Jack stuck his head out the door, watched blurrily for a moment, grunted, and went back to bed. Maggie tucked him back in, worriedly kissed his head, and went back into the living room. Zu came in and was pecking hungrily at a bowl of fruit Sam quickly put out for him.
“What have you been doing?” she asked him.
“Wooorkkking,” he croaked and spit out a piece of orange rind. Fr. Joe glanced up from his coffee and looked at the bird.
“I gathered that,” Sam said. “Working at what?”
“Ppppressent forrrr youuuu,” he said.
“For me? Where is it?” she asked, surprised.
“Commmming,” he assured her. He looked over at Olivia in Maggie’s arms. “Haapppyyy cubbbb,” he commented. Sam looked at the baby and smiled.
“Yes, she is,” she agreed.
“Nexxxt gennnerrrationnnn,” Zu said. “Trraaaain herrrr welllll.”
“Next generation? What do you mean, Zu?” Sam asked, frowning.
“Daaaltuuu. Ezzzibbbb shhhhaaaa.”
“What? Zu, I don’t speak Sumerian,” Sam reminded him. He flew to the back of the chair Maggie was in, rubbed his beak against Olivia’s cheek and preened the fuzz on her head before disappearing. She gurgled and waved a hand at him.
“You, uh, have interesting guests,” Fr. Joe said, a little pale.
“Who, Zu? Exasperating is a better word, I think,” Sam commented. She made a note to ask Daniel the meaning of the words. There was a squawk from outside. Zu popped back in, shook snow off his back, looked out the window as he planned his strategy, and popped back out again.
Inanna beamed in. She looked out the window and shook her head.
“I had wondered where our children had gotten to,” she said. “A few big kids, too, I see. Ah, well.” She touched her comm and informed the ship. Moments later, Ninurta, Shara, Gibil, and Jonathan beamed in and were out the door. Enki and cigar sat on the porch, which was declared neutral territory.
It wasn’t exactly what Daniel and Sam had in mind for the day, but everyone needed the break. Daniel came in after a while and was conned into playing his piano after his fingers thawed, and told Enki about all the sleep Jack had been doing.
Enki checked on Jack and assured his partners that he was fine. He had several experiences with new, open sections of his brain while on the Prometheus, and all of Jack’s energy was being sapped by the open circuits so the sleep was good; it was replenishing his energy which had been growing dangerously low.
It was dark when Jack woke up. He listened. The house was quiet. He was quiet on the inside, too, feeling like he had been muffled with cotton. He looked over and saw Sam and Daniel asleep next to him. He got up, peed, and made the rounds. Everyone was asleep. He found food and sat in his office to work for a while. When it was light, he took a long, hot shower, shaved off the three-day beard, and made breakfast for the kids. Everyone was glad to see him up and he assured them he was fine. Sam headed out for the final week of the forensic seminar and Daniel took the kids to school while Jerrie got Olivia up and fed. Jack needed to go to DC for a meeting.
It was unusual for Jack to be a willing participant in a government meeting, so when he actually initiated one, Hayes and Maynard made time in their schedules. Jack sat down and told them about the proposal of unified worlds.
“My God, Jack, we can’t get our own world to cooperate,” Hayes said, stunned.
“I know and I told them that,” Jack said. “Look, I’m saying that I don’t know what to do about this. I’m flattered that they want me to lead this thing, but at the same time, I have a family to raise. I’ve been away from them too much as it is. I missed Davy’s eleventh birthday and Christmas. If there is someone you feel should be offered the position of Tau’ri representative, that’s fine. I’m willing to be standby, in case a decision breaker needs to be made. They want me whether or not Earth is involved. The Heaven’s Bow will be leaving tomorrow for their new home world. Inanna doesn’t want to lead this thing, she wants to rebuild a world. I’d suggest Hammond for the post but I’m also thinking he’d be great as the new Air Force Academy Commander.”
“We’re already considering him for that post,” Maynard said from the window. “How do we get Earth together to do this?”
“They said it doesn’t matter what a single planet does within its own borders,” Jack told him. “There will be a compact for the union, and there will be a sentient rights statement which the planet will need to follow, but other than that…..”
“I’m rackin’ my brain here, Jack, and the only person that comes to mind for this is you,” Hayes said. “You’re already known, your record speaks for itself. There isn’t another person on this planet that can even match you, as much as it pains my own ego to say it.”
“Since the next governing body is the UN, I suggest calling an emergency meeting and letting the other nations in on this,” Jack said. “We need to find out the general mood of the planet. I can call a meeting with the HomeSec council. We can’t force everyone into this; there would be calls of dictatorship. We need to move fast, though, the galaxy is looking to this tiny, xenophobic planet to head up this thing.”
“If they want Earth to do this, shouldn’t we be the ones to write the compact?” Hurley asked.
“There are still planets chiming in with their preliminary vote for inclusion,” Jack said. “The protocols haven’t even been written, yet; Bre’tac is collecting lists of wants and needs. We need to wait and see what everyone has to say; we cannot walk in and take over, imposing our Western standards on the galaxy. If we step in and abolish the things we don’t like, we would be acting like the settlers did with the Native Americans. No matter what I personally feel about those acts, I’m not willing to turn a society upside down and force them to follow an alien protocol. They want Earth to participate and me to lead the council. I would be the voice of the council, the tie-breaker, not the king. The union will be run by council, not by Earth.”
Jack stood and walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of water.
“Look, guys, this is a major step they’re taking out there,” he said, gesturing toward the sky with his glass. “They have been living in fear for thousands of years and they suddenly have their freedom. Sure, a few planets are going a little wild, and a few don’t know what to do without someone telling them, but all in all, the fact that they are looking to each other for support is a positive step. Some of them are just as xenophobic as Earth, but we’re getting past it. We need to be looking at the bigger picture, and the bigger picture is out there.”
Chapter 31
Jack came out of the shower in the morning and looked at his partners as he dried off and began to dress. “I need to know what you are thinking about this whole unification thing,” he said to them. “Truthfully. Positives and negatives, I want to hear it.”
Daniel pushed pillows against the headboard and leaned back, fingers laced behind his head. “Well, seems to me, if you’re going to lead this unification thing, you can’t be the Tau’ri representative, too. Conflict of interest. You should step back and let Earth pick their own council rep. Since the Jaffa accept you as a brother, and Enki accepts you as an in-law, through me AND Jonathan, you could legitimately claim at least three races you are loyal to. You stand between the worlds, as it were. If Earth is going to participate, there needs to be a Tau’ri representative that is NOT you. I’ve been making notes on this subject, actually, just a little doodling I’ve been doing for a couple of years. I’ll show you my notes, if you want to see them. It’s been pure fantasy and speculation up ‘til now; this is do-able, Jack, and it isn’t as scary as you think it will be.”
“I agree,” Sam said from the small table where she was putting on a light touch of make-up. “You can get a little tunnel-visioned, once in a while, which having a personal council will help you with, but you can’t lead the council as a whole and be the Earth representative. In fact, I think it would be a bad move for you to be the
local rep.”
Startled, Jack looked at her. “Why?”
“Because you would need to be subservient to all of Earth’s leader’s, and you don’t do subservient well.”
“Oh. This is true.” He’d concede that one to her. “Wouldn’t that also make it difficult for us to remain here?”
“Not necessarily,” Daniel said, absently scratching at his chest. “Unless you want to get a planet all your own, we would be living on a world that is, supposedly, a member of this unification. May as well stay here. You’ll just need to set firm boundaries to not play favorites.”
So far, it sounded to Jack as though he wouldn’t be much more than a referee. He could do that. He’d need to make sure there were plenty of cells with locks on them, just in case squabbles got out of hand.
That morning the kids were allowed to stay home from school so that they could see the Heaven’s Bow off to her new home. Sam begged off from the seminar, leaving Dr. Lam in charge for the day. Enki made sure Landry understood that their gate address was NOT to be public knowledge. As far as the rest of the gate holders were concerned, the Abydos address was still history. Bre’tac and Teal’c knew it was open, though, as did the Asgard. Landry and Jack both promised to keep the gate’s existence a secret. M’Net playfully offered Jack and Daniel one last try at his sleeping pillows. They both playfully refused. M’Net had been having fun with quite a few people; he and the other Sua were being dropped off at their own planet on the way to Kalam, so they were getting their licks in. T’Keet and Zu were currently raiding the kitchen for fruit to take with them on the trip home. It was only about an hour ride at top speed, and Enki did plant fruit trees, but it was the principle of the thing.
“You can do it, Jack, trust in yourself,” Enki told him, gripping him by the shoulders for a shake. “Be judicious. Remember, sometimes we must choose between two evils, and live with our choice. Cut off the arm if it will save the body. When the time comes for those types of decisions, harden yourself and do the right thing.
“You are a good man, Jack; you are welcome to join us at any time. We’re not far away, a walk through the gate, an hour or so by ship. All our people know that I have claimed Daniel as my child; as his mate, you also have the right of family. Samantha,” he turned to her and took her hands. “You are the queen of your family. Never forget that. Just as Jack is the strength and Daniel the truth, you are the heart. Only you can balance strength and truth. You not only saved our lives, you are my son’s queen; call upon us.” She hugged him hard and kissed his cheek.
Enki turned to Daniel. “I had many sons, many who have died. Daughters, too. Only Ninurta survives and I bless Life Herself for him. You remind me of Ba’eru. He was a curious little fellow, always poking his nose into places just to see what was there. He was lost to me long before we came to this planet. I wish he had lived to see this world; he would have fallen in love with it. Ninurta was born on this world, just after we came here. I love him for who he is, not for those that I am missing. I cannot replace your own father, I have no desire to, no one should, but as you have taken in children not of your body, and have loved them with all your heart, I hope that you can understand my heart. It may not be logical, but I don’t know when love is ever logical. Know that I don’t speak lightly, Dan’el; my family is yours, just as fully as Ninurta makes that claim.”
Daniel hugged him and kissed both cheeks.
“I think my father would have approved,” he whispered huskily.
Ninurta stepped in, took him by the ears, and gave him a shake. “Little brother,” he said. “Come and play with me, once in a while. I will keep a horse just for you. I will teach you to hunt with falcons.”
Daniel hugged him, too. “Thank you… for keeping Jack safe,” he said.
“I could do no less,” Ninurta said and gave Daniel’s cheek a pat.
“What did Zu mean by calling Olivia daltu?” he asked with a frown.
Ninurta lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t know, ahu,” he said. “Zu sometimes knows things we don’t. He doesn’t explain to us, either. That’s an interesting epithet for a baby, though. Powerful connotations. Perhaps we should call her Ammartu. Come here, babu,” he cooed, taking the baby from Katie. Olivia gurgled happily, drool pouring over the fist in her mouth. Ninurta kissed her anyway and looked thoughtfully into her eyes which had begun turning from newborn blue to O’Neill brown. “Daltu, eh? Well, little one, we shall see, hm?”
Inanna hugged Sam nearby and kissed her cheeks. “Dadu, you have a present waiting for you in your Yard,” she told Sam. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out yourself. Come for tea. Soon.”
Shara handed Jack a piece of leather. Jack looked at it. It was a short scabbard with delicate patterns tooled into it.
“Very nice,” Jack said. “What’s it for?”
“The pukku,” Shara said. “You can’t go around with it poking out the back of your pants. This attaches to your belt.” Jack nodded, impressed at the work that went into the leather, and took Shara’s forearm.
“Cassie isn’t here,” Daniel mentioned as he turned to Jonathan.
“I saw her yesterday. I spent time with Mom, too. They’re both fine. Cassie’s fine,” Jonathan assured him. “She’s happy, Daniel; I think Dean is good for her. Be happy for her.”
“I am,” Daniel assured him with a nod.
“And be happy for me,” Jonathan said gently. “I’m happy, too. I don’t know where this is going to take me, but I’m finally free of Jack’s memories. I’m me.” The younger man seemed at peace; possibly for the first time in his dual life. Daniel believed him.
The children got in hugs and kisses from all around, and clamored to know when they could come and visit. Enki declared himself Grandpa and told them that grandpas always got frequent visits from the grandchildren.
“Lady Inanna,” Jack said, standing straight with his hands resting behind his back. “As an official representative of Tau’ri, our world thanks you and your people for your assistance over this past year. And unknown to the rest of the world, I thank you for your assistance in our past. We literally wouldn’t be here, if it wasn’t for you and your people. Especially that old goat. If you ever need help, just call.”
“Thank you, General,” she said with a royal incline of her head.
“And I’ll be by sometime soon,” he said, “to talk about this unification thing. I think I need a meeting with my council.”
She laughed easily. “Anytime, Jack. Our home has a wing set aside for your family. And the Anunnaki are grateful for your assistance; we would still be lost, if not for you and your people. You have done a tremendous thing, and I don’t believe you are fully aware of the gravity of this.”
Jack cocked his head and looked at her. “Are you going to tell me who you guys really are?” he asked. She laughed again and brushed his mouth with hers.
“Salimu, mersiya,” she said. “Gade.”
They all beamed up.
“Damn,” he muttered, snapping his fingers.
“Why didn’t you just flip your On switch?” Paul asked. Jack glared. Paul wasn’t buying it. Jack then glared at Daniel.
“Peace, sweetie, I’m off,” Daniel translated.
Laughter broke out and Jack slapped a hand to his face. “I really need to learn that friggin’ language,” he muttered to himself.
Once the crowd was gone and the house was quiet again, Daniel slouched on the couch with Olivia on his legs, bouncing her. “Jonathan’s becoming an interesting person,” he said. “I can still see you in him, but this new thing he’s doing is bringing out a lot of unknowns. Do you have any of that in you?”
Jack pursed his lips and sat at the dining room table. “I’m not sure what I would do in his place, but think I can understand him. Maybe Ninurta is right; it comes from the soul, and the heart and mind only fill in the blanks.”
“Do you believe in a soul?” Daniel asked him, curious.
“Actually, Ninurta asked me that sam
e thing,” Jack said. “You came to me several times when you were dead. I can only believe that it was your own willpower that kept your soul together and conscious. I can’t believe the soul can be duplicated, so if I have a clone, he must have his own soul. I’m not sure I believe in soulless creatures, and he’s definitely alive.”
“Maybe Jonathan was a little more borderline than he let on,” Daniel said. “He had all those memories and knowledge in him and he couldn’t do anything about them. So he surrendered. He seems to have found peace where he is. I think it’s good for him. Healthy. He just may be becoming a new person.”
The phone rang and Jack picked up the kitchen extension.
“O’Neill.” He listened as the other person spoke for a while. “Henry, slow down,” he said, holding up a hand to thin air. “It’s a good idea, I don’t mind, really. It isn’t a chore, I’d be honored. Just be sure to include Russia; they were, technically, the first. Have the outline sent to Major Davis, and I’ll take a look. The timeline sounds do-able. A bit soon for this kind of thing, but do-able. Sure, Henry. You’re welcome.”
“What was that?” Sam asked, coming down the stairs. She looked excited about something.
Jack went back into the living room. “Hayes wants to do some kind of memorial, honors, and site-seeing tour for retired astronauts,” he said. “Take them for a spin around the solar system.”
Sam’s eyes lit up. “That’s actually nice of him,” she said with a nod. “The current pilots are being reshuffled, it would be nice to honor those retired.”
“Yeah, and it’s fast,” Jack said. “Apparently Major Erikson has a nasty tumor growing into his spine, inoperable. Hayes would like something to happen before Erikson dies.”
Sam caught her breath, her eyes wide. “He’s the last of the original First Flight crew,” she said. Jack nodded. “Yes, we need to do something. What’s the plan?”
The Anunnaki Unification, Book 2: A Staraget SG-1 Fan Fiction Story Page 17