No wonder he’d felt uneasy. Jack counted twenty-one pedestals on either side, plus the dozen on the dais. And the Ammit. Yeah. Quite the welcome wagon.
It was hard to know where to aim, so Jack kept his site on the group on the other side of the hall. They appeared to be the ones in control.
“Carter,” he said quietly. “What’s your condition?”
“I’m good, sir.”
Good enough, Jack translated, which was the best he could hope for at the moment.
“Wait — Jack!” Of course it was Daniel. “I know what this is. This is where we’re supposed to be, it’s the Hall of the Two Truths.”
“And?”
“And I don’t think we really want to come in here, weapons blazing.”
“Do you see me firing, Daniel?”
“No, but — uh-oh.”
Now what?
“Daniel?” Carter was on her feet now. She sounded marginally better.
“If that’s what I think it is —”
“Daniel?” Jack repeated Carter’s question, adding an extra edge of irritability. He didn’t like it when Daniel sounded worried. It usually meant things were a hell of a lot worse than he already thought.
“It really is right out of the Book of the Dead — everything. This place, what we’ve been through, it makes perfect sense, now.”
“I take it that’s a bad thing?” Carter said.
Daniel grimaced. “Not if you’re actually dead. The final step in the journey to a blissful afterlife is the weighing of the heart.”
“You’re talking about a metaphorical weighing, though, right?”
But Daniel shook his head. “I don’t think so, Sam.” He glanced up at the dais where those scales were. “To the Egyptians, the heart was the center of everything — thought, will, love, hate. It was the only organ left inside the body when it was mummified. It was believed that, at the end of the journey through Duat, the heart was quite literally weighed against a feather. If it was free from sin then it was light and balanced with the feather. If not — well, see that rather hideous thing waiting there?” Daniel pointed at the Ammit. “Let’s just say, they didn’t call it The Devourer for nothing.”
Jack shuddered. He’d seen what that thing could do. He had no desire for an encore. “Any chance we could just walk out of here?”
“I don’t think so, sir,” Carter answered for Daniel. “Even if we wanted to, I’m pretty sure we came through one of those transporters. I don’t think they go both ways.”
Without warning, and before Jack could stop him, Daniel stepped forward, his arms raised in front of him.
“I am Daniel Jackson,” he spoke in a loud voice. It filled the entire hall. “This is Jack O’Neill, Samantha Carter, and Teal’c. We have endured the trials of Duat and humbly ask for admittance into the Hall of the Two Truths. We stand before you, clean of heart and unfettered by any sin.”
Jack grabbed Daniel’s arm and jerked him back. “Daniel, just what the hell are you doing?” The last thing they needed was to end up at the other end of the room with their hearts on that scale.
“When a person enters the Hall of the Two Truths, one is expected to make a sort of ‘negative confession’,” Daniel explained in a half-whisper. “To show that one is worthy of entering the afterlife.”
“But we don’t want to enter the afterlife, Daniel. At least, not today.”
“Just trust me, Jack. It’s a ritual. I think we should go through with it and see what happens.”
“What happens is that we end up down there with someone’s hand in our chests!” What part of this picture was Daniel not getting?
“I admit, it looks bad —”
“Looks?”
“I don’t pretend to understand exactly what this has all been for, Jack. But my gut tells me that we need to finish the journey. The whole journey.”
Jack glared at him for a long minute before screwing up his face in distaste.
“Fine. But if they make one move toward any of us, all bets are off, do I make myself clear?”
He wasn’t sure it was exactly a nod, but Jack knew Daniel got the message. He’d go down fighting before he’d ever let any of his people set foot on that dais.
Daniel stepped forward again and spoke to the people seated on the pedestals.
“I am Daniel Jackson. Hear me, oh judges of Duat. I stand before you and make my confession. I come to you with a clean heart. I have not lied. I have not stolen. I have not killed without cause. I have not taken food from orphans. I am not evil —”
Oh for crying out loud. This was ridiculous. Jack had heard enough. And frankly, he’d had enough. There was a time to play along and a time to put an end to the game. He wasn’t going to play anymore. He didn’t care what Daniel said.
Dropping his weapon so it banged against his side Jack passed Daniel in three long strides and didn’t stop until he was halfway down the aisle. He could feel the gaze of every Goa’uld on him. Their faces were completely devoid of expression, but their eyes revealed their curiosity. When he reached the midpoint, Jack stopped and turned in a circle.
“Look.” He spoke to the rows of faces staring at him, and to the cluster of people who were also watching from the dais. “I could walk down here and feed you a bunch of crap about how perfect I am, how perfect all four of us are. But it would be a lie. Not that what Daniel here just told you wasn’t true — I can personally vouch for the fact that he has never taken food from orphans in all the years I’ve known him.” Jack paused, but there was no reaction from any of them. Tough crowd.
“And hey, if it’s lies you want, then fine. I can tell you exactly what you want to hear. But if you’re here to judge us — really judge us — then judge us for who we truly are.
“Sure, I’ve done a lot of stuff in my life that I’m not proud of. I’ve lied. I’ve stolen. And yeah, I’ve killed. Many times.” Jack waited, but there was still no response. “So maybe that makes me a bad person,” he pushed on anyway. “I don’t know. One day, I probably will, but I don’t think it’s up to you folks to decide. Because I don’t think you’re in any position to judge anything.”
“Jack, what are you doing?” Daniel had joined him in the middle of the room.
“Just telling it like it is, Daniel.” Jack turned directly to the people on the dais. Now that he was close enough, he recognized one of them. It was the Goa’uld from the cavern. The one who’d shot them all at the outset. NebtHet.
“You.” He pointed at her. “You kidnapped us, and then killed us, and then brought us back to life just so you could send us on adventures in your twisted little wonderland here. Let me tell you — if you want to judge someone for doing right and wrong, then maybe you ought to start by looking at yourself.” His anger was getting the better of him again. “If there’s anyone around here who needs to make a confession and get their own heart weighed in that scale there, it’s you.”
Jack could feel the disapproval radiating off Daniel, but he didn’t care. It was time to end this.
The woman on the dais — NebtHet — stepped forward. She was in a long robe which, considering the fashion tastes of most Goa’ulds, was a bit on the plain side. Her headdress, however, was another matter. It was an elaborate piece that seemed to balance high on her head, like an upside down stovepipe hat. She removed this, however, and set it beside the scales before descending the steps from the platform. Jack held back reaching for his gun. Behind him, he heard Teal’c shift his staff weapon.
“You are correct, Colonel O’Neill, that it is not necessary for you, for any of you,” NebtHet spoke around him to the others, “to confess your sins.” She smiled. It was not a smile he took much comfort in. “We already have witnesses who are prepared to come forward to speak on your behalf.”
She nodded and from the crowd on the dais, six stepped forward. Jack heard a collective intake of breath from Daniel and the other two at the back of the hall. He knew why, of course — while he didn’t have a clu
e who the others were, there was one among the six who was completely recognizable. He even took a quick look over his shoulder to make sure it really wasn’t Carter standing there.
But no, she was still with Teal’c. Jack wondered what she made of her doppelganger, but it was difficult to tell from here. No doubt they were all amazed at the likeness. Maybe now they’d understand why she’d been so convincing.
NebtHet motioned Carter and Teal’c forward to join them. When Carter was finally standing next to him, he whispered, “See what I mean?” But she only gave him an odd look in response. She had, he realized, been fixated on one of the other witnesses.
Teal’c too had a peculiar expression on his face, except he wasn’t looking at the fake Carter either but at the first two individuals who had lined up opposite them. Daniel’s face had momentarily lit up as the witnesses approached, but then settled into something that Jack could only read as a sort of regret.
“Teal’c,” announced NebtHet, when the six had gathered. “These are Aqti and Ahi, whom you have known as Bra’tac and Rya’c.” The two individuals reached out toward Teal’c’s head. Jack had his weapon up in a flash and they froze.
“Hold it, right there.”
“Jack.” Daniel put his hand on the P90. “I think it’s okay. Let them do it.”
Jack let the weapon be pushed down slightly. Maybe he was being too jumpy, but only because Daniel was being his usual, overly trusting self.
The two witnesses touched Teal’c’s head at the same time and Jack saw the Jaffa’s eyes grow wide with surprise as he caught his breath.
“Aqti and Ahi, speak to us of the one called ‘Teal’c,’” NebtHet invited them. The two men smiled.
“We have never before met anyone so brave,” the one named Aqti proclaimed.
“To stand against one whom you have always held in highest esteem,” continued Ahi, “takes valor of more than just the body. In your heart you know Truth, and you live by that Truth, no matter the personal cost.”
Teal’c, who seemed to understand what they were talking about, bowed his head in acknowledgement. Jack wondered how he managed to look both proud and humble at the same time.
“You also demonstrated great courage in choosing the red gate,” Aqti pointed out. “Few walk so bravely toward death when life remains an option.”
Again, Teal’c seemed to understand, even though he did not reply. Jack was more surprised by the admiration the two clearly had for the big guy. Whatever he’d expected to happen when NebtHet called her ‘witnesses’, this certainly wasn’t it.
“Thank you,” continued Ahi, reaching out and clasping Teal’c’s arm, Jaffa-style. Aqti did the same. “We have learned much from you,” he added, bowing. Teal’c returned the gesture one more time and stepped back.
“Okay, could someone please explain what just happened here?” Jack asked. First these guys were trying to kill them and now they were all smiles and gratitude. Somewhere he’d missed something.
“Just wait, Jack,” Daniel shushed him. “I think it’ll become clear in a minute.”
“Carter?” Jack asked, hoping she at least was as confused as he was. But she was still staring at one of the other witnesses who persisted in smiling back at her.
“I don’t know, sir,” she answered, distractedly. “But I think I’m starting to understand.”
Jack threw up his hand in frustration as Aqti and Ahi returned to the row of witnesses. NebtHet was still looking serene.
“Daniel Jackson,” she said. Daniel looked up, expectantly. “This is Khemy, whom you have known as Sha’re. And perhaps you remember Aset, whom you have seen since as well.”
The two women walked forward and touched Daniel’s head in the same manner the others had touched Teal’c. Daniel’s eyes also grew wide, although Jack had the distinct impression that whatever it was he saw was not too much of a surprise.
“Nice to meet you — again,” Daniel said, smiling.
“And you, Daniel Jackson,” replied Khemy.
“Khemy and Aset, speak to us of the one called ‘Daniel Jackson,’” instructed NebtHet.
Khemy spoke first. “It is easy to offer kindness to those one cares for. It is more difficult to do so when someone for whom you care deeply disappoints. And it is most difficult to demonstrate kindness to one whom you abhor. Daniel Jackson has done all three.”
The one called Aset nodded. As all smiles as the first Goa’uld was, this one looked like what she had to say would leave a bad taste in her mouth. Jack could almost hear her gritting her teeth.
“I will admit that I was skeptical at first.” She spoke tersely, as if she couldn’t wait to be done with it. “Not only of you, Daniel Jackson, but of this entire endeavor. But in spite of how you feel about the Goa’uld in general, and who I was in particular, you nevertheless acted with a degree of feeling I had never thought possible.” She glanced at NebtHet briefly and Jack thought he saw some kind of unspoken exchange between them. Whatever it was, it seemed to prompt Aset to reluctantly add, “And you showed a level of compassion that exceeded anything we have ever before seen.”
“Thank you,” Daniel replied, looking slightly embarrassed. Maybe he hadn’t picked up on the fact that, in spite of everything he probably had done, this Aset still hated his guts.
“No, we thank you, Daniel Jackson,” replied Khemy, leaning forward and kissing Daniel on the cheek. He went beet-red from the neck up.
Jack knew Carter was next. Maybe it was the way Mr. Smiley was twitching in line.
“Major Carter,” intoned NebtHet, once the two women were back in line. “This is Anat, whom you have known as Martouf.”
Anat came forward and touched Carter’s head. Actually, it was more of a caress. Jack saw him smile as whatever had happened to the others happened to her as well.
“Wow,” she said, under her breath, shaking her head slightly. Anat’s smile broadened.
“Anat.” For once Jack was grateful for NebtHet’s interruption. “Speak to us of the one called ‘Samantha Carter.’”
“Hello again, Samantha.” Anat’s voice was smooth and very similar in tone to Martouf’s, Jack noticed. “In my many years of existence, no one has ever shown me the meaning of the word ‘duty’ until I met you. In spite of your personal feelings for your fellow teammates, and even for Martouf, for whom you once held affection, you nevertheless chose the greater good, no matter the personal cost.”
“But I didn’t.” Carter was shaking her head. “At the last minute, I chose the other gateway. I went to save my team, not find the Stargate.”
Anat, however, merely smiled. “I know. Ultimately, you listened to your heart as well as your head. You believed you could accomplish both and took the risk. By this, you have taught me that duty without feeling has no purpose. For this lesson, I thank you.”
For just a moment, Jack thought Anat was going to kiss her, but after a slight pause he merely bowed and backed into his place in line. Carter appeared slightly flushed. Jack scowled. Maybe this little show and tell was almost done and then they could get back to the SGC. He wanted her in the infirmary as soon as possible.
“Colonel O’Neill.”
Finally.
Carter’s double stepped forward. Why no one else was staring at her, he couldn’t figure out. Side by side they were indistinguishable.
“This is Tayet, whom you have known as Major Carter.”
“Yeah. Hi.” Jack plastered on a smile. Tayet reached out and with two fingers touched his temple.
It was like someone flipped a switch.
“Whoa!”
Stepping back instinctively, Jack saw Tayet smile. She was a complete stranger. How he’d ever mistaken her for Carter —
Wait. He’d had this experience before, with that stranded alien they’d encountered — the one who’d passed himself off as Lt. Tyler. But this was no Reol. The woman in front of him was of indistinguishable age, neither young nor old, sort of like the rest of the Goa’uld in the room.
More importantly, she looked nothing like Carter.
“Tayet,” said NebtHet. “Speak to us of the one called ‘Jack O’Neill.’”
“Colonel O’Neill.” Tayet studied him, as if unable to decide what to say. Daniel was fidgeting on one foot in the awkward silence. It was to the point of being just a tad uncomfortable when she finally continued. “Your reputation here had preceded you, and yet I was quite unprepared for what I discovered.”
“Well, that’s me. I’m full of surprises,” Jack quipped. Her stare was making him uneasy.
“Yes, you are,” agreed Tayet, narrowing her eyes as if contemplating exactly how to phrase what she would say next. He raised one eyebrow at her in anticipation. “It was not expected that you would distrust someone whose opinion you so highly value. So when you began to suspect that all was not right with your Major Carter, I was forced to improvise. Little did I know that this would prove to be the far greater lesson for us than the one we had set out to learn.”
“You had the whole techno-babble thing down pretty well, you know,” he felt compelled to point out. “But — and forgive me for saying this — as a soldier, you sucked. Carter never would have made rookie mistakes like that. I figured something was up.”
“Yes. And I used your assumption that Major Carter had been compromised by a symbiote and adapted.”
That she had. And damn well, too. Although he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of telling her that.
“And what big revelation did you learn from me?” Jack asked casually, not certain he really wanted to hear the answer, or anyone else to, for that matter. If they’d known enough to choose Carter as his guide, who knew what else they might have figured out.
“Sacrifice,” Tayet replied, without hesitation. Jack relaxed a bit. “The willingness to surrender one’s life so that another might be saved. Even if,” she added, “by such an act, a mortal enemy is saved as well.”
“Yes. Well. No offense, but as far as I was concerned, the Goa’uld was just along for the ride.” He refused to be praised for something he hadn’t done. There was only one reason he’d sent Tayet through that gate, and they both knew it.
STARGATE SG-1 29 Hall of the Two Truths Page 25