Sam knocked for the second time on Dr. Dang's office door, without success. She looked at her watch again and frowned. The door to the next office opened.
Bell: Colonel Carter.
Sam: Hi. Isn't Dr. Dang here?
Bell shook her head: He's doing surgery on one of the injured miners. (Sam nodded and smiled politely. Bell winced and hesitated) I'm free if you want. We... We can do a session alone. (She moved a hand awkwardly) But... if you'd rather postpone-
Sam: I'm ready.
The two women smiled at each other and Bell invited her into her office.
Bell: Colonel Carter.
Sam: Hi. Isn't Dr. Dang here?
Bell shook her head: He's doing surgery on one of the injured miners. (Sam nodded and smiled politely. Bell winced and hesitated) I'm free if you want. We... We can do a session alone. (She moved a hand awkwardly) But... if you'd rather postpone-
Sam: I'm ready.
The two women smiled at each other and Bell invited her into her office.
CW: *mention of menstruation* *environmental colonialism* *capitalism* *racism* *mention of heart attack* *mention of staphylococcal toxic shock* *sexism* *mention of xenophobia*
Daniel, Teal'c and Jack exchanged feedback on the progress of Anang's work this morning. Sam also had the file open in front of her, but was dozing from her nightmares and her grueling session with Dr. Williams just before this meeting. She tried hard to hide yet another yawn.
Daniel: Sam?
Sam emerged: Hmm?
Daniel: You haven't said anything since the meeting started.
Sam tried to put on a brave face: Sorry, (she looked at the file) I... This is not my area. She seems to have done a good job. (The rest of the group looked at her, skeptical. She picked a random item from the folder) "Point 86: The air conditioning is not at the right temperature."
She froze but quickly stopped herself from showing her astonishment at the absurdity of what she had just said. Her cover for not having paid attention and not having read a single line of the damn file was going to be compromised, and explaining the reasons for her lack of professionalism was out of the question. The rest of the group went back to the point. She took the opportunity to get up and pour herself a coffee.
Daniel read the text aloud: "Thus, the ideal temperature in the premises has been set at 68-69,8 F in order to save money. However, the temperature that is considered "comfortable" for many women is more like 41 F, as shown in the graph below. This is related to a difference in basic metabolism between the sexes, corresponding to the body's energy requirements for a day."
Jack raised an eyebrow at her and asked her sarcastically via telepathy, knowing full well that she was hardly ever cold.
Sam shrugged and sat back down with her cup of hot coffee: I don't represent all the women on the base, but yes, your air conditioning is a mess.
Jack: And what? You'll work (he put his finger on a line on the paper in front of him) 30% faster if we go up 40 F?
Daniel blew his nose: Soon we won't even have to go on a mission, you'll have the solution before we get through the Gate.
She gave him a wry smile but perceived the insistent look of her superior on her.
Sam tried to make up for it: I was just saying that she had been accurate in her research. (She quickly searched the file) "Point 24: Menstruating individuals would be able to choose the days of departure for field missions. (she insisted) And no loss of pay if endometriosis." (She looked around at the group, who seemed uncomfortable - especially Teal'c - and she stared at them in disbelief) Did you know that our periods can trigger a level of pain equivalent to a heart attack?
Jack dodged a nervous smile: And I hesitated to zat ya.
Sam continued her monologue: It's like getting a defibrillator once a month. We accept the risk of fainting on a mission, swollen belly, sore chest, weak legs and risk staphylococcal toxic shock if we don't change our protection every 6 hours. (more sharply) Not to mention the fact that you have to pretend everything is normal or you'll get comments like, "Are you in a bad mood because you have your period?"
She raised her eyebrows and sighed.
Jack put his hand back on his head to say exactly that thought and reframed her: We all see the idea very well, Carter.
Sam held back a smile: Sorry. (She sank into her chair and brought her cup close to her face to hide her recalcitrant smile a little more) You all seem so interested in my female condition now. It was too tempting.
Daniel lowered his head in amusement, and Teal'c had the feeling that he had never been so uncomfortable in his life.
Jack reframed them: Can we move on, please?
Sam straightened up and after quickly reading a few points: Points 14 and 15 seem important to me.
She then took several sips in a row in the hope of regaining her senses.
Daniel meanwhile read: "Point 14: A project of this magnitude should be run by civilians and not by an army corps. (he tilted his head and then nodded it several times) The army was to be present only for protection and not for decision making."
All eyes turned to the base commander.
Jack raised his arms slightly, elbows still on the table: It makes sense. (they looked at him, all surprised, and he was a little offended) What?
Daniel, cautious: Are you sure you got it right?
Jack insisted, definitely offended: I supported Dr. Weir's bid for Atlantis, by the way.
Danel raised his eyebrows and continued reading: "The Government should start thinking about its plan of action to reveal the Stargate as soon as possible."
Sam: She attached a detailed document of how to repay the means implemented for this action, especially with the progress obtained in the medical, agricultural, linguistic and other technological fields.
Daniel smiles as he reads one line: Making it clear that the weaponry would be the last thing on the list.
Sam, perplexed: That's never going to happen.
Jack tilted his head: Nice optimism on her part, though.
Daniel chuckled: Yeah. I'd pay good money to see the President's face at this reading.
Sam smiled at the thought and Jack raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was going to be the person to have to give him that reading... Teal'c stared at them one by one, skeptical of their behavior.
Teal'c: Over the years, we have helped entire civilizations that know of the existence of the Stargates. Yet you seem unable to be optimistic about your own people.
The humans gave each other uncomfortable looks and there was silence for several seconds.
Jack: Okay Teal'c. You make a good point and have just thrown a big wrench in the works.
Sam to herself: The air conditioning needs that wrench. (Daniel blows his nose, Jack looks at her doubtfully, and she gets serious) Sorry, sir. (lowered) Really, I'm tired.
Daniel ventured, with a touch of mischief: Red period?
She leaned her head towards him and smiled ironically that he could afford to joke as a civilian and she could not, moreover on a subject where he was not concerned himself.
Sam hesitated, then whispered quietly: Blue period after the TV.
Daniel chuckled and they lowered their heads in an attempt to regain their seriousness.
Jack juggled his gaze between the two of them: Since when did our briefings become such a circus? (he suddenly raised a threatening finger to the group) The first one to speak gets assigned to the base all weekend.
The rest of the group smiled at each other, having had the same idea of repartee.
Daniel tried to focus: "Point 15: A military/civilian hierarchy has been going on for years.". She attached a survey result, civilians feel inferior to the military, often mocked or devalued.
Jack glanced at him suspiciously.
Sam continued flipping through the file: There's also a chapter on the cognitive dissonance of claiming to fight for the freedom of other worlds but refusing to fight the imperialism of Earth or even your own… (she sat up, a little uncomfortable) Country.
Daniel smiled wryly and then continued reading: "Let's not talk about the hypocritical ranking of allies according to their importance in terms of strike force or technological advancement, nor about certain xenophobic comments heard by high officials..."
All heads turned to Jack.
Jack increased his threat: Every weekend of the month?
The rest of the table gave each other amused looks before turning their attention back to the file.
Daniel resumed reading: "Point 21: Exposing the traumas one has suffered in court can cause further trauma to the victims, especially since they are often not believed. They have to justify themselves and relive the tragic event. The Zatarc test can revolutionize justice."
Jack saw Sam's head snapping up at him: What?
Sam pulled herself together and looked into the file: Hu. No. Nothing. (lower) Sorry. (The three men looked at each other, without understanding, she quickly quoted the file so as not to have to explain herself) "Nevertheless, think about reviewing your procedure for explaining the use of this technology."
She winced and looked back at her colleagues to see if they understood Anang's hint about her own experience with the device, but all three men were staring at her. Her anxiety soared and she tried to figure out how to get out of it.
Jack insisted: Carter?
Sam grimaced and tried to be subtle: Eurh. Sir. I was thinking about the option of adding a line in the house rules?
Jack saw the obvious look she was giving him but still seemed lost: What?
There was a silence, Sam tilted her head and gave him another obvious look, but it didn't help, the military man couldn't see the implication.
Daniel juggled his gaze between the two: What? (to Sam) Add a zatarc test to every monthly check-up?
Sam squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable: No. (She rested her gaze on the file and muttered) Only during certain temporal events.
Jack froze. Daniel and Teal'c saw his reaction and again, looks were exchanged in silence.
Daniel: Wh-wh-wh-what?
Sam quickly read a new project proposal: Using the kawoosh as a waste disposal instead of incineration.
Teal'c read on: Or the three-shot function of zats.
They raised their eyebrows.
Daniel to Sam: Why was this idea never considered?
Jack, sarcastically: Another thing on the stove, perhaps?
Daniel didn't take the joke: It makes sense. Anang is from the first indigenous people, they consider the Earth to be sacred and its protectors. And there's another problem. The tribes are running out of money, so they accept contracts to collect radioactive waste and live on it.
Jack: The snake that bites its own tail.
Daniel nodded with difficulty: Because they have no choice.
Sam spoke to herself as she studied the file: She must have run out of time on the technical issues.
Daniel: Hmm?
Sam moved her hand toward him: She does not mention it, but radioactive waste can also be absorbed by the kawoosh without side effects. (she rested her attention on the file) There is a draft business plan for buying back the waste from other nations. (she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head) And an in-depth study of the amount of money spent on reselling our waste to developing countries and the disasters it creates there.
Daniel smiled broadly and repeated: Protectors of the Earth.
Sam smiled at the memory of her discussion with Anang about how they considered themselves the guardians of the Earth, of their home.
Teal'c: Explain.
Daniel: On Earth, one in six people die from pollution. The wealthiest are the biggest emitters but spread the message that the middle and poor classes are the ones responsible. The countries that take the waste usually have inadequate waste disposal facilities. (He put his glasses back on properly) The waste is dumped in the sea or... Well... The locals live in it.
Teal'c raised his eyebrow.
Sam, her eyes still on the file: Not to mention climate change, which we are the first to cause but the last to suffer the consequences of.
Daniel winced and smiled nervously at Teal'c: We're not exactly living up to your expectations of us, are we?
Teal'c clenched his jaw several times and looked away.
Sam, interested: Sir, this can be set up very quickly. Install a system like this via the existing winch pe-
Jack: Easy easy. (They questioned him with their eyes and he tilted his head) This has to be validated higher up.
Daniel grinned: And I doubt that's their priority.
Sam looked back at the study and tilted her head: Yes. The economy is less financially for them. They still think very little about the long term.
Daniel read another point: She proposes to start working on setting up teleportation access for the entire population so that it will be operational when the time comes. With orders of priority. Safety of civilians during war or climatic accidents, sharing of resources: food, medicine, support staff...
Sam looked up from the file: And significant reduction of pollution with the elimination of air, sea and land transport.
They approved the idea and then continued reading for a while in silence.
Sam winced at one point: Moving the project to neutral ground.
She and Jack exchanged a puzzled look.
Daniel read the paragraph in his head, then added: Hmm. It makes sense. And it fits in with his plan to unveil the Gate in the future. (he looked up at Sam and Jack, who didn't seem to agree with what he had just said) What?
Silence.
Jack looked at his watch: Well... Thank you for your feedback... Constructive.
Daniel closed the file: Pretty good draft.
Jack: Well, it'll stay that way. (they questioned him with their eyes) Mrs. Medweganoonind resigned last night.
The group looked at him, stunned.
Daniel readjusted his glasses on his nose: What?
Jack: She didn't show up this morning. She left these documents and her letter of resignation on my desk.
Everyone looked at each other.
Teal'c: Did she give a reason?
Jack hung his head: Um, I think I had something to do with it, T.
Daniel concerned: Did you call her?
Jack: Direct message.
Silence.
Teal'c: And it's time for me to drop mine off, O'Neill.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Daniel, Teal'c and Jack exchanged feedback on the progress of Anang's work this morning. Sam also had the file open in front of her, but was dozing from her nightmares and her grueling session with Dr. Williams just before this meeting. She tried hard to hide yet another yawn.
Daniel: Sam?
Sam emerged: Hmm?
Daniel: You haven't said anything since the meeting started.
Sam tried to put on a brave face: Sorry, (she looked at the file) I... This is not my area. She seems to have done a good job. (The rest of the group looked at her, skeptical. She picked a random item from the folder) "Point 86: The air conditioning is not at the right temperature."
She froze but quickly stopped herself from showing her astonishment at the absurdity of what she had just said. Her cover for not having paid attention and not having read a single line of the damn file was going to be compromised, and explaining the reasons for her lack of professionalism was out of the question. The rest of the group went back to the point. She took the opportunity to get up and pour herself a coffee.
Daniel read the text aloud: "Thus, the ideal temperature in the premises has been set at 68-69,8 F in order to save money. However, the temperature that is considered "comfortable" for many women is more like 41 F, as shown in the graph below. This is related to a difference in basic metabolism between the sexes, corresponding to the body's energy requirements for a day."
Jack raised an eyebrow at her and asked her sarcastically via telepathy, knowing full well that she was hardly ever cold.
Sam shrugged and sat back down with her cup of hot coffee: I don't represent all the women on the base, but yes, your air conditioning is a mess.
Jack: And what? You'll work (he put his finger on a line on the paper in front of him) 30% faster if we go up 40 F?
Daniel blew his nose: Soon we won't even have to go on a mission, you'll have the solution before we get through the Gate.
She gave him a wry smile but perceived the insistent look of her superior on her.
Sam tried to make up for it: I was just saying that she had been accurate in her research. (She quickly searched the file) "Point 24: Menstruating individuals would be able to choose the days of departure for field missions. (she insisted) And no loss of pay if endometriosis." (She looked around at the group, who seemed uncomfortable - especially Teal'c - and she stared at them in disbelief) Did you know that our periods can trigger a level of pain equivalent to a heart attack?
Jack dodged a nervous smile: And I hesitated to zat ya.
Sam continued her monologue: It's like getting a defibrillator once a month. We accept the risk of fainting on a mission, swollen belly, sore chest, weak legs and risk staphylococcal toxic shock if we don't change our protection every 6 hours. (more sharply) Not to mention the fact that you have to pretend everything is normal or you'll get comments like, "Are you in a bad mood because you have your period?"
She raised her eyebrows and sighed.
Jack put his hand back on his head to say exactly that thought and reframed her: We all see the idea very well, Carter.
Sam held back a smile: Sorry. (She sank into her chair and brought her cup close to her face to hide her recalcitrant smile a little more) You all seem so interested in my female condition now. It was too tempting.
Daniel lowered his head in amusement, and Teal'c had the feeling that he had never been so uncomfortable in his life.
Jack reframed them: Can we move on, please?
Sam straightened up and after quickly reading a few points: Points 14 and 15 seem important to me.
She then took several sips in a row in the hope of regaining her senses.
Daniel meanwhile read: "Point 14: A project of this magnitude should be run by civilians and not by an army corps. (he tilted his head and then nodded it several times) The army was to be present only for protection and not for decision making."
All eyes turned to the base commander.
Jack raised his arms slightly, elbows still on the table: It makes sense. (they looked at him, all surprised, and he was a little offended) What?
Daniel, cautious: Are you sure you got it right?
Jack insisted, definitely offended: I supported Dr. Weir's bid for Atlantis, by the way.
Danel raised his eyebrows and continued reading: "The Government should start thinking about its plan of action to reveal the Stargate as soon as possible."
Sam: She attached a detailed document of how to repay the means implemented for this action, especially with the progress obtained in the medical, agricultural, linguistic and other technological fields.
Daniel smiles as he reads one line: Making it clear that the weaponry would be the last thing on the list.
Sam, perplexed: That's never going to happen.
Jack tilted his head: Nice optimism on her part, though.
Daniel chuckled: Yeah. I'd pay good money to see the President's face at this reading.
Sam smiled at the thought and Jack raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was going to be the person to have to give him that reading... Teal'c stared at them one by one, skeptical of their behavior.
Teal'c: Over the years, we have helped entire civilizations that know of the existence of the Stargates. Yet you seem unable to be optimistic about your own people.
The humans gave each other uncomfortable looks and there was silence for several seconds.
Jack: Okay Teal'c. You make a good point and have just thrown a big wrench in the works.
Sam to herself: The air conditioning needs that wrench. (Daniel blows his nose, Jack looks at her doubtfully, and she gets serious) Sorry, sir. (lowered) Really, I'm tired.
Daniel ventured, with a touch of mischief: Red period?
She leaned her head towards him and smiled ironically that he could afford to joke as a civilian and she could not, moreover on a subject where he was not concerned himself.
Sam hesitated, then whispered quietly: Blue period after the TV.
Daniel chuckled and they lowered their heads in an attempt to regain their seriousness.
Jack juggled his gaze between the two of them: Since when did our briefings become such a circus? (he suddenly raised a threatening finger to the group) The first one to speak gets assigned to the base all weekend.
The rest of the group smiled at each other, having had the same idea of repartee.
Daniel tried to focus: "Point 15: A military/civilian hierarchy has been going on for years.". She attached a survey result, civilians feel inferior to the military, often mocked or devalued.
Jack glanced at him suspiciously.
Sam continued flipping through the file: There's also a chapter on the cognitive dissonance of claiming to fight for the freedom of other worlds but refusing to fight the imperialism of Earth or even your own… (she sat up, a little uncomfortable) Country.
Daniel smiled wryly and then continued reading: "Let's not talk about the hypocritical ranking of allies according to their importance in terms of strike force or technological advancement, nor about certain xenophobic comments heard by high officials..."
All heads turned to Jack.
Jack increased his threat: Every weekend of the month?
The rest of the table gave each other amused looks before turning their attention back to the file.
Daniel resumed reading: "Point 21: Exposing the traumas one has suffered in court can cause further trauma to the victims, especially since they are often not believed. They have to justify themselves and relive the tragic event. The Zatarc test can revolutionize justice."
Jack saw Sam's head snapping up at him: What?
Sam pulled herself together and looked into the file: Hu. No. Nothing. (lower) Sorry. (The three men looked at each other, without understanding, she quickly quoted the file so as not to have to explain herself) "Nevertheless, think about reviewing your procedure for explaining the use of this technology."
She winced and looked back at her colleagues to see if they understood Anang's hint about her own experience with the device, but all three men were staring at her. Her anxiety soared and she tried to figure out how to get out of it.
Jack insisted: Carter?
Sam grimaced and tried to be subtle: Eurh. Sir. I was thinking about the option of adding a line in the house rules?
Jack saw the obvious look she was giving him but still seemed lost: What?
There was a silence, Sam tilted her head and gave him another obvious look, but it didn't help, the military man couldn't see the implication.
Daniel juggled his gaze between the two: What? (to Sam) Add a zatarc test to every monthly check-up?
Sam squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable: No. (She rested her gaze on the file and muttered) Only during certain temporal events.
Jack froze. Daniel and Teal'c saw his reaction and again, looks were exchanged in silence.
Daniel: Wh-wh-wh-what?
Sam quickly read a new project proposal: Using the kawoosh as a waste disposal instead of incineration.
Teal'c read on: Or the three-shot function of zats.
They raised their eyebrows.
Daniel to Sam: Why was this idea never considered?
Jack, sarcastically: Another thing on the stove, perhaps?
Daniel didn't take the joke: It makes sense. Anang is from the first indigenous people, they consider the Earth to be sacred and its protectors. And there's another problem. The tribes are running out of money, so they accept contracts to collect radioactive waste and live on it.
Jack: The snake that bites its own tail.
Daniel nodded with difficulty: Because they have no choice.
Sam spoke to herself as she studied the file: She must have run out of time on the technical issues.
Daniel: Hmm?
Sam moved her hand toward him: She does not mention it, but radioactive waste can also be absorbed by the kawoosh without side effects. (she rested her attention on the file) There is a draft business plan for buying back the waste from other nations. (she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head) And an in-depth study of the amount of money spent on reselling our waste to developing countries and the disasters it creates there.
Daniel smiled broadly and repeated: Protectors of the Earth.
Sam smiled at the memory of her discussion with Anang about how they considered themselves the guardians of the Earth, of their home.
Teal'c: Explain.
Daniel: On Earth, one in six people die from pollution. The wealthiest are the biggest emitters but spread the message that the middle and poor classes are the ones responsible. The countries that take the waste usually have inadequate waste disposal facilities. (He put his glasses back on properly) The waste is dumped in the sea or... Well... The locals live in it.
Teal'c raised his eyebrow.
Sam, her eyes still on the file: Not to mention climate change, which we are the first to cause but the last to suffer the consequences of.
Daniel winced and smiled nervously at Teal'c: We're not exactly living up to your expectations of us, are we?
Teal'c clenched his jaw several times and looked away.
Sam, interested: Sir, this can be set up very quickly. Install a system like this via the existing winch pe-
Jack: Easy easy. (They questioned him with their eyes and he tilted his head) This has to be validated higher up.
Daniel grinned: And I doubt that's their priority.
Sam looked back at the study and tilted her head: Yes. The economy is less financially for them. They still think very little about the long term.
Daniel read another point: She proposes to start working on setting up teleportation access for the entire population so that it will be operational when the time comes. With orders of priority. Safety of civilians during war or climatic accidents, sharing of resources: food, medicine, support staff...
Sam looked up from the file: And significant reduction of pollution with the elimination of air, sea and land transport.
They approved the idea and then continued reading for a while in silence.
Sam winced at one point: Moving the project to neutral ground.
She and Jack exchanged a puzzled look.
Daniel read the paragraph in his head, then added: Hmm. It makes sense. And it fits in with his plan to unveil the Gate in the future. (he looked up at Sam and Jack, who didn't seem to agree with what he had just said) What?
Silence.
Jack looked at his watch: Well... Thank you for your feedback... Constructive.
Daniel closed the file: Pretty good draft.
Jack: Well, it'll stay that way. (they questioned him with their eyes) Mrs. Medweganoonind resigned last night.
The group looked at him, stunned.
Daniel readjusted his glasses on his nose: What?
Jack: She didn't show up this morning. She left these documents and her letter of resignation on my desk.
Everyone looked at each other.
Teal'c: Did she give a reason?
Jack hung his head: Um, I think I had something to do with it, T.
Daniel concerned: Did you call her?
Jack: Direct message.
Silence.
Teal'c: And it's time for me to drop mine off, O'Neill.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Jack still shocked: What?
She closed her eyes and lowered her head for a few seconds to contain her emotions.
Teal'c: I have to be with my people during this unification. (he gently moved the folder between his hands) Like you for this one.
Daniel, stunned, softly: Yes I... I guess so.
She nodded toward Teal'c, her eyes sad but understanding. He tilted his head toward her, then they smiled weakly at each other, containing their emotions.
Jack: Oh ya. I feel the cold.
Teal'c, solemnly: I will come regularly, my friends. The Tauri is also my family.
She smiled a little more at his last words.
Jack winced, looked at his watch and tilted his head: We'll talk about it later. (he stood up) I've got to go, kids. Phone appointment with the President. (he walked to his office, gritted his teeth and said to himself) I have to justify yesterday's incident.
Echo:
*Nice optimism on her part, though./ Yet you seem unable to be optimistic about your own people.*
*The air conditioning is not at the right temperature. / the ideal temperature / the temperature / your air conditioning is a mess. / have just thrown a big wrench in the works. - The air conditioning needs that wrench. / I feel the cold. / Using the kawoosh as a waste disposal instead of incineration. / Another thing on the stove, perhaps?*
*they consider the Earth to be sacred and its protectors. / Protectors of the Earth*
*Red period? / Blue period*
*We're not exactly living up to your expectations of us, are we? / And it's time for me to drop mine off, O'Neill*
*It makes sense. (x3)*
Notes:
*It's consistent with the canon saga that Sam gets carried away on some feminist topics, in 807 Affinity she talks with Teal'c and Daniel about the skewed concept of the ideal Prince Charming and kind of forgets they are there during her monologue haha*
*In my chapter 9, Jack says to Sam, " And... And maybe we should add a line in the rules of procedure about the problems of relativity whatchamacallit." / I was thinking about the option of adding a line in the house rules? *
*Some men can menstruate (trans men) as well as some non-binary people*
*Video: The plastic industry lied, and poor countries are paying the price (source)*
*Video: Continue to work during your period when you are at 10 on the pain scale (source)*
*Video: menstrual pain is the equivalent of a heart attack (source)*
*Website showing air traffic (source)*
*Website showing maritime traffic (source)*
*Study: Fanger’s model of thermal comfort: a model suitable just for men? (source)*
*Video: Sensors, soap dispensers and racial bias in technology. (source)*
*Article: endometriosis is considered one of the most 20 painful medical conditions in the world (source)*
She closed her eyes and lowered her head for a few seconds to contain her emotions.
Teal'c: I have to be with my people during this unification. (he gently moved the folder between his hands) Like you for this one.
Daniel, stunned, softly: Yes I... I guess so.
She nodded toward Teal'c, her eyes sad but understanding. He tilted his head toward her, then they smiled weakly at each other, containing their emotions.
Jack: Oh ya. I feel the cold.
Teal'c, solemnly: I will come regularly, my friends. The Tauri is also my family.
She smiled a little more at his last words.
Jack winced, looked at his watch and tilted his head: We'll talk about it later. (he stood up) I've got to go, kids. Phone appointment with the President. (he walked to his office, gritted his teeth and said to himself) I have to justify yesterday's incident.
Echo:
*Nice optimism on her part, though./ Yet you seem unable to be optimistic about your own people.*
*The air conditioning is not at the right temperature. / the ideal temperature / the temperature / your air conditioning is a mess. / have just thrown a big wrench in the works. - The air conditioning needs that wrench. / I feel the cold. / Using the kawoosh as a waste disposal instead of incineration. / Another thing on the stove, perhaps?*
*they consider the Earth to be sacred and its protectors. / Protectors of the Earth*
*Red period? / Blue period*
*We're not exactly living up to your expectations of us, are we? / And it's time for me to drop mine off, O'Neill*
*It makes sense. (x3)*
Notes:
*It's consistent with the canon saga that Sam gets carried away on some feminist topics, in 807 Affinity she talks with Teal'c and Daniel about the skewed concept of the ideal Prince Charming and kind of forgets they are there during her monologue haha*
*In my chapter 9, Jack says to Sam, " And... And maybe we should add a line in the rules of procedure about the problems of relativity whatchamacallit." / I was thinking about the option of adding a line in the house rules? *
*Some men can menstruate (trans men) as well as some non-binary people*
*Video: The plastic industry lied, and poor countries are paying the price (source)*
*Video: Continue to work during your period when you are at 10 on the pain scale (source)*
*Video: menstrual pain is the equivalent of a heart attack (source)*
*Website showing air traffic (source)*
*Website showing maritime traffic (source)*
*Study: Fanger’s model of thermal comfort: a model suitable just for men? (source)*
*Video: Sensors, soap dispensers and racial bias in technology. (source)*
*Article: endometriosis is considered one of the most 20 painful medical conditions in the world (source)*
CW: *reminder of sexual violence* *injunction to press charges*
She knocked on the door.
Jack: Come in.
Sam, monotonous, still exhausted from this day: Did you send for me, Sir?
Jack: The news?
Sam, slightly annoyed with her fatigue: You mean my suspension? It's going well sir, thanks for asking. (he froze at this echo, understanding that he was definitely reliving this moment in his life. She swallowed and straightened up) Please forgive my insolence, sir. And my insubordination during-
Jack moved his hand and put his head back on his files: Forget it. We're all a little on edge right now.
Sam moistened her lips in nervousness and changed the subject: The Daedalus is operational for tomorrow. The equipment for Atlantis is ready. All personnel have been briefed.
Jack signed a document: Good.
Sam hesitated: The President?
Jack, jaded, still with his head in his files: Sorry for the losses and asked me to pay his respects to the family for him. Usual spiel. (he looked up at her and saw that she was questioning him, surprised that he was saying this out of the blue. He gritted his teeth and explained his own reaction) He ordered the operation to be resumed in a few days.
Sam widened her eyes: In the same area?
He shrugged a shoulder, resigned, and she restrained herself from making a sarcastic, silent "wow." so as not to further aggravate her matriculation from an insubordination standpoint.
Jack suddenly took on a softer voice: Regarding the results of your test with the Tok'ra you have two options. (She seemed taken aback that he would bring this up, especially here. He swallowed and looked down at his files) You can file an internal complaint or do nothing.
Sam frowned: He's dead, what does it matter?
Jack fiddled with his pen: The Air Force will have to take responsibility.
Sam, nervous: Will everyone know?
Jack: It will come out eventually, I guess. I can try to block as much as I can to keep it on the up and up. Either way, they won't be able to reveal how we got the truth.
Sam thought for a few seconds: The statute of limitations has expired, sir.
Jack moistened his lips in nervousness: And there will be no trial. (she swallowed and remained silent, a little confused. He repeated Daniel's words) It's your choice. (she looked up at him, he bent his head and handed her a file) Your answer can wait.
Sam opened the file: What's this?
Jack arranged some more on his desk: Your plane tickets and mission ord- (he recovered quickly) interventions. For the month.
Sam raised her eyebrows and searched through the multitude of pages in the file: "Amarin Tech Pharma" (she raised her eyebrows) "Abbott Laboratories", "Devlin Medical Technologies"... (she looked up at him, almost jaded) Sir, seriously, (she insisted) it's a medical doctor they need. (she shook the file slightly) I have more and more of them, it's getting ridiculous. I can understand about Stark Consortium and Zephyr, but-
Jack looked at her and added coldly: You have your orders, Colonel. (she opened her mouth but he beat her to it and raised a hand to her) Unless you want to personally explain to the Pentagon why SG-1 hasn't been on an offworld mission in a month.
Sam's face slowly broke down. They looked at each other for a few seconds.
Sam tried to regain her composure and concluded: May I be dismissed, sir?
He nodded and rested his eyes on the open file in front of him. Once alone he sank into his seat, rubbed his face and sighed, exhausted.
Notes:
*As stated in the previous paragraph, filing a complaint can be very traumatic for victims, it is not an obligation*
She knocked on the door.
Jack: Come in.
Sam, monotonous, still exhausted from this day: Did you send for me, Sir?
Jack: The news?
Sam, slightly annoyed with her fatigue: You mean my suspension? It's going well sir, thanks for asking. (he froze at this echo, understanding that he was definitely reliving this moment in his life. She swallowed and straightened up) Please forgive my insolence, sir. And my insubordination during-
Jack moved his hand and put his head back on his files: Forget it. We're all a little on edge right now.
Sam moistened her lips in nervousness and changed the subject: The Daedalus is operational for tomorrow. The equipment for Atlantis is ready. All personnel have been briefed.
Jack signed a document: Good.
Sam hesitated: The President?
Jack, jaded, still with his head in his files: Sorry for the losses and asked me to pay his respects to the family for him. Usual spiel. (he looked up at her and saw that she was questioning him, surprised that he was saying this out of the blue. He gritted his teeth and explained his own reaction) He ordered the operation to be resumed in a few days.
Sam widened her eyes: In the same area?
He shrugged a shoulder, resigned, and she restrained herself from making a sarcastic, silent "wow." so as not to further aggravate her matriculation from an insubordination standpoint.
Jack suddenly took on a softer voice: Regarding the results of your test with the Tok'ra you have two options. (She seemed taken aback that he would bring this up, especially here. He swallowed and looked down at his files) You can file an internal complaint or do nothing.
Sam frowned: He's dead, what does it matter?
Jack fiddled with his pen: The Air Force will have to take responsibility.
Sam, nervous: Will everyone know?
Jack: It will come out eventually, I guess. I can try to block as much as I can to keep it on the up and up. Either way, they won't be able to reveal how we got the truth.
Sam thought for a few seconds: The statute of limitations has expired, sir.
Jack moistened his lips in nervousness: And there will be no trial. (she swallowed and remained silent, a little confused. He repeated Daniel's words) It's your choice. (she looked up at him, he bent his head and handed her a file) Your answer can wait.
Sam opened the file: What's this?
Jack arranged some more on his desk: Your plane tickets and mission ord- (he recovered quickly) interventions. For the month.
Sam raised her eyebrows and searched through the multitude of pages in the file: "Amarin Tech Pharma" (she raised her eyebrows) "Abbott Laboratories", "Devlin Medical Technologies"... (she looked up at him, almost jaded) Sir, seriously, (she insisted) it's a medical doctor they need. (she shook the file slightly) I have more and more of them, it's getting ridiculous. I can understand about Stark Consortium and Zephyr, but-
Jack looked at her and added coldly: You have your orders, Colonel. (she opened her mouth but he beat her to it and raised a hand to her) Unless you want to personally explain to the Pentagon why SG-1 hasn't been on an offworld mission in a month.
Sam's face slowly broke down. They looked at each other for a few seconds.
Sam tried to regain her composure and concluded: May I be dismissed, sir?
He nodded and rested his eyes on the open file in front of him. Once alone he sank into his seat, rubbed his face and sighed, exhausted.
Notes:
*As stated in the previous paragraph, filing a complaint can be very traumatic for victims, it is not an obligation*
CW: *colonial adoption* *mention of murder* *colonialism* *mention of forced assimilation* *mention of violence*
Alexander knocked on the door: General?
Jack smiled politely, signed a file, still a little uncomfortable: Come in, Doctor.
He closed the file and put it on a pile on his right, grabbed another one on his left and opened it in front of him.
Alexander: Have you seen Anang? I haven't been able to contact her since yesterday.
Jack grimaced: She quit yesterday. (Alexander tilted his head, sensing trouble coming. Jack pressed a button on the phone) Get Dr. Williams into my office ASAP.
(speaker) Walter: Yes, sir.
Jack rested his eyes on the file in front of him: Is there anything to worry about?
Alexander moistened his lips in nervousness: Well... It wouldn't be surprising if she was unstable.
Jack frowned and looked up at him: "Unstable"? (The phone rang, he picked it up and added to Alexander) Sorry.
Alexander: You want me to...?
(TEL) Jack shook his head at him: O'neill. (...) No. (...) Yes. 4pm? (he took a post-it note and scribbled several words on it) Where? (...) Thanks.
He hung up with one finger, then pressed another button and then raised his index finger to Alexander with a slight grimace. Alexander nodded and looked away.
(TEL) Jack looked for a paper in his stack of files: Inform base personnel and other offworld sites and teams that the ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Academy Cemetery. (he finally found a paper and read it diagonally) Ha, and send me the list of people who want to go there so we can go over the schedule together. (Bell arrived in the doorway, he beckoned him in and Alexander explained the situation discreetly) Yes, thank you. (he hung up, put the paper back on the pile and looked at the doctors) Where were we?
Bell to Jack: What did she tell you?
Jack: Nothing. She filed her resignation on a note as well as (he pointed to a folder in the corner of his desk) the conclusion of her observation.
Alexander, nervous: General, did you read Anang's entire personnel file from yesterday's meeting before you put us on lockdown? (Jack searched through the pile of his files and Alexander winced) Hm. You won't find it. (Jack froze, then sank slowly into his seat and questioned him with a sarcastic smile. Alexander cleared his throat slightly, uncomfortable) The "secret defense" part in particular?
Jack tried to remember and doubted the relevance of the topic: Something about the Bureau of Indian Affairs?
Alexander nodded: For more than 100 years, the BIA was run by 42 commissioners, only 6 of whom were of Native ancestry.
Jack: I think that's when I gave up reading.
Alexander tried to remain calm: The lack of central oversight fostered inefficiency and corruption within the department. In 1973 activists from a Minneapolis organization (Jack seemed to regain interest in the conversation at the mention of Minnesota) organized a demonstration to denounce this corruption. Two natives were killed by the FBI.
Bell snapped: Oh my God. (Jack looked at them, a little confused, and she insisted) Anang's biological parents.
He closed his eyes.
Alexander: Anang was placed in an orphanage under a false name to cover up the story. (he moved his hand uncertainly and tilted his head) The usual process of forced assimilation followed: forced sterilization, (Jack's eyes widened, remembering that she had mentioned something similar at Sam's house but had not imagined for a second that she was speaking for herself) her hair was cut, and... other traumas.
Bell glanced worriedly at Alexander: In that file was confirmation that her parents were dead.
Jack: Murdered.
Alexander nodded: By a governmental institution.
Jack straightened up: Where could she have gone? (Alexander looked at Bell, then at Jack, and shook his head) From the fami... (he picked himself up) Any friends she could have gone to?
Bell to Alexander: Her mother? (he glanced at Jack) Adoptive.
Alexander shook his head negatively: This would be the last place to look.
Jack picked up the phone: We can start a search.
Alexander raised a hand to him, sharply: If I may, sir? (Jack questioned him with his eyes, Alexander looked at the receiver and Jack hung up) I know her. She'll turn up at some point, and... (he grimaced) If someone from some institution finds her...
Bell concluded for Alexander, who refused: It could be worse.
Jack swallowed: Okay. (He grinned and looked at them) If you want to resign I'll understand. (Alexander and Bell looked at each other, surprised. The General stood up slowly) Listen, I know I can get carried away sometimes.
Bell: You have already apologized to us, General. I'll continue. (she looked at her watch) I'm late anyway. (she put a hand on Alexander's arm, who was surprised by this gesture. She quickly removed her hand) Oh, sorry. (she glanced at the two men) Keep me informed, please.
She walked out, leaving Alexander and Jack alone. Jack questioned her with his eyes, waiting for her answer.
Alexander: I understand you're short on medical staff right now. (Jack nodded uncomfortably) I'll stay until you find one. (Jack nodded his thanks) We'll discuss it then. (He looked at the pile of files on Jack's desk) I'll leave you to it, you have work to do.
Jack grinned and Alexander left.
Echo:
*It wouldn't be surprising if she was unstable. - "Unstable"?*
*By a governmental institution. / If someone from some institution finds her…*
*Have you seen Anang? / Where could she have gone? / This would be the last place to look. - We can start a search. / Where were we? / finds her... / You won't find it.*
Notes:
*Reminder on Anang from my part 1: " Impatience, instability, aggressiveness, sometimes lack of discernment and nuance. She refuses established authority and is an extremist. Independent at heart, she is attracted to professions where she will not have to take orders from a superior and where she will preserve her autonomy.*
*In my video montage, it is said that children born with a female sex are burned alive. Once again we fall into the false dystopia... Many corpses and graves of babies and young children from the first native peoples have been found near orphanages. Certainly it was not a question of gender, but the care and treatment of the children was not their priority...*
*When Carter said “ You wiped out most of the Volian population, and turned their entire world into farmland. You'll do the same to Earth.”, this echoes what I said earlier about the Amazon being burned to have cultivable land, or other countries that have been colonized in Africa (see my chapter 11). Once again, Stargate creates a false dystopia*
*In my video editing, “You represent the dominant nation? - That is a fair assessment.“, Joe is American and that a nation is usually measured with its GDP. The term "dominant nation" is ...Explicit.*
*Video: Testimony of a First Nations People on Church-run Boarding Schools (source)*
*Video: Here's how the legacy of genocide against Indigenous children is continuing today(source)*
*Article The significance of hair in native american culture (source) (source)*
*Video: The FBI paid an informant tens of thousands of dollars to infiltrate the racial justice movement during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Denver. An investigative journalist found that to create division, the informant accused activists of working with the authorities, and set up others to be arrested. (source)*
*Article: In 2023, California is compensating women who underwent forced sterilization by the government. The eugenics program — which provided a template for Nazi Germany — was the United States’ largest. The majority of those sterilized without their consent were women of color. California’s Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program will reward each living victim $15,000 in reparations. But out of the 310 applications submitted so far, only 51 have been approved. The state is looking for more victims before the program expires at the end of this year. Some legislators are fighting for an extension to give victims more time to come forward. More than half of all U.S. states had eugenics laws. However, California had one of the longest programs, continuing for over 50 years (source)*
*Article: The University of Minnesota (UMN) committed genocide against Native people (source)*
Alexander knocked on the door: General?
Jack smiled politely, signed a file, still a little uncomfortable: Come in, Doctor.
He closed the file and put it on a pile on his right, grabbed another one on his left and opened it in front of him.
Alexander: Have you seen Anang? I haven't been able to contact her since yesterday.
Jack grimaced: She quit yesterday. (Alexander tilted his head, sensing trouble coming. Jack pressed a button on the phone) Get Dr. Williams into my office ASAP.
(speaker) Walter: Yes, sir.
Jack rested his eyes on the file in front of him: Is there anything to worry about?
Alexander moistened his lips in nervousness: Well... It wouldn't be surprising if she was unstable.
Jack frowned and looked up at him: "Unstable"? (The phone rang, he picked it up and added to Alexander) Sorry.
Alexander: You want me to...?
(TEL) Jack shook his head at him: O'neill. (...) No. (...) Yes. 4pm? (he took a post-it note and scribbled several words on it) Where? (...) Thanks.
He hung up with one finger, then pressed another button and then raised his index finger to Alexander with a slight grimace. Alexander nodded and looked away.
(TEL) Jack looked for a paper in his stack of files: Inform base personnel and other offworld sites and teams that the ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Academy Cemetery. (he finally found a paper and read it diagonally) Ha, and send me the list of people who want to go there so we can go over the schedule together. (Bell arrived in the doorway, he beckoned him in and Alexander explained the situation discreetly) Yes, thank you. (he hung up, put the paper back on the pile and looked at the doctors) Where were we?
Bell to Jack: What did she tell you?
Jack: Nothing. She filed her resignation on a note as well as (he pointed to a folder in the corner of his desk) the conclusion of her observation.
Alexander, nervous: General, did you read Anang's entire personnel file from yesterday's meeting before you put us on lockdown? (Jack searched through the pile of his files and Alexander winced) Hm. You won't find it. (Jack froze, then sank slowly into his seat and questioned him with a sarcastic smile. Alexander cleared his throat slightly, uncomfortable) The "secret defense" part in particular?
Jack tried to remember and doubted the relevance of the topic: Something about the Bureau of Indian Affairs?
Alexander nodded: For more than 100 years, the BIA was run by 42 commissioners, only 6 of whom were of Native ancestry.
Jack: I think that's when I gave up reading.
Alexander tried to remain calm: The lack of central oversight fostered inefficiency and corruption within the department. In 1973 activists from a Minneapolis organization (Jack seemed to regain interest in the conversation at the mention of Minnesota) organized a demonstration to denounce this corruption. Two natives were killed by the FBI.
Bell snapped: Oh my God. (Jack looked at them, a little confused, and she insisted) Anang's biological parents.
He closed his eyes.
Alexander: Anang was placed in an orphanage under a false name to cover up the story. (he moved his hand uncertainly and tilted his head) The usual process of forced assimilation followed: forced sterilization, (Jack's eyes widened, remembering that she had mentioned something similar at Sam's house but had not imagined for a second that she was speaking for herself) her hair was cut, and... other traumas.
Bell glanced worriedly at Alexander: In that file was confirmation that her parents were dead.
Jack: Murdered.
Alexander nodded: By a governmental institution.
Jack straightened up: Where could she have gone? (Alexander looked at Bell, then at Jack, and shook his head) From the fami... (he picked himself up) Any friends she could have gone to?
Bell to Alexander: Her mother? (he glanced at Jack) Adoptive.
Alexander shook his head negatively: This would be the last place to look.
Jack picked up the phone: We can start a search.
Alexander raised a hand to him, sharply: If I may, sir? (Jack questioned him with his eyes, Alexander looked at the receiver and Jack hung up) I know her. She'll turn up at some point, and... (he grimaced) If someone from some institution finds her...
Bell concluded for Alexander, who refused: It could be worse.
Jack swallowed: Okay. (He grinned and looked at them) If you want to resign I'll understand. (Alexander and Bell looked at each other, surprised. The General stood up slowly) Listen, I know I can get carried away sometimes.
Bell: You have already apologized to us, General. I'll continue. (she looked at her watch) I'm late anyway. (she put a hand on Alexander's arm, who was surprised by this gesture. She quickly removed her hand) Oh, sorry. (she glanced at the two men) Keep me informed, please.
She walked out, leaving Alexander and Jack alone. Jack questioned her with his eyes, waiting for her answer.
Alexander: I understand you're short on medical staff right now. (Jack nodded uncomfortably) I'll stay until you find one. (Jack nodded his thanks) We'll discuss it then. (He looked at the pile of files on Jack's desk) I'll leave you to it, you have work to do.
Jack grinned and Alexander left.
Echo:
*It wouldn't be surprising if she was unstable. - "Unstable"?*
*By a governmental institution. / If someone from some institution finds her…*
*Have you seen Anang? / Where could she have gone? / This would be the last place to look. - We can start a search. / Where were we? / finds her... / You won't find it.*
Notes:
*Reminder on Anang from my part 1: " Impatience, instability, aggressiveness, sometimes lack of discernment and nuance. She refuses established authority and is an extremist. Independent at heart, she is attracted to professions where she will not have to take orders from a superior and where she will preserve her autonomy.*
*In my video montage, it is said that children born with a female sex are burned alive. Once again we fall into the false dystopia... Many corpses and graves of babies and young children from the first native peoples have been found near orphanages. Certainly it was not a question of gender, but the care and treatment of the children was not their priority...*
*When Carter said “ You wiped out most of the Volian population, and turned their entire world into farmland. You'll do the same to Earth.”, this echoes what I said earlier about the Amazon being burned to have cultivable land, or other countries that have been colonized in Africa (see my chapter 11). Once again, Stargate creates a false dystopia*
*In my video editing, “You represent the dominant nation? - That is a fair assessment.“, Joe is American and that a nation is usually measured with its GDP. The term "dominant nation" is ...Explicit.*
*Video: Testimony of a First Nations People on Church-run Boarding Schools (source)*
*Video: Here's how the legacy of genocide against Indigenous children is continuing today(source)*
*Article The significance of hair in native american culture (source) (source)*
*Video: The FBI paid an informant tens of thousands of dollars to infiltrate the racial justice movement during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Denver. An investigative journalist found that to create division, the informant accused activists of working with the authorities, and set up others to be arrested. (source)*
*Article: In 2023, California is compensating women who underwent forced sterilization by the government. The eugenics program — which provided a template for Nazi Germany — was the United States’ largest. The majority of those sterilized without their consent were women of color. California’s Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program will reward each living victim $15,000 in reparations. But out of the 310 applications submitted so far, only 51 have been approved. The state is looking for more victims before the program expires at the end of this year. Some legislators are fighting for an extension to give victims more time to come forward. More than half of all U.S. states had eugenics laws. However, California had one of the longest programs, continuing for over 50 years (source)*
*Article: The University of Minnesota (UMN) committed genocide against Native people (source)*
CW: *mention of Nazi* *colonialism* *racism* *mention of colonial adoption* *mention of forced sterilization* *mention of alcohol*
His cell phone in his hand, he hesitated to call her, official line or not. He imagined the conversation, starting with the weather or other banal subjects and from there everything he invented ended badly. He let his eyes rest in his living room in search of a solution to all his problems.
Why had he accepted this job again? Politics and diplomacy were not his thing after all. Why had Weir put him there? Hm. Because "we could have done worse". He closed his eyes for a few seconds and felt like he was continually screwing up his life, never making the right decisions. Daniel, Teal'c and Sam were often there to channel him, to prove him wrong. How could they be so patient with him? How did he put up with it?
With dark thoughts in his head, the doorbell rang several times, but it didn't make him move an inch. He heard the door open and he looked up, knowing now who it was: only one person in the Universe would allow himself to enter like that.
Jack, quietly to himself: Oh for crying out loud.
Daniel, in the doorway: Is anyone there?
Jack put the phone back on the coffee table: Here.
Daniel entered the living room, a pizza under his arm. The two men nodded at each other.
Daniel: How are you? (Jack tilted his head in a knowing way, Daniel put the pizza on the table and came to sit on a chair next to him) Have you eaten?
Jack mumbled: Not hungry. (he grabbed his Heineken and froze slightly inches from his lips) Beer? (Daniel shook his head, Jack sank deeper into the couch and took a sip, staring blankly) Why did they do that?
Daniel, lost: Who? Did what? (he thought back to tomorrow's departure and raised his eyebrows) The Wraiths?
Jack: The orphanages on the Indians?
Daniel understood that Anang's file was touching him and discreetly corrected him: On indigenous peoples? Um, well there are several reasons. Erasing a civilization, pressuring relatives, terrorizing others... Domination of one nation for another.
Jack: Like the Nazis. (He looked away and added quietly) Or the Eurondans.
Daniel nodded and then winced: At that time, even our leaders were convinced that it was for their own good. That they were passing on well... civilization. (he moved his hand) Pretending that theirs was less important.
Jack lost in thought: They named her after a saint who became pregnant by a miracle to a person they themselves sterilized. Who does that?
Daniel moistened his lips with nervousness: We've done a lot of horrible things to a lot of people in history, yeah. That was not so long ago and eurrrh... (lower, uncomfortable) We're going on with something else.
Jack looked at his bottle and muttered: Kill the will to fight before it is born in future generations.
Daniel scanned his face and realized that he was really close to the edge. He swallowed and remembered all the times he had seen him like this. The last few days had been hard on his friend, the next few would probably be as well, and his refusal to eat was... disturbing. Daniel knew that even if he didn't agree on everything, Jack had the ability to listen, to understand. And that deep down, he agreed with his ideals. Something else disturbed him, he would have bet.
Daniel ventured, quietly: Jack (the soldier looked up at him) What's going on?
Notes:
*Jack bought Heineken in 8x14 Full Alert. This company belongs to the Castel group, accused of financing war crimes (war in Darfur and Rwandan genocide for example), poisoning people, taking over land, and exploiting its workers*
*Article: Men's mental health doesn't have to be a taboo (source)*
His cell phone in his hand, he hesitated to call her, official line or not. He imagined the conversation, starting with the weather or other banal subjects and from there everything he invented ended badly. He let his eyes rest in his living room in search of a solution to all his problems.
Why had he accepted this job again? Politics and diplomacy were not his thing after all. Why had Weir put him there? Hm. Because "we could have done worse". He closed his eyes for a few seconds and felt like he was continually screwing up his life, never making the right decisions. Daniel, Teal'c and Sam were often there to channel him, to prove him wrong. How could they be so patient with him? How did he put up with it?
With dark thoughts in his head, the doorbell rang several times, but it didn't make him move an inch. He heard the door open and he looked up, knowing now who it was: only one person in the Universe would allow himself to enter like that.
Jack, quietly to himself: Oh for crying out loud.
Daniel, in the doorway: Is anyone there?
Jack put the phone back on the coffee table: Here.
Daniel entered the living room, a pizza under his arm. The two men nodded at each other.
Daniel: How are you? (Jack tilted his head in a knowing way, Daniel put the pizza on the table and came to sit on a chair next to him) Have you eaten?
Jack mumbled: Not hungry. (he grabbed his Heineken and froze slightly inches from his lips) Beer? (Daniel shook his head, Jack sank deeper into the couch and took a sip, staring blankly) Why did they do that?
Daniel, lost: Who? Did what? (he thought back to tomorrow's departure and raised his eyebrows) The Wraiths?
Jack: The orphanages on the Indians?
Daniel understood that Anang's file was touching him and discreetly corrected him: On indigenous peoples? Um, well there are several reasons. Erasing a civilization, pressuring relatives, terrorizing others... Domination of one nation for another.
Jack: Like the Nazis. (He looked away and added quietly) Or the Eurondans.
Daniel nodded and then winced: At that time, even our leaders were convinced that it was for their own good. That they were passing on well... civilization. (he moved his hand) Pretending that theirs was less important.
Jack lost in thought: They named her after a saint who became pregnant by a miracle to a person they themselves sterilized. Who does that?
Daniel moistened his lips with nervousness: We've done a lot of horrible things to a lot of people in history, yeah. That was not so long ago and eurrrh... (lower, uncomfortable) We're going on with something else.
Jack looked at his bottle and muttered: Kill the will to fight before it is born in future generations.
Daniel scanned his face and realized that he was really close to the edge. He swallowed and remembered all the times he had seen him like this. The last few days had been hard on his friend, the next few would probably be as well, and his refusal to eat was... disturbing. Daniel knew that even if he didn't agree on everything, Jack had the ability to listen, to understand. And that deep down, he agreed with his ideals. Something else disturbed him, he would have bet.
Daniel ventured, quietly: Jack (the soldier looked up at him) What's going on?
Notes:
*Jack bought Heineken in 8x14 Full Alert. This company belongs to the Castel group, accused of financing war crimes (war in Darfur and Rwandan genocide for example), poisoning people, taking over land, and exploiting its workers*
*Article: Men's mental health doesn't have to be a taboo (source)*
CW: *psychophobia*
Alexander knocked on the open front door, and discovered a young woman with reddish curly hair, from behind, sitting on one of the seats in front of Jack's desk.
Alexander to both: Hello. You sent for me, sir?
Jack: This is Agent Kerry Johnson, CIA. (The two shook hands and Jack invited the man to sit down as well.) Ms. Johnson has been working with us for a few months. (Kerry and Alexander smiled politely at each other, then Alexander questioned Jack with his eyes, Jack winced, and Alexander frowned, worried about what would happen next) Agent Johnson found our mutual friend. She's fine.
Alexander raised his eyebrows: "Found? (he insisted ironically) How could she be "found", General?
Jack tilted his head: I know, I know. You were reluctant about it, but...
Kerry, to Alexander: The investigation was done with extreme caution, (she looked at Jack) as General O'Neill asked me to do, Doctor.
Alexander raised a hand to her: Look, I have absolutely nothing against you personally, it's more your "extreme cautions" that bother me (she frowned and glanced at Jack. Alexander gritted his teeth at this exchange) And so what? She's now "safe" somewhere?
Kerry frowned and looked at Jack again, who tilted his head and moved his hand towards her to tell her to forget about the man's "paranoia".
Jack: She's still where she is.
Kerry looked at the doctor: There's a C-130 waiting for you at Peterson to meet her.
Alexander, after taking in the surprise: Oh. Uh. (clears his throat) Sorry, I-
Jack picked up a folder from the desk and stood up: Forget it. (Kerry and Alexander stood up. Jack handed the file to Kerry, who nodded as she took it) I'll notify your patients.
Alexander walked towards the exit with Kerry: Thank you, sir.
Jack: Oh, Doctor? (Alexander turned and looked at him. Jack pointed to Kerry with a shake of his head) Forget that I didn't listen to you either.
Alexander smiled wryly and nodded.
Kerry accompanied him to the elevator: All charges against her were dropped and erased from her record.
Alexander raised his eyebrows, surprised but still cautious: Oh?
Kerry opened her file and handed Alexander a passport: So her official name is the one she gave us. She doesn't have to hide anymore. (he hesitantly took the passport, even more surprised, and she insisted) Not a bribe. (he tilted his head and stopped in front of the elevators, looking at her, not convinced. She spoke lower, staring at him) His superiors don't know about it.
Alexander stared at her: He made a personal request of you.
Kerry nodded: And mine aren't either (she smiled sarcastically). My team is also responsible for checking false papers when new members enter the program. (he winced and she raised her eyebrows) You can tell her it was a good job, we hardly saw anything. (He swallowed, she passed her pass to call the elevator and turned to go back the other way) Take care of her, Doctor.
Echo:
*Agent Johnson found our mutual friend. - "Found? (he insisted ironically) How could she be "found", General? / She's now "safe" somewhere? / She's still where she is.*
*The investigation was done with extreme caution / it's more your "extreme cautions" that bother me*
*Forget it. / Forget that I didn't listen to you either.*
Alexander knocked on the open front door, and discovered a young woman with reddish curly hair, from behind, sitting on one of the seats in front of Jack's desk.
Alexander to both: Hello. You sent for me, sir?
Jack: This is Agent Kerry Johnson, CIA. (The two shook hands and Jack invited the man to sit down as well.) Ms. Johnson has been working with us for a few months. (Kerry and Alexander smiled politely at each other, then Alexander questioned Jack with his eyes, Jack winced, and Alexander frowned, worried about what would happen next) Agent Johnson found our mutual friend. She's fine.
Alexander raised his eyebrows: "Found? (he insisted ironically) How could she be "found", General?
Jack tilted his head: I know, I know. You were reluctant about it, but...
Kerry, to Alexander: The investigation was done with extreme caution, (she looked at Jack) as General O'Neill asked me to do, Doctor.
Alexander raised a hand to her: Look, I have absolutely nothing against you personally, it's more your "extreme cautions" that bother me (she frowned and glanced at Jack. Alexander gritted his teeth at this exchange) And so what? She's now "safe" somewhere?
Kerry frowned and looked at Jack again, who tilted his head and moved his hand towards her to tell her to forget about the man's "paranoia".
Jack: She's still where she is.
Kerry looked at the doctor: There's a C-130 waiting for you at Peterson to meet her.
Alexander, after taking in the surprise: Oh. Uh. (clears his throat) Sorry, I-
Jack picked up a folder from the desk and stood up: Forget it. (Kerry and Alexander stood up. Jack handed the file to Kerry, who nodded as she took it) I'll notify your patients.
Alexander walked towards the exit with Kerry: Thank you, sir.
Jack: Oh, Doctor? (Alexander turned and looked at him. Jack pointed to Kerry with a shake of his head) Forget that I didn't listen to you either.
Alexander smiled wryly and nodded.
Kerry accompanied him to the elevator: All charges against her were dropped and erased from her record.
Alexander raised his eyebrows, surprised but still cautious: Oh?
Kerry opened her file and handed Alexander a passport: So her official name is the one she gave us. She doesn't have to hide anymore. (he hesitantly took the passport, even more surprised, and she insisted) Not a bribe. (he tilted his head and stopped in front of the elevators, looking at her, not convinced. She spoke lower, staring at him) His superiors don't know about it.
Alexander stared at her: He made a personal request of you.
Kerry nodded: And mine aren't either (she smiled sarcastically). My team is also responsible for checking false papers when new members enter the program. (he winced and she raised her eyebrows) You can tell her it was a good job, we hardly saw anything. (He swallowed, she passed her pass to call the elevator and turned to go back the other way) Take care of her, Doctor.
Echo:
*Agent Johnson found our mutual friend. - "Found? (he insisted ironically) How could she be "found", General? / She's now "safe" somewhere? / She's still where she is.*
*The investigation was done with extreme caution / it's more your "extreme cautions" that bother me*
*Forget it. / Forget that I didn't listen to you either.*
Bell called to her from a distance: Colonel!
Sam turned her head and saw the doctor running to her: Dr. Williams. I'm sorry, I have an appointment with-
Bell stopped at Sam's level: Dr. Dang. (Sam finally stopped) He won't be able to be there.
Sam: What's going on?
Bell: They found Anang. He went to meet her.
Sam, surprised and caught off guard: Oh? Oh. Where?
Bell shook her head: I didn't get the details. I just came to inform you that your appointments with him are cancelled for the time being. (Sam nodded and Bell hesitated) Now ... If you'd rather postpone our appointments until Dr. Dang returns I'll comp-
Sam: Let's go.
They smiled at each other, definitely reliving an echo between them. Bell waved her hand to show her the way to continue the echo, Sam blew her nose and nodded.
Sam turned her head and saw the doctor running to her: Dr. Williams. I'm sorry, I have an appointment with-
Bell stopped at Sam's level: Dr. Dang. (Sam finally stopped) He won't be able to be there.
Sam: What's going on?
Bell: They found Anang. He went to meet her.
Sam, surprised and caught off guard: Oh? Oh. Where?
Bell shook her head: I didn't get the details. I just came to inform you that your appointments with him are cancelled for the time being. (Sam nodded and Bell hesitated) Now ... If you'd rather postpone our appointments until Dr. Dang returns I'll comp-
Sam: Let's go.
They smiled at each other, definitely reliving an echo between them. Bell waved her hand to show her the way to continue the echo, Sam blew her nose and nodded.
She rested her elbows on her knees and held her head in her hands for several seconds to think.
Sam held her hands up in front of her: I can fix things. That's my thing, you know? (she looked at Bell who was questioning her with her eyes) A problem, a bomb that needs to be defused or built... I can do it. (she looked away and then back at her) I don't know how to fix myself.
She sat up and looked around nervously.
Bell stared at her: The real problem is... You don't need to be fixed. (Sam frowned and Bell shook her head) People don't fix themselves, they can be healed and changed. (she added with a smile to encourage her) If they want to.
Echo:
*I can fix things. That's my thing, you know? / I don't know how to fix myself. / You don't need to be fixed. / People don't fix themselves*
*A problem / The real problem is...*
Sam held her hands up in front of her: I can fix things. That's my thing, you know? (she looked at Bell who was questioning her with her eyes) A problem, a bomb that needs to be defused or built... I can do it. (she looked away and then back at her) I don't know how to fix myself.
She sat up and looked around nervously.
Bell stared at her: The real problem is... You don't need to be fixed. (Sam frowned and Bell shook her head) People don't fix themselves, they can be healed and changed. (she added with a smile to encourage her) If they want to.
Echo:
*I can fix things. That's my thing, you know? / I don't know how to fix myself. / You don't need to be fixed. / People don't fix themselves*
*A problem / The real problem is...*
Hammond walked to his old office. With the door open, he rapped his fingers on the door with a slight smile.
Hammond: Permission to enter?
The answer was a concerned grunt, his eyes still riveted on the pile of paperwork, followed by a mute astonishment at the intruder.
Jack pulled himself from his chair and stood at attention: General! This is a surprise! I didn't know you were coming.
Hammond: At ease, Jack. And it's George, remember? I thought we discussed this.
Jack leaned forward and then back: We have, but you know my ability to follow orders. (He walked around the desk) Good to see you... Come on in. (he pointed to the chair behind the desk) Sit down, sit down.
Hammond smiled and sat down in the guest seat. A little disappointed, Jack sat back in his chair.
Jack: So, what brings you here, Gen... George? Leaving for Atlantis, I presume? Come to make sure I don't blow up two galaxies at once?
Hammond chuckled: Relax son, you're doing a great job. (Jack fiddled with his pen and raised his eyebrows, not convinced of this in view of the last few days) I've read the file and you won't need my supervision. In fact, I'm here to make you an offer you can't refuse.
Jack: Oh?
Hammond: The President wants you in Washington.
Jack's face gradually broke down.
Hammond: Permission to enter?
The answer was a concerned grunt, his eyes still riveted on the pile of paperwork, followed by a mute astonishment at the intruder.
Jack pulled himself from his chair and stood at attention: General! This is a surprise! I didn't know you were coming.
Hammond: At ease, Jack. And it's George, remember? I thought we discussed this.
Jack leaned forward and then back: We have, but you know my ability to follow orders. (He walked around the desk) Good to see you... Come on in. (he pointed to the chair behind the desk) Sit down, sit down.
Hammond smiled and sat down in the guest seat. A little disappointed, Jack sat back in his chair.
Jack: So, what brings you here, Gen... George? Leaving for Atlantis, I presume? Come to make sure I don't blow up two galaxies at once?
Hammond chuckled: Relax son, you're doing a great job. (Jack fiddled with his pen and raised his eyebrows, not convinced of this in view of the last few days) I've read the file and you won't need my supervision. In fact, I'm here to make you an offer you can't refuse.
Jack: Oh?
Hammond: The President wants you in Washington.
Jack's face gradually broke down.
After giving a paper to Marine Colonel Dillon Everett preparing his men for departure, Walter met Sam in the control room.
Walter: Colonel Carter?
Sam focused on the data on the screen: Walter?
Walter: General O'neill told me to tell you that you are returning to full duty as of now.
Sam nodded: Let him know that we're just waiting for him to connect.
Walter: That's why I'm here. (she turned her head towards the sergeant) He had to leave for two days, he gave you full powers and you will be assisted by Colonel Reynolds if needed. Colonel Everett has been notified.
Sam, slightly surprised: Oh. Okay. Where did he go?
Walter: I didn't get the details. (He handed her a folder and sat down next to her) Current mission orders. I made sure everyone had them.
Sam resumed her data analysis: Thank you Walter.
Walter smiled and asked cheerfully: Did you get to say hello to General Hammond?
Sam surprised again: Is he here?
Walter embarrassed to give her bad news: You... You just missed him.
Sam: What did he want?
Walter: Um, sorry, Colonel. I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you.
Sam smiled wryly and put her eyes back on the screen: "Full powers”, huh?
Walter grinned: Sorry. Oh. There was a call for you. I asked for a call back in 30 minutes.
Sam: Who?
Walter: The IOA, ma'am.
Sam grimaced slightly: Okay. (she flipped on her earpiece) Siler?
(intercom) Siler, in the feeding room: Everything is in place, Colonel. We're ready.
(intercom) Sam: All right. Let's go. (she took the microphone to be heard in the boarding room) Colonel Everett? (the man turned and looked at her) We're ready.
Everett nodded: Go ahead.
Colonel Everett gave the last recommendations to his team.
Sam nodded toward Walter: Dial.
Walter initiated the procedure: Chevron 1 encoded. (...) Chevron 8 launched.
The wormhole formed.
(microphone) Sam: You have a go. Good luck to you all.
Colonel Everett's team entered the wormhole, then cut off the wormhole once everyone was through.
Sam to Walter: Notify the Daedalus that we are ready to send them the ZPM in 10 minutes.
Walter: Yes, ma'am.
(intercom) Sam: Sergeant Siler, unplug it.
(intercom) Siler: Copy that.
She looked at the gate and couldn't help but regret not having accompanied them, despite the critical situation.
Echo:
*he gave you full powers / "Full powers”, huh?*
*Where did he go? / Is he here? /We're ready.(x2)/ You have a go / Let's go.*
*Three paragraphs earlier, Bell replies to Sam "I didn't get the details.", here Walter replies the same*
Notes:
*In episode SGA 1x20, we learn that O'Neill gave Weir a note. If he had been at Stargate Command at the time, he would have radioed in*
Walter: Colonel Carter?
Sam focused on the data on the screen: Walter?
Walter: General O'neill told me to tell you that you are returning to full duty as of now.
Sam nodded: Let him know that we're just waiting for him to connect.
Walter: That's why I'm here. (she turned her head towards the sergeant) He had to leave for two days, he gave you full powers and you will be assisted by Colonel Reynolds if needed. Colonel Everett has been notified.
Sam, slightly surprised: Oh. Okay. Where did he go?
Walter: I didn't get the details. (He handed her a folder and sat down next to her) Current mission orders. I made sure everyone had them.
Sam resumed her data analysis: Thank you Walter.
Walter smiled and asked cheerfully: Did you get to say hello to General Hammond?
Sam surprised again: Is he here?
Walter embarrassed to give her bad news: You... You just missed him.
Sam: What did he want?
Walter: Um, sorry, Colonel. I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you.
Sam smiled wryly and put her eyes back on the screen: "Full powers”, huh?
Walter grinned: Sorry. Oh. There was a call for you. I asked for a call back in 30 minutes.
Sam: Who?
Walter: The IOA, ma'am.
Sam grimaced slightly: Okay. (she flipped on her earpiece) Siler?
(intercom) Siler, in the feeding room: Everything is in place, Colonel. We're ready.
(intercom) Sam: All right. Let's go. (she took the microphone to be heard in the boarding room) Colonel Everett? (the man turned and looked at her) We're ready.
Everett nodded: Go ahead.
Colonel Everett gave the last recommendations to his team.
Sam nodded toward Walter: Dial.
Walter initiated the procedure: Chevron 1 encoded. (...) Chevron 8 launched.
The wormhole formed.
(microphone) Sam: You have a go. Good luck to you all.
Colonel Everett's team entered the wormhole, then cut off the wormhole once everyone was through.
Sam to Walter: Notify the Daedalus that we are ready to send them the ZPM in 10 minutes.
Walter: Yes, ma'am.
(intercom) Sam: Sergeant Siler, unplug it.
(intercom) Siler: Copy that.
She looked at the gate and couldn't help but regret not having accompanied them, despite the critical situation.
Echo:
*he gave you full powers / "Full powers”, huh?*
*Where did he go? / Is he here? /We're ready.(x2)/ You have a go / Let's go.*
*Three paragraphs earlier, Bell replies to Sam "I didn't get the details.", here Walter replies the same*
Notes:
*In episode SGA 1x20, we learn that O'Neill gave Weir a note. If he had been at Stargate Command at the time, he would have radioed in*
Sam, picked up the phone: Carter. (...) Yes. (...) No I don't- (her face broke down as the conversation went on) Where...? (...) All right, thanks, I'll take care of it.
She hung up and dialed another number quickly. She waited but got the answering machine directly. She called Walter.
Sam: Notify Reynolds. I have to see Dr. Jackson for a few minutes, I'll be right back.
She hung up and dialed another number quickly. She waited but got the answering machine directly. She called Walter.
Sam: Notify Reynolds. I have to see Dr. Jackson for a few minutes, I'll be right back.
Sam walked hurriedly into Daniel's office: Cassandra didn't show up for her IOA interview and isn't answering my calls.
Daniel sat up quickly: Wh-What?
Sam, panicked: I have to go see what's going on.
Daniel: What can I do?
Sam thought: The University of Reno is not far away.
Daniel nodded: Four hours by plane.
Sam: I can fly there and back and come back tomorrow morning at the most.
Daniel: Fine, go ahead.
Sam grinned: I'm in charge of the base in General O'neill's absence. I'm not sure if Reynolds-
Daniel: I'll take care of it.
Sam grimaced and looked unconvinced: I'm going to get you in trouble. (she moved her hand) And Atlantis-
Daniel sharply: Atlantis won't contact us until the Daedalus gets there and the reinforcements have already left. (he insisted) Sam. Go ahead.
Sam nodded and left quickly.
Daniel sat up quickly: Wh-What?
Sam, panicked: I have to go see what's going on.
Daniel: What can I do?
Sam thought: The University of Reno is not far away.
Daniel nodded: Four hours by plane.
Sam: I can fly there and back and come back tomorrow morning at the most.
Daniel: Fine, go ahead.
Sam grinned: I'm in charge of the base in General O'neill's absence. I'm not sure if Reynolds-
Daniel: I'll take care of it.
Sam grimaced and looked unconvinced: I'm going to get you in trouble. (she moved her hand) And Atlantis-
Daniel sharply: Atlantis won't contact us until the Daedalus gets there and the reinforcements have already left. (he insisted) Sam. Go ahead.
Sam nodded and left quickly.
(TEL) Jack picked up his duty phone: O'neill.
(TEL) Sam handed her passport and credentials to the soldier, the phone stuck between her shoulder and ear: General, where are you?
(TEL) Jack: Connecting to Fargo. I'm about to take off for Baudette.
(TEL) Sam frowned: Baudette?
(TEL) Jack: Hmm. Minnesota. I have to go see Anang.
(TEL) Sam, in disbelief: What?
(TEL) Jack: I know where she is.
(TEL) Sam frowned and retrieved her papers as the soldier handed them to her: Can't you wait for Dr. Dang to give an update? (she caught herself) Sir, we're in a delicate situation right now.
(TEL) Jack: Has the convoy left?
(TEL) Sam: Affirmative and clear for now. (a few seconds silence, she insisted on her initial question) Sir? (he swallowed but remained silent, she checked her flight and perked up) I have to tell you that I'm going to-
(TEL) Jack: I've been transferred to Washington.
(TEL) Sam froze in shock: What?
(TEL) Jack: I'm leaving in a week. Hammond just told me.
(TEL) Sam stammered: Wh-What does that mean?
Flight attendant's voice: Sir, we are about to take off, please hang up.
(TEL) Jack quickly: Someone will take over my position. T having already put down his dem and seeing how fast things are going, Daniel will probably leave for ATL if the situation allows it. (he concludes more gently) So your team is disbanded.
(TEL) Sam frowned: I've already come to that conclusion, sir. No team in the program has only two members. (She was concerned about his silence) Sir?
(TEL) Jack swallows: I can't do this. I... I can't do this anymore.
(TEL) Sam: "This" what?
Flight attendant's voice insisted: Sir!
(TEL) Jack winced at not being on a secure line: Us.
(TEL) Sam whispered, stunned: What?
Flight attendant's voice, harshly: Sir, if you don't hang up immediately I'll have you removed from the plane.
Jack, at the same time as the flight attendant: For crying-
Beeps replaced the voices.
(TEL) Sam handed her passport and credentials to the soldier, the phone stuck between her shoulder and ear: General, where are you?
(TEL) Jack: Connecting to Fargo. I'm about to take off for Baudette.
(TEL) Sam frowned: Baudette?
(TEL) Jack: Hmm. Minnesota. I have to go see Anang.
(TEL) Sam, in disbelief: What?
(TEL) Jack: I know where she is.
(TEL) Sam frowned and retrieved her papers as the soldier handed them to her: Can't you wait for Dr. Dang to give an update? (she caught herself) Sir, we're in a delicate situation right now.
(TEL) Jack: Has the convoy left?
(TEL) Sam: Affirmative and clear for now. (a few seconds silence, she insisted on her initial question) Sir? (he swallowed but remained silent, she checked her flight and perked up) I have to tell you that I'm going to-
(TEL) Jack: I've been transferred to Washington.
(TEL) Sam froze in shock: What?
(TEL) Jack: I'm leaving in a week. Hammond just told me.
(TEL) Sam stammered: Wh-What does that mean?
Flight attendant's voice: Sir, we are about to take off, please hang up.
(TEL) Jack quickly: Someone will take over my position. T having already put down his dem and seeing how fast things are going, Daniel will probably leave for ATL if the situation allows it. (he concludes more gently) So your team is disbanded.
(TEL) Sam frowned: I've already come to that conclusion, sir. No team in the program has only two members. (She was concerned about his silence) Sir?
(TEL) Jack swallows: I can't do this. I... I can't do this anymore.
(TEL) Sam: "This" what?
Flight attendant's voice insisted: Sir!
(TEL) Jack winced at not being on a secure line: Us.
(TEL) Sam whispered, stunned: What?
Flight attendant's voice, harshly: Sir, if you don't hang up immediately I'll have you removed from the plane.
Jack, at the same time as the flight attendant: For crying-
Beeps replaced the voices.
CW: *sexism* *gun mention* *touching mention* *street harassment mention*
Walking towards her dormitory building, she felt the stares on her. She frowned and turned her head toward the young men. Several smiled and commented on her appearance. She raised her eyebrows and concentrated on the last few feet, having more important things to worry about than the education of young strangers.
She walked through the door and came upon a 40-something security guard.
Officer: Hello. (he gestured for her to come forward) ID card please.
Sam approaches the agent and hands it to him: Hello. (she put her cell phone, wallet and keys in the box provided) I'm here to see my goddaughter. Cassandra Fraiser.
Officer handed her back her ID card and gestured to the gate: Go ahead. (She stepped forward and did not ring the bell, having left her gun in her car) Turn around, raise your arms and spread your legs.
Sam raised her eyebrows: I didn't beep.
Officer: Not my problem. (he put his hand on his gun and repeated himself) Turn around, raise your arms and spread your legs.
Sam: Where is your female colleague?
Officer: I'm alone.
Sam moistened her lips but complied. He began his search and she tilted her head when she realized that clearly, this was definitely not a regulatory search.
Sam, sarcastically: Before you continue, you should look in my wallet. I'm a Colonel in the Air Force.
The agent froze for a few seconds and went to check her words.
Officer handed her the bin, uncomfortable: You can go.
Sam picked up her things: You do this with all the students?
Officer: That's my job.
Sam forced a smile: Sure.
She refrained from commenting and promised herself to email the university later. She walked towards Cassandra's room, wondering if she too was being "searched" and swallowed at the thought of having to have this conversation with her. God, she missed Janet. She knocked a few times without success, then pulled out her wallet lock-picking kit. It took her only a few seconds to get the hook under her expert fingers and she pushed the door open.
Without a living soul, the room was plunged in the dark, the shutters closed. She explored for a few seconds the surroundings and deduced that something was wrong: despite the usual mess of the young woman, one had clearly prepared a hasty departure. The cell phone abandoned on the dresser displayed all her missed calls and those of the IOA. Sam moistened her lips in nervousness and dialed a number on her phone.
Sam: Reno Police, please.
Notes:
*Video: Teachers across the U.S. are sharing advice on how they're trying to make their classrooms safer in case of a school shooting. (source)*
*Video: U.S. teachers and the carrying of guns (source)*
*Illustration: Hands off our kids, no cops in schools (source)*
Walking towards her dormitory building, she felt the stares on her. She frowned and turned her head toward the young men. Several smiled and commented on her appearance. She raised her eyebrows and concentrated on the last few feet, having more important things to worry about than the education of young strangers.
She walked through the door and came upon a 40-something security guard.
Officer: Hello. (he gestured for her to come forward) ID card please.
Sam approaches the agent and hands it to him: Hello. (she put her cell phone, wallet and keys in the box provided) I'm here to see my goddaughter. Cassandra Fraiser.
Officer handed her back her ID card and gestured to the gate: Go ahead. (She stepped forward and did not ring the bell, having left her gun in her car) Turn around, raise your arms and spread your legs.
Sam raised her eyebrows: I didn't beep.
Officer: Not my problem. (he put his hand on his gun and repeated himself) Turn around, raise your arms and spread your legs.
Sam: Where is your female colleague?
Officer: I'm alone.
Sam moistened her lips but complied. He began his search and she tilted her head when she realized that clearly, this was definitely not a regulatory search.
Sam, sarcastically: Before you continue, you should look in my wallet. I'm a Colonel in the Air Force.
The agent froze for a few seconds and went to check her words.
Officer handed her the bin, uncomfortable: You can go.
Sam picked up her things: You do this with all the students?
Officer: That's my job.
Sam forced a smile: Sure.
She refrained from commenting and promised herself to email the university later. She walked towards Cassandra's room, wondering if she too was being "searched" and swallowed at the thought of having to have this conversation with her. God, she missed Janet. She knocked a few times without success, then pulled out her wallet lock-picking kit. It took her only a few seconds to get the hook under her expert fingers and she pushed the door open.
Without a living soul, the room was plunged in the dark, the shutters closed. She explored for a few seconds the surroundings and deduced that something was wrong: despite the usual mess of the young woman, one had clearly prepared a hasty departure. The cell phone abandoned on the dresser displayed all her missed calls and those of the IOA. Sam moistened her lips in nervousness and dialed a number on her phone.
Sam: Reno Police, please.
Notes:
*Video: Teachers across the U.S. are sharing advice on how they're trying to make their classrooms safer in case of a school shooting. (source)*
*Video: U.S. teachers and the carrying of guns (source)*
*Illustration: Hands off our kids, no cops in schools (source)*
TW: *mention of death of a person by the police*
Radio: -this night in Saint Paul. Pulled over for a traffic stop, cause of death is not yet definitively known, but leads so far point to a mix-up between a wallet and a gun. (Jack frowned) An investigation is underway. Several protests have been scheduled for today in several major cities across the state. The senator has not yet issued a statement, but police officials are expecting an eventful day. Please be careful and stay home-
Jack turned off the radio and reached for his phone.
Radio: -this night in Saint Paul. Pulled over for a traffic stop, cause of death is not yet definitively known, but leads so far point to a mix-up between a wallet and a gun. (Jack frowned) An investigation is underway. Several protests have been scheduled for today in several major cities across the state. The senator has not yet issued a statement, but police officials are expecting an eventful day. Please be careful and stay home-
Jack turned off the radio and reached for his phone.
"No signal"
He tossed the useless device onto the seat next to it and blew.
CW: *weapon mention* *alcohol mention* *tobacco/drug mention*
He followed the directions given by the reserve's front desk person. Getting permission to enter the reservation had been more complicated than he had imagined. Usually, his Air Force pass gave him the right to enter wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, but the Red Lake Nation was a world apart. Exempt from Public Law 280, Jack had to negotiate and explain his reasons for being there to the tribal council.
After more than limited permission, he parked the car, then stepped onto a road and immediately felt alien, let alone welcome. Staring at him, several elders were quickly ushering in children and women. Some men stood up and dared him to take a single step out of line, bottles of liquor and a few knives in their hands. Jack swallowed and quickened his pace.
After passing through several vegetable gardens, he saw her at the edge of the forest, with her back to him, chopping wood with other people. He noticed her short hair. One of the members patted his neighbor and nodded toward the military man to signal his presence. Anang saw him, looked up to the sky and joined him with a basket full of small wood, tempering the others.
Anang: You're a long way from home, General.
Jack: Actually no, I have a cabin 40 minutes away.
Anang passed him by: Good. Go back.
Jack followed her: Can we talk?
Anang continued walking: What could we possibly talk about together?
Jack hesitated: I... I came to apologize.
Anang grunted: Your words mean nothing.
Jack: Listen-
Anang stopped and turned around: Why? Why should I listen to you? Why are you here?
Jack, uncomfortable: We never leave one of our own behind.
Anang gritted her teeth and went on her way: I will never be one of you. (She swore) Wiisinin Boonoowug, hegiinuk! (An old man froze and judged her up and down in outrage. She quickly recovered) Gaawiin gigii-noondoosiinoon, gete.
The ancestor stared at her, then bowed his head and went on his way, glaring at Jack. He guessed his thoughts: "Bad influence".
Anang turned to him and continued walking backwards: Are you coming?
Jack followed suit, going a little fast at first to catch up: Where? (he put a thumb behind his shoulder, rather worried about his rental car) Because I-
Anang didn't turn to look at him: I need a smoke.
He gave up negotiating and continued to follow her in silence.
Echo:
*In an earlier paragraph, Anang said to Sam and Jack "You leave us behind.” / We never leave one of our own behind. - I will never be one of you*
*In the same paragraph, “I wasn't listening to everything. / Listen to us.(x2)” / Listen- / Why should I listen to you?*
*Can we talk? - What could we possibly talk about together?*
Notes:
*Translation:
"Wiisinin Boonoowug": "eat a lot of shit"
"hegiinuk": "fucking idiot "*
*It's not insignificant that I placed this chronologically in parallel with the siege of Atlantis. We'll come back to that later in my fanfic. Don't worry you'll have a little flashback to remember everything that's going on and understand my parallel in all its aspects!*
*Documentary: Bad River Ojibwe History | Tribal Histories (source)*
*Article: Why Do Native Americans Wear Their Hair Long? (source) (source)*
*Article: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among Native Americans (source)*
*Video: Heroin Overdoses Explode In Minnesota Reservation Town (source)*
*Video: "Lakota in America" (source)*
*information: Indian Affairs Council (source)*
*information: Public Law 280 (source)*
*Video: Reservations (source)*
*Information: White guilt (source)*
He followed the directions given by the reserve's front desk person. Getting permission to enter the reservation had been more complicated than he had imagined. Usually, his Air Force pass gave him the right to enter wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, but the Red Lake Nation was a world apart. Exempt from Public Law 280, Jack had to negotiate and explain his reasons for being there to the tribal council.
After more than limited permission, he parked the car, then stepped onto a road and immediately felt alien, let alone welcome. Staring at him, several elders were quickly ushering in children and women. Some men stood up and dared him to take a single step out of line, bottles of liquor and a few knives in their hands. Jack swallowed and quickened his pace.
After passing through several vegetable gardens, he saw her at the edge of the forest, with her back to him, chopping wood with other people. He noticed her short hair. One of the members patted his neighbor and nodded toward the military man to signal his presence. Anang saw him, looked up to the sky and joined him with a basket full of small wood, tempering the others.
Anang: You're a long way from home, General.
Jack: Actually no, I have a cabin 40 minutes away.
Anang passed him by: Good. Go back.
Jack followed her: Can we talk?
Anang continued walking: What could we possibly talk about together?
Jack hesitated: I... I came to apologize.
Anang grunted: Your words mean nothing.
Jack: Listen-
Anang stopped and turned around: Why? Why should I listen to you? Why are you here?
Jack, uncomfortable: We never leave one of our own behind.
Anang gritted her teeth and went on her way: I will never be one of you. (She swore) Wiisinin Boonoowug, hegiinuk! (An old man froze and judged her up and down in outrage. She quickly recovered) Gaawiin gigii-noondoosiinoon, gete.
The ancestor stared at her, then bowed his head and went on his way, glaring at Jack. He guessed his thoughts: "Bad influence".
Anang turned to him and continued walking backwards: Are you coming?
Jack followed suit, going a little fast at first to catch up: Where? (he put a thumb behind his shoulder, rather worried about his rental car) Because I-
Anang didn't turn to look at him: I need a smoke.
He gave up negotiating and continued to follow her in silence.
Echo:
*In an earlier paragraph, Anang said to Sam and Jack "You leave us behind.” / We never leave one of our own behind. - I will never be one of you*
*In the same paragraph, “I wasn't listening to everything. / Listen to us.(x2)” / Listen- / Why should I listen to you?*
*Can we talk? - What could we possibly talk about together?*
Notes:
*Translation:
"Wiisinin Boonoowug": "eat a lot of shit"
"hegiinuk": "fucking idiot "*
*It's not insignificant that I placed this chronologically in parallel with the siege of Atlantis. We'll come back to that later in my fanfic. Don't worry you'll have a little flashback to remember everything that's going on and understand my parallel in all its aspects!*
*Documentary: Bad River Ojibwe History | Tribal Histories (source)*
*Article: Why Do Native Americans Wear Their Hair Long? (source) (source)*
*Article: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among Native Americans (source)*
*Video: Heroin Overdoses Explode In Minnesota Reservation Town (source)*
*Video: "Lakota in America" (source)*
*information: Indian Affairs Council (source)*
*information: Public Law 280 (source)*
*Video: Reservations (source)*
*Information: White guilt (source)*
CW: *PTSD* *kidnapping*
The path brought them to a sort of central dirt square, where several shabby caravans were set up. A few tires, rubble and empty cans were scattered on the ground. She pointed to a caravan to go to and he frowned. A young woman was hanging laundry outside and a baby was sitting next to her in a cradle board. When she saw Anang and the stranger, the woman panicked, dropped her laundry and positioned herself in front of the baby. The soldier realized that she too must have had some trauma related to child abductions by settlers - or the Department of Child Welfare - and he winced at some bad personal memories.
Anang raised her hands: Bizaanendamowin, nii-ikwe.
The young woman looked at Anang, who nodded to confirm. The young woman looked at Jack, who did not know how to react.
Jack not very sure: Nii ik...ikwe.
The two women looked at each other.
The young woman, amused: Mayagi-inini! (he questioned her with his eyes) Strange stranger.
Uncomfortable, he made a silent "ha." and missed Daniel.
Anang to Jack: This is Giizhig (at the man's confused look, she gave him a jaded look and repeated) Giizhig.
Giizhig inclined her head towards Jack: Gii'.
Jack greeted her with a nod: Jack.
Giizhig: Aaniin Jack.
Anang said a few words to the young woman and put the small wood at the foot of the caravan. Giizhig chuckled in return and resumed putting the laundry away.
Notes:
*Translation:
"Bizaanendamowin": "Peace."
(she means that Jack is not a danger to her)
"nii-": "my".
"ikwe": "Woman
"Mayagi": "Funny" ("Funny", like Jack's speech impediment)
"inini: man
"Giizhig": Heaven
"Aaniin": Welcome*
*Video: Explanation of the Indian Child Welfare Act ICWA (source)*
*Video: White privilege in languages (source)*
The path brought them to a sort of central dirt square, where several shabby caravans were set up. A few tires, rubble and empty cans were scattered on the ground. She pointed to a caravan to go to and he frowned. A young woman was hanging laundry outside and a baby was sitting next to her in a cradle board. When she saw Anang and the stranger, the woman panicked, dropped her laundry and positioned herself in front of the baby. The soldier realized that she too must have had some trauma related to child abductions by settlers - or the Department of Child Welfare - and he winced at some bad personal memories.
Anang raised her hands: Bizaanendamowin, nii-ikwe.
The young woman looked at Anang, who nodded to confirm. The young woman looked at Jack, who did not know how to react.
Jack not very sure: Nii ik...ikwe.
The two women looked at each other.
The young woman, amused: Mayagi-inini! (he questioned her with his eyes) Strange stranger.
Uncomfortable, he made a silent "ha." and missed Daniel.
Anang to Jack: This is Giizhig (at the man's confused look, she gave him a jaded look and repeated) Giizhig.
Giizhig inclined her head towards Jack: Gii'.
Jack greeted her with a nod: Jack.
Giizhig: Aaniin Jack.
Anang said a few words to the young woman and put the small wood at the foot of the caravan. Giizhig chuckled in return and resumed putting the laundry away.
Notes:
*Translation:
"Bizaanendamowin": "Peace."
(she means that Jack is not a danger to her)
"nii-": "my".
"ikwe": "Woman
"Mayagi": "Funny" ("Funny", like Jack's speech impediment)
"inini: man
"Giizhig": Heaven
"Aaniin": Welcome*
*Video: Explanation of the Indian Child Welfare Act ICWA (source)*
*Video: White privilege in languages (source)*
TW: *mention of murder of black person by police*
CW: *Mention of alcohol* *Mention of tobacco/drugs* *Mention of rape* *Mention of violence* *Racism* *colonialism*
Once inside, Anang pointed to the bench for him to sit down. Jack examined the interior of the house. Very precarious and small, he soon felt very uncomfortable there but not for the reasons one might imagine: The interior was clean, tidy, well maintained, and it reminded him again of his childhood, especially his mother taking care of the home as she could.
Anang: Beer? Pop?
Jack: No, thanks.
He heard the young woman working behind him, she seemed to be looking for different things. She put a beer on the table and a wooden box, sat down facing him and exhaled deeply.
Jack: Skol.
Anang nodded, took a sip and opened the box. It contained leaves and various dried herbs. The smell reached the soldier's nostrils immediately and he winced slightly at the memory of Skaara.
Anang began to prepare a seal: Open the window or go outside. I'll tell you when to come back.
Jack: It's not the smell that bothers me. (He tilted his head) Former smoker.
Anang: Cigarette? (he nodded) No nicotine. It's a mixture of passion flower and white sage. We grow it.
Jack changed the subject: You live here?
Anang: Right now. We're staying with Gii' and her two kids. (He continued to examine the interior. There was definitely only one room, hidden behind a patchwork curtain, and he winced at the thought of two children living in it. She glanced at him) What? You thought I was rich? (he swallowed, she laughed nervously and licked her joint to close it) Ha shit. You really thought I was.
Jack, uncomfortable thinking about his childhood: Not "rich" but...
Anang shrugged: I have a home. I'm with my people.
Jack frowned: You haven't been paid?
Anang frowned: What, you think we mismanage our money?
He understood the misunderstanding, he had thought it was a mistake in the payments but had just, without meaning to, offended her when he knew better than anyone that being poor required a lot of organizational skills to run a household. Especially with children.
Jack, guiltily: It's not-
Anang cut short his apology: I have been paid. It's going to the reservation. (he questioned her with his eyes) We are a community here. Those who work outside share. Those who stay and can work, help others here. (she lights the joint) Xander often pays me to come and see him. We go to protests together. (she smiles wryly) You know.
Jack: Again, sorry. I was pissed off. (Anang exaggeratedly nodded for him to continue) Carter's condition was freaking me out. This job is not what I like at all. Believe me. I would have reacted differently had I known. (He winced and looked away) I'm far from perfect.
He was silent and looked at her. She pulled on her joint again and stared back at him. He waited for her to answer, but nothing came out. He made a sign to her to know what she wanted from him.
Anang smoked: Is that your apology? (he frowned, she grew impatient and relaxed her neck on either side) Why is it hard to explain why you're sorry? Because it creates emotions. It's giving control to the other person. It makes us vulnerable. (she smiled sarcastically) And we don't like that, do we? (she was silent for a moment, he swallowed hard) How do you apologize? We analyze why we screwed up. We take responsibility. We're not in a self-centered thing here. The goal is to change offensive behavior, not to be manipulative. (she frowned) And you really think people expect you to be perfect?
She took a puff and stared at him. He thought about what she had just said. She made the same gesture he had made earlier, to signify that now it was she who expected something from him.
Jack hesitated: Sorry I didn't trust you. For digging into your past and reopening a wound. (he nervously moved a hand) In the future I promise to trust you and show you the respect you deserve. (he was silent for a moment and seemed to remember something) Oh. Sorry I didn't call you by eurh... The name...(he frowned and wondered how to phrase that, refusing to call her "Marie" after all that) Hmm.
Anang helped him firmly: Colonial.
Jack swallowed and nodded: Yah.
He understood that this was not enough given the young woman's tenseness and the silence that followed.
Anang looked around in exasperation then rested her gaze on him: Are you uncomfortable with telling me you have a second home now?
She took a drag on her joint with a sly smile. He frowned and wondered if this was his punishment, making him understand his privileges.
Anang continued in the face of her silence: We have no drinking water. It comes out brown. You're going to tell me hey, we're in an area full of big freshwater lakes, you could l-
Jack: I know about the toxicity from the businesses around here. (he moved a hand) I'm a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance. (he smirked) I'm always amazed when I see a fish in my pond.
Anang: Oh, you know that. Plants and lakes, okay. (she waved her hand casually) Your people... Meeeh.
He didn't want to respond to this attack, especially since she was very familiar with his missions through the Stargate program.
Anang grabbed a black makeup pencil and a small mirror: And you, you pee in the drinking water. You who have a house here, do you know Winona Laduke?
Jack: No?
Anang looked in the mirror and made three dots lined up in pencil on each cheek: An Ojibwe too. A politician. She said, "Someone needs to explain to me... (she looked at him) Why demanding clean drinking water makes you an activist, when proposing to destroy all available sources of drinking water with toxic chemicals does not make a company a terrorist enterprise."
Jack: Is she here?
Anang finishes her makeup with a line from her lower lip to her neck: White Earth Reserve about 2 hours from here. (she put down the pencil and mirror to take up her joint and took a long drag) So you know Line 3?
Jack nodded: The 1991 oil spill (he exhaled and sank deeper into his seat) The largest oil spill in our country.
Anang nodded: Do you remember the company?
Jack searched his memory: Lakehead Pipeline Company?
Anang nodded again and took a breath: "Enbridge" now. (he questioned her with his eyes and she shook her head) They're building again. History is repeating itself. It's going through our land, our cemeteries, our crops. You violate our treaties when it's not our women. (He raised his eyebrows) This is where the community's money goes. To lawyers and lawsuits. Great, huh?
He grinned, sorry, and she stared at him, puzzled.
Anang frowned: You don't know anything about this?
Jack exhaled and straightened up: Why would I know about this? (she tilted her head, unconvinced, and he moistened his lips in nervousness) Anang. I run a secret base with over 500 people on the front line of defense against various enemies, each more powerful than the last. The external problems are a bit...
Anang gritted her teeth: Secondary? (he winced, she restrained herself from telling him again to leave them behind and moved a hand) I'm talking about your boss. (he frowned and she moved her hand in front of him) Explain to me why the Department of Homeland Security is sending helicopters to fly low over us during a peaceful protest?
Jack froze and widened his eyes: What?
Anang recoiled, surprised that he definitely didn't know.
Anang took another deep breath: The oil company just gave $2 million to Minnesota law enforcement to fund policing of the protests. (he raised his eyebrows, she decided to change the subject) We have electricity between 8am and 3pm, and only in the center, not in the caravans. But we're not the only reservation in this case. We represent 75% of all non-electrified homes in the United States. Funny coincidence, isn't it?
Jack grimaced and tilted his head: Funny.
Anang: Most of them didn't go to school. (she smoked again) They dropped out of school early - if they managed to enroll at all, despite the treaties they signed, and even for those who have continued to high school (more vividly) you think we can ask our families to go into debt to pay for our education? (she took a moment to calm herself by looking outside) We're supposed to get help from the state, but (she raised her eyebrows) since they don't really consider us as real citizens... It's already a stretch for us to have the right to vote. (she laughed bitterly) But then again, given the choice. (she resumed more calmly) But it's cool. I have my freedom. No responsibilities. No bosses who don't understand anything. (she gave him a big smile and took one last drag on her joint) And you feel like you're really helping in this kind of self-help system. I have time. I live. I enjoy. (She crushed the joint in the ashtray and refixed it) I take care of myself.
Silence.
Jack, uncomfortable: You uh... You think this is the right place to take care of yourself?
Anang froze and understood what he was implying: I didn't grow up here. I am a stranger to them. I'm still learning the customs of my own family and I'm constantly reminded of that. (she tensed) But they are also my people, my roots. (she insisted hatefully) Where do you want me to go?
Jack swallowed and looked away: Sorry.
There was another silence where Anang bit her lower lip nervously and tried to regain her composure in front of him, at the memory of Alexander giving her her new passport, yesterday, right here.
Anang, more quietly: How is she?
Jack: I don't know. I broke up.
Anang froze: What?
He looked out the window, uncomfortably, and saw several children of different ages playing in a playground. Made of piles of tires covered with thin colored cords and wooden boards engraved with impressive sculptures of various animals, the whole installation allowed the children to dive into their imaginary world without effort. You could feel that the community had worked on it to ensure the safety of the climbing games but also the design mixing tradition and recovery. While some children drew hopscotch with chalk, a little girl about 8 years old with wavy copper-blond hair, dressed in overalls with wear and tear and grass on her knees laughed at the group, then turned her head toward Jack and stared at him with a serious expression. He frowned at her piercing gaze.
Jack: I... (he winced as he thought about the famous look of disappointment Sam had given him before walking down the stairs to the control room and muttered) I can't do this.
Anang waited for him to say more but he remained silent: So why are you doing this? (he questioned her with his eyes and she repeated herself with a touch of annoyance) Why are you here?
Jack swallowed, looked at her and gathered his courage: I was transferred to Washington.
Anang, confused: And?
Jack continued: T is going to join his people, her father is dead, her best friend is dead, she is on the outs with her brother, has a complicated relationship with Daniel right now and I... (He shook his head a few times in search of his words and gave up. He didn't dare to talk about the cancellation of her marriage and her breakup with Pete, nor about his loss of Martouf or Narim. He looked out the window, the little girl had disappeared but not the other children. He thought about Charlie and Sara, and repeated) I can't do this.
He gritted his teeth to keep his emotions in check. He frowned at his own reaction; he who usually tended to be silent or angry, now he was opening up. She stared at him and got the impression that he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. She understood that he was lost in his own life and was putting Sam's life before his own. She was going to be alone and she couldn't stand it.
Anang: You know it doesn't work like that, duh? (he turned his head towards her and questioned her with his eyes. She shook her head slightly and added softly) I won't come back because I have to think of myself first, and I can't replace the people she doesn't have or won't have in her life anymore. (she insisted) Neither can you.
Jack swallowed and looked back at the window: I know.
Anang continued to stare at him for a few seconds, then hesitated: Did you tell him about it?
Jack frowned and turned his head towards her: About?
Anang bit her lip and added a little lower: About what you're hiding. (He questioned her with his eyes and she nodded her head) I'm the one who gave Bell the mission reports. (She stared at him and insisted) One in particular.
Jack, uncomfortable: No.
Anang took a sip: Your right. How do you feel about it?
Jack tensed: Hmmm. (He lowered his head for a moment) I told a friend.
Anang nodded slowly: Good.
Jack frowned: Is that why you have... (he tilted his head a few times) with me? (awkwardly) Well... with us?
Anang looked out the window: Yeah, that makes you human. (he was totally stunned by this and she giggled at his expression) I'm kidding, sorry. (she shook her head, amused) If I slept with you it's because I was ok with this transaction.The only reason I got in the car with you was because you said you wanted to pay me. (she gritted her teeth and muttered) As much as I hate to admit it to myself, it was respectful. (he smiled nervously and looked away. There was silence again and she grew impatient) What's the plan?
Jack frowned: What plan?
Anang settled back in her seat and reached for the beer bottle: What did you plan after your apology? A big check? Tears if I refused to come back? (she dodged a smile) A very, very big check?
Jack: You want money?
Anang laughed again but saw that the man did not seem to be joking: I would never say no but... (she insisted and repeated what she had said to Daniel) Actions are better. (he questioned her with his eyes and she smiled sarcastically) I was saying that because we are always told that we do not pay taxes. (she picked herself up) Tell me one thing and we'll call it even (she took a sip of her beer) When you see all this, how do you feel?
Jack frowned: Ya kidding? (she remained silent, he gathered his courage and answered cautiously) I don't understand how this can still exist. (he hesitated, afraid of making things worse) How the government can live in their Emerald city and forget about their own people.
Anang examined him. He seemed sincere and she scratched the label of his bottle.
Anang nervously lowered her voice: Now what?
Jack frowned again: What do you want from me?
Anang frowned at his answer and became impatient: You rebel. Show some empathy with (she insisted and repeated her choice of words) "your own people”.
He looked at her helplessly, which irritated her even more. She exhaled loudly and took another sip. She looked out the window, drunk again from talking to him. He didn't understand. He remembered that they had already had a similar conversation at Sam's house and that her behavior had already irritated him, he winced without knowing how to improve the situation.
Anang looked at him for a moment, thought, then looked at his watch: Have you been listening to the news lately? St. Paul.
Jack: The person killed by the police?
Anang nodded: Afro-Americans.
Jack grinned: Oh.
Anang: There are riots in every major city. We can go to the one in Minneapolis if we leave right away.
Jack with apprehension: Eurh...
Anang stood up without waiting for an answer: You drive, I'm in no condition.
Jack got up slowly: I was thinking more of making a phone call to the President or-
Anang: What, you think he's going to walk with us?
Jack looked at her, skeptical of her thinking: Hmm?
Anang shook her head: Communication is useless until you understand. (She looked at him for a moment to wait for his answer and then became impatient) You know what? Just forget it.
Jack grimaced: We're in a tough spot right now. ATL is about to start a war if it hasn't already. The survival of our world will depend on the outcome-
Anang gritted her teeth and shouted: Then go away! (she gasped as she stared at him, then shook her head, grabbed a bag and selected several items from the trailer to feed it) You have come to be forgiven for having acted like a colonist by slamming me against a table, almost hitting me, handcuffing me and throwing me in jail? (he swallowed and realized that he had forgotten to apologize for this. She closed her bag and added with hatred) You are forgiven. (She opened the door of the caravan) Gidinaabadiziyan! Go to your war, I'll go to mine.
Jack followed her outside: Hey!
He froze when he saw Anang who had stopped in front of a tribal elder. They exchanged a few sentences in Ojibwa, she showed signs of annoyance, pointed at Jack with a "bajaag" that the latter concluded was pejorative without even asking for the translation. The old man looked him up and down, as the other ancestor had done. The old man smiled at him and Jack returned the smile, a little nervously.
The elder put his hand on her shoulder: Mino-doodawididaa. (she questioned him with her eyes, slightly surprised, and he insisted) Gaagwa zaam wiikaa aawzino wii-kendaming shkayiin.
She looked at him, jaded, he laughed at her expression, patted her shoulder and walked away.
Anang rolled her eyes and turned to the soldier: Last chance to understand.
He winced but looked at the young woman waiting for him and finally nodded. She moistened her lips, nodded in turn, adjusted her bag on her shoulder and headed for the parking lot at the entrance to the reservation.
Jack caught up with her: Who was that? (he thought of Bra'tac) He seemed nice.
Anang, coldly: Certainly not my father.
He exhaled violently at this answer and continued walking in silence.
Echo:
*You thought I was rich? / Not "rich" but...*
*You haven't been paid? / I have been paid*
*We have no drinking water. / you pee in the drinking water./ Why demanding clean drinking water / all available sources of drinking water with toxic chemicals*
*You don't know anything about this? - Why would I know about this? *
*I take care of myself. / You think this is the right place to take care of yourself?*
*Did you tell him about it? / I told a friend.*
*Communication is useless until you understand. / Last chance to understand.*
*you think we mismanage our money? / A big check? / A very, very big check? - You want money? / you said you wanted to pay me. / with this transaction*
*What's the plan? - What plan? / What did you plan after your apology?*
*I'm far from perfect. / And you really think people expect you to be perfect?*
*T is going to join his people / about their own people. / "your own people”*
*You have come to be forgiven / You are forgiven. *
*In an earlier paragraph, he told Sam “I can't do this. I... I can't do this anymore. ” / I can't do this. - So why are you doing this? / I can't do this.*
*ATL is about to start a war / Go to your war, I'll go to mine.*
*In an earlier paragraph, Anang told him “Are you coming?” / Why are you here?(x2) / Where do you want me to go? / We can go to the one in Minneapolis if we leave right away. / Then go away!*
*Funny coincidence, isn't it? - Funny*
Notes:
*Translation "Gidinaabadiziyan!": go to hell!" (source)
"bajaag": a pejorative and colloquial word for "old devil" (source)
"Mino-doodawididaa": Let's treat each other well (source)
”Gaagwa zaam wiikaa aawzino wii-kendaming shkayiin”: It's never too late to learn something new (source)*
*Some info on the Red Lake Reservation: Per capita income is lower in Red Lake than in any other reservation in the state. About 40% of residents live below the poverty line. Between 1990 and 2000, the population grew by 40% as people returned to the reservation after struggling to find jobs elsewhere during the recession years.
Unemployment of close to 60% and associated poverty are believed to contribute to a high level of crime. In 2004 (note that my fanfic is set in 2005), the tribal police filed 3,500 court cases.
Unemployment and poverty have led to problems associated with high rates of violence, including suicide. A 2004 Minnesota school study found that 43% of boys and 81% of girls in the high school freshman class had considered suicide and 48% of girls had attempted it. The school has a low graduation rate.
In 2021 (again, my fanfic is set in 2005), the Red Lake Nation received authorization from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to exercise its authority over water quality standards for its tribal surface waters (source)*
*Another example of Euro-American assimilation and control was the tribal police (I mentioned it just above) of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This was designed by its agents to diminish the power of Native American leaders (source)*
*"Researchers who interpret "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" as a political allegory (source) see the Emerald City as a metaphor for Washington, DC and the unsecured paper money "greenback." In this reading of the book, the illusory splendor and value of the city is compared to the value of the paper money, which also has value only because of an illusion or shared convention. Here, Dorothy enters Emerald City (Washington, DC) wearing the witch's silver shoes and taking the Yellow Brick Road (Gold standard).There she met the magician (President William McKinley), whose power ultimately proved to be an illusion."
In this paragraph, Jack talks about his departure for Washington. They talk together about the President, money and political issues. The fact that Anang talks about checks and money several times is a reminder when they use a code between the two of them to have a sex worker / client transaction with "More green for you"
I also recall that The Wizard of Oz is a VERY REGULAR wink in the Stargate saga*
*One of Richard Dean Anderson's parents is from the original Mohawk people (source) (source)*
*Video testimonial on reconnecting to one's community (source)*
*Video: Apologies that aren't apologies (source)*
*Video on L3 events (source)*
*Reportage: Proud to be Ojibwe (source)*
*Video: Northern Indian Reservation home tour, three families in a 2 bedroom home, Montana (source)*
*Article: Why do Minnesotans call soda 'pop'? (source)*
*Article: What Does 'Skol' Actually Mean? (source)*
*Video: Burning white sage to “cleanse” bad energy is the latest wellness craze to take over social media. But the practice appropriates Indigenous culture, and its sudden rise in popularity has created a black market that puts the plant– and Indigenous traditions – at risk. (source)*
CW: *Mention of alcohol* *Mention of tobacco/drugs* *Mention of rape* *Mention of violence* *Racism* *colonialism*
Once inside, Anang pointed to the bench for him to sit down. Jack examined the interior of the house. Very precarious and small, he soon felt very uncomfortable there but not for the reasons one might imagine: The interior was clean, tidy, well maintained, and it reminded him again of his childhood, especially his mother taking care of the home as she could.
Anang: Beer? Pop?
Jack: No, thanks.
He heard the young woman working behind him, she seemed to be looking for different things. She put a beer on the table and a wooden box, sat down facing him and exhaled deeply.
Jack: Skol.
Anang nodded, took a sip and opened the box. It contained leaves and various dried herbs. The smell reached the soldier's nostrils immediately and he winced slightly at the memory of Skaara.
Anang began to prepare a seal: Open the window or go outside. I'll tell you when to come back.
Jack: It's not the smell that bothers me. (He tilted his head) Former smoker.
Anang: Cigarette? (he nodded) No nicotine. It's a mixture of passion flower and white sage. We grow it.
Jack changed the subject: You live here?
Anang: Right now. We're staying with Gii' and her two kids. (He continued to examine the interior. There was definitely only one room, hidden behind a patchwork curtain, and he winced at the thought of two children living in it. She glanced at him) What? You thought I was rich? (he swallowed, she laughed nervously and licked her joint to close it) Ha shit. You really thought I was.
Jack, uncomfortable thinking about his childhood: Not "rich" but...
Anang shrugged: I have a home. I'm with my people.
Jack frowned: You haven't been paid?
Anang frowned: What, you think we mismanage our money?
He understood the misunderstanding, he had thought it was a mistake in the payments but had just, without meaning to, offended her when he knew better than anyone that being poor required a lot of organizational skills to run a household. Especially with children.
Jack, guiltily: It's not-
Anang cut short his apology: I have been paid. It's going to the reservation. (he questioned her with his eyes) We are a community here. Those who work outside share. Those who stay and can work, help others here. (she lights the joint) Xander often pays me to come and see him. We go to protests together. (she smiles wryly) You know.
Jack: Again, sorry. I was pissed off. (Anang exaggeratedly nodded for him to continue) Carter's condition was freaking me out. This job is not what I like at all. Believe me. I would have reacted differently had I known. (He winced and looked away) I'm far from perfect.
He was silent and looked at her. She pulled on her joint again and stared back at him. He waited for her to answer, but nothing came out. He made a sign to her to know what she wanted from him.
Anang smoked: Is that your apology? (he frowned, she grew impatient and relaxed her neck on either side) Why is it hard to explain why you're sorry? Because it creates emotions. It's giving control to the other person. It makes us vulnerable. (she smiled sarcastically) And we don't like that, do we? (she was silent for a moment, he swallowed hard) How do you apologize? We analyze why we screwed up. We take responsibility. We're not in a self-centered thing here. The goal is to change offensive behavior, not to be manipulative. (she frowned) And you really think people expect you to be perfect?
She took a puff and stared at him. He thought about what she had just said. She made the same gesture he had made earlier, to signify that now it was she who expected something from him.
Jack hesitated: Sorry I didn't trust you. For digging into your past and reopening a wound. (he nervously moved a hand) In the future I promise to trust you and show you the respect you deserve. (he was silent for a moment and seemed to remember something) Oh. Sorry I didn't call you by eurh... The name...(he frowned and wondered how to phrase that, refusing to call her "Marie" after all that) Hmm.
Anang helped him firmly: Colonial.
Jack swallowed and nodded: Yah.
He understood that this was not enough given the young woman's tenseness and the silence that followed.
Anang looked around in exasperation then rested her gaze on him: Are you uncomfortable with telling me you have a second home now?
She took a drag on her joint with a sly smile. He frowned and wondered if this was his punishment, making him understand his privileges.
Anang continued in the face of her silence: We have no drinking water. It comes out brown. You're going to tell me hey, we're in an area full of big freshwater lakes, you could l-
Jack: I know about the toxicity from the businesses around here. (he moved a hand) I'm a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance. (he smirked) I'm always amazed when I see a fish in my pond.
Anang: Oh, you know that. Plants and lakes, okay. (she waved her hand casually) Your people... Meeeh.
He didn't want to respond to this attack, especially since she was very familiar with his missions through the Stargate program.
Anang grabbed a black makeup pencil and a small mirror: And you, you pee in the drinking water. You who have a house here, do you know Winona Laduke?
Jack: No?
Anang looked in the mirror and made three dots lined up in pencil on each cheek: An Ojibwe too. A politician. She said, "Someone needs to explain to me... (she looked at him) Why demanding clean drinking water makes you an activist, when proposing to destroy all available sources of drinking water with toxic chemicals does not make a company a terrorist enterprise."
Jack: Is she here?
Anang finishes her makeup with a line from her lower lip to her neck: White Earth Reserve about 2 hours from here. (she put down the pencil and mirror to take up her joint and took a long drag) So you know Line 3?
Jack nodded: The 1991 oil spill (he exhaled and sank deeper into his seat) The largest oil spill in our country.
Anang nodded: Do you remember the company?
Jack searched his memory: Lakehead Pipeline Company?
Anang nodded again and took a breath: "Enbridge" now. (he questioned her with his eyes and she shook her head) They're building again. History is repeating itself. It's going through our land, our cemeteries, our crops. You violate our treaties when it's not our women. (He raised his eyebrows) This is where the community's money goes. To lawyers and lawsuits. Great, huh?
He grinned, sorry, and she stared at him, puzzled.
Anang frowned: You don't know anything about this?
Jack exhaled and straightened up: Why would I know about this? (she tilted her head, unconvinced, and he moistened his lips in nervousness) Anang. I run a secret base with over 500 people on the front line of defense against various enemies, each more powerful than the last. The external problems are a bit...
Anang gritted her teeth: Secondary? (he winced, she restrained herself from telling him again to leave them behind and moved a hand) I'm talking about your boss. (he frowned and she moved her hand in front of him) Explain to me why the Department of Homeland Security is sending helicopters to fly low over us during a peaceful protest?
Jack froze and widened his eyes: What?
Anang recoiled, surprised that he definitely didn't know.
Anang took another deep breath: The oil company just gave $2 million to Minnesota law enforcement to fund policing of the protests. (he raised his eyebrows, she decided to change the subject) We have electricity between 8am and 3pm, and only in the center, not in the caravans. But we're not the only reservation in this case. We represent 75% of all non-electrified homes in the United States. Funny coincidence, isn't it?
Jack grimaced and tilted his head: Funny.
Anang: Most of them didn't go to school. (she smoked again) They dropped out of school early - if they managed to enroll at all, despite the treaties they signed, and even for those who have continued to high school (more vividly) you think we can ask our families to go into debt to pay for our education? (she took a moment to calm herself by looking outside) We're supposed to get help from the state, but (she raised her eyebrows) since they don't really consider us as real citizens... It's already a stretch for us to have the right to vote. (she laughed bitterly) But then again, given the choice. (she resumed more calmly) But it's cool. I have my freedom. No responsibilities. No bosses who don't understand anything. (she gave him a big smile and took one last drag on her joint) And you feel like you're really helping in this kind of self-help system. I have time. I live. I enjoy. (She crushed the joint in the ashtray and refixed it) I take care of myself.
Silence.
Jack, uncomfortable: You uh... You think this is the right place to take care of yourself?
Anang froze and understood what he was implying: I didn't grow up here. I am a stranger to them. I'm still learning the customs of my own family and I'm constantly reminded of that. (she tensed) But they are also my people, my roots. (she insisted hatefully) Where do you want me to go?
Jack swallowed and looked away: Sorry.
There was another silence where Anang bit her lower lip nervously and tried to regain her composure in front of him, at the memory of Alexander giving her her new passport, yesterday, right here.
Anang, more quietly: How is she?
Jack: I don't know. I broke up.
Anang froze: What?
He looked out the window, uncomfortably, and saw several children of different ages playing in a playground. Made of piles of tires covered with thin colored cords and wooden boards engraved with impressive sculptures of various animals, the whole installation allowed the children to dive into their imaginary world without effort. You could feel that the community had worked on it to ensure the safety of the climbing games but also the design mixing tradition and recovery. While some children drew hopscotch with chalk, a little girl about 8 years old with wavy copper-blond hair, dressed in overalls with wear and tear and grass on her knees laughed at the group, then turned her head toward Jack and stared at him with a serious expression. He frowned at her piercing gaze.
Jack: I... (he winced as he thought about the famous look of disappointment Sam had given him before walking down the stairs to the control room and muttered) I can't do this.
Anang waited for him to say more but he remained silent: So why are you doing this? (he questioned her with his eyes and she repeated herself with a touch of annoyance) Why are you here?
Jack swallowed, looked at her and gathered his courage: I was transferred to Washington.
Anang, confused: And?
Jack continued: T is going to join his people, her father is dead, her best friend is dead, she is on the outs with her brother, has a complicated relationship with Daniel right now and I... (He shook his head a few times in search of his words and gave up. He didn't dare to talk about the cancellation of her marriage and her breakup with Pete, nor about his loss of Martouf or Narim. He looked out the window, the little girl had disappeared but not the other children. He thought about Charlie and Sara, and repeated) I can't do this.
He gritted his teeth to keep his emotions in check. He frowned at his own reaction; he who usually tended to be silent or angry, now he was opening up. She stared at him and got the impression that he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. She understood that he was lost in his own life and was putting Sam's life before his own. She was going to be alone and she couldn't stand it.
Anang: You know it doesn't work like that, duh? (he turned his head towards her and questioned her with his eyes. She shook her head slightly and added softly) I won't come back because I have to think of myself first, and I can't replace the people she doesn't have or won't have in her life anymore. (she insisted) Neither can you.
Jack swallowed and looked back at the window: I know.
Anang continued to stare at him for a few seconds, then hesitated: Did you tell him about it?
Jack frowned and turned his head towards her: About?
Anang bit her lip and added a little lower: About what you're hiding. (He questioned her with his eyes and she nodded her head) I'm the one who gave Bell the mission reports. (She stared at him and insisted) One in particular.
Jack, uncomfortable: No.
Anang took a sip: Your right. How do you feel about it?
Jack tensed: Hmmm. (He lowered his head for a moment) I told a friend.
Anang nodded slowly: Good.
Jack frowned: Is that why you have... (he tilted his head a few times) with me? (awkwardly) Well... with us?
Anang looked out the window: Yeah, that makes you human. (he was totally stunned by this and she giggled at his expression) I'm kidding, sorry. (she shook her head, amused) If I slept with you it's because I was ok with this transaction.The only reason I got in the car with you was because you said you wanted to pay me. (she gritted her teeth and muttered) As much as I hate to admit it to myself, it was respectful. (he smiled nervously and looked away. There was silence again and she grew impatient) What's the plan?
Jack frowned: What plan?
Anang settled back in her seat and reached for the beer bottle: What did you plan after your apology? A big check? Tears if I refused to come back? (she dodged a smile) A very, very big check?
Jack: You want money?
Anang laughed again but saw that the man did not seem to be joking: I would never say no but... (she insisted and repeated what she had said to Daniel) Actions are better. (he questioned her with his eyes and she smiled sarcastically) I was saying that because we are always told that we do not pay taxes. (she picked herself up) Tell me one thing and we'll call it even (she took a sip of her beer) When you see all this, how do you feel?
Jack frowned: Ya kidding? (she remained silent, he gathered his courage and answered cautiously) I don't understand how this can still exist. (he hesitated, afraid of making things worse) How the government can live in their Emerald city and forget about their own people.
Anang examined him. He seemed sincere and she scratched the label of his bottle.
Anang nervously lowered her voice: Now what?
Jack frowned again: What do you want from me?
Anang frowned at his answer and became impatient: You rebel. Show some empathy with (she insisted and repeated her choice of words) "your own people”.
He looked at her helplessly, which irritated her even more. She exhaled loudly and took another sip. She looked out the window, drunk again from talking to him. He didn't understand. He remembered that they had already had a similar conversation at Sam's house and that her behavior had already irritated him, he winced without knowing how to improve the situation.
Anang looked at him for a moment, thought, then looked at his watch: Have you been listening to the news lately? St. Paul.
Jack: The person killed by the police?
Anang nodded: Afro-Americans.
Jack grinned: Oh.
Anang: There are riots in every major city. We can go to the one in Minneapolis if we leave right away.
Jack with apprehension: Eurh...
Anang stood up without waiting for an answer: You drive, I'm in no condition.
Jack got up slowly: I was thinking more of making a phone call to the President or-
Anang: What, you think he's going to walk with us?
Jack looked at her, skeptical of her thinking: Hmm?
Anang shook her head: Communication is useless until you understand. (She looked at him for a moment to wait for his answer and then became impatient) You know what? Just forget it.
Jack grimaced: We're in a tough spot right now. ATL is about to start a war if it hasn't already. The survival of our world will depend on the outcome-
Anang gritted her teeth and shouted: Then go away! (she gasped as she stared at him, then shook her head, grabbed a bag and selected several items from the trailer to feed it) You have come to be forgiven for having acted like a colonist by slamming me against a table, almost hitting me, handcuffing me and throwing me in jail? (he swallowed and realized that he had forgotten to apologize for this. She closed her bag and added with hatred) You are forgiven. (She opened the door of the caravan) Gidinaabadiziyan! Go to your war, I'll go to mine.
Jack followed her outside: Hey!
He froze when he saw Anang who had stopped in front of a tribal elder. They exchanged a few sentences in Ojibwa, she showed signs of annoyance, pointed at Jack with a "bajaag" that the latter concluded was pejorative without even asking for the translation. The old man looked him up and down, as the other ancestor had done. The old man smiled at him and Jack returned the smile, a little nervously.
The elder put his hand on her shoulder: Mino-doodawididaa. (she questioned him with her eyes, slightly surprised, and he insisted) Gaagwa zaam wiikaa aawzino wii-kendaming shkayiin.
She looked at him, jaded, he laughed at her expression, patted her shoulder and walked away.
Anang rolled her eyes and turned to the soldier: Last chance to understand.
He winced but looked at the young woman waiting for him and finally nodded. She moistened her lips, nodded in turn, adjusted her bag on her shoulder and headed for the parking lot at the entrance to the reservation.
Jack caught up with her: Who was that? (he thought of Bra'tac) He seemed nice.
Anang, coldly: Certainly not my father.
He exhaled violently at this answer and continued walking in silence.
Echo:
*You thought I was rich? / Not "rich" but...*
*You haven't been paid? / I have been paid*
*We have no drinking water. / you pee in the drinking water./ Why demanding clean drinking water / all available sources of drinking water with toxic chemicals*
*You don't know anything about this? - Why would I know about this? *
*I take care of myself. / You think this is the right place to take care of yourself?*
*Did you tell him about it? / I told a friend.*
*Communication is useless until you understand. / Last chance to understand.*
*you think we mismanage our money? / A big check? / A very, very big check? - You want money? / you said you wanted to pay me. / with this transaction*
*What's the plan? - What plan? / What did you plan after your apology?*
*I'm far from perfect. / And you really think people expect you to be perfect?*
*T is going to join his people / about their own people. / "your own people”*
*You have come to be forgiven / You are forgiven. *
*In an earlier paragraph, he told Sam “I can't do this. I... I can't do this anymore. ” / I can't do this. - So why are you doing this? / I can't do this.*
*ATL is about to start a war / Go to your war, I'll go to mine.*
*In an earlier paragraph, Anang told him “Are you coming?” / Why are you here?(x2) / Where do you want me to go? / We can go to the one in Minneapolis if we leave right away. / Then go away!*
*Funny coincidence, isn't it? - Funny*
Notes:
*Translation "Gidinaabadiziyan!": go to hell!" (source)
"bajaag": a pejorative and colloquial word for "old devil" (source)
"Mino-doodawididaa": Let's treat each other well (source)
”Gaagwa zaam wiikaa aawzino wii-kendaming shkayiin”: It's never too late to learn something new (source)*
*Some info on the Red Lake Reservation: Per capita income is lower in Red Lake than in any other reservation in the state. About 40% of residents live below the poverty line. Between 1990 and 2000, the population grew by 40% as people returned to the reservation after struggling to find jobs elsewhere during the recession years.
Unemployment of close to 60% and associated poverty are believed to contribute to a high level of crime. In 2004 (note that my fanfic is set in 2005), the tribal police filed 3,500 court cases.
Unemployment and poverty have led to problems associated with high rates of violence, including suicide. A 2004 Minnesota school study found that 43% of boys and 81% of girls in the high school freshman class had considered suicide and 48% of girls had attempted it. The school has a low graduation rate.
In 2021 (again, my fanfic is set in 2005), the Red Lake Nation received authorization from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to exercise its authority over water quality standards for its tribal surface waters (source)*
*Another example of Euro-American assimilation and control was the tribal police (I mentioned it just above) of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This was designed by its agents to diminish the power of Native American leaders (source)*
*"Researchers who interpret "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" as a political allegory (source) see the Emerald City as a metaphor for Washington, DC and the unsecured paper money "greenback." In this reading of the book, the illusory splendor and value of the city is compared to the value of the paper money, which also has value only because of an illusion or shared convention. Here, Dorothy enters Emerald City (Washington, DC) wearing the witch's silver shoes and taking the Yellow Brick Road (Gold standard).There she met the magician (President William McKinley), whose power ultimately proved to be an illusion."
In this paragraph, Jack talks about his departure for Washington. They talk together about the President, money and political issues. The fact that Anang talks about checks and money several times is a reminder when they use a code between the two of them to have a sex worker / client transaction with "More green for you"
I also recall that The Wizard of Oz is a VERY REGULAR wink in the Stargate saga*
*One of Richard Dean Anderson's parents is from the original Mohawk people (source) (source)*
*Video testimonial on reconnecting to one's community (source)*
*Video: Apologies that aren't apologies (source)*
*Video on L3 events (source)*
*Reportage: Proud to be Ojibwe (source)*
*Video: Northern Indian Reservation home tour, three families in a 2 bedroom home, Montana (source)*
*Article: Why do Minnesotans call soda 'pop'? (source)*
*Article: What Does 'Skol' Actually Mean? (source)*
*Video: Burning white sage to “cleanse” bad energy is the latest wellness craze to take over social media. But the practice appropriates Indigenous culture, and its sudden rise in popularity has created a black market that puts the plant– and Indigenous traditions – at risk. (source)*