CHAPTER NINE
"Is he nuts?!" Jack asked. "He just saw what Daniel can do. How could he honestly think that he can win?"
"The challenge must be met in hand-to-hand combat, O'Neill," Teal'c explained. "If Daniel Jackson attacked Har'tec with his psychic abilities, it would demonstrate that he is without honor."
"Why are you doing this?" Daniel asked Har'tec. "I've told you that I'm not seeking leadership of the Jaffa. There's no reason to do this!"
"If you will not accept my challenge, then you are a coward," the Jaffa responded, venom in his voice. "You will prove that all I have said about you is true."
Bra'tac quickly walked up to Daniel, followed by Teal'c, Jack and Sam. "We wish to speak with Dan'yar in private," the Jaffa Master said to Har'tec.
The man nodded, and all of the Jaffa in the area moved far enough away that they wouldn't overhear the conversation.
"You must accept the challenge," Bra'tac told Daniel. "If you do not, all will be lost."
"Bra'tac, I don't want to fight him."
"You must, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c insisted. "If you refuse the challenge, the Jaffa will believe that Har'tec is right, that you are as the Goa'uld, someone who gains their loyalty through false means. They will lose their faith in you. And, because you are of the Tau'ri, they will lose faith in all Tau'ri as well."
"So, what are you saying, that, if I don't fight him, the Jaffa will stop being our allies?"
Teal'c nodded.
"Okay, so what's going to happen if I fight him and lose?"
"You must not lose."
"You said that this was a fight to the death," Sam said, getting worried.
"That is the usual outcome," Bra'tac confirmed. "However, the victor can choose to spare the life of the conquered."
"You know, I seriously doubt that guy would be that nice," Jack stated.
"You are correct. Har'tec will kill Daniel Jackson if he wins the fight."
"Okay, then Daniel has to beat him. That's all there is to it." Jack turned to the archeologist. "Just do what you did in that workout you had with me. You'll beat him for sure."
"Jack, the difference between fighting you that way and fighting him that way is that, if he gets a good hold on me, I'm not going to be able to break it. He's too strong."
The colonel looked into his eyes. "There is a way."
Daniel realized what Jack was suggesting. He shook his head. "No. I'm not going to do that. It's too dangerous. When I did that with Osiris, I ended up throwing her twenty feet through the air. I don't know if I can maintain enough control. I could seriously hurt him."
Jack took hold of his friend's arm. "Daniel, it's time that you start trusting yourself. None of us doubt your ability to stay in control. You need to feel the same."
There was a look of fear in Daniel's eyes. "Jack."
"We have faith in you, Daniel."
"Indeed we do, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c stated with conviction.
"I know you can do it, Daniel," Sam said.
The archeologist looked at all of his teammates, who were gazing at him with expressions of confidence and trust. They believed that he could do it, that he could maintain complete control of his abilities. But he was still afraid. Could he do it? Daniel realized that he had to at least try. The fate of the alliance between Earth and the rebel Jaffa hinged upon the outcome of this fight. If he lost or if he refused to fight, Earth would lose a powerful ally. They'd already lost the support of one ally. They couldn't lose another.
Daniel drew in a deep breath. "All right, I'll do it. There's just one thing, though. This is supposed to be hand-to-hand combat. If I deliberately use my abilities to win, wouldn't that be cheating?"
"Daniel, only you would be worrying about cheating in a situation like this," Jack responded.
"It's a valid concern, Jack. All these Jaffa know that I could break Har'tec in half with my telekinetic abilities. Har'tec knows that, too. This isn't just a fight, it's a test to see if I'll remain true to their belief that I'm an honorable man and won't use my abilities to beat him if the fight doesn't go my way. Har'tec knows that, if I use my power, he'll still win since he will have proven what he's been saying about me."
"That may be true, Daniel, but think about this. Har'tec knows that most humans aren't as strong as Jaffa. He knows that, physically, he has a huge advantage over you. Is that fighting fair? The guy probably thinks that he can't lose. If you toss him about with your abilities, he'll prove that you're dishonorable. If you don't, he'll win the fight, kill you, and get what he wants that way. So, no, I don't see anything wrong in you using your abilities like that since it's the only way to make this fight closer to being a fair one."
"I do not understand exactly how it is that you would be using your power, but O'Neill is correct," Bra'tac said. "Without that power, you would lack the physical strength to win, and Har'tec knows this." A smile came to his face. "I, for one, have no intention of revealing that you will be . . . cheating."
Jack grinned and patted Bra'tac on the shoulder. "I knew I liked you for some reason, you old coot." He turned to his friend. "Do what you have to, Daniel. This is too important for you to fail."
Daniel sighed in weary acceptance. "You do realize that, if I end up getting hurt again, Janet is going to lock me up in the infirmary and never let me out."
Jack gave his shoulder a pat. "If it'll make you feel any better, I'll tell her it was my fault."
Daniel stared at him. "You're even braver than I thought you were. I've seen the size of some of those needles she has."
Jack's expression immediately lost its humor.
Daniel turned and walked toward Har'tec, coming to a stop a few paces away. "I accept your challenge," he said.
Within a few seconds, the area around Daniel and Har'tec had been vacated. Har'tec handed his knife to another Jaffa, which told the archeologist that the man intended to fight without weapons, which was a relief.
Drawing in a deep, centering breath, Daniel sought to focus his awareness in the same way that he did when he had the workout with Jack. The knowledge that his life depended on it this time made it more difficult, but, at last, everything else faded into the background as his attention became fixed upon Har'tec with preternatural intensity. The man was looking at him closely, waiting for him to make a move. Daniel adjusted his stance in preparation for defense but did nothing more, content to let the Jaffa make the first move.
The moment Har'tec realized that Daniel was not going to start the fight, he leapt forward, seeking to bring the archeologist down with brute force. It was a move that showed Daniel that Jack was right. The Jaffa did believe he would win through superior strength. Because of that belief, what happened next must have shocked the hell out of Har'tec.
Before he could get a good grip on Daniel, the linguist grabbed Har'tec's wrist and flipped the Jaffa clear over his back. Har'tec landed hard on the ground. He quickly rolled to his feet, eyes narrowed appraisingly. Daniel knew that the man wouldn't make that mistake twice.
The Jaffa came at him again. Daniel's precognitive ability told him what Har'tec was going to do a split second before it happened. Even as the man attempted to sweep Daniel off his feet, the archeologist was already countering with a move of his own, his hand flashing out to connect with Har'tec's breastbone, the heel of his hand hitting with the force of both his natural strength and his telekinetic ability. The blow sent the Jaffa staggering back, his hands going to his chest. For a brief moment, Daniel feared that he'd used too much force, but Har'tec recovered quickly and backed up a pace. He began circling Daniel, who kept a close eye on him, both physical and paranormal senses alert for any aggressive moves.
Daniel knew that, with each failed attempt to overpower him, Har'tec was adjusting his view on the archeologist's strength and fighting ability. This meant that the Jaffa would be using more caution and trying more advanced techniques, which was going to make it harder for Daniel to counter him.
No sooner had that thought entered Daniel's mind when Har'tec attacked again. He came in low this time, and, though Daniel's senses warned him of the intent of the attack, the warning didn't come quite soon enough to counter it, and he found himself on the ground, Har'tec above him, seeking to crush his windpipe. Survival instincts and Daniel's power kicked in at the same time. Just as the grip on his throat became painful, he grabbed hold of both of Har'tec's wrists, pulling the man's hands away from his neck and shoving up at the same time. The move threw the Jaffa completely off-balance, and Daniel took advantage of it by grabbing hold of him and rolling over, pinning Har'tec beneath him. He was not in that position for long, however. Har'tec quickly managed to throw him off.
The two men rose to their feet and stared at each other warily. Daniel's respiration and heart rate were climbing from the physical activity. It wouldn't be too much longer before he'd begin to tire. That was one way that he couldn't match the Jaffa. If the fight went on too long, Har'tec's superior stamina would win out, which meant that Daniel was going to have to end this soon.
The archeologist had no more time for thought as the Jaffa came at him again. He was only partially successful in countering the move, and a painful blow to the ribs reminded him very forcefully that Har'tec could easily break a bone if Daniel failed to block his blows. And if that happened, Daniel would be forced to openly use his abilities to keep Har'tec from killing him.
The time had come to end the fight.
With that decision made, Daniel turned his will upon honing his abilities even further. All of his senses narrowed to a sharp point focused on Har'tec, his mind recalling all the things Jack and Teal'c had taught him over the past six plus years. 'You can do this, Daniel,' he told himself.
And, then, Har'tec attacked.
With a skill he had developed during a hundred years of service to the Goa'uld, the Jaffa came at Daniel with the intention of getting the human down on his stomach, where Har'tec would then crush his spine.
Fighting for both his life and the alliance between Earth and the Jaffa, Daniel reacted. Using his precognitive senses, his telekinetic ability, and the skills taught to him by Jack and Teal'c in perfect synchronicity, he pulled off a move that sent a shockwave through everyone, including himself. In a matter of seconds, it was not Daniel but Har'tec who found himself down on his stomach, a knee planted in his back and both arms twisted behind him. No matter how hard the Jaffa struggled, the surprising strength of his opponent held him fast. He was shocked by what had just happened. Many times he had used that move before, and it had never failed, yet this human had not only countered it but had completely reversed the outcome so that it was now Har'tec who was lying helpless on the ground.
Looking down at the Jaffa, Daniel knew that he had to end it. Releasing Har'tec would only result in the battle continuing, for joma secu was a fight to the death.
His will hardening, Daniel removed his knee from Har'tec's back, yanked him up, and wrapped an arm tightly about the man's throat.
With Daniel's arm now around his neck, Har'tec's left arm was not being held, and he quickly attempted to strike out with it. But, before he could even get his arm free of their entangled bodies, Daniel shifted his position so that he was sitting on the ground. Using his left leg, he trapped Har'tec's free arm, planting his feet firmly on the ground.
Both arms once again trapped, his neck in a stranglehold, Har'tec fought with all his strength to get free. But, as hard as he tried, he could not break the iron grip of the man he had believed would be too weak to defeat him.
The arm around Har'tec's neck began to tighten, compressing his trachea. As he lost the ability to breathe, the Jaffa fought harder still, his struggles growing frantic. At last, he accepted the truth. There would be no escape. Dan'yar had won.
As blackness began covering Har'tec's vision, he ceased fighting. 'Shal'kek nem'ron,' he whispered in his mind.
Unexpectedly, the grip on Har'tec's throat vanished, and he found himself lying on the ground, free. Drawing in deep, gasping breaths, he rolled over onto his back and looked at the man who'd defeated him. Daniel had risen to his feet and was staring down at him.
"I do not want to kill you," the archeologist said. "As the victor, I have the right to grant mercy. I give your life to you, Har'tec. Use it to fight our common enemy, the Goa'uld."
Daniel held his hand out to the Jaffa. For a brief moment, Har'tec looked up at him searchingly. Then he took the proffered hand. The archeologist helped pull him to his feet.
At that moment, a shout rose from the throats of all the rebel Jaffa. "Dan'yar! Dan'yar! Dan'yar!"
Daniel held up his hands, calling for silence. Stillness fell upon the place.
"By the rules of joma secu, the victor gains the right of leadership, but it's not my place to lead you. Every one of you here is fighting for the freedom of all Jaffa, for a day when you will no longer be servants to any master. That is a day I'm fighting for as well. It would be wrong for me to make myself a master over you since that is the very thing that you're fighting to be free of. When the day comes that all Jaffa are free, it will be time for you to set up a government, a government of Jaffa leaders. That's the way it should be."
"But will you not lead us into battle against the Goa'uld, Dan'yar?" one Jaffa asked.
"If there ever comes a time when it becomes necessary, I will stand beside you in battle," the archeologist replied. "Don't think of me as your leader or your master. I am a friend and an ally. That's all I want. The one thing that every one of you needs to remember is that your freedom from the Goa'uld is a desire that all of you share, and it is for that reason that you must continue the rebellion and try to turn other Jaffa from their service to the Goa'uld. Don't make me the reason for doing those things. I'm just one man, as mortal as the rest of you. But the free Jaffa nation will live forever."
Ka'ter stepped forward. "Listen to him, brothers. His words are wise." He held up his staff weapon. "For freedom!"
"For freedom!" the other Jaffa shouted.
Har'tec stepped forward. "I have misjudged you, Dan'yar, and I wronged you greatly with my false statements against you. I see now that you truly are not like the Goa'uld." He reached out and grasped Daniel's forearm in the Jaffa greeting. "I greet you, Dan'yar, as a friend and an ally . . . and as a brother to all Jaffa who wish for freedom."
"Thank you, Har'tec," Daniel said.
Several Jaffa came forward and greeted the archeologist personally. Among them was Ka'ter, who was smiling with satisfaction.
"Though I had hoped that you would win, I find myself surprised that a human showed such great strength. And I have never seen such skill in fighting. Har'tec is a great fighter, among the best, yet you defeated him easily."
"Trust me, Ka'ter. It definitely wasn't easy." Daniel looked at Jack and Teal'c, who both had insufferably smug expressions on their faces. "But I had the best teachers anyone could hope for. I couldn't have done it without their training and guidance."
Ka'ter smiled and patted his shoulder.
A few minutes later, Daniel managed to make it back to his teammates and Bra'tac. The Jaffa Master was grinning from ear to ear. He laughed and grasped both of Daniel's shoulder.
"And this is the man that I thought weak when first I met him," he said. "You could not have fought better if I had trained you myself."
"Thank you, Bra'tac. That's a great compliment coming from you."
"Wow, Daniel," Sam said, with a proud smile. "That was amazing."
"Amazing? That was a thing of beauty!" Jack exclaimed. "Daniel, from now on, I'm going to turn you loose on the Marines when it's time for you to practice your hand-to-hand. It'll be so sweet seeing you take them down a few pegs. Of course, once they find out about this, they'd have to be one fry short of a happy meal to want to tangle with you."
"Jack, the only reason I won is because of you-know-what, and I would never use it intentionally during practice. It wouldn't be fair."
"Not even a little bit?" Jack asked, sounding very disappointed that he wouldn't get to see the archeologist kick a few Marine butts.
"You must tell me how it is that you defeated Har'tec," Bra'tac said. "The strength you displayed surprised me greatly, and it was sometimes as if you could read his mind, for you countered his moves even before he made them."
Daniel glanced around. "Um . . . yeah. We'll talk about that later."
The Jaffa Master nodded. "Of course."
SG-1 and Bra'tac remained on the planet for another couple of hours, speaking to the Jaffa and gaining some valuable intel.
Upon arriving back at the SGC, SG-1 headed to the infirmary for their post-mission physicals. Daniel was not looking forward to what would happen when Janet found out that he had just fought a Jaffa in hand-to-hand combat.
"Whatever you guys do, don't tell Janet about the demonstration," he said in the elevator going up. "I don't want her tearing into me about that."
Jack looked at him in amusement. "You just beat a Jaffa who outweighed you by at least forty pounds, and you're afraid of one little five-foot-two-inch woman?"
Daniel looked at Jack, an eyebrow lifting. "And you're not?"
Jack opened his mouth, shut it, then opened it again. "That's not the point."
Daniel shared a glance with Sam, both of them fighting back smiles.
"Well, congratulations, Daniel," Janet said a while later in the infirmary. "I think you just broke your record for number of injuries received within the span of a week. I can see where you're going to have some lovely bruises from this latest incident."
"Believe me, Janet. The last thing I expected to have to do when I left here was fight a Jaffa," the linguist told her. "I tried to get out of it, but he wouldn't listen to reason."
"Hey, give him a break, Doc," Jack piped in. "After all, he won. If he hadn't, he'd be dead. A few bruises are a lot better than that."
Janet nodded. "Yes, they are." She turned back to the archeologist. "All right, Daniel. It looks as if you managed to get through this with just a few minor bruises. The use of your telekinetic abilities to win the fight wasn't extreme enough to cause any concern." She looked at him more closely. "That is the only way you used your abilities, isn't it?"
Daniel suddenly knew what it felt like to be a trapped animal. "Uhhh. . . ."
Janet's eyes narrowed. "Daniel?" When the archeologist didn't reply, the doctor looked at his teammates. Jack and Sam immediately found the floor to be of intense interest. Looking at Daniel's third team member, Janet's eyes narrowed even more. "Teal'c?"
"It was necessary for Daniel Jackson to demonstrate his power to Har'tec," the Jaffa said.
The doctor's head swung back around to see that Daniel was apparently also finding the floor quite fascinating. "And you weren't going to tell me about this?"
"I hadn't planned to."
"Why?"
Daniel let out a sigh and looked at her. "Because I knew exactly how you'd react. It barely affected me at all, Janet. I'm fine. No harm done."
"Well, I think that you should let me be the judge of that, Daniel. I am your doctor."
The archeologist was surprised to hear a trace of hurt in Janet's voice. He realized that he'd hurt her feelings by not being completely honest with her.
"I'm sorry, Janet," he said, his eyes asking for her forgiveness. "I just didn't want a big deal made out of it. Next time, I'll tell you."
Brown eyes met blue for several seconds, then the doctor nodded, her smile telling Daniel that he had been forgiven. "All right. I won't do a CT scan this time since you do seem to be okay. But you really do need to try to take it easy with using your abilities, Daniel. I still have concerns about cumulative effects."
"Janet, believe me when I say that I'd be delighted if I never had to use them again for as long as I live. But life just doesn't want to give me a break."
"You can say that again," Jack muttered.
A short while later, SG-1 was in the briefing room with General Hammond and Bra'tac. As the events on Albaren were recounted, Daniel explained to both the Jaffa Master and the SGC commander how he was able to beat Har'tec.
"Then it is true," Bra'tac said. "I had heard that you possessed the ability to see into the future, but I was unsure if it was true or merely some invention of an overzealous young Jaffa."
"No, it's true. I'd have preferred that the Jaffa never found out about it, but, unfortunately, Ka'ter caught me in the act at the Alpha Site."
"Then you did give the warning before the attack actually began."
Daniel nodded. "Not soon enough to get everyone out in time, but at least I gave everybody an extra couple of minutes to get through the gate. You see, Bra'tac, this ability of mine to see the future isn't all that reliable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The only thing that I can be sure of is that when I do have a vision of the future, it will come true if something isn't done to stop it."
"And what does this ability tell you is coming now?"
"I don't know, but I have a feeling that something very big is going to be happening soon."
