Alright gents! After waayy too damn many delays, which I profusely, profusely apologize for and hope that interest in my story hasn't died because of it...I present to you, the conclusion to Enigma!
Mysteries are unraveled, more mysteries emerge, Carter comes face to face with her inner demons and more about Constellation is revealed and a horrific prediction is shared....And a lost brother returns to the fold!
All credit to the excellent artists..as usual
Abydos Pyramid complex
What are you doing Sam? A question she’d been asking herself with alarming frequency ever since she helped rescue the Tollan leaders from their doomed home world. Three hundred million survivors of a population of two billion, caused by an industrial accident on the other side of their own solar system. The prospects of just what could be done harnessing zero-point energy as a weapon hadn’t been lost on her, try as she might to banish the thoughts but something else came to her unbidden and that was a profound sense of sorrow at all the lost art, science and potential of two species ground to cosmic dust by the accident. Hammond wanted the technology for energy research, Ellis wanted the technology to fuel project constellation, but part of Sam still salivated at what amounted to the threat of exploding blackholes as a deterrence against the Imperium.
And another part of her, a stupid, silly part desperately wanted Narim to request asylum just so they could stay together. -I’m not a little girl, this is stupid- she repeated the mantra -It’s just leftover trauma from the fight with Horus. You’re just jumping at anything that feels nice.-. There was no way they could be compatible beyond Narim looking ten years older than her and apparently being old enough to be her father. She didn’t even know what he did, only that he came from a society that were willing to let billions of their own people die to protect their secrets. They were ruled by fear, by the past and Carter was always looking ahead, but so was Narim and his ability to ground himself in his heritage while striking ahead captivated her.
Perhaps that’s why she was going to visit him before they left, walking lazily along side her was Hugo who trotted through the Abydonian pyramid as though it was his mountain range sized complex and not the property of the former Empress of the three galaxies or whatever gaudy title the Hathor snake called herself. In her hand was a bag with four noisy bundles, a gift from General Landry to the Tollan team, including the arrogant Omoc. Seeing the Abyodians bow to Hugo always intrigued her. Teal’c and the Kelownan explained that it was because of Anubis who seemed to be a figure beloved by everyone not only the Goa’uld and their subjects but much of the known universe. Evidently his standard was a humanoid dog like creature with black fur that to Sam reminded her of Jacko (Named after O’Neill apparently.), the big goofy high content wolf dog that Grandpa Jacon owned while she was growing up than any Egyptian Jackal. Only the Anubis figure was apparently based off a wolf like creature with three horn like tusks rising from its snout. Seeing the black dog, with its pointed ears and battle scars and his gentle sense of guardianship must have reminded them all of the God who’d been martyred by what Carter suspected was a Goa’uld so evil that they had struck his or her name from the mythos, leaving only a void that referred to a “dark time, wherein a Nameless Horror, a fallen one slew noble Anubis and tried to destroy all the gods, Goa’uld, Asgardian, heretical Ori alike.” She wanted to know more about that period, for some reason her gut instinct told her the enigma of the Tollan was partially entangled in that ancient chapter
But even Teal’c and the Kelownan who were both fairly secular about their worship of the System Lords refused to talk about it and the look of abject horror on Skara’s face when she brought it up told her of the futility of it.
-One day, I’ll ask Narim assuming I ever see him again.- Hugo led her fairly quickly to the room the Tollan were using to prepare for their departure, Omoc, Daniel, the impossibly tall Morrigan (Who gave her the creeps in an almost fun way.) and General Landry were off to the side of a column discussing something that must have been important since despite the fact that the General looked like he wanted to jump out of his own skin he was doing his best impression of a stoic.
Narim was sitting on a bench near the entrance discussing something with another Tollan when he saw her, the smile on his face was all too boyish. He waved off the other Tollan and rose to greet her something that made her want to match his smile with one of her own -Stupid, stupid. – Hugo loped into the room and ran straight for Narim jumping on his new friend in greeting before he made his way towards the Morrigan with no fear.
For her part the Nox leader seemed amused by his defiance and knelt down to pet the Dog. “Well, if it isn’t an old warrior come to make sure I’m treating his charges well.” Something danced in those starlike eyes and Sam’s skin crawled. She’d done something to Hugo in that moment and instinctively she knew it wasn’t bad but gifts from the Nox seemed to carry with them a charge and she didn’t want to think about what that duty would be for such a friendly animal.
“He minds us, Queen of the dead, he minds us sometimes too much for his own good.” Landry answered. “As all good soldiers do, you know something of this yourself Henry Landry.” She stood; the dog seated dutifully by her calf (though with her height it seemed like he barely made it above her ankle when she finally stood.) as she turned to Omoc. “That technologist there bares gifts for you all.”
“I do actually.” Carter handed the satchel she’d been carrying to Narim who opened it and laughed. “Are those.”
“Puppies, specifically from one of the retired service dogs here on Abydos. I’ve also included genetic material from four different species of buffalo as well. Though, Stargate Command says any cloning you do, would have to be limited only to Tollan ownership, you can’t sell them to anyone not of your kind.”
“None of us would dream of it Samantha.” Narim breathed, as he held one of the fat pups in his hands, it licked him and the other Tollan came to collect theirs, each one seemed both baffled by the SGC’s gesture of good will and surprised at such a precious gift. Omoc raised an eyebrow at carter Carte, what might have passed as surprise appearing on his features. “You are still determined to establish some sort of relationship with worlds not on our trade colonies it appears.”
“The SGC accepts you likely won’t ever share technology; Travell made what she wanted from us clear..Secrecy.” Carter answered coolly, causing Omoc’s eyes to narrow at the mention of their leader. “She threatened your world did she not?”
“She did.” Carter answered. “But she also offered us favored amongst nations trade deals, almost as if she was trying to buy our silence and make sure can keep us where she can see us.” She waved a hand cutting Omoc off. “Governor, we’re used to her brand of nonsense, don’t get me wrong, the SGC just chooses to retain good relations with
Rax-Tollana. Your new world needs to rebuild heal and grow and we would prefer to do business with you. Consider these..gifts which came about because a few of our civilians didn’t control their own pets..a gift in that spirit.”
That Admiral Hammond and General Landry chose the most ruthless member of Stargate Reconnaissance team One to deliver this, offer which Omoc knew he would have to accept in good will couched with a subtle condemnation was not lost on either man. Omoc chose the runt of the litter for his own lifting the female up. “Well, it seems I shall name you Samantha. May you be worthy of the name.”
When he stormed off back to the crowd around the Morrigan Narim and Carter shared a laugh. “He cares, callous as he may appear. I believe he feels he owes a debt of honor to Doctor Jackson..”
“The way Daniel tells it, this Nox Queen put your entire species under some sort of hidden test that he passed. I’d say the whole of the Tollan race owes him.” Sam muttered feeling Narim take her by the wrist. A sense of relief filling her when he opted to make the first move. “May we take alone outside for a moment Samantha?”
She grinned. “I’ve got a few.” Again, like a school girl -what the hell is wrong with you Sam!- outside, with only the puppy as a chaperone Narim chuckled softly, the annoying fact that the two of them could often guess each other’s moods once again rubbing itself in her face. -This isn’t just unprofessional, it’s seditious, for both of us- She had to remind herself, though she was reasonably certain she was exaggerating that.
“You have chosen to obey Travell by spiting her, I assume your commerce with
Rax-Narya and the other commerce colonies will continue, but you wish to do business with us as well?” Narim seemed amused by that, it must have been given that they had energy to matter conversion, but she also had a feeling that
Rax-Tollana would need certain amenities such as Naquadah that they would not be able to obtain on their own. Kasuf, for his part had spoken with the other city masters and would likely broker a deal with Omoc as soon as the Stargate on Rax-Tollana was set up and they could establish a closed Gate Network with Abydos. Assuming they could, it seemed like the City Masters believed they could manage the extra demand so long as their people were paid well.
Which was likely not going to be a concern.
-We’re building a neat little web of soft power allies out here, on someone else’s turf..And its all nice until this Hathor person decides to show up and kill us all- she thought dejectedly, it was why they really wanted some Tollan expertise, help reverse engineering some of the weapons tech they managed to take from the various fights with the Imperium. She shook herself from those thoughts when she felt a reassuring grip on her wrist. “Hathor is no tyrant, unlike Ra. From all accounts she’s a far more just ruler, albeit distant.”
Carter laughed. “Really, because Teal’c says the same thing, yet also said she committed genocide against an entire species because Ra stepped out on her with their queen.”
Narim nodded, his eyes shifting in that odd way that made her think he was trying to access a memory file, another reminder that the Tollan might have looked human, some might even have had a human ancestor, but they were absolutely not human. “I’ve always been..shall we say..skeptical of that story. Do not misunderstand me Samantha, it is possible for someone to change, guilt is a powerful motivator, and I will admit from first hand experience attempting to assess and predict the mind of a creature over a hundred thousand years old is what you would call a nightmare. But it seemed so, irregular. I’ve always fancied there was more to it, though that hardly makes her any less dangerous I suppose”
He was speaking like a spy, she realized, or someone involved in intelligence and it suddenly hit her that in all their interactions she’d never bothered to ask him what he did for a living before his world blew up and there was a momentary sense of panic until Narim shook his head. “Yes, I was involved in security, specifically I was the commander of planetary defenses…I suppose I still am, but I was not intelligence. I did study what you would probably call “xeno-psychology” and foreign relations, but you may relax.”
So, I’m smitten with their equivalent of a three-star general, lovely.
“I..Thought I was more of an idiot than I am for a second there.” Carter muttered, running a hand through her straw-colored hair. Tracing her fingers along the braid Kadra had done up for her while the two women waited for Doctor Lahm to come back and clear her for duty this morning. (Carter ended up having a pretty spectacular allergic reaction to plant matter in the Tollan atmosphere that must have carried on their clothes, then her gear.). Narim let out a laugh “I think we are attracted to each other because it is safe. We have both lost, grievously, we have both suffered wounds of the mind and we both love our respective nations far too much for our own good.”
“We’re all wrong for each other baby.” Carter answered with a manic grin. The pup scurrying about ahead of them.
“We are.” He conceded then shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been enjoyable.”
She nodded in agreement, damn him, it had been. “It also doesn’t mean it couldn’t work if our situations were less insane.”
Narim nodded enthusiastically before he gently guided her to a corner, which she was glad for because if she had stopped to think on stupidly cliché what she’d just said was, she’d want to rip her own eyeballs out. Wait, why did he? “Sam, would you think less of me if I decided to share some intel with you?”
“You know the answer to that Narim, you wouldn’t sell out the Tollan for a stupid primitive its why I like you.”
He paused, assessing before nodded in relief. “Though, I would not call you a primitive, not entirely at least…” After a moment of seemingly trying to collect himself, the Tollan continued. “The other War Master of the Imperium, Bra’tac has invested a rather large number of spies in his former Lord’s activities. Some time ago he noticed that Apophis has begun shifting funds to pay for the construction of ships, transport vehicles and weaponry. As of now, it’s estimated this auxiliary fleet numbers nearly sixteen hundred vessels.”
This was shocking, not the intel given even though that was a heavy gift all its own, but that Narim was willing to hint to the sheer extent of the Tollan spy network to her was on a whole other level. Carter’s heart pounded in her chest as she ran over the possible reasons a ranking member of the paranoid Tollan’s military would provide her with such intel, if like Shaun’ac Narim intended to use her species to settle internal matters or if he had another reason in mind or if this was a further attempt to spite Travell or if this was something else entirely. The Tollan were a whole mess of inconsistencies, lies, feints, maneuvers and cover stories within cover stories and even now she couldn’t be sure why Narim was divulging any of this except that they both shared a love for their people, a sense of ruthlessness and a mutual attraction born out of grief.
The perfect combination for a healthy relationship, Sam Carter, P.H.D, J.D, D.O etcetera, you truly are a genius. Only the smartest person on earth could be this stupid. “Maybe he’s just preparing for a civil war like the House of Ra is doing?” She paused, frowning. “Well, if that’s the case why would he outsource the construction when presumably his own industry would produce better ships?”
Narim nodded, that nod the Tollan did when they thought you were unusually clever for a lower lifeform. “Yes, that is eventually the conclusion Bra’tac reached. In either case, unless we were to construct a fleet that size every month in your twelve-month year, he would not be able to replace even one of the proper fleets under his command. The military might of the Imperium is staggering Samantha, and Apophis represents a sizable portion thereof.”
So then why? Why was he outsourcing the construction of ships and to such a number? Unless he was planning something covert? “Y..You think he’s trying to stage a false flag to lure Horus into making the first move?” If this was true, it was an intelligence gold mine. Something they could trade with the House of Ra if they ever came knocking on Abydos’s door, intel that could buy them a lot of good will and hopefully diplomatic leverage. Something dawned on her, a memory of the lore master, Shaun’ac and the things she implied, of Shepherd’s conversation with the Jaffa girl and Herakles in his report.
No, they seem to think that’s happening already.
So, then what?
Her heart sunk.
“You understand Samantha.” Narim said, his tone as grave as the ash saturated skies of his former home world. His cheeks a similar shade of that ash color, a look of empathy that was striking to Sam Carter in his features.
Apophis was building up a force to make a play for earth. She swallowed, then allowed the emotion to wash over her, the panic to bleed away until all that was left was her reason. She brushed hair from her eyes, hoping that hand wasn’t shaking. “From what Teal’c told us it would take weeks to months to navigate outside of the Hyperspace relays, then they’d have to invest in and secure planets to use as staging points and hubs along the way and that’s while navigating around the protected planets zone and neutral space full of minor civilizations that.”
“Most of which are only slightly more advanced than your kind.”
“But sixteen hundred ships would that even be enough to take earth?”
Narim smiled sadly. “A single Tollan vessel could destroy most of your defenses and military bases inside of a day, and our ships are not dedicated warships like those of the System Lords. Apophis would only need to remove your ability to mobilize an army, perhaps wipe out a major city or two. Tell me, would the nations of Tau’Ri not surrender then?”
He was right, damn him. He was right. Her mind wandered back to Project Constellation and O’Neill’s effort to talk Horus down. Of all the effort to befriend advanced cultures and to convince the leaders of the Imperium, these System Lords that they only wanted to explore and do business. It was all an attempt to build a bulwark, a deterrence and was it for nothing now?
“We estimate of that sixteen hundred, however he likely would only be able to bring a hundred of those against your world, with the rest being used to occupy the worlds he would need to use as a beachhead and the bulk of that would be to act as a deterrence against Asgardian intervention. Or, intervention by his fellow System Lords.”
Something else dawned on her and it was like a slap in the face.
Constellation,
he knew. She didn’t know how, but he knew, he must have had far greater access to their systems than anyone could have guessed and worse! Whatever he did likely affected earth as well.
I’m being paranoid Sam thought, Landry had plenty of information on Constellation since the 302 prototypes were to be built and tested here. She was being paranoid, it had to be and yet, with how dismissive he’d been of their technology…He knows.
Narim set a hand on her shoulder. “I assure you, only Omoc knows, and he didn’t seem to care, only remarking that no one else could succeed where Thoth failed save his son or you.” Before she could pull back, he squeezed her shoulder. “I swear to you, no one else knows and no one ever will. It isn’t our in our nature to traffic the secrets of less sophisticated races and I would destroy the evidence even if it were.”
“Why?” she asked, hating herself for how breathless she sounded in her own ears.
Narim shrugged. “Because I..You and I are alike, Samantha. Because my wife is dead and buried, because I lost most of my sons in the tragedy. The ones who survived, may never wish to speak to me again for remaining behind. Because you needed a friend.”
“We both did..” she muttered. “We’re dumber than we thought.” She let out a sigh and cursed herself because before she knew it the two were embracing. “There’s been an attraction there between us from the start Narim, but it comes from a bad place.”
He nodded in agreement, there wasn’t much else to say, and she understood there was no point in conveying her gratitude so the two kissed and parted ways.
Lahm had advised her to seek counseling for what the fight with Horus did to her, Jack and Teal’c and Daniel had all been friendly ears, but the damage wasn’t anywhere near repaired.
Except perhaps now.
Carter laughed bitterly; she would cherish Narim for as long as she lived if for no other reason than because realizing there was someone out there just as wrecked as you are was; an oddly stabilizing thing.
She wouldn’t be there when they departed, she didn’t want to be anywhere near the Morrigan, and she had what she needed from the Tollan.
God, family, country. That’s how Grandpa Jacob lived, her parents had put country above family and God and as a result her mother had been aboard flight 77 when it slammed into the Pentagon, where her father had worked. The Tollan seemed to place their species and its safety above all other considerations even family for the mother of all paradoxes in her mind. Narim, had spent his entire life in the service of that extreme creed just as her parents had, just as she had.
Yet he broke it for her.
She’d never forget that and never understand it. She wasn’t even sure if it made him seem less in her eyes for violating values, they both held sacred, or if it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for her.
And she wasn’t sure she’d ever be brave or weak enough to make that mistake.
