CW: *mention of war* *mention of tobacco addiction*
The weather was beautiful on the military base, and the students who had been summoned outside were delighted to enjoy the late summer sunshine for their new school year. In the distance, one could see maneuvers in progress on several planes.
A little girl, almost 3 years old, was having fun running around behind some crows, with her arms outstretched, imitating the sound of a plane in flight. Her hair was bright blond and tousled, she was wearing a white baseball shirt with a red sleeve and a red and black lumberjack shirt tied at the waist of a pair of denim overalls. The latter showed signs of wear and tear and grass in several places.
A little further on, a young soldier of about 18 years old, with a new cigarette in his mouth, was looking for a light in his pockets, without success. He looked around and saw the girl. He slipped his cigarette over his ear, approached her and crouched down to get to her level.
Jack: Hello Sunshine. (The child immediately stopped and stared at him. He frowned and looked around again) Where are your parents? Did you get lost?
A huge smile lit up the little girl's face and she put her little hands on his cheeks. The young man was surprised by this contact and stared at her. Her eyes were a sparkling light blue. He got lost in them for a few seconds and had the impression that she was also in his. She burst out laughing and the man could not help but smile at this vision.
A man's voice, in the distance: Sam!
Jack spotted a soldier in his thirties running towards them. The young soldier stood up and held out his hand to the girl.
Jack: Hmm. I think your dad is looking for ya, young lady.
The little girl grabbed his hand and ran towards her father, pulling the young man who had no choice but to follow her. The older airman was wearing a brown leather Air Force winter jacket with several badges sewn on, one of which was the Uss Midway aircraft carrier. The date read "1965", the man must have been drafted for the still ongoing Vietnam War.
Jacob: Samantha Carter. (he took her in his arms) You must obey your father when he calls you. (harshly) You don't run away and talk to strangers. It's dangerous. (Jack snapped to attention as soon as he looked up at him and was apprehensive about getting the blame for talking to the child) At ease... (he looked at his badge on his uniform) Cadet O'Neill. (he nodded) Thank you.
Jack, a little reassured: You're welcome, Major.
Jacob turned back: Have a nice day.
Jack: You too Maj- (he exclaimed) Major! (Jacob turned and looked at him) Excuse me, sir. Do you have a lighter?
The major stared at him. Jack froze as he realized that he was trying to determine his age, and the feeling of being told off resurfaced in his gut.
Jacob reached into his pocket, pulled out a silver lighter and said: Keep it, son.
Jack looked at the quality of the lighter and stammered: Wha... what? No, I don't-
Jacob looked at his daughter fiddling with the collar of his jacket: My wife is pregnant and has quit smoking. (he smiled and turned back) You know how they are, you have to follow them. (he combed her hair) Have you lost your elastic again? We're going to end up shaving your head, sweetie!
Sam laughed and put her head back to escape her father's hands in her hair: Nooo!
Jacob smiled: Okay. Let's see those stars?
Sam clapped her hands together and grinned: Yes!
Jack smiled again at the vision, lit his cigarette and hoped to feel the warmth of being a father one day. Maybe he would be the one to show his child the planetarium between missions. At this thought, his face broke down. He watched the man disappear into the distance with his daughter in his arms. He would probably have to go back to Vietnam as soon as his leave was over, like many of the older soldiers here. Maybe he wouldn't come back. Most of them don't. Parents go before their children, right? It's the order of things. Jack lowered his head and felt his heart tighten in his chest at the memory of his own father. He looked at the lighter in his hand for a moment.
Do we necessarily follow in the footsteps of our parents?
Echo:
*follow*
*sushine, warmth, bright, stars*
*old/older, young, father, child/children, parents*
*Did you get lost? / He got lost in them for a few seconds and had the impression that she was also in his.*
Notes:
*In 1970, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services banned cigarette advertising on television, and the Non-Smokers' Rights movement began. (Source)*
*The fact that Jacob quit smoking for his son but not for Sam is not canon, it's a detail in the Sg1 novel "Moebius Squared" that I wanted to keep because it's important for my story*
*Video: Stop telling your children to be careful of strangers (source)*
*The lighter looks like this (source)*
*Information on the Vietnam War (source)*
*Information sur le USS Midway (CV-41) (source)*
*Carter was 3 years old in 1970 (source)*
*O'neill was 18 years old in 1970 (source)*
The weather was beautiful on the military base, and the students who had been summoned outside were delighted to enjoy the late summer sunshine for their new school year. In the distance, one could see maneuvers in progress on several planes.
A little girl, almost 3 years old, was having fun running around behind some crows, with her arms outstretched, imitating the sound of a plane in flight. Her hair was bright blond and tousled, she was wearing a white baseball shirt with a red sleeve and a red and black lumberjack shirt tied at the waist of a pair of denim overalls. The latter showed signs of wear and tear and grass in several places.
A little further on, a young soldier of about 18 years old, with a new cigarette in his mouth, was looking for a light in his pockets, without success. He looked around and saw the girl. He slipped his cigarette over his ear, approached her and crouched down to get to her level.
Jack: Hello Sunshine. (The child immediately stopped and stared at him. He frowned and looked around again) Where are your parents? Did you get lost?
A huge smile lit up the little girl's face and she put her little hands on his cheeks. The young man was surprised by this contact and stared at her. Her eyes were a sparkling light blue. He got lost in them for a few seconds and had the impression that she was also in his. She burst out laughing and the man could not help but smile at this vision.
A man's voice, in the distance: Sam!
Jack spotted a soldier in his thirties running towards them. The young soldier stood up and held out his hand to the girl.
Jack: Hmm. I think your dad is looking for ya, young lady.
The little girl grabbed his hand and ran towards her father, pulling the young man who had no choice but to follow her. The older airman was wearing a brown leather Air Force winter jacket with several badges sewn on, one of which was the Uss Midway aircraft carrier. The date read "1965", the man must have been drafted for the still ongoing Vietnam War.
Jacob: Samantha Carter. (he took her in his arms) You must obey your father when he calls you. (harshly) You don't run away and talk to strangers. It's dangerous. (Jack snapped to attention as soon as he looked up at him and was apprehensive about getting the blame for talking to the child) At ease... (he looked at his badge on his uniform) Cadet O'Neill. (he nodded) Thank you.
Jack, a little reassured: You're welcome, Major.
Jacob turned back: Have a nice day.
Jack: You too Maj- (he exclaimed) Major! (Jacob turned and looked at him) Excuse me, sir. Do you have a lighter?
The major stared at him. Jack froze as he realized that he was trying to determine his age, and the feeling of being told off resurfaced in his gut.
Jacob reached into his pocket, pulled out a silver lighter and said: Keep it, son.
Jack looked at the quality of the lighter and stammered: Wha... what? No, I don't-
Jacob looked at his daughter fiddling with the collar of his jacket: My wife is pregnant and has quit smoking. (he smiled and turned back) You know how they are, you have to follow them. (he combed her hair) Have you lost your elastic again? We're going to end up shaving your head, sweetie!
Sam laughed and put her head back to escape her father's hands in her hair: Nooo!
Jacob smiled: Okay. Let's see those stars?
Sam clapped her hands together and grinned: Yes!
Jack smiled again at the vision, lit his cigarette and hoped to feel the warmth of being a father one day. Maybe he would be the one to show his child the planetarium between missions. At this thought, his face broke down. He watched the man disappear into the distance with his daughter in his arms. He would probably have to go back to Vietnam as soon as his leave was over, like many of the older soldiers here. Maybe he wouldn't come back. Most of them don't. Parents go before their children, right? It's the order of things. Jack lowered his head and felt his heart tighten in his chest at the memory of his own father. He looked at the lighter in his hand for a moment.
Do we necessarily follow in the footsteps of our parents?
Echo:
*follow*
*sushine, warmth, bright, stars*
*old/older, young, father, child/children, parents*
*Did you get lost? / He got lost in them for a few seconds and had the impression that she was also in his.*
Notes:
*In 1970, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services banned cigarette advertising on television, and the Non-Smokers' Rights movement began. (Source)*
*The fact that Jacob quit smoking for his son but not for Sam is not canon, it's a detail in the Sg1 novel "Moebius Squared" that I wanted to keep because it's important for my story*
*Video: Stop telling your children to be careful of strangers (source)*
*The lighter looks like this (source)*
*Information on the Vietnam War (source)*
*Information sur le USS Midway (CV-41) (source)*
*Carter was 3 years old in 1970 (source)*
*O'neill was 18 years old in 1970 (source)*
CW: *death* *cadaver*
The church gradually emptied after the ceremony. Little Sam, 13 years old, sat in one of the long, solid wooden pews, trying to gather her courage. In the square, her father was tempering his son's bitterness about the accident as best he could. Alone with her headache, she fiddled with her black dress with white stars between her fingers and tried to hold back her tears. She didn't see another child, slightly younger, with long, copper-blond, slightly wavy hair, move in beside her.
Child: Hi.
Sam looked up at her and then looked away: Hi.
Child: Is that your mom?
Sam gritted her teeth: Yeah.
Child: Why don't you go see her?
Sam: She's dead.
Child looked again at Sam: Death is only the beginning of the journey.
Sam looked up at her: Who are you? (she looked at her white dress, which did not fit in with the event, and deduced that she was not one of the guests) Why are you talking to me?
Child looked again at the coffin: Tonight you can see the shooting stars.
Sam looked at her: I know. The meteor shower of the Lyrides.
Child nodded and smiled broadly: Aren't you excited?
Sam frowned: My mother is dead. (The child shrugged and Sam repeated herself) Who are you?
Child: My mother calls me Hon.
Sam froze: My mother too. (she swallowed) Before.
Hon tilted her head: Obscure.
Sam looked at her puzzled: It's a nickname. Not a name.
Hon stood up and held out her hand: Come. Let's go say goodbye to your mom.
Sam shook her head and held back from crying: No.
Hon looked at her and put her hand back: Why?
Sam lowered her head, a tear rolled down her cheek: Because if I go, they will burn her.
Hon: Like meteorites entering the atmosphere.
Sam opened her mouth and looked up at her, stunned: What?
Hon smiled gently and held her hand again: Come. I'll come with you. It's going to be okay, Sam.
Sam scanned her face and wondered where she knew her name from. She hesitated, then reached for her hand. Her heart clenched more in the middle aisle, she gasped and a hellish heat ran through her body. The building rushed past her with each step closer to the coffin. The gigantic columns suffocated her. When she arrived, she shook the child's hand to give herself courage, but the emptiness had replaced it. She inspected the surroundings. No one was there. She looked at her peaceful mother, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Sam whispered: I'm going to miss you, Mom.
Echo:
*Hi*
*come / I'll come with you*
*hellish heat/fire/burn/stars*
*dead, emptiness, dark, obscure*
*mother, mom*
*who are you?*
Notes:
*In SG1 03x13 "The devil you know", the young Sam wears a black dress with white stars for her mother's funeral*
*Information on the Lyrides meteor shower (with respected chronology) (source)*
*The child / Hon looks like this (source)*
The church gradually emptied after the ceremony. Little Sam, 13 years old, sat in one of the long, solid wooden pews, trying to gather her courage. In the square, her father was tempering his son's bitterness about the accident as best he could. Alone with her headache, she fiddled with her black dress with white stars between her fingers and tried to hold back her tears. She didn't see another child, slightly younger, with long, copper-blond, slightly wavy hair, move in beside her.
Child: Hi.
Sam looked up at her and then looked away: Hi.
Child: Is that your mom?
Sam gritted her teeth: Yeah.
Child: Why don't you go see her?
Sam: She's dead.
Child looked again at Sam: Death is only the beginning of the journey.
Sam looked up at her: Who are you? (she looked at her white dress, which did not fit in with the event, and deduced that she was not one of the guests) Why are you talking to me?
Child looked again at the coffin: Tonight you can see the shooting stars.
Sam looked at her: I know. The meteor shower of the Lyrides.
Child nodded and smiled broadly: Aren't you excited?
Sam frowned: My mother is dead. (The child shrugged and Sam repeated herself) Who are you?
Child: My mother calls me Hon.
Sam froze: My mother too. (she swallowed) Before.
Hon tilted her head: Obscure.
Sam looked at her puzzled: It's a nickname. Not a name.
Hon stood up and held out her hand: Come. Let's go say goodbye to your mom.
Sam shook her head and held back from crying: No.
Hon looked at her and put her hand back: Why?
Sam lowered her head, a tear rolled down her cheek: Because if I go, they will burn her.
Hon: Like meteorites entering the atmosphere.
Sam opened her mouth and looked up at her, stunned: What?
Hon smiled gently and held her hand again: Come. I'll come with you. It's going to be okay, Sam.
Sam scanned her face and wondered where she knew her name from. She hesitated, then reached for her hand. Her heart clenched more in the middle aisle, she gasped and a hellish heat ran through her body. The building rushed past her with each step closer to the coffin. The gigantic columns suffocated her. When she arrived, she shook the child's hand to give herself courage, but the emptiness had replaced it. She inspected the surroundings. No one was there. She looked at her peaceful mother, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Sam whispered: I'm going to miss you, Mom.
Echo:
*Hi*
*come / I'll come with you*
*hellish heat/fire/burn/stars*
*dead, emptiness, dark, obscure*
*mother, mom*
*who are you?*
Notes:
*In SG1 03x13 "The devil you know", the young Sam wears a black dress with white stars for her mother's funeral*
*Information on the Lyrides meteor shower (with respected chronology) (source)*
*The child / Hon looks like this (source)*
TW: *victimblaming* *rape culture* *handling*
In a small room, four slightly tense men sat down around a large table.
General: Who is she?
Academy Director distributed a copy of her file: Cadet Samantha Carter. 17 years old. She got a waiver three months ago to join us during the year.
Colonel Daymoon: An extremely bright student, whether in astronomy, physics, chemistry or mathematics. She is a little genius in Science. She has earned all the Excellence awards so far.
Colonel Gary: She has shown that she has been able to excel both physically and mentally. On the field, she is exemplary.
General to both teachers: A safe bet to the Air Force?
They nodded their heads in agreement.
Colonel Daymoon: She is very interested in our space project. She is committed to it. She was well on her way to becoming a NASA astronaut.
Colonel Gary waved his hand limply at the others: Challenger disaster, grant cut-off.
General became impatient: Yeah yeah, we know all that. We've integrated two busloads of new recruits this month. (to Academy Director) And our problem?
Academy Director: This altercation took place with one of her teachers. Colonel Mayers.
General exclaimed: Nonsense. I know him well. (to Colonel Gary) How is she doing under you?
Colonel Gary: No worries. No reprimands, no insubordination.
General to Director: How did she react when the incident occurred?
Academy Director: Very calmly.
General surprised: "Calmly"?
Academy Director shrugged: Nothing to note.
General: No show of emotion or anything?
Academy Director: Nothing.
All raised their eyebrows, skeptical.
Colonel Daymoon to Director: Don't you think she's making it up?
Academy Director: Maybe.
General: Why would she do such a thing?
Colonel Daymoon: To make herself interesting?
General, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice: Well, she did it.
Silence.
Colonel Freesar, embarrassed: We... We were going to put her on a top secret project. She would bring a lot to our research. She is the kind of person we need. I can't say any more.
Colonel Daymoon: But you think she'd be interested?
Colonel Freesar: I have read her additional assignments that you passed on to me. I'm quite sure of it.
Silence.
Colonel Freesar quietly: I think if she gets a glimpse of what her future might hold, she won't be a concern.
Colonel Gary: Hmm. I think too. (He looked at the General) Sir. She's desperate.
Silence.
General: Good. Bring her in.
Echo:
*calmly*
*On the paragraph before, the repetition was "who are you?", this paragraph starts with "who is she?"*
In a small room, four slightly tense men sat down around a large table.
General: Who is she?
Academy Director distributed a copy of her file: Cadet Samantha Carter. 17 years old. She got a waiver three months ago to join us during the year.
Colonel Daymoon: An extremely bright student, whether in astronomy, physics, chemistry or mathematics. She is a little genius in Science. She has earned all the Excellence awards so far.
Colonel Gary: She has shown that she has been able to excel both physically and mentally. On the field, she is exemplary.
General to both teachers: A safe bet to the Air Force?
They nodded their heads in agreement.
Colonel Daymoon: She is very interested in our space project. She is committed to it. She was well on her way to becoming a NASA astronaut.
Colonel Gary waved his hand limply at the others: Challenger disaster, grant cut-off.
General became impatient: Yeah yeah, we know all that. We've integrated two busloads of new recruits this month. (to Academy Director) And our problem?
Academy Director: This altercation took place with one of her teachers. Colonel Mayers.
General exclaimed: Nonsense. I know him well. (to Colonel Gary) How is she doing under you?
Colonel Gary: No worries. No reprimands, no insubordination.
General to Director: How did she react when the incident occurred?
Academy Director: Very calmly.
General surprised: "Calmly"?
Academy Director shrugged: Nothing to note.
General: No show of emotion or anything?
Academy Director: Nothing.
All raised their eyebrows, skeptical.
Colonel Daymoon to Director: Don't you think she's making it up?
Academy Director: Maybe.
General: Why would she do such a thing?
Colonel Daymoon: To make herself interesting?
General, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice: Well, she did it.
Silence.
Colonel Freesar, embarrassed: We... We were going to put her on a top secret project. She would bring a lot to our research. She is the kind of person we need. I can't say any more.
Colonel Daymoon: But you think she'd be interested?
Colonel Freesar: I have read her additional assignments that you passed on to me. I'm quite sure of it.
Silence.
Colonel Freesar quietly: I think if she gets a glimpse of what her future might hold, she won't be a concern.
Colonel Gary: Hmm. I think too. (He looked at the General) Sir. She's desperate.
Silence.
General: Good. Bring her in.
Echo:
*calmly*
*On the paragraph before, the repetition was "who are you?", this paragraph starts with "who is she?"*
TW: *war* *murder* *corpse mention*
Escorted by a squad of two other fighters, the F16 Sam was piloting cut through the Iraqi sky.
(RADIO) Sam raised the missile shield: Sierra 21. In position in 15 seconds.
(RADIO) Control tower: Roger. You have a go.
The seconds ticked by. Sam tensed on the handle, her thumb on the switch, hesitant.
(RADIO) Control tower after 20 seconds: Sierra 21.
She pressed the button, the missile was released, hit its target and a loud explosion dazzled the cockpit of the fighter.
(RADIO) Control tower: Mission successful. Return to base.
(RADIO) Sam: Roger.
To her right, she saw her colleague give her a thumbs up and send his plane to the right. She turned off her radio and followed him.
In her head, the number "one" echoed continuously. She knew that it was not the right number, the reality had to be higher, unfortunately the data received in the briefing was too weak to have a more precise idea. And who was interested, after all?
Yet she had only one thought in mind at that moment: "one" was already "one" too many. The nightmares of corpses and smoky skulls would never leave her again, she was sure of it.
Echo:
*Roger*
Notes:
*"Sierra" is part of the international phonetic alphabet generalized by NATO. The letter "S" stands for "Sam". "21" is Sam's age in September 1990.*
*It is said that Carter fought in the Gulf War in the first episode of the saga*
*Information about the Gulf War (source)*
Escorted by a squad of two other fighters, the F16 Sam was piloting cut through the Iraqi sky.
(RADIO) Sam raised the missile shield: Sierra 21. In position in 15 seconds.
(RADIO) Control tower: Roger. You have a go.
The seconds ticked by. Sam tensed on the handle, her thumb on the switch, hesitant.
(RADIO) Control tower after 20 seconds: Sierra 21.
She pressed the button, the missile was released, hit its target and a loud explosion dazzled the cockpit of the fighter.
(RADIO) Control tower: Mission successful. Return to base.
(RADIO) Sam: Roger.
To her right, she saw her colleague give her a thumbs up and send his plane to the right. She turned off her radio and followed him.
In her head, the number "one" echoed continuously. She knew that it was not the right number, the reality had to be higher, unfortunately the data received in the briefing was too weak to have a more precise idea. And who was interested, after all?
Yet she had only one thought in mind at that moment: "one" was already "one" too many. The nightmares of corpses and smoky skulls would never leave her again, she was sure of it.
Echo:
*Roger*
Notes:
*"Sierra" is part of the international phonetic alphabet generalized by NATO. The letter "S" stands for "Sam". "21" is Sam's age in September 1990.*
*It is said that Carter fought in the Gulf War in the first episode of the saga*
*Information about the Gulf War (source)*
TW: *administration of substances without knowledge* *mention alcohol and drugs*
The fourth planet visited was not extraordinary at first sight, if it was not the multitude of poppy flowers which strewn the ground and the few ruins of an ancient city not far from the path taken by the young SG1 team. Teal'c and Carter were leading the way a few meters from the other two Earthmen. Daniel spotted more ruins, wanted to check them for symbols, and turned his head to Jack. He froze in front of the military man's face, very interested in something in front of him, a slight smile on his lips. Daniel searched for the source of his reverie and raised his eyebrows when he realized that he was simply staring at his second in command's backside. Disconcerted, he turned his head again towards him.
Daniel cleared his throat: Eurrrh. (Jack emerged, Daniel gave him a skeptical look at his unprofessional choice and put his thumb over his shoulder) There are other ruins and-
Jack moved his hand limply towards him: Yeah yeah.
Carter and Teal'c stopped and turned toward them. Daniel walked away, sneezed again from the pollen - or the trip - and prayed that this time he would find something interesting. Jack thanked God that the archaeologist hadn't commented, but promised to watch himself from now on. Carter joined him and Teal'c stayed at a distance to watch the area.
Jack: What’re all these flowers?
Sam: Papaver somniferum.
Jack, desperate: Don't tell me you speak Latin?
Sam smiles: No sir, that's the scientific name for sleeping poppies.
Jack, not reassured: Riiiight. Let's stay away from them. (he looked for the archaeologist) Daniel?
Sam held back a laugh: Just poppies, sir. There's no danger.
Jack: Yeah yeah. I've already seen the movie.
She smiles at him.
Daniel approached them: Except if you make opium out of them. Atchouuum!
Jack: At the risk of repeating myself... Bless you.
Sam to Daniel: Did you find anything, Doctor?
Daniel to Jack after blowing his nose: Thanks. (to Sam) Still no. (he pointed to the small village in the distance) Maybe we'll have better luck there. (crows cawed in the orange sky and Daniel looked up) Looks like it's going to get dark soon.
Sam looked at her monitor: Their solar system is different from ours. According to the probe, the days are short here.
Jack: Let's try to get to that village before we can't see anything. (he looked at the former Prima of Apophis) T? You're not afraid of the dark? Nasty monsters under the bed, snakes slithering under the comforter, all that?
Teal'c raised an eyebrow of incomprehension. Sam and Daniel exchanged glances and went on their way. At the village, Daniel made peaceful contact quickly. The locals spoke their language and had invited them to share a meal in the largest building in the modest village. And what a meal it was! A huge coffee table was set up in the center of the room, covered with many different dishes.
Daniel tasted another dish: What do you call this world?
Villager: Chalcis.
Daniel smiled: Chalcis. (to Sg1) On Earth it is the name of a port city on the island of Evia near Athens. Aristotle died there. It was a very large city from where many settlers left, it is said that it allowed the creation of more than thirty cities.
Villager: There haven't been any cities here for years, our ancestors told us that the ground shook one night, an explosion occurred and enveloped the whole sky in thick smoke, then light came out of the earth.
Daniel frowned and looked at Sam: A volcano?
Sam shrugged: I'm not a geologist. (a villager in his thirties approached her and offered her a drink) What is this?
Villager: Hypnyx. (he insisted while moving his jug) Our specialty.
She questioned her superior and he told her without much interest that she did what she wanted. After Abydos, she concluded that drinking on duty was not something that would bother him. She handed over her glass and the rest of the group waited for her to return. She first smelled the beverage, found that it was odorless and took a few sips. The mixture was sweet, fragrant and rather pleasant.
Sam: It's not alcoholic.
Jack held out his glass to the young man, but the latter recoiled. Sg1- looked at him with astonishment.
Villager, shocked: Only women have the right to be appointed Pythia.
Daniel widened his eyes: "Pythia"?
Sam looked successively at the villager, Daniel, her glass, and began to panic.
Jack: Daniel?
Daniel: Ummm. In archaic times it was traditional for the Pythia to be chosen by priests to render Oracles. (He looked around) I think these people may have come from ancient Greece.
Sam swallowed and put down her glass: Hmm.
Daniel to villager: What does this drink do?
Villager nodded: Your friend will find out.
Jack became impatient: Listen, you son of a b-
Daniel nodded to Jack and the villager calmly: Is it dangerous?
Villager, a little afraid of Jack: No... Receiving Oracles is a blessing.
Daniel to the group: The Pythia used to be chosen for her youth and virginity but-
She burst out laughing and the rest of Sg1 looked at her in surprise. She put one hand over her mouth and wiggled the other in their direction, shocked herself for reacting like that. Jack looked at her, half-amused, half-intrigued, and restrained himself from teasing her further.
Daniel, worried about her reaction: -But times changed quickly for a choice of model woman of any age and marital status as long as they were.... well umm... models of chastity.
She looked at him, jaded. Jack bit his lip to keep from laughing and she glared at him but refrained from commenting. She decided to turn her attention to the flame of an apparently extremely interesting candle.
Villager: Pythias have not been chosen in this way for a very long time. All women can receive the gift.
The rest of Sg1 looked at her, still a little worried despite the blissful expression on her face.
Teal'c: Captain Carter, how are you feeling?
Sam blinked several times and smiled: Good. Pretty good. I feel like everything is more... (she giggled) intense!
Daniel grinned: Hmm. We found the main ingredient. (to the villager) You make this drink from poppies, don't you?
Villager: “Poppies”?
Jack: Flowers. Outside.
Villager nods: We call them "Morpheus' flowers".
Daniel, proud of himself: Greece. That's right! (He waved his hand) Morpheus was a Greek God who was meant to put mortals to sleep. (Jack grinned and pointed at Sam) Uh, that should do it...
Teal'c: What are these flowers for, Doctor Jackson?
Daniel: Um, you can get a psychotropic drug from them, such as morphine or codeine. The effects are drowsiness, a hypnotic or... euphoric state.
She began to laugh uncontrollably.
Jack chuckled and tapped her on the shoulder: That's gonna be a nice report, Doctor!
The young woman seemed to approve with a new laugh, then began to eat much more intensely, as if her sense of taste had been heightened.
Daniel: Back in the day, the Egyptians used the petals to ensure an eternally sweet sleep for the dead. (to the villager) What about this Oracle story? (he frowned) What did you call this drink?
Villager: Hypnyx.
She wiped her forehead at a stifling sensation of heat, took off her jacket and drank her water bottle with fervor.
Daniel to Jack and Teal'c: It sounds like a combination of two Greek words. "Hypnos" meaning “sleep” and "Nyx" meaning “night”.
Jack still watching his second in command: Fascinating, Daniel. (Daniel raised his eyebrows at his sarcasm and stopped his explanation) And when will she be back to normal? Not that I care. She's fun like that, at least.
She continued tasting all the different dishes on the table without paying any attention to the others.
Villager: When she wakes up. She will receive the Oracle in her sleep.
She ate less and less, blinking more and more. She sighed, crossed her arms in front of her belly, grabbed her top and began to pull it over her chest. Teal'c raised an eyebrow in astonishment, Jack and Daniel widened their eyes at the sight of the beginning of the young woman's bra.
Daniel and Jack rushed to her arms: No-no-no-no-no-no!
They quickly pulled her garment back into place and held her still.
Teal'c, skeptical: Captain Carter, are you sure you feel all right?
Sam, dazed: Hu. I'm sorry. Just a little tired-
She didn't have time to say anything else and collapsed from sleep.
Jack: Okay. We'll take turns watching her. Daniel, you take the first third. (He looked at his watch) 3:00. (He pointed to the villagers with a shake of his head) See if you can find something.
Some time later, Daniel had come up empty again. The villagers didn't seem to be any more worried about the young woman's condition, and had slipped away to bed.
The sleep seemed deep for the young woman, but her eyes were moving at full speed under her eyelids. A wind rose, extinguished the candles and blew her blond hair. Daniel frowned and looked around for the source of the breeze. He had the strange impression of feeling an unknown presence. Cautious, he got up and left the room for a moment to inspect the surroundings via the only exit of the building.
Still asleep and now alone, she too had the sensation of a presence at her side, a divine force perhaps, as if an angel was visiting her, but she could not open her eyes. Her face became brighter and brighter and a voice was heard in a whisper.
A male voice: Deserdi illac rupta. Regere mutatio alii alios and audiri Fatumspes.
The light faded, Daniel appeared again, pointed his flashlight at Sam, then at the whole room.
Daniel: Hello? Is anyone there?
No one answered. Sam's eyes were now calm under her eyelids.
Echo:
*poppy/opium/drogs*
*sleep, night, had slipped away to bed, asleep*
*Pythia, oracle*
*There's no danger. / Is it dangerous?*
Notes:
*in the language of flowers, the poppy which is a variety of the poppy, symbolizes the sleep of the sorrows, the sleep and the oblivion*
*In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her friends walk through a field of bewitched poppies. She ends up falling asleep in it*
*Chalcis is the 4th planet visited by SG-1. The first one was Abydos, then Chulak, then P3-575 announced at the end of episode 2 of season 1 and during episode 3 of season 1, it is announced that SG-1 was on P3X-595.*
*This paragraph opens with "Don't tell me you speak Latin?" and ends with a prophecy of a Latin derivative Deserdi illac rupta. Regere mutatio alii alios and audiri Fatumspes "*
The fourth planet visited was not extraordinary at first sight, if it was not the multitude of poppy flowers which strewn the ground and the few ruins of an ancient city not far from the path taken by the young SG1 team. Teal'c and Carter were leading the way a few meters from the other two Earthmen. Daniel spotted more ruins, wanted to check them for symbols, and turned his head to Jack. He froze in front of the military man's face, very interested in something in front of him, a slight smile on his lips. Daniel searched for the source of his reverie and raised his eyebrows when he realized that he was simply staring at his second in command's backside. Disconcerted, he turned his head again towards him.
Daniel cleared his throat: Eurrrh. (Jack emerged, Daniel gave him a skeptical look at his unprofessional choice and put his thumb over his shoulder) There are other ruins and-
Jack moved his hand limply towards him: Yeah yeah.
Carter and Teal'c stopped and turned toward them. Daniel walked away, sneezed again from the pollen - or the trip - and prayed that this time he would find something interesting. Jack thanked God that the archaeologist hadn't commented, but promised to watch himself from now on. Carter joined him and Teal'c stayed at a distance to watch the area.
Jack: What’re all these flowers?
Sam: Papaver somniferum.
Jack, desperate: Don't tell me you speak Latin?
Sam smiles: No sir, that's the scientific name for sleeping poppies.
Jack, not reassured: Riiiight. Let's stay away from them. (he looked for the archaeologist) Daniel?
Sam held back a laugh: Just poppies, sir. There's no danger.
Jack: Yeah yeah. I've already seen the movie.
She smiles at him.
Daniel approached them: Except if you make opium out of them. Atchouuum!
Jack: At the risk of repeating myself... Bless you.
Sam to Daniel: Did you find anything, Doctor?
Daniel to Jack after blowing his nose: Thanks. (to Sam) Still no. (he pointed to the small village in the distance) Maybe we'll have better luck there. (crows cawed in the orange sky and Daniel looked up) Looks like it's going to get dark soon.
Sam looked at her monitor: Their solar system is different from ours. According to the probe, the days are short here.
Jack: Let's try to get to that village before we can't see anything. (he looked at the former Prima of Apophis) T? You're not afraid of the dark? Nasty monsters under the bed, snakes slithering under the comforter, all that?
Teal'c raised an eyebrow of incomprehension. Sam and Daniel exchanged glances and went on their way. At the village, Daniel made peaceful contact quickly. The locals spoke their language and had invited them to share a meal in the largest building in the modest village. And what a meal it was! A huge coffee table was set up in the center of the room, covered with many different dishes.
Daniel tasted another dish: What do you call this world?
Villager: Chalcis.
Daniel smiled: Chalcis. (to Sg1) On Earth it is the name of a port city on the island of Evia near Athens. Aristotle died there. It was a very large city from where many settlers left, it is said that it allowed the creation of more than thirty cities.
Villager: There haven't been any cities here for years, our ancestors told us that the ground shook one night, an explosion occurred and enveloped the whole sky in thick smoke, then light came out of the earth.
Daniel frowned and looked at Sam: A volcano?
Sam shrugged: I'm not a geologist. (a villager in his thirties approached her and offered her a drink) What is this?
Villager: Hypnyx. (he insisted while moving his jug) Our specialty.
She questioned her superior and he told her without much interest that she did what she wanted. After Abydos, she concluded that drinking on duty was not something that would bother him. She handed over her glass and the rest of the group waited for her to return. She first smelled the beverage, found that it was odorless and took a few sips. The mixture was sweet, fragrant and rather pleasant.
Sam: It's not alcoholic.
Jack held out his glass to the young man, but the latter recoiled. Sg1- looked at him with astonishment.
Villager, shocked: Only women have the right to be appointed Pythia.
Daniel widened his eyes: "Pythia"?
Sam looked successively at the villager, Daniel, her glass, and began to panic.
Jack: Daniel?
Daniel: Ummm. In archaic times it was traditional for the Pythia to be chosen by priests to render Oracles. (He looked around) I think these people may have come from ancient Greece.
Sam swallowed and put down her glass: Hmm.
Daniel to villager: What does this drink do?
Villager nodded: Your friend will find out.
Jack became impatient: Listen, you son of a b-
Daniel nodded to Jack and the villager calmly: Is it dangerous?
Villager, a little afraid of Jack: No... Receiving Oracles is a blessing.
Daniel to the group: The Pythia used to be chosen for her youth and virginity but-
She burst out laughing and the rest of Sg1 looked at her in surprise. She put one hand over her mouth and wiggled the other in their direction, shocked herself for reacting like that. Jack looked at her, half-amused, half-intrigued, and restrained himself from teasing her further.
Daniel, worried about her reaction: -But times changed quickly for a choice of model woman of any age and marital status as long as they were.... well umm... models of chastity.
She looked at him, jaded. Jack bit his lip to keep from laughing and she glared at him but refrained from commenting. She decided to turn her attention to the flame of an apparently extremely interesting candle.
Villager: Pythias have not been chosen in this way for a very long time. All women can receive the gift.
The rest of Sg1 looked at her, still a little worried despite the blissful expression on her face.
Teal'c: Captain Carter, how are you feeling?
Sam blinked several times and smiled: Good. Pretty good. I feel like everything is more... (she giggled) intense!
Daniel grinned: Hmm. We found the main ingredient. (to the villager) You make this drink from poppies, don't you?
Villager: “Poppies”?
Jack: Flowers. Outside.
Villager nods: We call them "Morpheus' flowers".
Daniel, proud of himself: Greece. That's right! (He waved his hand) Morpheus was a Greek God who was meant to put mortals to sleep. (Jack grinned and pointed at Sam) Uh, that should do it...
Teal'c: What are these flowers for, Doctor Jackson?
Daniel: Um, you can get a psychotropic drug from them, such as morphine or codeine. The effects are drowsiness, a hypnotic or... euphoric state.
She began to laugh uncontrollably.
Jack chuckled and tapped her on the shoulder: That's gonna be a nice report, Doctor!
The young woman seemed to approve with a new laugh, then began to eat much more intensely, as if her sense of taste had been heightened.
Daniel: Back in the day, the Egyptians used the petals to ensure an eternally sweet sleep for the dead. (to the villager) What about this Oracle story? (he frowned) What did you call this drink?
Villager: Hypnyx.
She wiped her forehead at a stifling sensation of heat, took off her jacket and drank her water bottle with fervor.
Daniel to Jack and Teal'c: It sounds like a combination of two Greek words. "Hypnos" meaning “sleep” and "Nyx" meaning “night”.
Jack still watching his second in command: Fascinating, Daniel. (Daniel raised his eyebrows at his sarcasm and stopped his explanation) And when will she be back to normal? Not that I care. She's fun like that, at least.
She continued tasting all the different dishes on the table without paying any attention to the others.
Villager: When she wakes up. She will receive the Oracle in her sleep.
She ate less and less, blinking more and more. She sighed, crossed her arms in front of her belly, grabbed her top and began to pull it over her chest. Teal'c raised an eyebrow in astonishment, Jack and Daniel widened their eyes at the sight of the beginning of the young woman's bra.
Daniel and Jack rushed to her arms: No-no-no-no-no-no!
They quickly pulled her garment back into place and held her still.
Teal'c, skeptical: Captain Carter, are you sure you feel all right?
Sam, dazed: Hu. I'm sorry. Just a little tired-
She didn't have time to say anything else and collapsed from sleep.
Jack: Okay. We'll take turns watching her. Daniel, you take the first third. (He looked at his watch) 3:00. (He pointed to the villagers with a shake of his head) See if you can find something.
Some time later, Daniel had come up empty again. The villagers didn't seem to be any more worried about the young woman's condition, and had slipped away to bed.
The sleep seemed deep for the young woman, but her eyes were moving at full speed under her eyelids. A wind rose, extinguished the candles and blew her blond hair. Daniel frowned and looked around for the source of the breeze. He had the strange impression of feeling an unknown presence. Cautious, he got up and left the room for a moment to inspect the surroundings via the only exit of the building.
Still asleep and now alone, she too had the sensation of a presence at her side, a divine force perhaps, as if an angel was visiting her, but she could not open her eyes. Her face became brighter and brighter and a voice was heard in a whisper.
A male voice: Deserdi illac rupta. Regere mutatio alii alios and audiri Fatumspes.
The light faded, Daniel appeared again, pointed his flashlight at Sam, then at the whole room.
Daniel: Hello? Is anyone there?
No one answered. Sam's eyes were now calm under her eyelids.
Echo:
*poppy/opium/drogs*
*sleep, night, had slipped away to bed, asleep*
*Pythia, oracle*
*There's no danger. / Is it dangerous?*
Notes:
*in the language of flowers, the poppy which is a variety of the poppy, symbolizes the sleep of the sorrows, the sleep and the oblivion*
*In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her friends walk through a field of bewitched poppies. She ends up falling asleep in it*
*Chalcis is the 4th planet visited by SG-1. The first one was Abydos, then Chulak, then P3-575 announced at the end of episode 2 of season 1 and during episode 3 of season 1, it is announced that SG-1 was on P3X-595.*
*This paragraph opens with "Don't tell me you speak Latin?" and ends with a prophecy of a Latin derivative Deserdi illac rupta. Regere mutatio alii alios and audiri Fatumspes "*
Why is he doing this again?
He never asks me what I want to do with my life. He chooses for me.
Why does he make me feel so guilty about my choices?
He's doing it again.
He directs me to Air Force after NASA, and now to NASA after Air Force.
Am I never enough?
Why am I reliving this again?
In a different way?
He never asks me what I want to do with my life. He chooses for me.
Why does he make me feel so guilty about my choices?
He's doing it again.
He directs me to Air Force after NASA, and now to NASA after Air Force.
Am I never enough?
Why am I reliving this again?
In a different way?
Daniel was wearing his white sweater and seemed to be in a lively discussion with Oma and a young man in his twenties with long curly brown hair, wearing a gray toga with gold trim.
Daniel, angry: You have no right to do that! (they remained silent, he shook his head and ranted) I don't want to participate in this.
Oma raised her hands to him to calm him down: Daniel.
Daniel moved his hand towards her: I don't understand how you can let such a thing happen.
Morpheus: We have no choice. You-
Daniel gritted his teeth and glared at him: Nothing! You lied to me. Both of you. I refuse to be a part of this, and you can't make me. (Oma and Morpheus looked at each other. He stared at them one by one) What?
Oma swallowed: Sorry. We have no choice.
Daniel challenged her with his eyes: Then banish me. (Oma moistened her lips and he shouted with hatred) Banish me! You have no other choice. (he insisted) You know I will interfere.
Oma approached him and touched his forehead: We will meet again, Daniel.
Echo:
*We have no choice. / You have no other choice.*
*I don't want to be a part of this. /I refuse to be a part of this*
*banish me*
Daniel, angry: You have no right to do that! (they remained silent, he shook his head and ranted) I don't want to participate in this.
Oma raised her hands to him to calm him down: Daniel.
Daniel moved his hand towards her: I don't understand how you can let such a thing happen.
Morpheus: We have no choice. You-
Daniel gritted his teeth and glared at him: Nothing! You lied to me. Both of you. I refuse to be a part of this, and you can't make me. (Oma and Morpheus looked at each other. He stared at them one by one) What?
Oma swallowed: Sorry. We have no choice.
Daniel challenged her with his eyes: Then banish me. (Oma moistened her lips and he shouted with hatred) Banish me! You have no other choice. (he insisted) You know I will interfere.
Oma approached him and touched his forehead: We will meet again, Daniel.
Echo:
*We have no choice. / You have no other choice.*
*I don't want to be a part of this. /I refuse to be a part of this*
*banish me*
Sam knocked: Sir?
Jack: Come in, Carter. (she obeyed, he sensed her nervousness, which piqued his own curiosity) What can I do for you?
Sam smiled politely: Dr. Lee just informed me that I should come and see you if I wanted to connect to the simulation device?
Jack fiddled with his pen: That's right.
Sam: Hmm. May I ask why, sir? The interface has been modified and works with Teal'c. The protein traces-
Jack looked down: Well, that's the point. After the Teal'c incident...
Sam: The problem has been corrected, sir. There's no risk of it happening again.
Jack looked up at her: Even less if you don't use it.
Sam took a step back and hesitated: General, if I may... I think it would really help the program if I put my knowledge to use on this project. I know you've already expressed your disapproval of the potential future use of the Tok'ra mnemonic disks, but I promise you it's not the same thing, and I would like to...
She was silent in front of the dark look he gave her and her face slowly fell before him.
Jack swallowed and stared at her: If I wasn't clear (he insisted) Colonel, you are forbidden to connect to this technology. (she widened her eyes and swallowed back) Was I clear enough?
He tried to be as impassive as possible.
Sam nodded: Yes, sir.
Jack: Come in, Carter. (she obeyed, he sensed her nervousness, which piqued his own curiosity) What can I do for you?
Sam smiled politely: Dr. Lee just informed me that I should come and see you if I wanted to connect to the simulation device?
Jack fiddled with his pen: That's right.
Sam: Hmm. May I ask why, sir? The interface has been modified and works with Teal'c. The protein traces-
Jack looked down: Well, that's the point. After the Teal'c incident...
Sam: The problem has been corrected, sir. There's no risk of it happening again.
Jack looked up at her: Even less if you don't use it.
Sam took a step back and hesitated: General, if I may... I think it would really help the program if I put my knowledge to use on this project. I know you've already expressed your disapproval of the potential future use of the Tok'ra mnemonic disks, but I promise you it's not the same thing, and I would like to...
She was silent in front of the dark look he gave her and her face slowly fell before him.
Jack swallowed and stared at her: If I wasn't clear (he insisted) Colonel, you are forbidden to connect to this technology. (she widened her eyes and swallowed back) Was I clear enough?
He tried to be as impassive as possible.
Sam nodded: Yes, sir.
Sam knocked: You sent for me, sir?
Jack: Yes Carter, come in. (she obeyed and perceived his nervousness, which piqued her own curiosity) I received a call from the Pentagon. They want to congratulate you on your television appearance.
Sam: Ha. (She smiled politely) All right, thanks.
Jack fiddled with his pen: They are request you to do more interviews and conferences. Mainly to highlight new Air Force technologies or partnerships with NASA. (He looked down at his pen in his hands) You'll be given scripts to repeat to make your job easier.
Sam grimaced: I'd rather not, sir. (she looked away, then back at him) I'm not the best person to do this.
Jack: Hmm. They thought you were very good.
Sam swallowed: I mean... I have other things to do here. (she insisted) More important.
Jack lowered his head: I've been asked to give you time off if necessary.
Sam took a step back and hesitated: General, if I may... This is not my job.
Jack looked up at her: Actually the word "request" was not correct. (she questioned him with her eyes) It's an order, Colonel.
She widened her eyes at him and swallowed. He tried to be as impassive as possible but frowned in spite of himself. Shit, they thought, they had already lived this moment only two months apart, but differently.
Jack: Yes Carter, come in. (she obeyed and perceived his nervousness, which piqued her own curiosity) I received a call from the Pentagon. They want to congratulate you on your television appearance.
Sam: Ha. (She smiled politely) All right, thanks.
Jack fiddled with his pen: They are request you to do more interviews and conferences. Mainly to highlight new Air Force technologies or partnerships with NASA. (He looked down at his pen in his hands) You'll be given scripts to repeat to make your job easier.
Sam grimaced: I'd rather not, sir. (she looked away, then back at him) I'm not the best person to do this.
Jack: Hmm. They thought you were very good.
Sam swallowed: I mean... I have other things to do here. (she insisted) More important.
Jack lowered his head: I've been asked to give you time off if necessary.
Sam took a step back and hesitated: General, if I may... This is not my job.
Jack looked up at her: Actually the word "request" was not correct. (she questioned him with her eyes) It's an order, Colonel.
She widened her eyes at him and swallowed. He tried to be as impassive as possible but frowned in spite of himself. Shit, they thought, they had already lived this moment only two months apart, but differently.