Brothers-in-Arms

Brothers-in-Arms

By Travelling One

Email: travelling_one@yahoo.ca

Web:http://www.travellingone.com/

Summary: Jack is forewarned of Daniel's impending death.

Spoilers: Meridian; Abyss

Season: 5th

Category: Drama, smarm

Disclaimer: The theme and main characters have been borrowed from the Stargate SG-1 tv series, and are copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. This story has been written for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.

02/15/03

The four strangers, so oddly alike in their attire, were coming towards her down the street, and her heart was sending mixed messages to her brain and spirit. She was considered by many to be just a superstitious old woman, but to those who had received her messages she was revered.

Calmly threading her needles to begin her next row of woven basketry, a skill few these days remembered, she waited for the team that she knew would come her way. She had been patiently awaiting them for many weeks, knowing that if any unforeseen incident had come about to detain them, it would have been their loss.

As they now approached her table in the intersection, one dirt road leading to the village and the other away from it, she smiled. "You need some baskets?" she asked in her ancestors' language, holding up her most colourful creations. They were beautiful, she knew, but to own them one must earn them.

The man with the glasses stopped to admire her work. She knew his name was Daniel; she'd known that since her vision nearly two full moons before. She also knew there was a woman in this group, even though she looked so similar to the others, and though this one spoke of having being blended, the woman did not yet realize that it was not with her parasite but with her three teammates that the blending had really occurred. The one called Jaffa had been blended as well, and was now of one heart with a new world not his own.

Although Daniel had not understood the spoken words, the intent had been made clear. "Look at the handiwork on this one, Sam! I can't even imagine how long this one took her to weave."

The woman smiled. That basket will be yours very soon, she silently reassured him. But one day you will have to relinquish it to a friend. Show it to him now.

"What's up, Daniel?"

"Look, Jack. These baskets have been woven using needles, almost like crochet or knitting. But they're completely solid. She must have spent months on each one. She's even woven some beading into this one," Daniel smiled at her, and she smiled back.

There was a village, nestled deep in the valley, and the streams that snaked in and out of the mountains surrounding it were the lifeblood of the small animals living nearby. One small boy, asked by his mother to pick the tasty yellow panjeda berries growing down by the water's edge, found himself wandering farther and farther away from home, caught up in curious wonder of all around him.

"You can come back for souvenirs at the end of the mission, Daniel. Let's head towards town right now."

The child had stopped to examine the tiniest of wild rainbow flowers hiding amongst the sahrog plant, when he felt something nudging his leg. Looking down, the boy Elidi's eyes widened in pleasure. There at his feet stood four of the smallest animals he had ever seen. Standing four inches high, their blue fur coats trailing on the ground and creating the look of soft blue grass that followed their movements, the animals rubbed their coats on his leg.

"Elidan," they whispered. "Elidi," they acknowledged his nickname, and the boy discovered he could speak with them.

"I'll be back," Daniel said to her.

"I'll be waiting," Cala Radina answered.

"Jack, she…" Daniel turned back to the woman in surprise. "You speak our language!"

"I speak all languages, Daniel Jackson."

Jack looked up sharply, and caught his teammates doing the same. She knew Daniel's name? But SG1 had only arrived through the Stargate twenty minutes earlier, and while having seen a row of vendors along their route, they'd spoken to no one.

"How do you know us?" Jack inquired suspiciously.

"There is little I do not know. I am, after all, an old woman." Her gray eyes twinkled. "And these baskets are very expensive."

"And we have none of your currency yet, I'm afraid," Daniel responded.

"So how do you know us?" Jack asked again.

"What is it you wish from me?" Elidi asked the little animals.

"We are being hunted by your kind," they said in unison. "Our coats bring pleasure to those who share your universe. Our seeds have been poisoned; the ground we live upon has been taken hostage by your people who want to control us. We cannot eat, we cannot drink from the streams."

"I am not the one doing this," young Elidi replied. "Nor can I believe my parents would do such a thing. I don't know of whom you speak."

"Go down to the field by the end of this stream," they said. "There, you will see what we mean."

"I have seen you in my dreams. I have heard your story."

They were interrupted by a woman with a young child at her side. "How much do you ask for this basket?" she asked in a language Daniel recognized, so similar to that of P5X 831.

"That one is worth two meals, but must be given only to your child," Cala Radina answered, turning her back on SG1 as she stood to lift out several baskets of similar size from a large container. As the two women discussed the purchase, Jack took Daniel's arm.

"Come. We'll find out about her later."

Daniel turned around once, as the team marched on, and saw that the woman was still in conversation with her customer.

Elidi did as the animals had suggested, not believing that there were those who would harm the land to get the animals. As he travelled onward, the boy stopped many times, touching the tufted ferns, sniffing the ripe flowers spreading out before him. As he finally reached the end of the stream, he saw a sight that was so unfamiliar to his eyes that he could do nothing more than stare and wonder. A large glowing boulder, towering above his head and round like the moon, blocked the tip of the stream, pouring out its energy in the form of glowing rays, spreading them around his sanctuary, into the stream before him, up into the sky. And where the boulder sat, was silence, for the insects did not sing, the stream did not whisper.

"She is the town soothsayer," Daniel was told upon questioning Magioll, the man allowing SG1 to place their tents in his garden. "Cala Radina. You would do well to listen to her words."

"Jack, I think we should go and find out what Cala Radina knows."

"First we continue into town, Daniel. I have a feeling these people won't have much we need. We'll pass Cara Ladina on the way back to the gate."

"Cala."

"What?"

"Cala. It's a title of respect, like "Mrs." or "Señora". Cala Radina."

"That's what I said."

Daniel paused, then sighed. "Have it your way."

Jack squinted at Daniel. "I do."

"I know."

Jack continued on the subject. "Tell you what. She speaks English; why don't you find out what we need to know around here in the morning, and I'll go back and talk to Cara… Cala Rabina."

"You're not fooling me, Jack."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Ten bucks you know her name."

"Cala Radina."

Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a bill. "Why do I fall for this?" he muttered.

"Daniel. Colonel?" Carter came up beside them. "I can't put my finger on why I get this impression, but these people seem to be living in a state of perfect harmony. They're so easy-going and relaxed. Could be my imagination though; I'm really not able to communicate. My charades don't seem to be going a long way, and, well, Teal'c's are worse."

"Carter, you and Teal'c go with Daniel in the morning. We'll spend half a day here before going further towards the main area of town."

She watched the solitary stranger in green come towards her down the path from the residential area. She'd been expecting him, and knew he would be hard to convince. It would, in the end, be all his own decision.

She must do this to them and for them, for when they returned to their home, she knew this one's heart would be softer. But for a while, he would appear angry to all who knew him.

"You have not come for a basket this morning, Colonel. You want to know what I know of your team."

Jack tried to appear as though he had not just been verbally whipped. There really was no need for surprise; after all, he had been asking her this yesterday. But she knew his title, too, as she'd known Daniel's name, and that had him more than a bit disconcerted. Had Carter called him that in front of her? "So tell me."

Elidi understood what he was looking at; child as he was, he had always had the gift of spirit and soul, of knowing right and wrong. His life had been a gift to his parents, who had forever known and feared that the youngster's curiosity would lead him down a difficult and devastating path.

Watching this glowing mechanism of destruction, Elidi knew what he must do.

"You are strangers. What would I know?"

"You tell me."

"And you would believe me?"

"You knew our names."

"What if I were to tell you of much more than just your names? If I were to tell you of your futures?"

"I'd listen."

"But not believe me."

"I'll decide."

"Yes, you will."

"If you ever tell me." Losing patience here, Ma'am. Señora. Cali.

The young boy, just eight revolutions around the sun, approached the sphere, his face and limbs growing hotter and more painful with each step forward. When it seemed as though he could endure no more, he laid his small palms on the massive glowing orb, the heat and pain radiating through them, and began to pull it apart, piece by piece. Piece by piece, until the device was hollowed out, and Elidi climbed inside.

There, he lay still, too weakened to move, absorbing the harmful energy and willing it to emit only those currents beneficial to all living things. His will grew stronger with each pulse, and the orb began to glow with life-giving minerals. Slowly, it ascended into the heavens, becoming the second sun of this world. Within that now-distant sun, Elidi resides to this day, willing only positive energy to spread over and across this land.

She regarded his impatience, and smiled. "The first of your team to die will be Daniel."

Jack sucked in his breath, reeling from the invisible impact. Talk about getting to the point… "What?" his eyes narrowed. What the hell did this woman know? What did she want from him?

"He will die saving the lives of many, on a distant planet. He will be exposed to a lethal dose of what you know as radiation."

Jack could only stare, his organs clenched tight. Shit.

Why did he have to believe this woman? How could she know this?

"How could you possibly know this?"

"I'm an old woman. I know everything." Her eyes twinkled.

"I don't buy that. I'm old and I don't know anything."

"I know the legends. I know who they belong to."

"What do legends have to do with this?"

"Legends all come from truth, Jack. I know them because I wrote them."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Daniel."

Jack paused to collect his thoughts. Could he afford to ignore her words? "Tell me where and when this will happen."

"It will happen within the year. I will not tell you where."

Jack glared at her. How dare she go this far, and deal him no more cards. Daniel would die this year, and he could maybe prevent it? "You have to."

"If you stop his death, then you will be the first to die, not many weeks later. You will be killed by a Goa'uld system lord and it will be a terrible ordeal."

If they could prevent Daniel's death, they could prevent that too. "I'll take my chances."

"I've said enough."

"You've been waiting to tell us this for who knows how long. I don't think you've said nearly half of what you want to."

She eyed him curiously. Jack knew more than he was willing to let on. Why did he promote his ignorance? But she knew his kind. No, she knew him. Anything to make someone laugh, to ease the tension and disguise concern.

"Next time you pass by, I may share more." She bowed slightly in her seat, then picked up the basket Daniel had been admiring, changing the subject. "Daniel likes this one. It costs only a small price."

"And that would be…?" Jack frustratedly queried.

"Cessation of all questions."

And Jack knew he would not be able to afford the basket.

"Did you find out anything?"

Daniel turned at Jack's approach. They'd all decided to meet back at camp for lunch, and then move on. "Not a lot. Interesting things about their lifestyles, but nothing I think you'd be interested in. You?"

Jack stared at Daniel for several moments before answering. "No." He turned away, heading over to where the sack of MREs was waiting. Bending down, Jack remained in the pose, motionless and pensive.

Daniel watched him for a full minute, tossing a worried look in Sam's direction. She'd been observing as well.

Daniel moved to crouch by Jack. "What's up?"

Jack looked up. "Nothing."

"Jack??"

"Let's make lunch." Jack pulled some MREs from the bag and took out a water bottle. Then he stood, the conversation clearly over. Daniel sighed. He'd find out from the source, if he had to.

Lunch progressed silently, as all attempts at conversation had ended in failure.

"Sir, what did the woman say to you?"

"That Daniel could only buy the basket if I stop asking her stupid questions."

"What?" Daniel looked up, disbelieving. "What kind of questions did you ask, Jack?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. If she knows so much, could she give me next week's lottery numbers. That sort of thing."

Daniel rolled his eyes, shaking his head at Sam and Teal'c. "She didn't buy in? What nerve."

"Are we ready to move on?"

"Jack… I was thinking. There's a town healer not far from here, and I'm pretty sure these people have natural treatments Janet would be interested in. Do you think we could have a few more hours in this area?"

Jack considered the request. It wasn't as though they were heading anywhere in particular; one part of town was as good as another. "Fine. We'll stay the night, and head onward at the first sun's light. In the meantime, I think I'll find the market and pick up some fresh vegetables. Unless everyone would rather have freeze-dried carrots with their boil-in-bag stroganoff tonight?"

"Vegetables sound good, Jack." And it would get his CO out of the way. "I'll just wander."

So while the others headed off together, Daniel made his way towards Cala Radina. And later he'd have to find some doctor or healer he could talk to, to satisfy his CO's questions.

She relaxed, seeing him coming. Time really should not be tampered with, and legends have to come to pass. She'd known he'd find his way to her.

"Blessings, Daniel."

"Hello, Cala Radina."

"You have not come to buy a basket. You would like to know what I told Jack this morning. Is he behaving strangely?"

"Uh… yes. Reserved, pensive."

"He's worried."

"About what?" Daniel frowned. What, exactly, had she told him?

"I told him of the future."

"I don't understand."

"I told him of your death."

Daniel's eyes grew wide. Oh shit. This wasn't what he wanted to hear. "My death?"

"You will be the first of your team to die, on a planet far from home. It will be a noble death, saving the lives of others, but also a painful one."

Terrific. "If you can foresee this, surely you can tell us how to prevent it?" Daniel's heart was racing. Risks he could take; he always hoped for the best on missions. Certain knowledge of walking into death, though, was too frightening to think about.

"I can. But if it is prevented, not many weeks later Jack will die horribly, at the hands of a cruel and vindictive enemy."

Daniel froze.

"Surely we can prevent that too?"

"Only by changing something else that will have to be prevented, and so on and so on. Your future will no longer be yours."

Changing the future, changing history. They'd been through that before, and knew it shouldn't be done.

"Why are you telling us, then? Why would you think we'd want to know?"

"There is healing to be done before the time comes, Daniel, and you know it. Jack knows it. There are things the two of you need to work out before it is too late, or his guilt and sorrow will end up devouring him."

For several moments, Daniel reflected upon her words. How could she know all this? "Then I guess you didn't tell Jack how to prevent what's going to happen to me."

"No, Daniel, I didn't."

No wonder Jack had seemed so upset and miserable.

Better upset and miserable than dead. And that was something Daniel could prevent.

"Good. Don't."

She looked at him, knowing now it was a battle between friends, a situation that was now out of her hands. She had needed it to be Daniel's choice, and she would honour his will. Nodding and bowing slightly on her stool, she picked up the colourful woven basket, the one with the imbedded beads. "I made this basket for you, Daniel. You have earned it now." And she held it out for him, the beads shining in the sunlight. "The pattern is that of a basket used to collect yellow berries from a panjeda bush. It has been around since the beginning of my people."

A gift for asking no more questions. Daniel felt raw inside. He knew what Jack knew, and he knew the powerlessness involved in that knowledge. But if his life meant Jack's death, and his death Jack's life, there would be no more questions.

"But I must ask you one more question."

"You need not. There is a healer living three roads down from your camp. You will see a large garden and a hanging sign signalling whether or not he is home," she answered his thoughts.

"Thank you," Daniel breathed out, taking the basket. Then he turned on weak legs and began an endless walk, oblivious to his surroundings.

_____

Shit. One sun was already setting, and Jack could see his teammate approaching in the distance. No doubt Daniel had had a fascinating afternoon learning about the local culture and taking notes for Doc Frasier, but Jack knew his friend had spoken to one more person. His teammate was carrying a familiar woven basket under his arm.

Daniel drew near, his gaze meeting and locking with Jack's. Daniel stopped, facing his friend.

"No more questions, I guess." Jack spit out in an accusing tone.

"No, Jack. None."

"Daniel…"

"We can't change the future."

"We have to."

"We can't."

"She may be faking."

"She knows things."

"So that's it? You're just going to accept your death?"

Or yours. "No choice."

"Well I still have questions."

"She won't answer."

Damn you, Daniel.
Why had she needed to tell them this, if they could do nothing about it? Why give him this pain? He'd rather not have known. What was the purpose in this? To make him appreciate whatever time they had left?

The two friends stared at each other as one sun continued to slide down the sky, the other spreading its warmth and life-giving nutrients over the land and the teammates.

The silence was finally broken by Jack. "We have a mission to finish. We head out at first light."

Three days here.

Then a few more months before the end of his team.

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