Blood of my Heart, Beloved of my Soul

Part III

The iris refused to close. The light from the wormhole bathed the gate room in softly undulating blue. The spectators held their collective breaths and pointed their firearms at the circle.

A small figure stepped out of the shimmering blue circle, the ring shut down, the power come up and there was a collective release of pent up breath. It was Thor.

"Stand down, people," came the command from General Hammond.

Jack was the first to reach the diminutive alien. "Thor, buddy. How you doin'?"

"I am most well, O'Neill. My ship is in for its scheduled maintenance, which is why I have come by Stargate. I hope I did not alarm anyone."

"Well, we always get a little nervous when we can't close the iris but we're always glad to see you. Something tells me that you aren't here to just pay a social call, am I right?"

"You are correct, O'Neill. Perhaps we should adjourn to the meeting area of your facility. I believe your entire team should accompany us." Turning towards the remainder of the group, he spoke. "Greetings Major Carter, Dr. Jackson, General Hammond, Teal'c. I am most pleased that you are all present and in good health."

"It's always nice to see you too, Thor," the Major said softly.

Teal'c inclined his head in greeting and Daniel just grinned at him and offered a pat on the back.

"Can we offer you some type of refreshment Thor?" asked General Hammond.

"That would be most pleasing, General Hammond, thank you. Some water perhaps?"

"Coming right up Thor." General Hammond poured a glass of water and presented it to the alien. "So what brings you to visit today, Thor? Nothing too bad I hope."

"On the contrary, General Hammond, my purpose here today is to relay excellent news to you regarding a proposal the Asgard Council had brought before the Furlings' Council of the Table. We received word today that it has been accepted and the appropriate steps are being taken to put it into motion."

"The Furlings?" questioned Daniel Jackson. "We don't know them, Thor".

"We are aware, Dr. Jackson. However, they are one of the four races that are in the alliance along with the Asgard, the Nox, and the Ancients. They left this section of space long ago, but they do like to be kept up to date as to what is happening here. They have had, in the past, some closer ties to Earth than they now do.” The little alien paused as if choosing his words carefully. ”As you know, we do not have resources to spare right now for your fight with
the System Lords. We will do all we can should an emergency arise that breaks the treaty but our hands are tied in many ways. The Furlings, however, are not part of the protected planet's treaty. What they choose to do has no affect on it in any way, which is why the Asgard High Council chose to approach them with a request. It has been granted."

"So, Thor, buddy, just what was this request? I'm kinda getting the feeling that maybe it has something to do with us.

"You are correct, O'Neill. It does."

"They're gonna outfit us with some big honkin' space guns or a few nice mother-ships?" Jack's voice was hopeful.

"No."

Again, the diminutive alien paused, as he looked around the table at these humans that he had grown to admire and like. Perhaps there was affection there as well. He proceeded to explain more fully exactly, what the High Council had done. "It was decided that since we could only give minimal help at the moment it would perhaps be of some benefit to enlist the help of the Furlings. To this end, we requested that they consider sending a seasoned warrior to join SG1, to help in the battle against the Goa'uld. They agreed to consider the request. In order to gather information they dispatched a Warrior to shadow SG1 and report on the viability of one of their elite warriors joining your team. The report Artereos of Cadwaellon received back from his warrior convinced the Council of the Table to agree to her reassignment to SG1. As soon as she gets her affairs in order, she will be joining your team. "

The stunned silence around the table was of the `you could hear a pin drop' variety. Dr. Jackson was the first to recover.

"Ah, Thor, that's, um, a really, a very nice thing for you to have done. We really, really appreciate it." He cleared his throat and wondered with increasing alarm how in the world they were going to handle this situation. He had doubts that the US Military would accept an alien they knew nothing about. Nevertheless, they really needed to be diplomatic about this. He sent a desperate look towards General Hammond, who looked like he'd been pole axed, and Jack, who was doing an excellent imitation of a fish out of water. Both men made choking sounds. Good Heavens, they couldn't afford to insult
the Asgard.

General Hammond finally seemed to catch his breath, "Um, yes, Thor, Dr. Jackson said that very well. Of course, I'll have to clear this with my superiors. I mean I don't have the authority to accept this on my own." <So glad the buck doesn't stop here > was written all over his face. General Hammond was beginning to feel a great deal of panic himself. Thor was not disturbed. At least, he didn't appear to be disturbed. With Thor, facial expressions were hard to read.
His next words confirmed the fact that he had expected their reactions.

"I'm sure you will be able to convince them that this is the best thing to do at this time...and if you cannot, I will visit your Washington, DC, myself. I cannot state the case too strongly, General Hammond. You must not insult the Furlings. They are a very powerful race and there is the potential here for you to become allies in the future if this posting succeeds. Artereos is sending you his daughter, Kataya. She is a warrior of much skill and she has
some abilities, which I believe will be a significant addition to your team."

Colonel Jack O'Neill cleared his throat and questioned warily. "What types of abilities would those be, Thor?"

"Kataya is Katteri-enti, one of their elite warriors. She is both a telepath and an empath. She has the ability to establish and maintain links between many minds at one time and allow communication between them. She has some natural healing abilities and the ability to use energy as a weapon. Moreover, if she is taken as a host, a Goa'uld cannot take control of her mind. She can in fact, destroy the Goa'uld should she so choose. All priestesses of the Katteri-
enti have this ability. She has also been a voluntary host to a Tok'ra, so she is familiar with their society and their military goals. She will be able to work well with them."

"I thought you said she killed the symbiote?" Jack asked.

"I said she had the ability to kill it, not that it is inevitable."

"Thor," Dr. Jackson suddenly realized something, "did you say that she has been watching us for a while now?"

"Yes, I believe for about 6 months, in fact."

Daniel's face broke into a smile. "Sam, that's what we both felt. That's who told me to open the gate today. It's no wonder the Jaffa have been having trouble. She's been using her abilities on them, helping us." He paused, his brow furrowed in thought. "No, wait, wait, and wait. That can't be right. I've only noticed something strange for the last couple of months and then only now and then. So that wouldn't explain it."

"On the contrary, Dr. Jackson. At first, Kataya would have been observing only. Until she made her decision, it would have been most counter productive to have interfered. She had to make her judgment based on the abilities and interaction of your team and the situations you faced. To have affected the outcome of a mission would have thrown off her data."

Sam, also, appeared to be deep in thought. She looked up and started to speak, "I think Thor's right, Daniel. I've noticed the change only in the last couple of months, too. But, it does make sense. Once she made up her mind, she would have started to interact with us. By occasionally interacting with our technology and us, she could determine if her abilities would benefit us. Now that she has been assured that our technologies and abilities will work together with hers, she's willing to take the next step and join the team. I'd say she's been pretty helpful already and we haven't formally met
her." Sam paused to catch a breath and turned to her left. "General, I think this could be a very important addition to
our team. The possibilities and benefits could be far reaching."

Sam was beginning to get as excited about this as Daniel was. Both of them could see how much of a wild card this could throw at the Goa'uld. They exchanged glances, both of their minds racing.

Having been his usual stoic self, Teal'c made the decision to join the conversation and add his opinion. "Indeed, I, too, think this could be a very important event. I also vote for her admission on the team." That said he turned to Jack, "What do you think, O'Neill?"

"Well, we don't know much about this, um, ah, person. But, in the interests of intergalactic diplomacy, I say we give it a shot."

"General, if we're taking a vote then I'm in favor of this. We should at least try it to see if it could be of benefit. And if it doesn't work out, then we've offended no one and we've avoided an incident that could have far reaching consequences to our world."

"That is a good and valid point, Dr. Jackson. It sounds like we have an excellent plan to put forth to the Joint Chiefs and the President. Is there anything else we should know about this, ah, species, ah, woman, Thor? I need all of my facts before I put this to the Joint Chiefs."

"I am sure there are other things that will come up over time. I believe that the information I have given you should be sufficient to convince your people that this is a necessary addition to the SGC. Please remember that you are talking about a powerful race of beings. Should this first attempt go well, they could become very useful allies. The Furlings themselves are much more powerful than Kataya is, of course, but this would be an excellent first step to take toward a more integrated future alliance. I would also like to suggest that in all probability the Council of the Table will suggest a trial period to monitor the interaction and progress, much as Dr. Jackson and Major Carter have suggested."

Jack seemed confused. "She's not a Furling?"

"No. Kataya is only half Furling. Her mother is Wiccadian; her father is Furling. The Furlings and the Wiccadians are both very old races. Interracial mating has been occurring between them for millennia. They have a somewhat complex society, rites, and rituals, which to you will no doubt seem archaic. Please do not be led into error by this. They are also quite tolerant of other species and their customs. They accept all sentient beings as worthy of respect and protection...except, perhaps, the Goa'uld. They know that the Goa'uld must be, shall we say, controlled. They will respect your societal customs and rituals and will only ask in return that you respect theirs. I feel that you will soon learn to trust Kataya and to value her, as she should be valued. And now, General Hammond, please make your contacts as I really must be on my way soon."

"All right, Thor, if you'll just excuse me for a while" the General said as he left to go make his phone calls.

"So, Thor, buddy...when will we be receiving our newest member?"

"I am unsure of their arrangements, O'Neill. She will come as quickly as she can. Alternatively, she may meet you on a mission. I really don't know what their plans are. If she comes here, I know you will make her entourage welcome. They will not stay long but it will be necessary for them to do the formal handing over if it happens here. I don't know if her children will accompany her or not but I would guess that as a gesture of respect they will be part of her attendants."

"She has children? How many?" Daniel seemed somewhat taken aback by this information although he couldn't have said why.

"Four. The oldest daughter will probably take her mothers' place in the political arena while she is gone. The eldest of her sons is with the Ancients at this time. Her other two kits are still in training but I believe they are soon to achieve Rank and admittance to the Council. They are the ones that I would expect to accompany her. They will soon be ready to enter the Katteri-enti. She will have to hand over their training to another. In some ways, I am surprised that she has agreed to be the one chosen to join you. I believe you will like her. "

"I'm sure we will, Thor. You've certainly given her a glowing recommendation." Dr. Daniel Jackson felt there was a meaning for him in Thor's statements but he couldn't figure out what that meaning might be. He was fairly sure he'd be finding out in the days, weeks and months to come.

"Teal'c, you got anything to say about this? Do you know anything about this Catery thing?" Jack sent a questioning look toward Teal'c.

"Indeed, O'Neill. If it is true that this woman is Katteri-enti and she has indeed been on the same worlds we have, then we now know why the Jaffa on P39-987 left so precipitously. Obviously, she communicated to them that they were about to come into contact with a Katteri. When I was First Prime of Apophis, had I come across one, I would have left as soon as was possible myself. It is something that all Jaffa are taught. Vastly superior numbers are the only way we were told to go into combat against one."

"What in the hell do they do that causes that reaction?" Jack wondered aloud.

Teal'c gazed at an invisible spot on the wall across from him. Slowly he began to speak; "I recall an incident that happened when I was quite young. Two dozen Jaffa had been sent to scout a world that Cronus coveted. It was rumored that it was under the protection of the Katteri. I do not now recall the circumstances but for some reason, my father was not sent on the mission. A few hours after they left the scouting party was returned to Cronus. Each Jaffa had
had his throat slit through the jugular vein on each side of their necks. Each symbiote had been removed, beheaded, and placed in a coil with the severed head placed on top of the coil on their respective Jaffa's chest. Blood from the symbiote was used to inscribe on their foreheads a sword and the symbols, which translated, meant Katteri protection. My father took me to see the bodies so that I would always remember what would happen to Jaffa who refused to leave a Katteri protected planet. Cronus did not send another party of Jaffa to that planet. It is said that Jaffa are offered protection if they will leave the service of their false god, or that they will be allowed to leave and return to the world they
came from. If they refuse both, I believe they are executed and returned to their Master in this manner."

"Teal'c, did that appear to be done in a ritualistic way? I mean, that sounds almost like a symbolic type of execution." Daniel seemed fascinated by the way the Jaffa were killed.

"Indeed, it was done in such a way. I have never witnessed a Katteri-enti killing but from those I have talked to that have seen it I have received the impression that the manner in which it is done, once seen, is never forgotten. Legend says that the Katteri do not kill in this manner, unless there is no other option. I am looking forward to meeting this Katteri warrior and learning more of their ways. There is no doubt they are formidable warriors."

Daniel seemed to have slid into his own world but as Teal'c stopped speaking, he seemed to snap back to them. "I am too, Teal'c. Their society must be truly fascinating."

"Are you sure `bizarre' wouldn't be a better world, Daniel? And if they are that powerful, then why haven't they wiped the Goa'uld out already?" Jack sounded frustrated.

"They are few in number in comparison to the Goa'uld, O'Neill. They are even now fighting the Goa'uld in the Pegacian System and while they are slowly winning, they cannot spare many resources. Remember that much of their power is based on their personal energy. If it becomes depleted and they cannot absorb more energy, either from another life force or through the ritual of renewal, they will die. They are *not* all powerful, or indestructible. Their abilities are
limited by restraints of time and space. I believe the abilities Kataya has that will benefit you the most are her telepathic and empathic ones. Kataya will explain more fully how they use their energy. I'm sure that in time you will come to understand. It will be a learning experience on both sides." As usual, Thor was methodical in his explanation.

"Thor, the President and the Joint Chiefs have agreed to a trial period. I have instructions to do whatever is necessary to make our newest member feel comfortable and at home."

The little alien stood and bowed his head in the General's direction. "This is excellent news. Now, I must return to my home and finish my preparations to return to my command." His huge dark eyes blinked slowly and he looked at each of them in turn.

"I want to thank you again for thinking of us in this way, Thor. It is much appreciated." General Hammond walked beside the "little gray guy" down the stairs and into the gate room.

"You are most welcome, General.” With a wave of his hand, the Stargate blossomed to life and Thor walked slowly up the
ramp. "Until we meet again." And with those words, he was gone, leaving behind him a group of people who weren't sure how they should really feel about the latest turn of events.

"Well," drawled Jack O'Neill, "Thor's a little harder to say no to than the Russians." Suddenly, his gaze caught that of his 2IC and the teams' archaeologist. "And just what do you two mean, "That explains the feelings you've been having? Just where did that come from and why wasn't I informed? What feelings?"

General Hammond caught the Colonel's eye. "I think an adjournment back to the briefing room would be appropriate." As he led the way back towards the briefing room, he could be heard mumbling under his breath, "and I was hoping for some quiet ordinary downtime for everyone. That's sure been blown all the way to hell and back!"