O’Neill hadn’t been sure what to expect from this “circle” that Hammond and Jacob had brought into the complex. It certainly wasn’t the group that entered from the elevator. From the moment, he had read the file the General had given them; his “spidey” sense had been going haywire. Everything that made him the effective leader he was screamed that this was going to be trouble. The evening meetings with the rest of his team had done nothing to assuage this feeling either. Both Daniel and Sam were agog with the possibilities of what they had read, speculating about the ramifications of such things; Teal’c in his own way added to the concern, his normal reserve even more pronounced and his time on the training courses extended. The fact that they waltzed right through the security check points, carrying ronin blades; unchallenged… his skin crawled at the thought. Shadosensei’s words “should have killed you when I had the chance” echoed through his mind.
Now as he watched them exit the elevator, he devoutly wished for a sidearm. Any sidearm. The group halted in the control room, looking neither left nor right. The six pairs of sunglasses looked only at the General, oblivious to the technology surrounding them, oblivious to the Stargate quietly framed by the obs glass. He felt Daniel move slightly closer to him, as the archeo-linguist was wont to do when feeling threatened. Teal’c also made a slight movement in the direction of Hammond, not enough to be more than a shifting of his weight, preparatory to a quick move if necessary. Yet O’Neill had the feeling that both moves were noted by the impassive group before them.
Shadosensei~ Ok, we’re on guys. The whole “hive” thing.
KeeperoftheLight~ *chuckle* this is going to be fun.
Briterra~ take a look at *that*
Falnphenix~ I am… eye candy all over this place.
Shadosensei~ *gods* what AM I going to do with you?
Blackmage~ like you haven’t scoped out that hunk colonel standing over there?
Shadosensei~ me? Look at those brown eyes, that nice body? Nah never.
KeeperoftheLight~ ladies, puh lease…let’s keep our minds on the reason we are here.
Shadowgem~ hey Keeper, get a load of the blonde…
KeeperoftheLight~ uh huh. Helooooo nurse.
The tableau remained for a few moments, and then Hammond stepped forward. “Welcome to Stargate Command, Col…”
‘We are the Circle. What is it you wish from us?’ the petite red head spoke. Her voice was flat and echoed oddly in the Control Room. Hammond cleared his throat and motioned toward the Briefing Room off the control room. All six heads inclined at the same angle, and as a single entity, the members of the Circle passed through the room. O’Neill noted uneasily as they passed, that their strides were exactly the same, and they were in perfect step. As they passed him, he shivered as he felt their gazes run over him, and he could feel Daniel do the same next to him.
Shadosensei~ oh yeah I could do him.
Falnphenix~ aren’t those eyes the bluest that you have seen?
Blackmage~ hehehe…I thought you weren’t interested in getting laid Shado?
Shadosensei~ watch it kiddo…I’m still sensei here.
KeeperoftheLight~ *grins* Gem, flip you for the blonde.
Shadowgem~ you’re on.
Briterra~ man he’s built like a brick shithouse… wonder if he’s like that all over?
The members of SG-1 followed the Circle at slower pace, exchanging worried gazes. THIS wasn’t what they had expected. None of the reports had said anything about this behavior. Then those reports were 20 years old. O’Neill did the math in his head… no friggin way! That would make these people at least ten years older than himself, but none looked a day over 30. He could see the others reach the same realization just by the way they kept doing double takes.
Hammond took his usual seat in the briefing room. O’Neill and his team sitting next to the glass wall overlooking the control room. The members of the Circle declined to sit, arranging themselves with their backs to the wall. The petite red head stood in front of the others.
Shadosensei~ K guys, let’s take off the glasses, with our *left* hands this time Keeper, remember do the empty eye thingy…
Falnphenix~ I think we have creeped them out
Shadowgem~ isn’t that the point?
Briterra~ I think the Colonel just about pissed himself
KeeperoftheLight~ ain’t that a shame?
Blackmage~ can we do the glowing eye thingy next?
Shadosensei~ we’ll see
The uneasy feeling that O’Neill and his team members only increased as the black clad group moved as one to take off the sunglasses. The eyes that looked at them now were curiously blank, making him shiver once again. His “spidey” sense was on overload. He was used to being able to judge people by their eyes and this; well this was just beyond creepy. He felt the reactions of his teammates as the Circle placed their glasses in the identical place, hanging from the front strap of the tanto swords. This was not going well.
“Where is Jacob Carter? We were expecting to see him, Hammond.” the redhead spoke again, her voice still flat and emotionless.
Briterra~ Shado I need to learn that trick…
Shadosensei~ practice makes perfect.
“He has been delayed, but should be here momentarily.” Hammond said swiftly. Carter exchanged glances with O’Neill; the General’s anxiety was evident. “Until he gets here, let me introduce you to the members of SG-1.”
The six inclined their heads in acquiescence. “This is Colonel Jonathan O’Neill, the CO of the team.”
All six pairs of blank eyes fixed on his face, making him quiver inside, but he managed a tense smile.
“Major Samantha Carter, second in command.” Carter tensed as the regard was turned in her direction. She nodded her acknowledgement of the introduction, refusing like O’Neill had to let them see her discomfort.
“Dr. Daniel Jackson the team’s Archeo-Linguist.” O’Neill could feel the tension in Daniel when he was introduced. He managed to stammer out a greeting of sorts.
Falnphenix~ archeo-linguist?
Shadosensei~ studies ancient languages…
Falnphenix~ I knew that.
KeeperoftheLight~ uh huh.
Falnphenix~ bite me.
“And this is Master Teal’c.”
Briterra~ master huh? We’ll see who is Master when I’m through with him…
Shadowgem~ you go brit…
“We are KeeperoftheLight.” the tall thin dark haired man inclined his head slightly. “Blackmage.” this time it was the tall dark haired woman. “FalnPhenix.” the petite brunette. “Shadowgem.” the blonde man. “Briterra.” the blonde woman. “Shadosensei.” this time there was no inclined head. But all knew who it was. The small redhead was the one whom Hammond had spoken with.
KeeperoftheLight~ I don’t think they like you Shado.
Shadosensei~ ya think?
“Major Carter. We remember Jacob Carter’s daughter was named Samantha.”
“Um yes, he’s my father.”
The group inclined their heads. “We offer our sympathies, Major Carter, on your father’s demise.”
Briterra~ ummm definitely NOT from How to Win Friends and Influence People.
KeeperoftheLight~ hon, be careful with the military baiting ok?
Shadosensei~ they’ll get over it.
Sam paled as the words sank in. She looked frantically at O’Neill, and then at General Hammond who looked decidedly pale himself. Daniel shifted in his seat distinctly nervous now.
“Now just one minute here…” O’Neill started to bluster. Hammond raised his hand to silence him. “General…”
“Colonel O’Neill.” the warning in Hammond’s voice froze the words in Jack’s throat. Impotent he huffed softly, shooting a warning glance at the Circle.
Falnphenix~ oooo definitely not the way to his heart, Sensei.
Shadosensei~ *shrug* eh
The door to the Briefing Room opened and Jacob Carter hurried in. He paused at the sight of the black clad guests, and then continued into the room. He stood behind Sam, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Falnphenix~ there is something seriously different about him… check out the aura
Briterra~ I see it. Whoa, Shado, something isn’t right here…
Shadosensei~ hmmm ok.
“We can see that you are much changed, Jacob.”
“Yes, I am.” Jake subsided and Selmac spoke. “I am Selmac of the Tok’Ra.”
KeeperoftheLight~ ok… what’s a Tok’Ra?
Blackmage~ that is definitely NOT Jacob…
Shadowgem~ Shado? Clue here?
Shadosensei~ *shakes head* got me... But there are definitely two different auras here…
“Explain this to us.”
“I think it is time to explain why we contacted you.” Hammond said. His eyes flickering to Jacob.
Forty-five minutes later.
Shadosensei~ ok I thought we had it weird
KeeperoftheLight~ do you believe them?
Falnphenix~ duh stupid, look at the thingy out the window for once
KeeperoftheLight~ who you calling stupid?
Shadosensei~ ok KIDS, let’s be rational here for a second…
Blackmage~ rational? Us? Man you are reaching there Shado…
Shadosensei~ *sigh* why couldn’t I be stuck with adults for once in my life? Gem, Brit, you guys are being awfully quiet, any thoughts?
briterra~ I think I need to sit down.
Shadowgem~ me too
Shadosensei~ that makes six of us.
KeeperoftheLight~ you know what I think?
Shadosensei~ stupid question there hon…
KeeperoftheLight~ we are so screwed.
Silence reigned in the briefing room once Jacob and Hammond had finished their recitation of past and current events. There wasn’t a movement or a sound. O’Neill and the team had managed to relax a bit, but were still keeping a watchful eye on the silent people before them. The Circle was perfectly still, breathing in unison even. They were completely unprepared when the Circle broke its rigid stance. The taking of chairs and collectives sighs startling them. Six heads dropped into six pairs of hands and deep sighs filled the room.
“Um, guys enough hiving already ok?” Shadosensei spoke, but her voice was different. Deep emotion colored it making it husky.
“Sorry, Shado.” Five other voices spoke at the same time, drawing a collective chuckle from themselves.
“Jesus, George, you couldn’t make it easy could you?” Shado spoke to Hammond, raising her head. O’Neill was surprised by the exhaustion he could see in her eyes. There hadn’t been a trace of it earlier. He looked at the other faces and saw various levels of tired in all of them.
Hammond visibly relaxed as did Jacob. “Sorry, Col. Jackson, but we need you.”
Eyebrows went up at the rank and name. She raised a hand.
“Colonel Jackson is gone, George. We are who we said we were. Just call me Shado, ok?”
“Shado.” he said in agreement. “Will you help?”
Shado tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling of the Briefing Room. The others exchanged glances, waiting to hear what she would say.
“I don’t know. Really the last thing we want is to get involved… by rights George…” she sighed heavily, clearly exhausted by something. “We need to talk things over. It has to be a mutual decision.”
“First, Shado, you need to rest.” the tall dark haired man she had introduced as KeeperoftheLight spoke. His voice was filled with concern. “Blackmage, when was the last time she slept?”
‘Mage cocked her head and considered for a moment. “Sometime before the General contacted us.”
“I’m FINE, Keeper.” a collective snort went through the group. She glared at her companions. “You worry too much.”
“General, with all due respect, sir, I don’t see how the Circle can be of any help to us or to the Tok’Ra.” Daniel spoke softly. He shrugged his apology and met the eyes of the six. “I don’t see what you all have to bring to the table.”
“Dr. Jackson,” the one called FalnPhenix said. “You would be infinitely surprised at what we can do.”
“Indeed?” Daniel challenged softly. Hammond cleared his throat to divert any hostility.
“Shado, perhaps…?” Jacob questioned. Shado titled her head up to contemplate the ceiling once more.
“Trout.” she said. The group stifled a giggle as the members of SG-1 found themselves holding large wiggling trout. FalnPhenix waved her hand and the trout disappeared.
“Now that was interesting.” O’Neill said wiping his wet hands on his BDUs. “So is that all you can do?”
Shado dropped her head and stared into his eyes. He felt himself starting to flush at the look in them.
Shadosensei~ BIG MISTAKE! KEEPER!
Keeper’s head whipped around and he grabbed Shado by the arm. “Sensei?”
A low keening moan came from Shado. “Gods not NOW.” she whispered.
General Hammond leaned forward as did everyone else. Her face was pale and her eyes wide, pupils dilated fully. “Shado? Is everything ok?” Hammond asked.
She pulled her gaze from O’Neill’s. “I have to get out. Now.” and she was gone. Her chair vacant.
“FUCK!” Keeper’s voice said it all. “What the Hell did you say to her, O’Neill?”
“Me?” the Colonel’s voice was confused and he spread his hands wide. “I didn’t say anything.”
Keeper hissed. “Mage? Anything?’ Blackmage shook her head, eyes slightly unfocused. “Me either.”
“She’s gone. Completely blocked off.” FalnPhenix whispered her voice distant, her gaze also unfocused.
Keeper stood in one swift move and was around the table before anyone could react. The blade of his sword pressed against O’Neill’s throat. O’Neill put his hands up very slowly, his brown eyes wide, the members of his team shocked into immobility. Teal’c started to move but a hiss from Briterra stopped him. Hammond and Jake both began to speak.
“Keeper,” Hammond’s voice was calm and neutral. “stand down.” he gave the order hoping that the man’s training would kick in. He knew that one wrong move and O’Neill would be dead before anyone could do anything.
“Son, think before you do anything.” Jacob’s voice was also neutral.
A snort from Blackmage drew their eyes. “Keeper doesn’t think very often, General.”
“I got her!” Shadogem’s voice was triumphant. “She’s still here. In a room… it’s dark, someplace close.”
Keeper held the blade steady against O’Neill. “Oh great, you know how many rooms are here, Gem. Can ya be a bit more specific?”
Gem was silent for a moment. Then he shook his head. “She’s not ‘here’ though. Something has her, and Keeper, its bad… all I can read is pain, despair. Faln, here… see if you can’t see her better.” he laid his hand on Faln’s shoulder. The girl stiffened her eyes wide.
“Shit. Keeper, she has a gun, loaded. She just chambered a round.” desperation tinged her voice. She closed her eyes concentrating hard. “I see a picture… a boy… medals, reports…” her eyes snapped open. “O’Neill’s office. We have to hurry, she‘s gonna kill herself.”
“Where’s your office?” Keeper snapped at O’Neill, pulling the blade away. O’Neill didn’t answer but bolted for the door, followed by everyone else. He barreled through the hallway, his heart pounding, blood cold. He slid to a stop outside his office door, and fumbled with his keycard. He swiped it, but nothing happened. He tried it again. Still nothing. Briterra pushed O’Neill aside and laid her hand on the door, there was a soft popping sound and the door vanished.
Light pierced the darkness of the office from the hallway. They could see the still form sitting on the edge of the bunk, gun held to her head. Tears streamed down her face, utter desolation in every line. Very slowly, Keeper and O’Neill entered the office.
“I killed them all. Charlie, Kawalski, Daniel. All dead because of me. My fault.” she whispered into the quiet.
“Shado, honey, it’s me. Keeper.” he spoke softly. “No one is dead. You haven’t killed anyone. Put the gun down.”
“Chris, she’s channeling. Can’t hear you.” Mage’s voice came from behind them. Indeed, Shado seemed not to hear them at all. She was completely unaware of the audience now clustered in the hallway.
“Oh God, Charlie. All my fault should have been there…” her whisper was beyond desolate. “Won’t let it happen again. No more.”
“Who?” Keeper’s question was rhetorical, but O’Neill answered.
“My son.”
Without a word, Keeper spun on his heel and his fist plowed into O’Neill’s face. The stunned Colonel fell to the floor. Without a sound, Shado collapsed in a heap, the gun falling from her grasp.
Shado could hear the steady beep of machinery; feel the chill in the air, and the smells that told her that she wasn’t in her own bed, but in a hospital. For a moment, she had no idea where or how she had gotten there, then the memory of the meeting came flooding back. Right up until the moment she had looked deeply into the brown eyes of one Colonel Jack O’Neill… beyond that, everything was a blank. Slowly she opened her eyes, moving slowly because there was an ache in her head that threatened to become one of her migraines if she moved too quickly. She turned her head to get her bearings. The light was dim, but she could see someone sitting in the chair beside her bed.
“Keeper?” she said softly. The head came up, catching the light as it did so. Silver hair glinted and she looked into a pair of wary brown eyes. Still slightly groggy, she pushed her hair back. “O’Neill? How long…?” she gestured to the Infirmary in general.
“You have been out for about 12 hours.” O’Neill said softly. His voice was neutral but she could feel the confusion he was trying to hide from her. Confusion and something else, but it was gone too quickly for her to identify.
Then what he said hit her. She sat up hurriedly wincing as her head throbbed at the movement. “12 hours! O shit. Talk about crash and burn.” She stood clutching the back of her hospital gown, waving away O’Neill’s offer of assistance. “Have they been behaving themselves?”
“What? Oh, yeah, I guess.” O’Neill shrugged, keeping his eyes carefully averted.
Shado groaned. “Yeah right. That means they haven’t been. Crap where are my clothes?” She shook her head to clear it. “Any clue?” she asked O’Neill. When he shook his head, she sighed and gestured. The hospital gown was gone and in its place, she wore a set of BDUs with Colonel’s birds on the shoulders. “Come on. Let’s go see what hell they have managed to raise while I was…out. Ok, O’Neill, take me to your leader.” she grinned mischievously at the other Colonel. Bemused by the grin, he led the way out of the Infirmary. He shook his head slightly sneaking a glance at the small woman walking beside him. The top of her head came barely to his shoulder, yet she walked if she was his equal in height.
“Ok, O’Neill, spill it.” she said without looking, her voice amused. “You are dying to ask me several things. Let me see if I got them right… number one: I’m a lot older than you think; one of the side effects of our “experiment” is a slowed metabolic rate. None of us age like we are supposed to. Does that mean we’ll live forever?” a shrug. “Who knows? Second: No, I don’t remember a thing beyond the trout incident. Third: Yes, I am single. Fourth: I don’t know if we will help or not. I, we, need to consult with the Avatars first and then we’ll know if this is the right thing to do.” She tilted her head to look at him as they waited for the elevator to open. “Did I get them all?”
Abashed he nodded, words failing him for once. She grinned at him again. And as she stepped into the elevator, he could have sworn she said something about all the demons of hell and pissing them off somehow. They didn’t speak as they rode the elevator down into the lower levels. The doors opened and O’Neill let her off first, ever the gentleman. She took two steps into the corridor and froze, causing him to bump into her. He stepped around her to see what had caused her to stop. Her eyes were wide and she looked like she couldn’t decide to laugh or scream.
“Is there a problem?” he asked.
“I’ll say!” She took a deep breath. “Tell me Colonel O’Neill when you look down this hallway what do you see?” O’Neill looked down the corridor and then turned back to her.
“A hallway, a few airmen, nothing unusual why?”
Shado sighed and laid her hand on his arm. “Now look.” He felt a tingle, warmth that filled his body and when he looked, again his mouth fell open. The walls were covered in NEON graffiti, none of which was very polite. There were small ape like creatures cackling madly as they scribbled with the neon colors. No one else seemed to be aware of their existence. “This was what I was afraid of, come on let’s go see what else is going on.”
She kept her hand on his arm as they made their way further into SGC.
Shadosensei~ Keeper report. Where are you all?
KeeperoftheLight~ Sensei! You’re awake?
Shadosensei~ DUH. Now where are you all?
KeeperoftheLight~ Gem and I are in the VIP quarters playing poker with a few of the Sfs… I believe Blackmage said something about needing to vent some creative urges and I saw her headed toward Level 20... Faln and Brit were muttering something about catching a shower.
Shadosensei~ I SEE…report to the Briefing Room in two minutes, Major.
KeeperoftheLight~ *gulp* Major? Shad… I mean yes ma'am, Colonel.
Shadosensei~ Lts Grant, Spears, and Captain Macksiewcz you will report to the briefing room in two minutes do you understand?
Blackmage~ Sha… Yes Colonel, Ma'am.
Briterra~ Yes Ma'am.
Falnphenix~ *gulp* Yes Ma'am.
Shadowgem~ oops guys I think someone’s pissed.
Shadosensei~ that doesn’t even begin to cover it Lt.
O’Neill could barely keep up with the infuriated female walking with him. He wanted to goggle at the things he was seeing in the normally grey and drab hallways. Bright flowers and peace signs, doodles intermixed with graffiti decorated the walls in eye bleeding color. He almost tripped when he “heard” the entire conversation between this Colonel and her Circle. He could feel the disapproval she was broadcasting and the resultant unease of the young people in her “command”. He cast a wary eye downward at her as they walked. There was another tingle and he felt the strange warmth flow from her hand into his body once again.
“Colonel, do you know where the General is?” she asked him verbally.
“He is probably at home since it’s almost 2300.” he said trying to keep his voice even. This was way too weird for him, seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Or were they? He gave himself a mental shake. They reached the Briefing Room, and he started to swipe his key card but she reached out and opened it. The members of he Circle were already present, heads hanging slightly, like guilty children.
“I do not believe you all!” she said her voice cracking like a whip. The group flinched and shot uneasy looks at each other. “I don’t know what you all have been thinking, but it stops NOW. Mage, you have five minutes to clean everything up and corral your “pets”. Gem, Keeper, return the money you won by cheating… Brit and Faln, you had better pray to the Avatars that I don’t catch you in the men’s showers again. People we are here because we are needed. This is not the time for fun and games. Once you have completed the clean up of the base, you will report to the quarters assigned, I fully expect to see all of you well rested in time for our meeting with General Hammond and SG-1. That means absolutely no time spent on the paths tonight, they should be well protected. I have messengers in place if we are needed. Until then you have your orders. Do I make my self clear?”
“Yes, sir.” they replied in unison and filed slowly past the two Colonels. Once they were gone, Shado allowed herself a soft chuckle. “I was going to talk to you for a bit, but given the hour, Colonel, I think that can wait.”
“That will be fine. Shall I show you to your quarters?” O’Neill offered, suddenly unwilling to leave her alone. She shook her head.
“That won’t be necessary. I can find them. See you in the morning Colonel.” she said and started to the VIP quarters. O’Neill watched her go, a small quiet figure in the hallway. He had intended to go home for the night, but sudden curiosity got the better of him, and he headed for his office. There was a file that he wanted to read again.