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"And Doctor Jackson," Fraiser shook her head, "The only thing that keeps him focused his sport, and he is displaying signs of extreme aggression." "What's he watching now?" asked Hammond. "The opening game of the "98 Soccer World Cup," said Carter, "Scotland versus Brazil. He seems to be supporting Scotland." Hammond gazed at them, "Scotland lost that game, didn't they?" Fraiser nodded, "I've got the T.V. and video bolted down." she assured the General. "Just as well," sighed Hammond, he shook his head, "I don't suppose that this disease will just burn itself out?" Not a chance, General." said Fraiser. "This is just the first stage. If we don't find a cure the virus will go on to attack every system in their bodies. Even Teal'c isn't immune, his larva can't cope with the disease either."
"Options?" "We've quarantined the men," said Fraiser, "And the virus is not spreading round the base. That in itself is interesting." "You see, Sir," interrupted Carter, "we were only on PF563 for what, twenty minutes, max? We didn't eat or drink anything, no one cut themselves. The only way they could have been infected is if the virus was aerosolised. Now, if they were infected when they came back we should have seen it spreading round the base, we haven't." "Conclusions?" "Two main ones, General." said Fraiser, "One, the virus can't survive in our atmosphere and that leads to Two, it's possible that the virus was engineered, specifically for use on PF563." "And Three, I think this is the 'danger' Senga warned us about." said Carter. "What makes you so sure that this Senga person didn't send you back to infect the planet deliberately?" "I don't think so, General. She broke some kind of law to send us away, some of her troops didn't like that."
"What if that law was to protect other worlds?" Carter stared at the General and shrugged, "Woman's intuition, Sir?" The General's lips thinned. "Whatever. What's our plan of attack?" Fraiser took over. "The men will remain in isolation. I've got three teams working on an antidote. But, I really think Captain Carter and myself should return to PF563." The General looked up in surprise, "You better have a very good reason for that, Doctor." "We have to find out more about this virus, General. It could be engineered, but what if it's something natural on PF563?" "And then there's Senga,"continued Carter, "She may be able to help us."
General Hammond raised an eyebrow. "Well," said Carter a shade defensively, "She trusted us." General Hammond stood up from the table and paced its length, his indecision plain. At last he sighed. "All right. I don't like it, but I guess you'll have to go." Carter and Fraiser nodded in agreement.
The parliament chamber was housed in the top level of the city and it was a long walk. Senga looked around at the women at the market, in the stables, the inns. Some of them looked up curiously as they passed, but most did not. Curiosity was frowned upon in the city of Dux. At last they reached the chamber, councillors lined the balcony above and at the top of a raised dais sat Portia, head of the council, surrounded by her principal ministers. The Guards took up position round the chamber and Senga and Matep continued alone. At the foot of the dais they both dropped to one knee and saluted. A gong rang out and the whispering of the councillors ceased. Portia regarded the two women before her, then raising her voice she called, "A charge of treason has been made against Senga, raised by Triesta. Who makes the charge?" Matep rose to her feet, "I, Matep, raised by Corina, Second of the Door Watch, make this charge against my commander." Matep paused and addressed Portia, "That she did release from our custody three males, and sent them back through the portal, contrary to our law." There was a gasp from the watching councillors, and a buzz of low conversation sounded.
"And how do you answer the charge, Senga?" asked Portia. Senga too stood and looking directly at Portia she said in a loud, clear voice, "I admit the charge." The level of conversation grew, many of the councillors shook their heads in disbelief. Matep allowed herself a thin smile. Portia raised her hand for silence. The chamber quietened down. "Why did you do this, Senga?" asked Portia, "Your loyalty has never been questioned before." Senga looked over the ministers and councillors, composing her thoughts, "Madame Portia," she began, "Our visitors were not a threat to us, they opposed the Goa'uld. I hoped that by setting them free they would see that we also could be trusted. I hope that the woman, Samantha Carter will return, because I believe that with their help we will find a cure for the plague that has decimated our planet." "And while we wait for this miracle," said Portia, "our species dwindles again. You know the law." "What we do is wrong, Madame Portia. The law is wrong!" cried Senga.
Portia jumped to her feet in anger, "We have the right to survive!"
"Not by killing others who cannot defend themselves!" Senga was equally angry.
Portia stared down at Senga, she waved her hand and two guards came up to stand behind her. Portia sat down again, composing herself. "Senga, your argument is old. Better thinkers than you have debated our law - and the law stands." She turned to Matep, "Matep, raised by Corina, I hereby elevate you to Commander of the Door Watch, may you prove more trustworthy in the position than your predecessor." Matep bowed. "Senga, raised by Triesta, you have violated our law, you have shown no remorse, and indeed, seem to revel in your treason. There can be only one outcome. You will die by fire two nights from now."
Portia stood from her throne and filed out with her ministers following. The guards stepped forward. Senga turned on her heel, and ignoring Matep, was escorted from the chamber.
The guide conducted Carter and Fraiser to the parliament chamber. They had already marvelled at the construction of the city and the fact that every person they saw was female. Their guide, however, had not been very forthcoming. Now they approached the chamber's double doors where Matep stood waiting for them. She gestured them forward. "Madam Portia is very anxious to meet you, Samantha Carter, and your companion." Matep saluted Doctor Fraiser, who returned the gesture. Matep flung open the doors and ushered them in.
On the high throne sat Portia, she rose smiling when she saw her guests, and hurried down the steps to greet them. "Welcome to the city of Dux. You are Samantha Carter?" Carter nodded, "Madam Portia, may I present Janet Fraiser, er, raised by Maria, Doctor, United States Airforce." Fraiser stepped forward, saluting.
"A Doctor, no less. Then I can guess the reason for your swift return. Although Senga did say she hoped you would return to help us."
"We would like to," said Fraiser, "but we must ask for your help first."
Portia smiled, "The men that came here have succumbed to the curse, have they not?"
"That's right, but we have discovered that the virus, the curse, can not survive on our planet."
Portia looked thoughtful. "That is news indeed. Perhaps Senga was right. Perhaps you are the hope she seeks. What do you need from us?"
Fraiser relaxed slightly, "We would need to know what kind of research you have done already. Is the virus engineered or natural? Anything you have already rejected as a cure, and I don't suppose you have a cure already?"
Portia laughed a short laugh, "My dear, Doctor, we have been searching for a solution to our curse for three centuries, with no success." Fraiser and Carter looked at each other in disbelief. "However, with your help, perhaps we will triumph." Portia beckoned Matep forward. "Matep, escort our guests to Senga. They share the same ideas and aspirations, they should share the same destiny. Good Luck to you all."
Matep ushered the two women out of the chamber and down the corridor. Carter looked back as the double doors closed on the smiling Portia. Her skin was itching, something just didn't feel right. As they moved down the corridor two more guards fell into step behind them. Carter nudged Fraiser and whispered, "I'm getting a really bad feeling about this." Fraiser turned to her surprised. Matep stopped beside a lift and all five squeezed into the cramped space. The lift dropped rapidly. At last it stopped and they got out. Matep turned to them, "You may leave your equipment here, it will be sent to your quarters, I'm sure you are anxious to see Senga."
Being outnumbered, they had little choice but to obey. Carter hesitated as she loosened the strap of her rifle, Matep nodded, "You won't be needing that here." Behind her Carter was aware that the guards were poised to act if she didn't follow Matep's orders. As nonchalantly as possible she removed the rifle. Matep smiled and continued down another corridor, pausing outside an unmarked door. She keyed the mechanism at the side and the door slid back. She invited them to enter, calling out, "Senga, your friends have returned !"
All three guards raised their weapons and waited for the women to enter the cell. Carter stared at Matep with hard eyes, "You're not going to help us." she said, flatly. Matep shook her head, grinning widely, and prepared the staff weapon for firing. Carter and Fraiser got the message and stepped into the cell. The door clicked shut behind them. Across the small room, Senga rose from the floor.
"It's not how I planned to welcome you back," she said, spreading her arms wide, "But make yourselves at home."
To Be Continued...
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