’m hoping it won’t be too hard to broker the peace between the two nations and get a trade agreement in place.  I think that Ertieg only needs us to look over the treaty with Sengo— make sure that it is fair.”

 

“Well, I guess that’s it then,” General Landry said, “anyone else have something to add?”

 

Mitchell raised his hand again, “Is the cat going too?”

 

Daniel felt a flush of heat in his face, “I… I don’t know yet.  I have to… um… talk with her about it.  I’ll let you know in the locker room.”

 

Jack couldn’t resist needling his friend.  “Well, she is a girl.  Do we have to declaw her first?”

 

Everyone laughed and Landry stood to retreat before Jack and Daniel got into it, as he thought would be the case.

 

“Okay then. I’ll make sure the Proctor of Ertieg knows that the individuals touring the hospital and schools are women and will not be armed.  You move out at 15:00 hundred.  Dismissed.”

 

***

 

18 May 2009 — Earth: SGC — 14:10 hours

 

As Daniel closed the door to his locker, he jumped in surprise as Sam and Vala standing right behind it.  Neither woman looked very pleased.

 

“Um… Sam— Vala,” he said as he backed away, “is there something I can do for you?”

 

Vala swept around behind the man, blocking any chance of escape.  “Just when precisely, were you going to tell us about this no weapons thing, hmm?” she asked.

 

“Um, I was going to tell you before… ah, before we left,” the cornered man said, looking over to Aisling for some help.  She just glared at him along with the two women.

 

Sam turned him around to face her, “Daniel, do you remember that little blue number quite a few years back?  You know, the one that you said I should wear like a real anthropologist?”

 

Daniel’s eyes slid out of focus for a moment as a slight smile played on his lips when the mental image came to him.  Then Vala turned him around to face her, “And what exactly was that look for?”

 

“I… don’t know what you mean, mo ghrá,” he tried to look as innocent as possible.

 

“Don’t you give me that my love bit.  Why didn’t you tell us about the weapons?”

 

Daniel let out a long sigh, “Look, I’m sorry.  I’m working on two hours of sleep here.  It just sorta— skipped my mind.  I’ll be armed.  It’s not like we are going in without any protection.  And Cam will be with me while Teal’c will be with you.  There really shouldn’t be any problems.”

 

“Well, now there will be since you said that, Jackson!  Great way to minx the mission!” Vala tossed her hands into the air exasperated.

 

“That’s ‘jinx’ not minx, Vala.  Oh, and I think I’ve convinced Aisling to stay here since we shouldn’t be there overnight,” he added, trying to distract both of them.

 

The two women considered him for a long minute.  Nodding her head, Sam went to her locker to get ready.  Vala gave him a scorching look and did the same.  Daniel left the locker room, Aisling hard on his six, with relief that soon turned to anxiety.  He knew that was not going to be the end of it.

 

He headed down to Jack’s makeshift office and knocked on the door.  Hearing his grunted answer, Daniel pushed the door open.

 

“Daniel.”

 

“I have a request,” the younger man murmured.  When O’Neill raised his eyebrows in question, Daniel continued, “I’ve told Aisling that she needed to stay here while I was gone.  She’s not too happy, but I told her that maybe you would be willing to let her hang out in here?”

 

Jack leaned back in his chair and looked at him, “You know, Danny… that has got to be the most— odd request you have ever asked me for.”

 

Just then, Aisling jumped onto his desk and laid down on top of the paperwork Jack was dealing with.  Seeing that this could give him a good reason NOT do the dreaded and annoying work, he smiled at the cat.

 

“I guess I can do this for you… one time.”

 

Daniel let out a sigh of relief, “Thanks, Jack.  She won’t be any trouble.  And there is food for her in my office.  Oh and the littler box too.”

 

Waving his hand at him, Jack began to pet the purring feline.  Daniel smiled at the scene, then turned to go.

 

Before he got very far, he could hear Jack talking to Aisling, “You know, I’m really a dog person.”

 

“Meow.”

 

***

 

18 May 2009 — Earth: SGC-Planet Designation: P5X-221 — 15:00 hours

 

As everyone gathered in the ‘gate room, there was little talk.  All were focused on the mission and what they had to do.  Both Sam and Vala still looked as if they would like to throttle Daniel.  He stayed on the other side of Teal’c— for safety.

 

The ‘gate burst open with the familiar kawoosh and settled into its usual shining pool.  Daniel immediately remembered the image of the vertical pool within a stone ring that he kept seeing in Tir Na n’Óg  He sent out a silent whisper to Ta’om, giving thanks again for his restoration.  He felt primed and raring to go, other than being dog-tired.  He had missed going through the ‘gate more than he thought he would.

 

Cam turned to Daniel with a smile, “You ready for this?” the young Colonel asked.

 

Daniel grinned at him, “Oh, yeah!”

 

“SGs-1 & 2, you have a go,” General Landry’s voice echoed through the embarkations room.

 

Cam and Teal’c led the troops.  Sam and Vala followed with Daniel right behind them, SG-2 behind him.  As soon as he stepped through, he felt elated.  He was getting back to what he loved to do.  Traveling the stars.  Exploring the universe.  Living.

 

As they all regrouped on P5X-221, Daniel took in the lay of the land.  They were surrounded by mountains.  The sky was a dusty sort of blue with wispy clouds.  It was cool and had the smell of fall to him.  There was the nine-foot, razor wire fence encircling the Stargate that Daniel had mentioned was the border of the ‘No Man’s Land.’  They walked to the large gate and waited for their escorts to come and collect them.

 

“You sure you can handle this, Ferretti?” Mitchell asked with a grin.

 

“Just because your patch has a 1 on it doesn’t mean that SG-2 can’t handle everything you guys can!  And we don’t die as often!” Lou gave Daniel a playful nudge.

 

“Everyone’s a comedian!”

 

About an hour later, two horse-like beasts drawing carriages pulled up to the other side of the fence.  Emblazoned on the side was the seal of Segno.  Two men that were considerably shorter than the Tau’ri, but looked very stoutly built, came inside the gate.  Both of them had a mop of blonde, almost white hair and piercing blue eyes.  By the looks of the vehicle and the dress of the men, they could tell that Segno was a poor country.

 

“We are here to escort your treaty party to our capital,” the shortest one announced.

 

Ferretti picked up his backpack and with the rest of SG-2 followed the Segno men.  He looked back at SG-1, “Stay safe you guys.  I don’t want to have to come and rescue Jackson again.”

 

Daniel had enough and shouted, “Will everyone stop treating me like a fucking china doll!”

 

It was really starting to get to him.  Grabbing his pack, he went and sat near the fence and away from everyone else to wait for the Ertieg representative to show up.  He had wanted to enjoy his first mission back but with the way things were, he wasn’t sure that was going to happen.  He closed his eyes, trying to rid himself of a rising headache.

 

A streak of lightning flashed through his mind.  He could see bewildering images flicker behind his eyes.  He saw Sam and Vala, their faces were beaten and full of fear.  An angry mob of men, yelling, and spitting at the two women.  Cameron was overtaken by soldiers.  And then there was fire.  Flames lapping up around Vala and Sam, and he heard their screams.

 

“NOOOOOO!” Daniel cried, startling others.

 

Teal’c bent down and grasped the shaking man’s shoulder, “DanielJackson, are you unwell?”

 

His face was covered in sweat and he was shaking like a windblown leaf.  He pushed Teal’c’s hand away, crawled little ways away and puked.  What was wrong with him?  Where did those images come from and why now?  Daniel wiped the back of his hand a crossed his mouth.  This was not good.

 

A water bottle appeared before his eyes and he took it gratefully.  After he had rinsed out his mouth from the sick, he took several gulps.  Looking up he saw Vala standing next to him, her hand on his back.

 

“What happened, Moswen?” she asked him in hushed tones.

 

Daniel shook his head and stood up.  He was trying to discover that himself.

 

“I… I must’ve fallen asleep,” he told her in a thick voice.  “Had to been dreaming.  I’m okay now, Vala.”

 

The space princess didn’t believe him for one minute.  She knew something was wrong, but with everyone treating him with kid gloves, she knew better than to suggest that he go back home.

 

“DanielJackson,” the deep timber of Teal’c’s voice called, “ValaMalDoran, our guide is here to take us to the capital city.”

 

Daniel looked around and saw two car-like vehicles just outside the fence.  With one more gulp of water, he and Vala went to join the others.  As they approached the gate, the man from Ertieg held out his hand to stop them.  He had the calculating appearance of a weasel and his face acquired a look of disdain as Teal’c and the two women approached.  He too had blonde hair, what there was of it, but his eyes were pale gray, almost clear.  Their coldness really wigged out Daniel.

 

“My name is Sitrik and I’m sorry sir,” he addressed Daniel and Mitchell, “but the Jaffa cannot come past the fence.”

 

Daniel looked at him startled, “There was nothing in your laws that told us that.”

 

“It is known to all who trade with us.  The first of your people that we talked with did not have one with them, so it never occurred to us that you would bring one now,” Sitrik told him politely.

 

This was just getting better and better.  Neither of the women could have weapons and now Teal’c couldn’t go with them.

 

“I could radio SG-2 and see if they could use my assistance instead,” Teal’c suggested.

 

“No, no,” the little rodent man said, “No Jaffa anywhere.  We usually do not let your kind even come through the Chappa’ai.  No one told us that your people consort with… them,” Sitrik almost choked on the last word.  “And your women… they have no weapons, right?  Your leader, General Landry contacted and let us know they would be coming, but I did not realize that they were— soldiers.”

 

Vala was about to turn right around to leave when Daniel grabbed her arm to stop her.  The escort did nothing to hide his revulsion at the idea of the two females even being permitted to be there or that the man actually touched one of them.

 

Setting his jaw firm and his shoulders square, Daniel nodded, “It’s alright, we can still broker the trade agreement.”

 

“WHAT?!” Vala shouted.

 

Ignoring her, he turned to Teal’c, “I think you should stay on this planet, though.  Radio the SGC— let them know what is going on.  Vala and Sam will do their thing, Cam and I will do what we came here to do.”

 

Vala again began to protest, but Teal’c gave him a nod and Daniel turned back to the Ertieg man, “Let’s go then,” and he strode out the gate.  Mitchell shrugged and gave a half-hearted smile to the Jaffa, then herded the female portion of his team to the waiting cars.

 

Vala hurried to catch up with Daniel— she wasn’t going to let him out of her sight, no matter how pissed off he would get.  But that lasted all of thirty seconds.  The door to the first car was opened, both Daniel and Cam were relieved of their packs, then ushered into the car.  When Vala tried to get in next to them, Sitrik stopped her, taking great care not to touch her.

 

“You two may ride in the other car,” Sitrik told them with nothing short of disgust at having to address the women.

 

“Daniel—” Vala called to him.

 

“It’s going to be okay, Vala.  We have to respect their laws.  You and Sam go and do your thing, and Cam will be with me.  Please— don’t rock the boat,” he looked imploringly at both of them.  “Let’s just get this done, and go home.”

 

He still looked sick as the car door shut.  The two women walked back to the second car.  As soon as they got in, a woman in elegant clothes and a long scarf covering her head greeted them and smiled warmly.

 

“I am Addal, First Speaker of the women.  I greet you warmly,” she said.  “Your commander let us know that you would be accompanying the men.  It is a great honor to be able to speak with women from such a formidable planet.”

 

Sam smiled slightly, “I’m Colonel Samantha Carter and this is Vala Mal Doran.”

 

Vala didn’t bother with the niceties, “What’s the deal with women on this planet?”

 

Addal smiled softly, “The men are first.  We are here to serve them.”  Seeing the look on her guests’ faces, she continued, “We do have rights, but we are separate from the men in all things.”

 

“Why in the vast black cosmos do you put up with that?” Vala exclaimed.

 

Addal smiled sympathetically to the newcomers, “It is how we live, Ms. Mal Doran.  In Segno, the women are treated with less respect.  They are held in no greater regard than the animals.  They can hold no property, cannot vote, and are assigned a mate.  We feel very fortunate to live in Ertieg.  Many new laws are being accepted even now.  It must be quite different on your planet.  Having a woman as a soldier is astonishing.”

 

Sam knew that Daniel would have some wise words about different cultures to say, but she was with Vala on this.  It was simply wrong.

 

Watching out the window, they saw that Ertieg was very affluent.  The people on the sidewalks were all dressed in fine clothes and the buildings were pristine.  The cars pulled into the courtyard of a vast and beautiful manor.  The bushes were trimmed into what seemed to be animal shapes and the grounds were very neatly edged.  The house itself was three stories high and had a balcony wrapping around on the second floor.  There were two front doors, one more elaborate than the other.

 

Before the women got out of the car, Addal instructed the newcomers.

 

“We have to let the men go first and we use the smaller door.  You must always stay slightly behind the men and you may not speak until you are addressed.  Your heads must be covered at all times.  The hat you are wearing will be sufficient, Colonel Carter.  Ms. Mal Doran, do you need a scarf for this purpose?”

 

With her mouth hanging open with absolute gall, Vala dug into her pocket and pulled one of Daniel’s bandanna out.  With great flair, she wrapped it around her black hair.”

 

“Adequate?” she nearly snarled.

 

Addal smiled with a benign look and nodded.

 

“On our world, when a soldier enters a building, we take our cover off as a show of respect,” Sam said.

 

“Oh no, not here.  Only when you are alone or with other women can you remove the garment,” Addal told them.  Before they exited the car, she asked, “Are either of you mated to one of those men?”

 

Sam and Vala looked at each other for a second, “Dr. Jackson and I are in a relationship if that’s what you mean,” the dark haired woman answered.

 

“But are you his bonded mate?  Sworn only to him?” Addal asked insistently.

 

“Well, no, we’re not married.”

 

“Then the two of you will have to stay in a room together.  You will not be allowed to stay with him. You must not touch him either.  You cannot ever lay a hand on a man that is not bounded to you.  I know our ways are strange, but you must, for your own safety, abide by them.”

 

Vala was about to protest when she saw Daniel get out of the car in front of them.  He only quickly glanced at her as he followed Sitrik and Cam up the steps to the large door.  Sam grabbed Vala before she could go after him.

 

“Vala, they were probably told the same thing that we were.  He’s not ignoring you on purposes.  We have to be really careful and not piss these people off.  Okay?” Sam said in quiet tones.

 

She merely nodded her head and followed behind Addal.  When they reached the foyer, Vala noticed that Daniel was being taken off to the left while she and Sam were ushered to the right.  Neither woman was especially happy at being split up, particularly since they were unarmed.

 

When they reached their room, Addal let them know they had about an hour to freshen up and relax.  As soon as they were alone, Vala just about exploded.

 

“This is insane!  What’s the term?”

 

“CATFU!” Sam laughed.  Vala cocked a questioning eyebrow at her.  “It’s a military term.  It means, Completely And Totally Fucked Up.  Look, we just have to put up with it for a short time.  Daniel will wrap up the talks quickly.  He won’t want to stay here long either.”

 

She sat down on the bed and looked around, “Vala, do you have any weapons on you?”

 

Vala looked guiltily at her, “Yes.  You?”

 

Sam nodded, “Yeah, got it hidden.  We had better be careful.  It sounds like the law is taken very seriously.  Make sure you keep it concealed.”

 

The raven-haired woman nodded her head and began to walk around the room to investigate it more carefully.  It was a pleasant looking place with dark oak paneling.  A rug that seemed to be handmade covered most of the floor and added some color to the room.  A door opened out onto the balcony and looked out over the grounds.  The place was beautiful; that much was certain.

 

Vala noticed the female workers on the grounds.  The men were standing around, overseeing what they were doing.  Most of the women were actually no more than teens.  Sam came up behind her and looked out over the lawn, saying, “Our packs just came up.  It seems they went through them.  You didn’t have any—”

 

Vala shook her head no, “I didn’t want to chance that they would look through our stuff.  I’m kinda shocked that they didn’t pat us down though.”

 

“Me too.  Perhaps they thought it would be a breach of trust to do that,” Sam considered.

 

There was a knock on the door that startled both of them.  Sam went to answer it.  She was pleasantly surprised to see Daniel and Addal standing there.

 

“Daniel,” she said and Vala immediately came into the room, “is everything okay?”

 

He walked in with Addal a few steps behind him.  “You both have your things?”

 

Sam nodded.

 

“That’s good.  Um… I can come to see you, but you are not allowed to come to Cam’s or my rooms,” he told them with his eyes averted.  He knew that Vala would be upset.  “I’m sorry, I knew about the segregation laws, I guess I just didn’t realize how sacred it was to them.  The separation laws are basically their religion.”

 

Looking obviously uncomfortable, he said, “Addal will escort you on the tour of the hospital, the women’s school and show you around the city.  I’ve been told that crime is almost nonexistent because of the law of separation, so you shouldn’t feel too vulnerable without your weapons.”

 

Vala snorted and Sam just shook her head.

 

Daniel turned to Addal, “May I have a word with Vala— alone?”

 

The older woman looked suspiciously at him, then agreed.  She and Sam stepped into the hallway and closed the door.

 

As soon as they were alone, Daniel had Vala in his arms.  They kissed passionately for a moment.  When they parted, he put his forehead to hers and brushed her hair back.

 

“I’m sorry that we can’t be together, mo ghrá.  We have to go along with the customs here.  Cam and I will try to get these talks done soon, and we can go home,” he said.

 

Vala nodded with tear-bright eyes, “This is a fucked up planet, Daniel.  Addal said that Sengo is even worse.  Are we sure we want to have trade relations with this place?  I hate that I can’t even touch you.  And now I have to wear this all the time—” she pointed at her green bandanna.

 

“You look beautiful,” Daniel said with a smile.  “It’s that mine?”

 

With a little chuckle Vala nodded.  She kissed him again, wanting to soak his essence in as much as she could, “I’ll behave myself, darling.  I promise… even though I’m appalled at the treatment of women here.”

 

Daniel smiled at her, “Me too, and I’m sure Sam is also.  We have to make this work, though, Vala.  Jack is counting on me and, in fact, we could use a steady source of Naquadria.”

 

He knew that their time together would be very limited.  He hugged her close and kissed her once more.  “Please be careful, mo ghrá!  I don’t want anything to happen to you… or Sam.”

 

“We will be, Moswen.”

 

Addal knocked and entered the room without waiting for an answer.  Luckily, Daniel and Vala were a few feet away from each other when she came in.  Daniel could tell that the woman was anxious about leaving them alone.

 

He turned to his team, “The Proctor has arranged a dinner for us tonight.  I told him that we were not planning to stay overnight and didn’t bring any formalwear.  He said that they would be provided for us.  Addal will take you to a shop when you visit the city.”

 

Vala looked confused, “I thought we would be going back to the SGC.  No one said we would be staying the night.”

 

“It’s only for tonight, Vala.  Cam’s already radioed Teal’c to let them know Earth-side.  SG-2 was told it would be an overnight also when they got to Sengo.”

 

Sam was getting a hinky feeling but tried not to let him see that.  She smiled, “Overnight it is.  No problem.”

 

Daniel smiled slightly, “I’ll see you at dinner then.  The meeting will be right afterward.”

 

Addal bowed her head slightly as he passed to go back to his room.  She then turned to Sam and Vala.

 

“Are you sufficiently rested to go now?” the older woman asked.

 

Both of the teammates said yes and they followed their guide out the door.

 

***

 

18 May 2009 — Planet Designation: P5X-221 — 19:35 hours

 

The city was charming, Sam thought as they drove the hospital.  She was fascinated despite herself at how orderly everything was.  There was a red stripe down the center of the over-wide sidewalks, the women walked on the building side while the men walked on the street side.

 

For the most part, everyone was cordial to each other, save for a few men that quite literally raised noses in the air as women walked by them.  Sam noticed quite a few of the women were holding hands in a very intimate way.  Raising an eyebrow at Vala, she smiled.

 

“Addal,” Sam turned to the older woman, “can the women here have female mates?”

 

“Oh, yes, and men have male partners too.  In fact, it is typical.  If a man wishes… the companionship of a female as his mate, there are many forms to be filled and restrictions to adhere too.  Most men prefer to have nothing to do with women, though there are a few who enjoy their company.

 

“Still, all of the women have to produce at least one child.  However, we have a new technology where we no long have to engage in the physical act, if that is what we wish.”

 

Vala nearly spewed the water she had been drinking.  With eyes wide she side, “Where’s the fun in that?  No sex?  Gods, I wouldn’t be caught dead living here!”

 

Addal continued, a little put off but with an even voice.  “There is new legislation in the works that will allow one woman from a family not to be required to have a child.  However, I do not think it will pass.”

 

“Oh, that’s nice,” Vala said derisively.  “Why are women treated this way, Addal?  I just don’t understand.”

 

Addal sighed.  She really didn’t know how to explain it to the off-worlders.  It was just the way things were here.  “Maybe if you tell me a little about your culture, I can understand better what it is that have you so upset.”

 

“Well,” Sam started before Vala could regal the older woman with tales of sexual conquest she may have had.  “On my world, in the country I come from, women hold positions of power.  We are an equal part of the military, and also in politics.  Mostly, we are paid the same for the same work, and we can marry anyone we want to.  I’m not only a Colonel in the Air Force, but I’m also a scientist.”

 

“So the women can do anything the men can without prejudice?”

 

“Yes,” Sam said vehemently.  “We are as equals with the men— mostly.  There are sometimes problems, I don’t want you to think we live in a utopia.  There is violence against women and sometimes women are passed over for a promotion in favor of a man.  But, we live together if we want to.  We touch and play and use the same doors.  It wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow if a man and a woman were holding hands or kissing in public.”

 

Addal blushed at the idea, “No one can show any form of familiarity to the opposite sex publicly.  Not even if they were mated.  Men do not live with their partner.  She would live with her ‘family’.”

 

“I don’t understand,” Vala said.

 

“A ‘family’ encompasses all the women of one hereditary line.  We stay with the ‘family’ all of our lives.  If a male wishes to be with his woman, they must use the ‘common-house’ for the time that he desires to be with her.  Most of the men will move into row-houses when they are finished with their schooling.”

 

“How are the children raised then?” Sam asked, “if not in homes with their parents?”

 

Addal shook her head, “When a male child is born, he is taken to the fostering house, run by men and girls are returned to their ‘family.’  If the father wishes to visit his child, he is allowed on certain days.  He can visit either sex, but the mother cannot visit her son.  When the boys are old enough, they will go to school.”

 

Sam could hardly hide her shock at the information.  To never have the love and comfort of a parent seemed close to criminal to her.

 

“It’s very different where I grew up.  Our children are raised by their parents.  Sometimes kids have to go to foster care if the parents die or do not want the child, but typically we are nurtured in a family.  Do the girls go to school?”

 

“Oh, yes!  But different schools and the trade education is only for the men!  We will be touring the girl’s school and hospital.  We are not allowed to enter the men’s establishment.”

 

“See, in my country, we all go to the same school, have classes together, go to university together.  We do have some schools that are only for girls or boys.  It’s the parents of the child that choose to send their kids to those.  It’s not forced.”

 

Addal considered this for a long moment, “I think that would be nice to have, but that I will not see it in my lifetime.  Does your country accept same-sex mating as well?”

 

Sam smiled at Vala and said,  “It’s funny, we were having that conversation not that long ago.  Legally no.  But it is getting better.  Still, in many places they cannot marry or have any rights as a couple.  It has been only recently that gay and lesbian people can openly serve in the military.”

 

“Then both our planets are in the pains of birthing a new way of thinking,” Addal said thoughtfully.

 

It was quiet for some time as the two off-worlders continued to stare out the windows of the car.  Vala’s thoughts were with Daniel and she really didn’t comprehend what she was seeing or hearing.

 

The tour of the hospital was informative and Sam had a lot of notes to share with Dr. Lam when they returned.  The school was quaint, much like the one-room schoolhouse of old.  The girls were fascinated with the foreign women and asked so many questions that it was almost sunset by the time they left.

 

A short ride later, the car pulled into a parking lot and Addal gathered her things.  “This is where we can obtain some more appropriate clothing for the dinner tonight.”

 

They all stepped out of the car into the warm evening.  The first speaker ushered them into a shop.  It, like everything else here, catered to only one sex.  The dresses were gorgeous and Vala perked up at seeing them.  Both she and Sam perused the formalwear with glee.

 

“Addal,” Vala asked, “can we choose anything?”

 

The older woman laughed, the first time she had done so, “Yes, dear.  Anything.”

 

With huge smiles, they began their quest.  When both had picked out three gowns to try on, they went to the dressing rooms in the back.

 

That was when everything went sideways and the trouble began.

 

***

 

18 May 2009 — Planet Designation: P5X-221 — 19:35 hours

 

While Colonel Mitchell toured the barracks of the Protective Force, Daniel and Proctor Odoaker strolled through the flower garden chatting.  Jackson was fascinated with the history of Volzar and how they overcame the Goa’uld.  The system Lord that had reigned over this planet was a little-known female named Sanngriðr.  Daniel immediately knew that she had stolen the moniker from Old Norse mythology.  She was one of the Valkyries and her name meant “very violent” and “very cruel.”  And she was ruthless. Sanngriðr had forced the men to work the Naquadria mine, keeping them in little better than cages on The Island and killing male babies if the population grew too much.  The life expectancy of a man was barely 20 years.

 

The human women worked in Sanngriðr’s court, but they were also doted on and lived lavishly.  When the Goa’uld was eventually overthrown, the men of the planet became the rulers, and women became second class citizens.  Over the years, however, the men became just as cruel as Sanngriðr had been and established the laws of separation.  It also explained why the majority of the people he saw were blonde and blue eyed.  Sanngriðr must have snatched up her human slaves from Northern Europe, probably the Baltic region or Germania.

 

Even though he did not approve of the segregation of women, Daniel could see how smoothly everything seemed to run in Ertieg.  He was told of the poverty and crime that plagued Sengo and that Ertieg was trying to help them.  Sengo was resistant— seeing such help as an act of interference and colonization.  They didn’t like what Odoaker’s government was doing concerning the status of women and made it clear that there would always be a gender apartheid.  They also wanted Ertieg to share in the mining operations, but that hadn’t gone over well with the elite.  The caste system was very prevalent on this planet.

 

Daniel asked about their technology.  They had the ability for much more advanced modes of transportation but seemed not to covet such things.  They didn’t even have any sort of aircraft.  Odoaker told him that most of the population considered flying an act against nature.  That it was only recently they accepted the use of motorized vehicles in Ertieg.  Their technology was based on comforts and security.

 

The Island dome was left over from the Goa’uld and they just continued to use it for people that had been convicted.  The only way to get onto The Island was with what passed for a truck that would be driven across a long bridge.  When it was close to the dome, an electric signal was activated to let them through the force field.  Odoaker told Daniel that the frequency of the signal is always changing so the inhabitance of The Island couldn’t try to jam it and escape.  Only a very few men knew how the system worked and they were selected from only one hereditary line.

 

Medical study was also at the forefront of their ideology.  The advancements of herbalist medicine had almost wiped out most diseases in recent years.  Doctors were called ‘Healers’ and would spend long hours in special gardens, cultivating their crops.  Women were allowed to water and weed the gardens, but could not harvest the plants.  They were also required to wear garments that would keep them from actually touching the plants, keeping them pure from the bleeding disease that all women carry.

 

Proctor Odoaker was very forthcoming and Daniel liked that.  He got the feeling that the older gentleman would like to ease some of the separation laws.  As they talked, Odoaker told him that it was he who made it possible for women to hold property.  They still had to have an arranged pregnancy, but now they did not have to lie with the men; it could be done medically.  That was a big step in the lives of the people of Ertieg.  They still considered women to be unclean, but now acknowledged that they could learn and hold positions of some power.  Addal was the first woman to be allowed in the government.

 

And unlike Earth, same-sex partnerships were accepted.  Daniel figured that was the case, with the attitudes of the male population.  Odoaker said that even his own council the majority held a lot of bigotry and outright hatred of females.  He was definitely one of the few that looked at women as equals to men and actually enjoyed their company.

 

Still, as with so many places trying to change the way people think, prejudice and abhorrence will always be a problem.  It was rare, but there were public outcries, mostly in cases of serious breaches of law such as a woman hitting a man or having weapons.  The winds of change, however, had an air of unrest that the Proctor was concerned about.  He had hoped that an alliance with the Tau’ri would help to quell any uprisings his opponents were working to inflame.

 

As they neared the manor, Sitrik came running up to the men.  His face was sweaty and he had a look of sadistic glee about him.

 

“Proctor, we need you now!  It’s an emergency.”

 

The old man turned to Daniel, “Please excuse me a moment.”

 

The two men walked a short ways away and conversed quietly.  He wondered what Cam was up too.  The younger man didn’t like leaving Daniel alone, but the archeologist told Mitchell that he couldn’t get into much trouble just talking with the Proctor in the garden.

 

As Daniel looked around, he was overwhelmed with fatigue.  Readjusting his P-90 a crossed his chest he wished he had left it in his room.  But he had promised Jack to keep it with him at all times.  Closing his eyes, he turned his face towards the sun, and then it came—

 

Fire.

 

A raging fire all around Sam and Vala… burning them to death.  They were screaming his name.  A crowd of men shouting and spitting at them with fists raised in anger.

 

Daniel opened his eyes gasping for air.  Again, he fell to his knees and wretched.  What was going on with him?  What were these images?

 

Then it dawned him.  The gift that Dagda had given him.  The Imbas Forosnai-Knowledge that Illuminates.  He was having visions of things that were going to happen.  He looked up and saw the Proctor arguing with Sitrik.  Then he heard it.  An angry crowd just outside the garden walls.  Quickly Daniel stood up and went to the Proctor.

 

“What’s happened?” he nearly screamed.

 

Proctor Odoaker turned sad eyes to him, “Your women.  They were caught with weapons.”

 

 

 

 

[i] Ó Dia maith - Oh good God