Coming Out of Exile: The Strength of A Father's Love
By Moon Mistress

Chapter Four

Sengul

“You all right, Dad?” Nicholas asked Daniel.  “You seem a little off.”

Daniel shook his head. “I don’t want to be here, Nick. I promised your Mother I would never do this again but here I am.” He groused heavily as he changed into a clean shirt here in the room he was sharing with Nicholas.  The people of Sengul were nothing but accommodating and seemed genuinely happy to have the team of delegates here but Daniel couldn’t concentrate on negotiating a treaty with them. He couldn’t think of anything but Altair Ain and that he should be there instead of here.

“Aw, Mom understands, she didn’t pitch a fit over it you did.” Nicholas reminded his Father.  “Hey, I told you she should have come with us don’t you think she’d love this place?” They’d been here for a week and his Father had yet to show any real spark of interest in the Sengali people or planet. Rather it was though he were simply going through the motions and biding his time until he could leave. Nick thought once Dad was here he’d warm up to the place and find it fascinating but that wasn’t proving to be the case.

 “Yeah, she would.” Daniel grumbled. Yes, Calla and the majority of the UPs would fit in just fine here in this place of stone buildings with their thatched roofs.  The entire planet was right out of Camelot or Avalon depending on your point of view but Daniel thought more of Camelot.   “Come on let’s get this over with so we can go home.”  He finished buttoning the shirt and then tucked it in.  The people of Sengul, for the most part, were highly trained female alchemists and they’d discovered ways not only to turn lead into gold but how to turn plain old regular water into the purest naquada ever seen.  This was the secret the SGC was willing to pay any price to obtain. Trouble was the people of Sengul had no need for anything.  There was no sickness here and the people were known to live as many as 200 years.  They needed no technology or way to defend themselves from outside attack.  Surely they wouldn’t be willing to just give them the information if that were the case Daniel would be snug in his own bed with Calla instead of here!  The Senguls had to want something but they’d yet to say what it was.

While Jack spent time with several of the military leaders of Sengul trying very hard to get used to discussing things like weapons and strategy with so many good looking women and Sam spent her time with the scientists and doctors of this world, to Nicholas it seemed that his Father spent an excruciatingly long week with Ambassadors and Envoys in dusty old libraries and numerous museums.  These were things he should have loved and devoured whole but it was easy to see that Daniel was going crazy being here and if he didn’t get home soon Nicholas was sure something in his Father was just going to explode. Maybe the compound wasn’t working right. After all he wasn’t an Olympian by birth so perhaps it was having some adverse effect on him?  He was short tempered and sometimes ill-mannered when it came to dealing with matters of diplomacy which should otherwise be second nature to him.  “You feelin’ all right, Dad?”

“That’s the second time you’ve asked me that.” Daniel groused as he tucked in his shirt and gauged his reflection in the mirror to be passable.  “Let’s go.”

“Yeah, right.” Nick agreed and opened the door to the rather small very comfortable room they were staying in. “After you.”  He watched his Father walk out the door ahead of him.  Even his walk seemed different.

Meeting up with Jack and Sam in the lobby of the quaint hotel they walked out of the front door and into the fading sunlight where they were picked up by hovering vehicle which would take them to the evening’s destination; a state dinner in their honor.  Daniel didn’t know how he was going to sit through it but he’d do his best.  Why couldn’t they get someone else to come on this mission?  After all these years why the fuck did they have to pull him out of the golden age of retirement for it?  That was certainly one thing he never expected.

After the dinner the lead Ambassador, a striking older woman by the name of A’lena who looked very much like Morgan Le Fey, pulled Daniel aside as SG-1 was making their exit.  “I should like to invite you upstairs,” she told him.

Daniel just stood there not liking the way she’d said that particular phrase.

“We’ve much to discuss.” A’lena clarified.

That could be a good sign. “We do?” Daniel asked.

“Yes, the Council has decided on what we shall ask in return for the knowledge of turning water into naquada.”

Finally!  “Why don’t we discuss it in the morning? In the Council Chambers.” Daniel suggested. Why go up to the Ambassador’s room this late in the evening?

“If you’ll come with me, please.” Was her only reply as she gestured off to the left and the elevators there. 

Well, if it would get him home sooner, why not?  “I’ll meet up with you later.” Daniel said to Nick and the others.

In her luxurious suite of rooms Ambassador A’lena poured two hot drinks of something akin to coffee but with an intoxicating effect she handed one to Daniel and then settled down opposite him on the couch.  For an older woman she was very attractive and elegant. “We are told that Morgan Le Fey still resides on your world, is that true?”

“Yes,” Daniel said skeptically although he was glad to finally get down to business.

“In case you cannot tell from looking around, it is said that our people descend from Arthur and Guinevere. After Arthur cast her out and she went into holy seclusion Guinevere gave birth to a son, being afraid of reprisal from any remaining enemies of Arthur’s she took him through the Great Eye…the Stargate. They came here and began this world.”  A’lena explained.

More Mothers and Sons screwing each other, it seemed History was just full of salacious shit like that.  “That’s….very interesting.” Daniel said slowly and took a drink of the brew in his hand to find that it had a light vanilla taste which was very pleasing.  “What does it have to do with anything?”

A’lena sipped from her own cup and then carefully looked over at her companion.  “We wish to have Arthur’s body returned to us along with Excalibur, the Elixir of Life and Merlin’s Book of Shadows.  In exchange for these things we will give you the secret of turning water into naquada. We feel that since Arthur is our progenitor it is best and right that he lie here.”

Well that seemed like a small price…a very small price…however those things belonged to the UPs now—everything but the sword which still belonged to Daniel-- and the UPs would all have to agree to the terms.  He wasn’t at all sure that they would.

“We would also like Morgan Le Fey to accompany these items.” A’lena added almost as an after thought but he didn’t like the tone in her voice.

 It didn’t take a genius to know that Morgan was the only one with the power to wake Arthur from his very long sleep. “For how long?”

“We wish for her to stay here with us.”

Daniel put the cup down.  “I don’t have the power to bargain with the items you’ve requested, A’lena.  I can take your request back to Earth and see what I can do for you.  Generally speaking though, we don’t barter with lives, so whether or not Morgan Le Fey comes here at all will be completely up to her. Though I should say that I don’t believe either her or her husband, Duncan MacLeod, will be willing to do this.”

A’lena took another drink and then gently put the delicate cup on the table. “We believe you will see to these terms,” she said in a dismissive tone.

“I’ll do my best.” Daniel returned still looking at her with a careful eye.

“We are sure you will, Daniel, for when Morgan comes here we are prepared to give you something else.”

“What is that, Ambassador?”

“We understand that your…community…of Altair Ain is having a small fertility problem.”

Daniel sat forward a little ways.  “It is.”

“We are prepared to rectify that for you and your lovely wife whom we’ve heard so much about from Major Jackson.  You will give us what we want and we will give your wife’s community a future.”

“Just how do you propose to do that?”  Daniel put the cup down and folded his hands in his lap.

“Centuries ago we faced a similar problem and as you can see by our population of children we over came it. We will do the same for you.”

Was that it? At some point in time the Senguli had a ‘small fertility problem’ and found a way to solve it. However, their solution to the problem left with a population much more female than male.  Not that it mattered, it didn’t take that many males to keep the population going, certainly fewer than it did females. “A little personal incentive?” Daniel asked. “To ensure that I bring you what you want?”

“Call it what you like, Daniel, but these are our terms; Arthur, the Book of Shadows, Excalibur and Morgan Le Fey in exchange for the ability to turn water into naquada and to bring new life to Altair Ain.”  A’lena rose to her feet in a very graceful manner and gestured toward the door indicating their discussion was over and it was time for him to leave.  “We hope you will find this acceptable and that your people will not take too long in discussing it.”

It took a moment but eventually Daniel took his cue and rose to his feet. “You are aware that my Wife is an Olympian, I don’t see any of them here.” Daniel said slowly. “How can you solve this problem when you know nothing of her?”

“Ah,” A’lena smiled, “but those who she seeks to aid are not Olympians, are they?” She asked in a soft knowing voice. “Those you call ‘UPs’ are more like us, the majority of them that is, so perhaps your people are trying to solve this problem knowing only one part of the equation.” She suggested.

No, that wasn’t it. The UPs had been tested right along with Calla. Every single one of them volunteered their blood or any other bodily fluid the specialists, including Sam, asked of them.

“One more thing,” A’lena led softly.  “We fell it would be best if Major Jackson stays here while you and the others take our offer back to Earth for discussion.”

Daniel shook his head. “Oh, I don’t think so.  I think my s—Major Jackson, will be returning with us. Good night, Ambassador.”

“Don’t be so hasty, Daniel, think about it and I’m sure you will agree that Major Jackson should remain with us while you are absent.  I can assure you that his safety will not be an issue as Major Jackson is very well liked by our community.  We mean him no harm so you will think about all of our requests, will you not?” She didn’t want for an answer. “Good night.”

The whole time they’d been here it was hard not to see just how well ‘liked’ Nick was by the overwhelmingly female population, not that he ever considered cheating on Annie but if he were to stop taking the compound that might change drastically.  The women were everywhere and they very openly came on to Nick, they flirted with him, touched him, paid a great amount of attention to his every word. There was no way Nick stayed here.

The long winding road was coming to an end at least now he had a proposal he could take back to the SGC tomorrow, one which would have to be presented to the UPs as well.  They were not going to take kindly to giving up part of their own history not when so little of it remained in tact. The important thing was he was going home tomorrow and they could send some other lackey back here to hash the rest of this out.  Once he was back Earth side he intended to stay there; lawsuit or not. That could be another reason why the Senul’s suddenly insisted Nicholas stay behind; they wanted to ensure Daniel returned and they weren’t just blown off.  He would never hear the end of it if he left Nick here Calla would probably storm through the Gate and retrieve him on her own.

When Daniel arrived back at the hostel he found Jack, Sam and Nick in the small café drinking the same warm vanilla coffee-like substance A’lena had given him earlier.  “Well, what’s the good word?” Jack asked as Daniel pulled up a chair.

A very leggy blonde sauntered toward the table to take his order. Standing close to him she bent at the waist so that Daniel could get a good look at what had to be a solid pair of Double-Ds pressing against the gold satin blouse of her uniform. “What can I get for you tonight?” She asked the undertone of her innocent question was clear in her husky voice and deep blue eyes.

“One of those,” Daniel said trying not to stare at those full mounds sticking right in his face. This place was just too much.

“Anything else?”

“No, that’ll be fine.”  They were very friendly here.  Yep, very friendly.  He watched her saunter away, those fine hips of hers swinging side to side as she walked off to fill his order. “Damn,” he muttered.

Nick snorted a laugh and Jack nodded his agreement as he sighed and let out a wide smile. “Yeah, the service is definitely first rate.” Jack said. From the other side of the café the waitress, whose name tag said her name was Jennea, began coming toward them again with Daniel’s order in her hand.

“Here,” Sam said handing him a napkin. “Ya got a little drool on your chin.”

Jack batted the napkin away. “Cute.” He grumbled. “You know I only have eyes for you.”

“Yeah…right.” She joked as she too watched the very attractive waitress arrive at the table to place the cup in front of Daniel. 

The woman turned to Nick, batted her eyes at him and smiled seductively. “Anything for you tonight?”

“No, I’m good.”  Nick said through a dry throat. “Just fine.”  Jennea walked away once more looking very disappointed. “Yeah, damn!” Nick muttered.  “This place, geez.”

Daniel leaned forward. “Here’s the bad word,” he said and looked directly at Nick, “don’t go discussing your personal private business offworld. Keep your mouth shut.”

“Whoa,” Jack interrupted, “what’s goin’ on?”

“Wonder Boy here,” Daniel pointed at Nick, “told them about our little fertility problem and about Arthur and Morgan…didn’t you?”

“What if I did?” Nick asked suddenly annoyed by the tone in his Father’s voice. “They like to make conversation.”

“That’s not all they wanna make,” Daniel shot and then got back on track. “Well, now, you can guess what they want. They wouldn’t even know about it if you didn’t tell them.”

Sam spoke up hoping to ease the tension a bit. “Daniel, what exactly is it that they want?”

“Arthur, the Book of Shadows, Excalibur, the Elixir of Life—whatever the hell that is—and oh yeah and Morgan.” Daniel shot then turned to look at Nick.  “Not to mention they’d like you stay here while we run and get those things for them.”

“Excuse me?” Nick asked squeezing the words out of a suddenly dry throat. That look in his Father’s eyes, oh no, Nick didn’t like that at all.

“Yeah, excuse us?” Jack chimed in. “What’s with that?”

Daniel shook his head and pursed his lips. “Collateral against our returning here.”

“They don’t trust us?” Sam asked and put down her cup.

“I don’t know but I don’t like the way A’lena said it or anything else.” Daniel said bitterly and then took a breath. “Something’s going on here but I don’t know what it is.”  He related to them the story of Guinevere running through the Stargate with her infant son and starting up a new Camelot here.  “It’s clear they think they should have these things I might go so far as to say they think they have a right to them.”

Nick let out a little snort and sat back in his chair to stretch his long tired body. “Ya know, I really don’t mind hanging out a few extra days but,” he snorted again, “we all know Mom is never gonna let go of that stuff. Morgan she won’t want to come live here.”

Everyone at the table nodded their heads in agreement. It was pointless maybe they should just pack up and go home.  “I’m sure we can make Calla understand how important this is.” Jack ventured slowly.  Again there was a nodded agreement but there was a long distance between Calla understanding and her capitulating to the desires of the Senguli, a people she’d never met.

“I can give it a hell of a shot,” Daniel agreed with a sigh.  “But your Mother’s going to pitch a fit if I come home without you.”

“Ah-huh.” Nick mumbled. “Annie and my kids won’t like it very much either.” He finished the vanilla flavored drink in the large ceramic cup and wanted another but decided to skip it. “So what do you want to do?”

Stuck in a losing situation he offered the only logical rational thing he could; “I’ll go home, give her the pitch, she won’t go for it, I’ll come back and tell them ‘sorry but I tried’.”  What else was there to do?

There was a collective sigh at the table. Yes, that seemed to be the inevitable outcome of this situation.  “The government’s going to put pressure on her.” Jack said with something that was almost hopeful.  Getting the secret of turning ordinary water into naquada was worth any price and the governments of the world were bound to put the squeeze on Calla to comply and give the Senguli what they wanted.

“A lot of it.” Sam agreed.  “Do you think she’ll cave, I mean, after a while?”

Daniel thought it over for a second.  “I don’t know.”  That was the truth.  If the UPs backed the idea then Calla would go along with it but if they dug their heels in and said ‘no’ then she would do the same.  He had no idea which way the UPs would come down on this issue. “There really isn’t anything anyone can do about it other than stomp their feet and bitch loudly.” Daniel said more to himself than to those around him. Looking up he saw their quizzical faces. “Altair Ain isn’t part of UCOE yet, their application is still pending.  At the moment they’re out of the loop the worst that can happen is they stay that way.”  That was also true; Unified Countries of Earth—the organization which replaced the United Nations— had yet to accept Altair Ain into their number and as such UCOE was powerless to force Altair Ain into anything. No sanctions would be brought against them if they refused to comply.

“What if the application is approved?” Sam ventured. “Then she’d have to go along.”

Daniel smiled and then laughed. He knew her too well. “If it looks like they’re going to approve Altair Ain just so they can back them into a corner, she’ll withdraw the application.”

It was Jack’s turn to snicker. “Rebels, who knew it, Danny? You live with a bunch of rebels.”

“Yeah, I do.” Daniel mumbled and then grinned. “She’ll argue the items are the sole property and possessions of the UPs and not subject to any treaty. She’ll say that they belong just much to the UPs—if not more so—than to the Senguli and she’ll be right. It all belonged to Morgan she gave it to the museum.”  Why couldn’t the Senguli want something else? Anything else? They did have an ace in the hole if it proved to be true.  Calla had been going insane doing everything she could to bring babies to Altair Ain and if the Senguli could put their money where their mouths were and show her they could solve the problem, Calla would part with the whole kingdom for that.  Something in him just kept telling him that it wasn’t true and that he should keep his mouth shut. Daniel looked over at Sam. “You sure you’re not any closer to solving the fertility problem?”

Where did that come from?  “Not any closer than we were when we first started, not really.  The answer’s out there, Daniel, we’ll find it.”

What if A’lena was telling the truth?  “You’ve been around their doctors and their scientists.” Daniel began. “Do you think they could solve it?”

“I don’t know, we’re not here for that but,” she stopped for a moment, “they can turn water into naquada.” She lead easily. “If they can do that…” Sam shrugged her shoulders.  “What’s this about?”

“A’lena says they have the answer and they’ll share it with Calla if we give them what they want.” He mumbled.  “I don’t want to take that home to her and get her hopes up if it isn’t true. Do you think they have the technology? Do you think they can do it?”

Sam just shook her head. “I honestly don’t know but it’s possible.”

Possible wasn’t good enough.  “See what you can find out.” Daniel suggested. “I don’t want to take her empty promises on this.”

“Ok,” Sam agreed.

“So what are ya gonna do?” Jack asked.

“Go home in the morning,” Daniel huffed, “get this over with.”  He looked up at Nicholas again and thought of him staying behind.  It still didn’t sit well with him. “You’re coming with me.”  When Nick opened his mouth, Daniel held up his hand to silence him. “I don’t want to hear it. We’re all leaving in the morning.” 

“I thought I was in charge here.” Jack said in a grumpy voice.  SG-1 had changed drastically from its early days of being a military unit. Now it was a family unit and no one even called him ‘sir’ anymore.

“Since when?” Nick asked and then chuckled.

End of Chapter Four
Coming Out of Exile: The Strength of a Father's Love
by Moon Mistress
a/k/a Lisa Beth Darling
Go to
Chapter Five