Aberrant: Stargate Universe - [AU] Path of Vengeance [Mature]

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Five months, two weeks, twelve hours AWOL

Jorham’s funeral was attended by most of the ranking Jaffa in the area and a few beyond. Bra’tak and Teal’c gated in to join them but had little to say to those who tried to poke them for their reactions to the SGC’s involvement in his death. Torlak was beyond angry, and it showed in every line of his body. Daniah, aside from the single keening wail of grief she’d released as the off-worlder had walked away, was utterly silent. She said nothing as the box containing the gathered parts of her brother was brought to the hole dug for him. People noted that her baby wasn’t with her for the funeral.

Bra’tak was worried. He knew his people, and knew their tendencies. While Captain Wright’s actions had helped the SGC in its goal to reduce Hajur’s claim on Dr. Jenings-Izumi, it had also created a rift in the people of Hajur. He could see it growing, and he heard the whispers around him. Teal’c heard them too, but neither spoke of them, not here. After they left, the two would talk, and determine what to do. Torlak was prone to do something dangerous, and he would have much support from his people in the name of Jorham. Martyrs were dangerous, and Bra’tak could see that for many Jaffa, Jorham was all that and more. The situation could deteriorate and become explosive; it was already incredibly tense and Torlak was clearly in no position to deescalate anything. At the very least, they would need to talk to the SGC and see what could be done to iron things over.

That proved to be unnecessary shortly after the funeral. Bra’tak tensed as Torlak stood up at the funeral feast. “We have lost our hero,” Torlak said, and beside him, his wife couldn’t quite hide her tears. “I have lost a brother. And another of our heroes has lost her husband.”

Bra’tak sighed very, very softly. This was exactly the way he’d feared it to go. These would be treated as major grievances by the Hajur Jaffa, and the excuse they needed to go to war. But he knew that they couldn’t win a war with the SGC, not with their Har’taks. He doubted that they had as many as he had heard whispered about, but he had no doubt that they had several. And after what he’d heard of the fight between Jorham and Captain Wright, he believed that all they needed was a handful.

“They will take our Chappa’ai back, yet they claim friendship,” Torlak continued, his voice powerful in the open area. “They don’t understand us. They punish those who seek justice, and send their Har’taks to hunt and destroy our heroes.

“Someday, Jorham’s son will return,” Torlak said and Bra’tak recognized the theme, as did every other Jaffa in attendance. The story was old and almost sacred to the slaves of the Gou’ald: the father was killed, usually unjustly, and the son grew into a man under his mother’s wise teaching, with other men to give him lessons in the art of war. When he returned, it was as a powerful, wise warrior, ready to destroy those who had wronged his family. Torlak was trying to build the missing Olivia and her child into this legend.

It would probably work. Jaffa loved a good story of justice and vengeance, and most would love to see one carried out in their lifetime. There was only one real flaw with the idea: Jaffa and humans weren’t always capable of having children together. Sometimes, it worked, though you often got a human who was a little stronger than most, a little more long-lived than most, and completely infertile. Usually, nothing happened. Bra’tak opened his mouth to point this problem out, and was cut off as Torlak continued, in a much louder voice.

“We will fight the SGC for our gate, so that when the son of Jorham and Matsu returns, we will be proud to say that we fought the men who killed his father!”

There was a beat of silence and Bra’tak started to speak. Then shouts arose, drowning him out. There were many in support, and some against. Disturbed, Bra’tak listened to his people start to rewrite history, to make Matsu a good Hak’tar who escaped the evil Hak’tar of the SGC. Sentiment against the SGC and their perceived inequalities had festered among the Free Jaffa, and this was something that would allow them to grow into fear and hatred unless it was stopped now.

“It was a rightful fight, Torlak,” a man spoke. Bra’tak turned and studied him for a moment before coming up with a name: Saetran. “And the Taur’i are our allies. They returned our Chappa’ai to us. Why would we go to war, when all we have to do is turn over a human to them.”

“That human is my sister,” Daniah said, standing, her voice hot enough to sear flesh. “She has saved many of us from death. And we repay her with betrayal?”

“Should we betray our allies? The ones who have freed us from false gods?” Saetran asked.

“Saetran, enough,” Torlak snapped. “If you question my leadership, then challenge it.”

The Jaffa were still working out the best way to govern themselves; for now, they were stuck with many of the old ways set by the Goa’uld. The strongest led; the weaker followed. That was the way it had been done, and Bra’tak wondered when wisdom would become the benchmark for leadership. Today was not that day; Saetran inclined his head and said, “This is no challenge to your leadership, merely a request for reason.”

“There is reason and then there is justice,” Torlak replied.

“And you are set in your course?” Saetran asked.

Torlak crossed his arms, looking every inch the Jaffa leader. “I know what is right.”

“Then I challenge you for leadership.” All the Jaffa turned to see Nolkar standing there. Bra’tak suddenly understood everything. Nolkar was a great warrior; Saetran had set Torlak up to have to face a fight for his leadership, one which he would likely fail. He wondered how far the man had gone to achieve this setup.

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Five months, two weeks, three days, eleven hours AWOL

“You look awful,” Daniel said blandly, making Olivia wince.

“That’s what I want to hear first thing in the morning,” the specialist sighed, sinking into a chair with a groan.

Daniel smiled sheepishly, chuckling a little. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way,” he said, still smiling. “I just meant that you don’t look like you slept well.”

“I didn’t,” Olivia sighed, “and haven’t for the last few nights. Apparently, I’m growing a soccer champion.”

“Eh, won’t stop kicking, hmm?” Daniel asked, frowning in sympathy.

“He stopped right after I got up,” Olivia said, running a hand over her stomach. “I may have to start sleeping in a vertical position.”

“So, you think it’s a boy because it’s kicking so hard?” Daniel asked, his eyebrow rising.

“No, I think it’s a boy because it’s acting just like his father,” Olivia said, rubbing the back of her neck. “Ornery and aggravating. I can’t imagine any daughter of mine being such a pain in the, um… gut.”

“Ah,” Daniel said, nodding as O’Neill came into the room. “Morning, Jack.”

“I was planning to head to that place to get that thing. Gonna come?,” the pseudo-colonel said to Daniel, ignoring Olivia.

Daniel scrunched up his face and scratched at his eye. “’That place’ to get ‘that thing’,” Daniel repeated.

“You told me about it,” O’Neill said. “That scroll thing Carter needs.”

“Oh, right,” Daniel said, rising. He glanced at Jack and then said to Olivia, “Want to come? Getting out for a bit might help you feel better.”

“Oh, yes!” Olivia said before O’Neill could register the complaint she knew was coming. “That sounds wonderful.”

O’Neill nailed Daniel with a steely look, but the archeologist just smirked. “I wanted someone to talk to while we walk,” Daniel said. He offered a hand to Olivia and helped her to her feet.

“Ha ha,” O’Neill said as they walked out. “I was fine to talk to until Miss. Smarty came along.”

“Is he really mad?” Olivia whispered to Daniel.

“No. It’s a guy-thing, don’t worry about it.” He gave her a big, reassuring smile.

“Wait,” she said suddenly, “what if SGC is there?”

“This is an address they don’t have,” O’Neill said, glancing back over his shoulder. “It’s safe for androids and murderess alike.”

Daniel shot him a dark look, but Olivia laughed, albeit a bit tensely. “Sounds delightful,” she said. “Can’t wait.”

The world they gated to was technologically advanced, but had elements of Roman design. Olivia smiled at the tiled frescos that lined the streets, and she and Daniel took turns pointing out archeological and cultural details of interest. As Daniel started into a shop, Olivia glanced around and saw a furniture shop. “I’d like to look at that,” she said.

“You don’t want to see the scrolls?” Daniel asked, frowning.

“I have to get a nursery put together,” Olivia said. “Next time, I promise.”

“Sure, priorities,” Daniel said, nodding.

Olivia slipped into the shop, moving to the nursery section. She looked around, trying to determine if she would be able to use any of this stuff, or if she would have to trade for something on a less-advanced world-

“Matsu?”

The familiar voice spun her around, and she stared at the Jaffa not three feet from her.