Mother Of All Dilemmas 1

The Changing Of Daniel Jackson

by Dreuganlady

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asd/dreuganlady/mother01.php
Summary: Daniel becomes a changed man while held captive on another planet. The consequences will change his and Jack's lives forever

The team had arrived on this planet two weeks ago. Its designation was P91-607. Those who lived here called it Tellusuris which was a form of Latin meaning "the world," but Jack had nick-named it "TV land." Daniel was beginning to agree with Jack on this one.

The inhabitants looked like early Romans probably because they were descended from early Romans. They had dark brown to black hair with deep brown eyes. They all had olive complexions. Their language was even an evolved form of early Latin which meant that Daniel did most of the talking. Because Jack's knowledge of Latin was very limited, he spoke only during those rare occasions when they were not together.

When SG-1 minus Sam, who was in the infirmary healing from a staff wound she had received on their last mission, had stepped through the gate they caused quite a stir with the locals. They seemed intrigued with Jack's fair skin; Teal'c and Major Ayawamat, who was of Native American descent, were of milder interest to them. But it was Daniel's light brown hair with its blond streaks and his blue eyes that had truly captivated the locals. Daniel learned later that even though the Tellusurians had made contacts with other worlds, all of them contained cultures that had descended from what Daniel decided were Middle Eastern or Asian peoples. He was getting tried of having the local version of video cameras and crowds follow him everywhere he went. Now he could appreciate how trying it was for celebrities who had to deal with the paparazzi back on Earth.

The Tellusurians were more technologically advanced than the people of Earth. While here, SG-1 learned that there was a one-world government. As far as Daniel had been able to ascertain, the governing body was really like a board of directors of a corporation. Over the years the elected government had turned over more and more public institutions, such as schools, prisons and law enforcement, to private companies to run in an attempt to cut costs. After a while private companies even ran the armies of the different countries. As trade with other planets began to be the growth area of business, war was deemed to be not cost-effective. A military was kept, but its sole purpose was to defend against off-world incursions. And as such there had been no wars for the past two hundred years. So far, the team had seen no signs of poverty, but then again, their guides might have avoided poorer areas much as Earth people did with visitors of their own. The cities were clean and the people looked content. The strangest thing that Daniel had noticed was the lack of people on the streets after what appeared to be the end of business hours. He looked out of the window of the apartment they had been given and scanned the quiet streets 12 stories below.

Hearing the door open behind, Daniel turned and saw, Frela, their liaison with the Tellusurian government, enter the room. Frela was as tall as Daniel. He obviously worked out because he had a strong, sculptured physique. His hair was short with black, soft curls that framed his very handsome and expressive face. He wore a suit of light beige that set off his looks. Daniel was sure Sam would have appreciated the view if she were here.

"Frela, I'm glad you came."

"Dr. Jackson, I hope you are enjoying your stay," Frela said.

"Yes, very much, and it's Daniel."

"Yes, of course. I just wanted to check on you and see if you and the rest of your team require anything of me before I go home for the night."

"Just a question," Daniel said. "I've noticed since coming here that no one seems to be out at night. At first I thought perhaps our arrival had disrupted the normal activities of the city, but now I'm beginning to think otherwise."

"No, this is as it should be. There is no reason for anyone to be out at night. All are at home having the evening meal before watching the viewing stations. Do your people go out at night and not stay home to watch?" He paused for a moment as if in thought. "Or perhaps you do not have viewing stations. This might be an area of trade between our two worlds."

Daniel smiled. "Oh yes, we have viewing stations. They're called televisions. And a large number of our population stays home to watch them. But television is not the only entertainment in the evenings. Lots of people go out at night for various activities."

Frela frowned. "Other activities such as ...?

"Oh, going out to a restaurant for dinner, walks in the moonlight, movies--which are like big viewing stations where large numbers of our people gather to watch on a very large screen. Visiting friends at each other's homes. Going out to attend sporting events. Those are only a few of the things people do on our world for entertainment.

"I see. Here on Tellusuris we have no need for other diversions. The viewing stations provide this for all." Frela looked around at the empty room. "Where are the rest of your teammates?"

Daniel cocked his head toward a closed door. "They are in one of the bedrooms watching the viewing station. Colonel O'Neill thinks it is very entertaining, even if he can't understand most of it. Teal'c and Major Ayawamat are enjoying themselves just watching the antics of those on the screen. I've noticed that there do not seem to be any shows other than what we would term reality shows where the participants engage in various competitions."

"What other types of entertainment would there be?"

"Oh, you know. Drama, comedies, science fiction..."

Frela looked confused, so Daniel elaborated. "You know, stories in which actors pretend to be the characters in a story. Some are very emotional and show serious situations that humans could have happen to them. Others are funny and designed to make the audience laugh, while still others are meant to show what life might be like in the future or on other worlds."

Frela still looked a little confused and said, "Our 'shows' do this also, but the situations are real and therefore more gripping and entertaining. The participants stand to gain or lose much and this makes the situation more compelling. The audience can bet on the outcomes via their viewing station which also adds to the excitement. I'm afraid I don't understand how anyone could get emotionally involved in something that was not real."

"Well, I guess it's just a matter of what you grow up watching. I wanted to thank you for all your warm hospitality while we have been here. The medical information you have provided us will keep our scientists busy for a long time." Daniel paused when he realized Frela was staring at his eyes.

"Forgive me, Daniel," Frela said, looking a little embarrassed to be caught staring. "But I am still trying to get used to the color of your eyes. It still amazes me that anyone could have eyes the color of the sea."

"I find it interesting that of all the planets you have made contact with, none have people with lighter coloring."

"I suppose it is just the luck of the draw. Do many of your kind have eyes of your color?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, our other team member, Major Carter, has eyes this color and her hair is even lighter than mine. She was injured on our last mission and is still recovering."

"What a shame! I would have loved to have met her. Imagine, hair lighter than yours! I hope she will be all right."

"She isn't feeling too well right now, but she will make a complete recovery," Daniel said.

Continuing to gaze at Daniel's face, Frela asked, "Do those of each coloring marry only those of the same coloring?'

"Not much anymore, as we have evolved. We are starting to look at the person, not at their color of skin, hair or eyes."

"Do any of you have children?"

"Teal'c has a son. Ry'ac."

"Does he look like his father or his mother in his coloring?"

Daniel smiled at the odd line of questioning. But then he realized that on a planet where everyone has the same hair, eye and for all practical purposes the same skin color, to see those who come from a world of diverse coloring would be both interesting and difficult to understand. He guessed that if he were in the same circumstances, he too would be asking lots of questions. "No, Rya'c's mother and Teal'c have the same coloring and their son does, too. Major Ayawamat and myself do not have any children."

"How about Colonel O'Neill? Does he have children? And is his mate of a different coloring?"

"Yes, she is. She has blonde hair--that is what we call yellow hair--and blue eyes. She and Jack are no longer together. They had a son who died at a very young age. He had brown hair about the same color as mine and blue eyes."

Frela stood quietly in thought for a few minutes and then said, "Forgive me, Daniel, for asking such personal questions, but as I said before, I find different colors of hair and eyes to be most fascinating. We have some variation in skin, eyes and hair color, although not as much as you seem to. I should take my leave and go home now. I will be back to see you off at the gate in the morning. And again, thank you for indulging my curiosity."

"And thank you for your hospitality," Daniel answered as Frela left the room.

* * * *

The next morning SG-1 was packed and saying their good-byes at the gate. The ever-present cameras seemed to have proliferated during the night. Everywhere Daniel turned, a camera was recording the event.

Jack leaned over and whispered to Daniel in English, "These people need to get a life."

Daniel chuckled and moved to the DHD and input the coordinates for Earth. After the wormhole had stabilized he turned to join his team who were taking their leave of the delegation that had been sent to see them off.

Frela and several of his delegation walked up to Daniel and the rest of his team. Frela addressed Daniel: "Please come again and next time, bring the Major, I would love to see blonde hair."

Daniel laughed. "I'll see if we can arrange that. Again thank you for your welcoming hospitality. A representative from the SGC will be contacting you to set up a meeting for negotiations soon."

The four Tauri waved good-bye and started up the steps towards the gate when Frela's voice caught them. "Dr. Jackson, Colonel O'Neill, one more thing!"

They stopped and turned toward the approaching man. Jack motioned to Teal'c and Major Ayawamat. "You two go on through. Let them know we will follow in a moment."

Daniel asked, "What can we do for you?"

"We have one more favor to ask of you." Frela's glanced beyond Jack and Daniel, watching Teal'c and the major disappear into the wormhole. He made a motion with his hand and the sound of the gate shutting down caused Daniel and Jack to turn with a jerk. Then they heard the sounds of weapons being charged and pointed in their direction. Two of the guards came closer and started relieving them of their own weapons.

"What the hell is going on?" Jack shouted. "Daniel, ask these bozos what this is all about."

"Frela, I don't understand. Why did the gate shut down? And why are you taking our weapons?"

"I am very sorry, Daniel, but the board of directors of the planet wants one more little thing from you before you will be able to return to your world."

Not following most of the conversation, Jack was becoming increasingly agitated. "Daniel, what's he saying?"

Daniel switched back to English and answered. "Hang on a minute, Jack, we are just getting to the reason now."

Going back to Latin, Daniel asked, "And just what would that be?"

"Why, to star in one of our programs! The populace is very intrigued by you in particular and by the colonel to a lesser degree. We are coming up with two new and very exciting adventures for you that our audience will love."

"They want each of us to 'star' in one of their programs," Daniel translated for Jack.

"No way in hell! Tell them I want that gate open and we will be leaving now," Jack ordered.

Daniel relayed Jack's message. Frela did not seem the least bit surprised nor did he seem at all impressed by Jack's demand.

"I'm afraid not, Daniel. We have the most exciting scenarios being planned out. If you succeed than you will be sent back to your planet. If you do not, then one of will most likely be dead and the other will stay until you fulfill your obligation." Directing the guards, he said, "Take them each to their own holding cell."

* * * *

Just after Teal'c and the major stepped through the event horizon it shut down.

Hammond turned towards Walter. "Sergeant?'

Walter ran diagnostics while answering: "Everything is running normally. The gate seems to have been shut down by the Tellusurians."

"Dial the planet."

"Yes, sir."

Hammond leaned over and spoke into the intercom. "Teal'c, Major Ayawamat, where are Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson?"

The major answered, "They were asked to remain for a moment by Frela, sir. The colonel told us to go on through and let you know they would be following in a minute. I have no idea why the gate shut down."

"Neither do I, General, but it concerns me." Teal'c voice did indeed carry a trace of worry.

"Chevron 7 will not lock," Walter announced.

"Try again," the general ordered. "Teal'c and Major, meet me in the briefing room."

* * * *

Jack paced back and forth in his small cell. It was about 10 by 10 feet with three solid walls painted the most awful green color he had ever seen--almost a neon lime color. The third wall was covered with what seemed to be clear plastic bars with a panel that appeared to be movable behind it. It too was the same terrible color. He had a bed, chair and a small table. One of the walls contained a sink and toilet, both of which folded up into the wall. He had checked several times, but had not been able to find any way out of the cell. He had been in here for what seemed like hours, but he knew it wasn't any more that 30 or 40 minutes at the most. The longer he paced, the angrier he became. Star in one of their little reality scenarios! He was a solider, not an actor. And the longer he was separated from Daniel the more worried he became. He had seen how much interest Daniel's looks had garnered him from the locals and from Frela in particular.

Jack heard the panel on the wall begin to move and stepped over to the bars. As it rose up, Frela, a man and a woman Jack had not met were revealed.

Frela spoke to him.

"Sorry, no capiche."

Frela handed Jack small rectangular shaped silver bar and motioned for Jack to place it on his temple. Jack stared at the bar in his hand. He was sure he should not trust the man. Looking up at him, he shook his head no.

Again Frela motioned for Jack to place the bar on his temple. He then made motions that indicated as far as Jack could discern that it was connected with speaking. Then he said "Effor"

Jack recognized the word had something to do with the word to speak. Well, he could try it and see if it helped him communicate. If it did, then maybe he could get some answers. If not, well, he'd deal with it. He hesitated, then with a grimace placed the bar to his left temple. He felt a slight sting as the bar adhered to his skin.

"Now that wasn't so bad, was it Colonel? What you are wearing is a communication device. It allows you to speak and understand our language."

"Then why didn't you use these when we first arrived? It would have made things simpler."

"For you, perhaps, but we wanted to control how much you could understand while we assessed you and your planet's importance to us. It was decided that you do not possess anything that would make your world a good trading partner. The only thing you could provide us with are people with Daniel's coloring for our breeding programs. But after getting to know you it became very apparent that you would not sell any of your people. So other arrangements needed to be made. I really am sorry your Captain Carter could not come. She and Daniel would have made a fine breeding pair."

"Breeding? What are you getting at, Frela?"

"That is not your concern, Colonel, we have other plans for you. Let me introduce my colleagues. This is Cevon; he is the producer for our military programming." Frela pointed a small man at his side. He reminded Jack of a darker version of Woody Allen. "And this is Azura; she is in charge of scripting the scenario to be played out." The woman was taller than Cevon. Her dark hair was swept back in a bun. Her deep brown eyes reminded him of his own. Her nose was a little on the large side--what Jack equated with a classic Roman nose. It looked good on her face.

"You should be honored. They are the best at what they do."

Jack spat back at him, "My people will be coming for us. And if you think you're so advanced that we can't hurt you, think again. We've been fighting against a technologically advanced enemy for some time now and winning"

"Colonel, we can control who can dial into our gate. We can tell who is dialing in and lock them out. And as of now, your world is locked out. So I'm afraid you're on your own."

Cevon stepped closer to the bars. The man reeked of some type of after-shave. "It is an honor to meet you, Colonel. I'm so excited at the possibilities your skill and training represent. Our ratings have been slipping lately and I think you are just what we need to breathe new life into the programs."

Before Cevon could react Jack's hand darted out and caught him by the collar, pulling him towards the bars. Spinning him around he held Cevon with his arm wrapped around his neck. Cevon made a choking sound.

Jack asked, "Is this exciting enough for you? Open the damn door now or I'll kill him very slowly. And don't think for one minute that I don't know how and that I won't do it."

Jack gasped and let go of Cevon as a sharp pain ripped through his head. Grabbing his own head he cried, "Shit! What was that?"

"Did you really think that was just a communication device and that we wouldn't include a way to control a man such as yourself?"

Jack tried to pry it off of his temple. It wouldn't budge.

Cevon rubbed his neck and promised, "We'll make sure you get some excitement of your own."

Azura spoke for the first time. Her voice was soft and almost musical. "The other thing the device does is it allows us to review your memories. This will help me design the scenario for your show."

"And what if I refuse to play with you?"

Frela explained: "Well, let's just say that Dr. Jackson would find his time with us a little bit more painful than otherwise planned. Also, anytime you give us trouble we can repeat that little demonstration you just had."

Jack made a rather rude noise, then said, "And you think that's enough incentive to get me to play your little games?" He hoped that by acting as if Daniel's condition wasn't of any concern to him, they wouldn't use his as leverage against Jack.

Frela continued: "Don't try to play games with me, Colonel. I observed how protective you were of him during your visit here. Also, by completing the scenario successfully you earn the right to return to your own planet. We have all of your equipment put aside should you accomplish this goal."

Jack heard the panel start to move down as the three of them walked away. Cevon looked back at Jack one more time. His look promised that Jack would not get off easily in the coming event.

He walked back over to the chair and sat down. He needed a way out of here. All his conversation with the three had accomplished was to increase his fears for what they had in mind for Daniel. Breeding didn't sound very good, especially after what Hathor had done to Daniel. Daniel had a hard enough time getting over that and Jack wasn't sure how he would react to what would amount to another rape.

* * * *

Three hours had elapsed since Teal'c and Major Ayawamat had returned through the gate. They had briefed General Hammond on the events of their mission. On the surface it appeared that everything with the Tellusurians had been friendly and without hostile intent. However, they still could not get the seventh symbol to lock. It was possible that the gate on Tellusuris' end was malfunctioning. Or that some hostile action against the Colonel and Dr. Jackson had taken place.

"Sergeant, continue to dial the gate at hourly intervals. Let's also try and contact some of our allies and see if they can give us some help figuring out what is going on. I'm going down to the infirmary to talk with Captain Carter and see if she has any ideas."

* * * *

Daniel was being held in a cell that was identical to Jack's. He lay on his bed trying to go over the events in his mind. What had he missed? An increasing sense of guilt over their capture was gnawing at him. The Tellusurians had seemed so genuinely peaceful and open in their interactions. It was his job to understand the language as well as read the body language behind the words. He had really messed up on this one. He heard a sound to his right. Turning to look, he watched as the panel behind the bars started to slide upwards. Sitting up on the bed, he waited to see who was there.

"Ah Frela, come to ask more Questions?"

"Actually no, Daniel, I've come to answer your questions."

"That is good of you--and it's 'Dr. Jackson.'"

"Now don't be that way, Daniel." Frela stressed his name. "I'm sure you are curious about what we have planned for you. But first let me assure you that no rescue is forthcoming. As I explained to the colonel, we have the ability to control who comes through our gate and your world has been locked out."

"Where is Jack?"

"The colonel is in a room similar to yours. He is okay for the moment."

Daniel heard the implied threat in his words. "Okay, we'll play it your way for now. Tell me what do you have in mind for me."

"Good. Straight to the point! Well, you see we have had this one scenario in the back of our minds for a couple of years now. Our medical researchers have perfected a method of growing new organs using a person's own tissue. It has revolutionized our transplant program; there is no rejection of the new organ. It has even helped women who have had problems with their reproductive tracts to become mothers. You remove the damaged organ, replace it with the new healthy one, and soon there's a new baby on the way."

Frela began to get excited as he continued with his lecture. He started to walk back and forth as he talked, his shoes tapping out a cadence with his pacing. "One day over lunch one of our staff whose job it is to come up with new scenarios posed the question: "If you can grow new female reproductive organs from the tissue of a woman, could you grow female reproductive organs from the tissue of a male and transplant them into the man? Well, that certainly caught my attention. Imagine the different scenarios that could create. We sent a request to the minister of health and asked if this was possible."

Daniel began to feel a little nervous about where this was going. He rose from the bed and walked over to the bars. "And?"

Frela stopped pacing and turned to look at Daniel.

"They weren't sure so they began to experiment with the concept. It took a couple of years of trial and error, but recently they sent us a report that stated that it was now possible and all they needed now was to do human trials. That is where you come in, Daniel."

"Hell no, I don't think so." Daniel backed away from the bars a little.

"Let me explain your choices here. You will have the surgery. You will get pregnant and produce a child. You will also provide sperm to impregnate selected females in our breeding program."

"Breeding program? Why do you need a breeding program?"

Frela leaned back against the wall behind him. "We have all types of programs on the viewing stations. We censored what you and your team got to see. One of our channels is solely used to show programs that are sexual in nature. It is more stimulating to watch beautiful people involved in these shows than average citizens, so to make sure we have enough participants we breed them. They are raised to perform in these scenarios and after they have participated in them for a set number of times and produced two offspring they win their release."

"What you really mean is when they are too old to be of any commercial value to you."

Frela did not answer but tilting his head slightly to the side he gave an acknowledging nod.

"Why use me in this breeding program?"

"Over several generations We hope to breed fair-skinned, blue-eyed children. The people found you so exotic that we feel they would be quite in demand."

Daniel was horrified at the prospect that any children he had would be raised for use in the sex trade. "I'd kill myself before I helped you create a child for that."

"You asked about Colonel O'Neill. Should you die I can assure you he would also die and it would be a most painful death. But we could use it as part of a program, so I guess it wouldn't be a total loss."

"What have you planned for Jack?"

"He will star on our military channel. I'm not sure how yet--that is still in the concept stage. But if he succeeds, then he will be allowed to return home as long as you cooperated. Do we have a deal?"

Daniel's stomach twisted at the thought of helping these monsters create children for their perverted purposes, but he also believed they would make good on their threat to harm Jack. If they could hold out a little longer, he was sure the SGC would find a way to save them. After all, they had Sam to work on the problem, so everything would work out.

"Yes."

"Good. I'd like to invite you to the quarters I keep here at the studio for dinner and other entertainments. An attendant will bring you new clothing--something a little more becoming than that uniform you are wearing."

Dinner sounded good, as he had not eaten since he had a small breakfast that morning, but he wasn't sure he liked the sound of "other entertainments."

* * * *

Daniel was given a shirt made of a cotton-like material. It was dark red and reminded him of a poet's shirt. The pants were tight black leather. Daniel felt exposed even though he was fully covered.

He was escorted by two armed guards to Frela's quarters. As he entered, he studied the place, looking for ways to escape. It was one large room with a couch and easy chair in one corner in front of a viewing station. In an adjacent corner sat a beautifully carved desk. A small kitchenette took up most of the adjoining wall. Another corner of the room held a large bed with four posters reaching toward the ceiling. Sheer white material draped over the rods that ran between the posts. The rug was a rich burgundy color with a gold design woven into it.

Frela wore a white shirt and loose pants of the same color and material. Daniel could see through an open doorway that dinner had been set on the balcony. Candles on the dinner table flickered in the soft breeze. The same breeze carried the scent of flowers that lined the balcony's edge into the room.

"Please make yourself at home. It isn't much, but for those nights that I must stay at the studio it suffices."

Daniel thought of his own quarters at the SGC. That wasn't much, but this was damn nice. "It is very nice. Thank you for inviting me to dinner." Daniel hoped that by being non-confrontational he could both win Frela over to his cause and gain more information he could use.

"Dinner is out on the balcony. Please follow me."

Daniel walked out of the room and onto the balcony. Going to the railing he looked out over the city. Night was just starting to fall and the lights of the city were starting to glow along with the sun set. Glancing down, he realized much to his dismay that they were at least 30 stories up.

"No escape there," Frela said, coming up to stand behind him.

Daniel startled a little. "No, I suppose not."

"Well, shall we dine then?"

Dinner was fabulous. It was amazing the type of food and wine that money could buy. The conversation ranged from current events to those far in the past. Had he not been here as a prisoner, Daniel would have enjoyed the evening tremendously. One thing he noticed was that it was quiet--too quiet. Even this high up one should hear the noises of the city below.

"Would you care for an after dinner drink?"

Daniel stood up and stretched, looking out at the night and the city lights that sparkled like stars below them. "No, I don't think I could hold anything else. Besides, I'm not much of a drinker and I feel like I have exceeded my usual limit."

"Then perhaps we should move to the bed for the evening's entertainment." Frela took hold of Daniel's elbow and guided him back into the room and toward the bed.

"On second thought, a drink would be wonderful." Daniel pulled his arm out of Frela's grip. He moved toward the easy chair and took a seat.

Frela handed him a glass filled with a dark blue liquid. "It is Mosselian Brandy. Very nice. We import it from the Planet Radanja.

Daniel sniffed the liquid; its aroma was similar to that of chocolate. He inhaled and enjoyed the scent. Then he took a sip of the liquor. It did not taste like chocolate. He wasn't sure he could equate it to anything he had ever tasted before, but it was pleasant, if a bit on the strong side. "Yes, it is very good, thank you."

Frela regarded Daniel as if he was the desert to the evening's meal. Daniel sat back further into the soft padding of his chair, feeling a little less exposed that way. "Frela, I have a question. Why are the shows so important that you would kidnap us just to star in them? I am beginning to think that they represent more than just entertainment."

"That is very astute of you, Daniel." Frela sat down on the couch opposite Daniel. Setting his own glass on the table that was beside the couch, he continued to explain: "The board found out years ago that the more power you take from the individual the more resistance you encounter. There may not have been wars between countries after the board took over, but underground resistance groups started to spring up. To control people's movements and to make it harder for these groups to function a curfew was imposed. Anyone caught on the street after dark is arrested and sent to prison."

Daniel interrupted, "But aren't there legitimate reasons to be out after dark--say, illness being one of them?"

"No, none. Ways to receive help are in place. Only those authorized, such as the police, military, emergency personnel or officials placed high enough in the government have IDs allowing them to be out after curfew. This has cut our crime rate over 50% as well as greatly reduced the activities of the anti-government groups. But this too became a rallying point for those who opposed the government. It seems people need an outlet for their emotions. In short, they need to be entertained. So the viewing programs were started. The people get their needs met watching others compete in the shows. It gives us a use for so many prisoners. They can earn their ways back into society. There are even government-run betting pools on the outcome of these programs. It has had quite the calming effect on the populace."

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment and nodded his head. "Of course, opium for the masses. Your programs are just like the events held in the coliseum by the emperors of the Roman empire or the total control of the lives of people taken during the middle ages by the church, with rituals replacing festivals." He took another sip from his drink.

"Good. I see that you do understand. Now, shall we discuss the entertainment for our evening? I find that being in my position in the government allows me certain perks."

"Look Frela, I'm fairly certain I know what you have in mind for tonight's entertainment and I think you need to know that I'm not interested in that type of thing. Nothing to do with you, but I prefer women, not men, in my bed."

"Thank you for telling me, but I hope you know that it does not matter what your preferences are. What matters is what mine are."

"You don't think I'm just going to happily go over to the bed with you and let you rape me, do you? I may not be military, but I've had as much if not more training than most soldiers."

"Yes, that is exactly what I think you are going to do," Frela assured him.

"Then you'd better think again." Daniel started to get up, but fell back down into the chair. His legs failed to hold him up. He started to feel weak.

"Don't worry. The effect of the brandy is short-acting. But it does give me enough time to assure you are cooperative. Frela stood up and went to the door, motioning the two guards in. They came over and picked Daniel up, positioning him on the bed. One of the men attached a bar-shaped object to Daniel's head. He hissed as it stung. When they finished, they left the room, closing the door behind them. Frela approached Daniel who was trying in vain to sit up.

"Don't fight it, Daniel. It will do you no good. Just relax and enjoy yourself." Frela took Daniel's left arm and raised it up over his head, tying his wrist to a post with a silk scarf. He repeated the action with Daniel's other wrist.

Daniel tried to talk, to tell him no, but his mouth would not work. Only incoherent sounds came out. Frela unbuttoned Daniel's shirt and pushed the sides open to reveal the smooth chest below. Stroking his fingers over the strong muscles, he stopped to rub the nipples that stood hard under the assault. Slowly Frela unbuttoned Daniel's pants. As he pulled the zipper down Daniel cried out in his mind, 'No, please, not this. Not again!' He flashed back to his ordeal at Hathor's hands and a tear fell from his left eye.

Daniel tried to turn his head as Frela leaned in for a kiss. "Don't worry, Daniel, we will make a night for us both to remember. Frela rose and soon stood naked over Daniel's prone and bound form.

Strength and coordination were slowly returning to Daniel's body. He struggled against the ties, but they would not budge.

"See, I told you it would not last long. Now you too can enjoy our night of passion together."

Frela sat down on the side of the bed and wiped the tear from Daniel's face. "Shush, it will be all right. I know you would want me to be your first. At least this way it will be with someone who desires you. After your surgery those trying to impregnate you will not care about you or even if you enjoyed yourself. All they will be looking at is the prize for being the one to father your first child.

Daniel tried to pull away as Frela's hands gripped his pants and pulled them off of his hips.

Later that night the guards heard Daniel's cries of both physical and emotional pain. They grinned to themselves as they thought of watching the tape on the security video because this was being filmed even if Frela was not aware of it.

* * * *

Jack had been at this for the last two weeks, trying to train a group of convicts most of whose offenses were probably little more than jaywalking was proving to be more of a challenge than he at first thought. His admiration for drill sergeants had shot up over these two weeks. After having been locked up for the first week while they studied his memories he had been brought into a conference room where his scenario was explained to him.

Azura was intrigued by the Civil War. She felt that this was a novel way to fight a conflict that there seemed to be no counterpart for in their recorded history. He would face the "Northern General," a convict who had been starring in battle scenarios for the past ten years. They would not meet each other until they met in battle. According to Azura, he was their best and had never lost a scenario. This was how the man named Valeray had obtained the rank of Commander. Jack would be the "Southern General." He had always dreamed of making general, but not like this.

The rules were simple. They would use only the weapons and equipment that existed during the Civil War, but they could use any strategy they wanted. Jack knew the scenario was more complicated than they described to both him and--he was guessing-- to the opposing general. Jack had learned modern strategies that were based on the weapons used today. What most people did not understand was that the battle tactics one used depended on the level of technology one used. Use the wrong tactics and you would lose very quickly. He also knew his opponent would be using tactics he had been trained in, none of which Jack knew. Using Civil War tactics would fit the weapons and equipment he was being given, but would they work against the tactics of his opponent? Not to mention the fact that he had only read about these tactics at the academy and was familiar with them, but not in-depth enough to command an army using them.

They would be placed in a twenty-mile area enclosed inside of a force-field wall. Another force-field would divide the area into each side's territory and would not be lifted until the designated day of the start of the war. The force-field surrounding the battle zone would remain to ensure no one tried to escape during the battle.

Jack could pick where his camp would go, if he was going to attack and when, except that after the dividing force field was removed a one-week time-period was imposed. If no engagement between the opposing forces occurred during that time-period, then every one of the men on both sides would be executed, including their generals.

Apparently while he and his counterpart starting training their armies, the props department was busy making authentic Civil War gear such as working Spencer rifles. Their cannons would be 6-pounders using solid and canisters shot. Uniforms, tents, you name it and they were reproducing it. Because there were no horses on Tellusuris a similar animal called an equus was being used to pull the cannons and caissons. They were like a draft horse with horns. Apparently they could also be ridden, but as they were only given enough for the cannon battery's needs, the rest of the battle would be fought on foot

Jack turned his attention to his "recruits." How could he manage to train three hundred men and get them ready to go into battle with only one month left? The ever-present floating cameras followed him and his men everywhere they went, and he did mean everywhere. Maybe once he got a Spencer rifle he'd start shooting those things.

Jack pondered what he needed to get his men ready and what battle tactics to use. Finally he thought he had at least the beginning of a plan. He signaled to one of his troops. The man who was tall and thin trotted over to Jack, remembering to salute.

"Yes Sir?" the young man said, sounding just like a new recruit on Earth. His dark brown eyes held the look most young men had when they went off to battle a cockiness that hid an underlying fear. His dark brown hair was cut short.

"What is your name?"

"Paulus Mycaelis, sir."

"Mycaelis, get me Azura. I need to speak with her."

"Yes sir, right away, sir."

Jack sighed as he watched the young man run off to follow his order. Well, if nothing else he had the "Yes sir" down pat. Maybe they could overwhelm the enemy with fancy marching, snappy salutes and loud "Yes sirs" because at this point that was about all he had.

* * * *

Daniel lay in his bed, face turned towards the wall. He was bored. It had been two weeks since his rape by Frela. The morning after, he had been strapped down on what looked like a surgical table and a very big needle had been inserted into his gonads and tissue aspirated from them. No pain-killer, nothing. He had hurt for days afterwards, but again, no relief had been given. But the ever-present cameras recorded it all. If he ever got home he'd not complain about Janet and her needles. Maybe if he just lay here, they'd give up and turn off the cameras that were situated at different points in the room. He was sure they recorded everything he did. They fed him each day, but other than that and the delivery and pick up of his laundry he had been left on his own. After being raped, this was fine with him. He was having trouble coping with being near people. Not having anything to read or do to keep his mind occupied, all he did was dwell on the rape and medical procedure.

The panel started opening, but Daniel remained facing the wall. They would leave the food or laundry without any response from him. Suddenly hands grabbed him from behind and hauled him up to his feet. His arms were bound behind him. Turning, he saw the two guards he had met previously.

"Come along, it's time for your little alteration," the larger of the two guards told him.

Grabbing him by the other arm, the second guard couldn't help but inform him, "Yeah, the buzz this is creating is amazing. Your surgery is expected to net a 65 per cent market-share of viewers." He stroked his hand over Daniel's cheek.

Daniel jerked his head away and snapped, "Don't touch me ever again."

The guard just laughed. "Don't worry. No matter how exotic and pretty you are--and you certainly are--you're safe with us..."

The other guard agreed. "Yeah, unlike him--" The man obviously did not want to identify Frela to the cameras. "--Petrus and I like women. We'd better get a move on. Don't want to be late for your appointment."

They began walking Daniel out of the cell. He tried to fight back, kicking and biting at his capturers, neither of whom seemed the least bit fazed. So he decided to take a page out of the antiwar demonstrations of the sixties and stage a sit-in. He sagged, letting them bear all his weight. The larger man whom Daniel had come to know as Matthias picked him up and threw him over his ample shoulder with a loud "Humph!" Daniel's breath was knocked out of him. They started walking out of the cell and down the hallway toward the area where he had had his last medical procedure. Daniel tried to catch his breath, but the rising panic he felt made that all but impossible. Feeling dizzy, his vision started to dim.

He woke up strapped to the same hard, cold surgical table as before. Even on another world the same smells of antiseptics permeated the room. Surrounding him, going about their preparations, were gowned medical personnel.

"You can't seriously intend on implanting that thing you grew into me. You're doctors, for heavens sakes! Your job is to help people, not hurt them."

Daniel struggled against the straps. He was tightly bound and escape was impossible. So he used his words as a way to prevent this atrocity from happening. "How can you experiment on a sentient being? It's wrong! Don't you see that? You are supposed to help people."

One of the doctors came over to Daniel's side. Her deep brown eyes stared down at Daniel over her mask.

"How can you say that? Helping people is precisely what we are doing here. Think of all of the same-sex couples who--if this works--can have children. Or couples where the wife's health does not allow her to bear children. You should be glad that you are not only entertaining the people, you are helping those who, until now, have known only pain at their inability to have children of their own."

"Then find someone willing to be your test subject. I don't want this. Can't you see what you are going to do to me is wrong?"

Another gowned person came over to join Daniel and the doctor. "We are ready to begin when you are," he said.

The doctor just nodded. The man started to place a mask over Daniel's face. Daniel twisted his head from side to side trying to prevent this while yelling at them, "No, stop it! You must stop. I don't want this. Please don't."

A tall man also dressed in surgical garb came over to help. He grabbed Daniel's head and held it still while the mask was placed over his mouth and nose. He tried not to breathe, but after a little bit he was forced to take a breath. A faint sweet odor assaulted his nose. He began to drift off, still trying to tell them he didn't want this.

* * * *

Jack had asked Azura to get him his equipment as soon as it was produced. He reasoned that if he could get his men living the part, perhaps they'd start acting the part. Now, after another three weeks he had all of his equipment and it was time to start going over tactics and drills.

He had spent the last four weeks getting to know his men while putting them through what basically amounted to boot camp. First he separated out those he felt would do best in the cannon battery. They had been given field artillery. A man named Dulcia would handle the battery. He had been a mathematics professor before he had become involved in the anti-government movement. Jack figured that his training should help him understand how to calculate range. He then chose three others, Hanna, Thoma and Phineas to act as his colonels. Each had at one time been in upper management until their crimes had caught up with them. Jack didn't really care what those crimes were, just so long as each man did his job and commanded his units.

Under each of them he placed one-third of his remaining men. He divided each of those into groups of about 38 men, with one man serving as the captain of that unit and one as the sergeant. The rest were privates. He knew it was not standard deployment, but he didn't have the time to organize them in a more traditional manner. As soon as the rifles had arrived he taught his captains and sergeants how to fire and service them. They were now training their men in the use of the guns. Next, using the equus, he and his colonels started to scout their territory.

He found the high ground he was looking for that backed up to the force field. He then had his camp moved to this area. He had them set up tents, cook over open fires, and even dig latrines. A trench was dug in a zig-zag line with the point of its central "zag" did not quite touch the force-field. This would allow for cross-fire during an enemy charge as well as movement between his lines. The force-field would provide cover from any rear attacks. Jack figured that if the force field was going to be there, he might as well use it.

Teaching his artillery battery was an experience. It was a matter of the half-blind teaching the blind. He had to teach them to aim, load and fire the cannons, something he had only read about.

"First, you decide what type of ammunition to use." Holding up a round ball that weighed six pounds for all to see, he explained, "This is a six-pound case shot. This is why your cannons are called six-pounders. You use this shell for the longer distances of up to 1500 yards. When it explodes, it breaks apart, sending pieces of metal known as shrapnel in all directions. It uses a timed fuse. We will go over that part later." He then held up a canister which looked like a can. "This is called a canister because that is what it looks like. It is filled with lead or iron balls which scatter like a shot-gun blast." They looked at him with blank faces. Squatting down, he drew a picture of objects flying out in a wedge- shaped pattern. This is used for short-range firing. That is so you don't blow your own ass up along with the enemy's. Got it?"

They all nodded.

"Good. These are the parts of the gun." He walked around the cannon, pointing to each part as he named it and described its function. "Okay. Let's learn to load one of these babies."

A few days later, as Jack walked around the camp, he was amazed by the equipment that had been produced. It looked so real to him. How could they have gotten even the details right on the equipment and weapons? He knew some about the Civil War, but not down to the names of the guns, how the tents were constructed or the equipment each solider carried. Finally, it came to him. If they were searching his brain for information, then surely they were searching that encyclopedic brain of Daniel's, too. It never ceased to amaze Jack how much information Daniel had stuffed into that brain of his. Now, if he only had Daniel here to explain how to use it all to him. That was one lecture he would gladly stay awake for. This got him thinking about how Daniel was doing. Had they hurt him? What was his "program" like? He hoped it was more like a game show where Daniel could answer questions against their best and brightest.

* * * *

Daniel woke up to find himself lying in a bed. As his vision cleared and he became more alert, he realized he was back in his cell. The lime-colored paint made his already nauseous stomach turn even more. He knew he was too weak to get out of bed in time, so he tried to roll over to throw up over the side of the bed and found he was strapped to it. A young man came over to him and gently turned his head, putting a small basin under his cheek. After Daniel had emptied the contents of his stomach and the retching had stopped, the man wiped his face clean with a cool cloth.

"Here, sip a little water to rinse out your mouth."

Daniel followed his instructions and spit the water into the basin. Again his face was wiped clean. Daniel's pelvis hurt after the strain of throwing up. He felt like his insides were being torn out.

"Who are you?" he managed to croak out. Daniel winced as a pain shot through his pelvis again.

"I am Ramini. My job is to take care of you and help you get better. And I can see you are in a great deal of pain."

He walked away from Daniel's bed and picked up a small yellow vial from the table. He pushed it against Daniel's arm. Daniel felt a small sting, then he could feel the pain subside as it followed his blood flow. Relaxing, he was finally able to ask, "What did they do to me?"

"They transplanted female reproductive organs into you. Remember? They did the biopsy so they could grow them."

Daniel's head still felt a little fuzzy. "I remember them doing the biopsy, but they couldn't have really gone through with implanting me with that thing."

"That is exactly what they have done. Now you need to stay quiet so you can heal properly."

Daniel pulled at the restraints. "Why am I strapped down like this?"

"So you will not get up too soon and cause the organs to fail to heal properly. Just calm down. It's only for a few days, then you can get up. You need to stay calm in order for the surgery to be a success."

"Success! I don't want it to be a success, damn it!" Daniel began to fight the straps even harder, twisting and turning with what little strength he had. Despite the pain medication the sharp pains in his pelvis began again.

Ramini swiftly walked back to the table. Bringing a green vial with him, he pushed it against Daniel's arm as he had done with the yellow one. Daniel started to feel drowsy. He looked a Ramini and whispered his words slightly slurred, "Please tell me it isn't true."

"It is true, Daniel. Just let the medication work and sleep. You will feel better when you wake up." Ramini started to gently stroke the side of Daniel's face, his voice becoming softer and his tone more soothing. "Rest and everything will be better in the morning." He continued to stroke Daniel's face even after his eyes closed and his breathing became regular.

Two weeks later Daniel was up and around. He felt fine and could find no scar to prove that it hadn't all been just a bad dream. They had told him he would be getting the information on what his program would be about--who else was participating in it, what the rules were and, most importantly, how he could win his way home. He had stopped asking about Jack as it got him nothing but the answer: "He has his program and you have yours. You need to concentrate on it and let him do the same. When you get back to earth you can ask him." And he damn well planned on getting back to Earth one way or the other.

He was escorted to a conference room where Frela and three other people sat waiting for him.

"Please have a seat, Daniel. We are just waiting for the other three contestants to arrive. We had quite a hard time coming up with just the right contestants for you to compete against. We had very specific requirements that had to be met."

Daniel sat down, noticing that the ever-present cameras were even in this room. Didn't the people get tired of every move and every action being recorded?

Soon the door opened and three men in red uniforms came into the room escorted by two armed security guards. Frela motioned for them to take the remaining seats. The guards stepped back to stand behind the three newcomers.

"Welcome, gentlemen. I know you were told that you have been chosen to compete on a program."

All three nodded, but said nothing.

"Well, let me make introductions and then I will explain the rules of the competition and the rewards you are trying to win." Frela picked up the first folder from the desk in front of him.

Turning to address the man who sat directly across from Daniel, Frela said, "This Janus Arees."

Daniel looked at the man. He appeared to be about Daniel's own height and age. His frame was muscular. He had lighter brown hair and skin than most of the Tellusurians Daniel had met so far. His face was pleasant with strong features. But it was the man's eyes that caught Daniel's attention. They were cold, as if no humanity resided behind them.

"He has been serving life in prison for multiple rapes. He was once a police officer sworn to protect the public, but chose to abuse his position. Now he is in jail. We can't have rapists running free among our citizens, now can we?"

Daniel looked at Frela's self-righteous face and answered, "No, we wouldn't want that. So tell me how high is the level at which rape is--" Daniel gasped as a sharp pain seared through his head from the bar that remained attached to his temple.

Frela continued unfazed by Daniel's interruption. Picking up the second file he began again, "Next to Mr. Arees is Titus Romao."

Daniel continued to rub his temple. The pain began to subside. He looked at the next man in question. He was the smallest of the three--about Sam's height and weight. He too, Daniel noticed, had lighter brown hair, skin and eyes. The man had a baby face. Daniel estimated his age to be around 21 or 22.

"Mr. Ramao is a burglar. That is his specialty, although he was not above helping himself to any teenage boys who happened to live in the homes he robbed during the night. He really is very good at what he does. Don't let his age fool you."

Ramao grinned at Frela's words. "It's my profession. Been at it from the time I could walk, helping my Poppa with the family business. The boys were just a little extra reward for a job well done." He gave Daniel the once-over, making him feel like a trinket for sale. "A little old for my tastes, but you'll do, especially with those eyes. I'd seen them on the viewing screen, but they even more exotic in person."

"And last but not least," Frela continued, "is "Gino Giavannie." This man was at least fifty, but in good shape. He too was lighter than the average Tellusurian. He was built like Teal'c, but where Teal'c's stance revealed a gentle confidence with his strength, this man seemed to need to lord it over others, Daniel thought as he observed the man's aggressive posture.

"Mr. Giavannie worked as an enforcer for a local crime boss. Handled any jobs that were needed. He handled one in which the victim was too highly placed in the government, and Mr. Giavannie became a target for the military. He will spend the rest of his days in prison, although he seems to be enjoying himself with the good-looking new prisoners that come into the facility.

Giavannie swore: "Damn right, as there aren't any women in prison. Pretty young men such as yourself will do in a pinch."

Daniel steeled himself not to react to any of them. Just like Jack and Teal'c had taught him to do--never show weakness in the face of the enemy. He remembered learning that lesson in Hadante. He continued to meet their eyes, never looking away.
And this, gentlemen, is Dr. Daniel Jackson of the Tauri. He is a man who speaks over 23 languages, even reads some that no one speaks anymore. On his planet he is regarded as a genius. He has three different advanced degrees, but for our purposes none of those matter. What does matter is his blue eyes, fair skin and hair."

Directing everyone's gaze as well as that of the cameras to the man at his left, he introduced him: "This is Caesius Bassus, the producer of 'Who's the father.'"

Daniel thought, 'What the fuck are these people doing? Are they crazy?'

Mr. Bassus stood up and addressed those present in the room as well as the cameras. "The premise of this show is that Dr. Jackson has had organ-transplant surgery. He has had female reproductive organs implanted that had been grown from his own cell-tissues. The entry to the uterus is via the descending colon. This is a great medical advance by our doctors. for all the people of Tellusuris. Think of the benefit to childless couples of both same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. We are using this program as a way to test the procedure on people. The rules are this. The four contestants will be taken to a small island off of the Dorian cost. Once there, Dr. Jackson will be given a house to live in. In order to gather food, water and fuel, he will need to go out of the house. The other three contestants will also be given houses on another part of the island. They will be provided with food, water and fuel. Dr. Jackson's aim is not to be raped and thus impregnated by one of the three others. The others' aim is to be the one to impregnate him."

Daniel jumped up out of his seat. "Like hell you will."

One of the guards came, hitting Daniel on the back of his head with what amounted to a billy stick at the same time the bar started to inflict its own type of pain in his head. He fell back to his seat where he tried to catch his breath as he listened to Bassus continue to explain the rules.

"The one who father's the child will have his sentence commuted and be given enough money to restart his life. The other two will have 10 years removed from their sentence should they successfully complete mating with Dr. Jackson. After each mating you must leave and return to your own house before you can make another attempt. Anything else goes, except permanent bodily harm or death. That is where Inspector Giaus Marcus comes into the picture Bassus directed their attention to the middle aged man who sat at his side. He is the head of our security forces who will be monitoring the events constantly and, should anything start to happen that breaks these rules, they will step in with deadly force. As for Dr. Jackson, he has two ways to win. First, should he be able to evade being raped for one month he can return home. Or, once he has provided his quota of children he will be free to return to Earth. The rules are that simple.

Daniel started to protest, but was restrained. As his opponents made lewd comments about what they were going to do to him and how they planned on doing it, Daniel caught a final glimpse of Frela's grinning face while he was dragged from the room.

* * * *

Jacob had arrived an hour ago and had been briefed by General Hammond about the loss of Daniel and Jack. Sam had fully recovered from her blast-wound and attended the briefing, explaining to her father and Selmac what little SGC knew.
The Tok'ra had never had any contact with the Tellusurians or any or their trading partners. It seemed it was a quadrant that they had little interest in. Because the main concentration of system lords was halfway across the galaxy and with their limited manpower, the Tok'ra had concentrated their activities in those regions instead.

"So they have been missing for a little over four weeks?" Jacob asked.

"Yes," General Hammond answered. "We've tried dialing the gate repeatedly, but can't get a wormhole established."

"Have you tried dialing from another gate?" It was Selmac who asked this time.

Sam said, "Yes, as a matter of fact we've tried from Abados and The Land of the Light. Neither will dial in. Either the gate on the Tellusurian side is malfunctioning or they are blocking incoming wormholes."

Selmac continued, "We do have a ship near that area of the galaxy. We could gate to it and then proceed to Tellusuris from there."

Hammond looked thankful and asked, "How long would it take to get to the planet from there?"

"About two weeks."

Teal'c spoke up for the first time. "If they are indeed prisoners, how will we locate them to effect a rescue?"

It was Sam who had the solution. "Well, you told us the Tellusurians broadcast everything over their viewing stations. If they have been taken prisoner, it's not much of a stretch to imagine it is to star in one of their programs. We'll monitor their programs before we make ourselves known. Locate them, then ring down to their location and extract them."

"I agree with Sam," Jacob said. "It would be the most cautious approach. If after monitoring their transmissions we determine it is a gate malfunction we can land and lend our assistance."

Teal'c dipped his head in agreement.

"You have a go, people. Take SG-3 with you in case you need back-up."

* * * *

It was late afternoon when they arrived at the island. They came in three different flying ships that resembled helicopters. The one Daniel was in landed on a bluff overlooking the ocean. The other two had veered off earlier heading to different parts of the island. One carried the three convicts, while the other transported the security chief and his men. Where they landed Daniel could not tell for he lost sight of them as they dropped down and went around one of the mountains that covered the island. The door was opened after they landed and he was pushed out of the craft without any supplies. The solider who pushed him out pointed in the distance and said, "House." With that the door shut and Daniel was left on his own. It was cold outside. He guessed it was about 50 degrees. He was dressed in dark brown, thin, cotton slacks and a long-sleeved, cotton pull-over shirt. He had no shoes, no coat, no hat and no gloves. The grassy land was not too uncomfortable to walk on but it was cold on his bare feet, so he tried to hurry along to find the "house."

Walking in the direction pointed out, he soon came upon the house--if it could be called that. It was basically a one-room log cabin. There was a fireplace which he supposed was for both heat and cooking, a wooden four-poster bed covered with a patchwork quilt, one wooden chair and one table was the complete inventory of all the furniture. The roof was made of wooden shingles. The bathroom was an out-house about 20 feet behind the back porch and there was a washtub on the same porch. He felt like he'd gone back to the days of the pioneers, and poor ones at that. The house sat up on a bluff overlooking the rocky coastline. The way down to the shore was a set of wooden steps that had seen better days. A stream was situated about 50 yards from the house. It ran down the hill and plunged into the ocean below.

Daniel found a bucket in the house along with few cooking pots, fishing net and a knife. A few utensils, a plate, a bowl and a cup were on a shelf over the fireplace. The landscape reminded him of the coast of Finland. A forest started just behind the out-house. He checked over the house: at least it was solid with wooden shutters on the windows that bolted from the inside. Both doors had wooden bars that could be hung between stout wooden hooks that were set into the door-frame to lock them against intruders. He had no idea where on the island the others were being housed. He wasn't sure if they knew where he was either, but he knew he needed to get as many supplies in the house as soon he could. Otherwise, if they found him, they could lay siege to his shelter and wait him out. If he could hold out for one month, he could leave this hell-hole. 'They must have picked this from one of my memories on Finnish culture,' Daniel thought. 'Too bad they didn't pick a warmer culture. Damn it's cold!'

Daniel spoke to the wind and the empty ocean that lay before him, "I thought they wanted me pregnant not frozen."

First order of business was to gather firewood and get a fire going in the house. He knew it would act as a beacon to where his location was, but he didn't need to get sick from the cold and not be able to defend himself.

* * * *

After spending an uncomfortable night being cold despite the meager warmth of the fire and jerking awake at every new sound, Daniel was up early. He spent the morning working hard as the sun rose over the water. First, he took the net down to the water and used it for fishing. Thank heavens he had spent so much time in countries where this was the main mode of fishing. After catching a number of fish he used the knife to gut and clean them, washing them off in the stream near the cabin. He smile ruefully. If he survived, he would have to rub it in that when he went fishing he at least caught something. Then he spent the afternoon gathering firewood which he stacked in one corner of the cabin. All containers he could find, including the washtub were filled with water and stored in the house. He intended to limit the number of times he had to leave the house for the next month. He checked the house outside and inside for weaknesses. Fixing the few he found, he also gathered a pile of fist-sized rocks. It took him an hour using his knife to cut down a two-inch-thick sapling and cut it into the size of a spear. Then, he used the fire to burn and temper it to a sharp point. That night found him sitting by the fire in the cabin, fish strung over green sticks in the fire's smoke in order to preserve them, thinking of his situation. He had done everything he could. Now all he could do was be watchful and wait for the first attempt. He would continue to gather supplies until he spotted them and then barricade himself inside and wait them out.

* * * *

Daniel continued with his routine for the next 3 days. He decided to hunt for some other food besides fish. So heading deeper into the woods he began to look for signs of animals to hunt or fruit to pick. He followed the trail of some four-legged, clove-footed animal for about a mile. He continued to watch for signs of his adversaries. At last he spotted his quarry. It was a deer-like animal about the size of a large dog. Working his way around until the wind was in his face, he slowly creeped toward the animal who continued to graze on the tender leaves of saplings. Every time the animal would stop eating and look around Daniel stood absolutely still until it started eating again.

Finally, when he was close enough that he felt he could get an accurate throw with his home-made spear, he made his move. The spear struck the animal in the chest. It reared up and began to run away from Daniel down the hill. Daniel chased after it, following the trail of blood. About half a mile down the hill he found it lying on its side, panting and unable to run anymore. Daniel took out his knife and, closing his eyes, he slit the animal's neck. Thank heavens the animal had run in the direction they had come. This would make getting it back to the cabin easier. After he had gutted it he hefted it up on his shoulders and began the long trek back to the cabin.

Just as the cabin came into view, Daniel was jumped from behind. He fell forwards, the animal tumbling from his shoulders and rolling farther down the slight hill. Daniel swung his elbow back into the man's face and twisted sideways, trying to get out from beneath his attacker. Bringing his head back, he butted the other man in the forehead. His adversary let go, giving Daniel time enough to crawl to his knees. Looking up, he saw Gino Giavannie standing over him, holding his bloody mouth. Daniel tried to climb to his feet quickly, but not before Giavannie brought up his foot and kicked Daniel in the gut. He felt his breath go out of him. Giavannie followed up with a back-handed blow to the side of Daniel's face. Daniel's head jerked to the left and he tasted his own blood in his mouth. Giavannie reached down and pulled Daniel up off the ground. He dangled from the larger man's hands. "You're mine now, so just relax and enjoy."

* * * *

Frela leaned back in his chair as he watched the drama unfold on the viewing station in his office. The betting exchanges would be going wild about now. Giavannie had been the first to succeed in mating with Daniel and, in so doing, guaranteed himself at least ten years off his sentence. Daniel now had only one way home to Earth and that was to produce at least one male child and three female children. More bets would be placed as to who would try next and whether or not he would succeed. How long would it take for Daniel to conceive? How many times would each man attack Daniel in an attempt to be the one who got him pregnant? The possible bets were numerous and the money they created for the board would be a tidy profit, not to mention the populace being kept well entertained.

* * * *

Daniel pulled himself up off of the ground after Giavannie had finished and departed. His vile words still echoed in Daniel's ears. Well at least he had left the animal's carcass, so it wasn't a complete loss. Dragging himself and the carcass into the cabin, he shut the door quickly behind him and pulled down on the bar to engage the lock. "How sweet," a deep voice said behind him. "Want to make sure we're not disturbed during our little rendezvous."

Daniel jumped, then whipped around to face the speaker. There sat Janus Arees in the chair, his legs propped up on the table. Daniel turned back to the door. Jerking up on the bar, he heard the chair scrape as it moved back from the table and two feet hit the floor. Pulling the door open, Daniel started to run outside when a hand grabbed his already torn shirt and whirled him around. He never saw the fist that connected to his chin. Staggering back into the wall, Daniel pushed himself off with both his arms and hit Arees in the abdomen with his left fist, then up under his jaw with his right. They battled back and forth for a few moments until Arees was able to get Daniel in a choke-hold. Wrestling him towards the bed, he used his weight to push Daniel face down onto the bed and drove his knee into the small of Daniel's back. Pulling four short ropes from his pocket, he tied first one wrist and then the other to the posts of the bed, doing likewise with his ankles.

Arees got up off of Daniel. Reaching into his belt he removed a knife and began to cut the clothes off of Daniel's body.
Turning his head towards one of the cameras, Daniel yelled at it, "You are all perverted bastards. You need to watch others getting hurt just to entertain yourselves. You are no better than him!" Daniel jerked his head back towards Arees who had finished cutting Daniel's clothes off.

He could hear the man behind him removing his own clothing. Then he felt the weight of the other's naked body press down on his back. "Save your breath, boy," Arees whispered into Daniel's ear, his hot breath searing Daniel's skin. "They don't want to believe you, so they won't. They see this as a noble medical experiment meant to help mankind. But you and I both know they are the real rapists. We're just the players."

* * * *

Daniel curled up under the blanket of his bed, shivering as much from the cold as from the pain and shock of two rapes so close together. He wouldn't leave the cabin again. If he could stretch out his food and water, he could survive the rest of his time on the island. He had barricaded the doors and windows as best he could, using broken pieces of the chair and table. He'd live through this. Jack would find a way to rescue him, and if not Jack, then surly the SGC would. He had to hold onto that belief.

Daniel tried to wipe the last few hours from his mind as he lay awake watching the fire. His eyes slowly closed and he fell into a numb, dreamless sleep. A knife against his throat woke him up. He was staring into the eyes of his third attacker. All of the fight went out of Daniel. Three times in one day was too much. He felt Titus Romao's other hand slide down his body, caressing him as he did so.

"What? You're not going to fight me like you did the other two?"

Daniel closed his eyes and tried to block out any feelings or sensations he was experiencing.

"And I do so love a good fight."

Daniel felt the knife nick his neck.

"Mind you," Titus said loud enough for the cameras to pick up, "nothing life-threatening, just a bit of fun.

Daniel retreated to a place where he could look down at himself and Titus. A safe place where this was happening to someone else and he was just an onlooker.

* * * *

Frela met with the Board. "Well, all three have mated with Dr Jackson. But according to our doctors, he has not entered his period of fertility yet. They predict another three days for that."

A woman dressed in deep blue with raven-colored hair asked, "And this is a problem?"

"No, not really," Frela answered. "But if we want to maximize the revenues from the betting pools, I would like to introduce a small change in the scenario."

"Do tell?" an older man with a lean frame and hawk-like nose asked.

The other three members of the board sat up and listened for his response.

"I suggest we add a new variable into the equation. The three convicts can and will continue to rape Dr. Jackson, but I suggest we add a fourth factor." He stopped and waited until they hung on his every word. "Colonel O'Neill as a possible father. I suspect it would send the betting pools higher than ever before and add a few categories to bet on."

A man of about fifty with gray hair and thin eyebrows nodded his head once to the side and voiced his opinion, "Frela, you may well be right. I vote we introduce this variable to the program."

* * * *

Jack surveyed his position. It was the best he could hope for. Tomorrow the central force-field would come down and they would have one week to engage in battle or die. Jack hoped he had correctly gauged the other general's training and how it would influence him to react. If not, they were all dead.

Private Mycaelis approached Jack. "Sir, We are proceeding with training as ordered. Colonel Petrus reports that the men are ready when you are to march on the enemy."

Petrus was a good man who had been in several campaigns. Jack had plumbed the man's knowledge to get an idea how the opposing General might act. He hoped the man was as astute as he seemed to be, or the whole plan was shot to hell and they would soon be in a bad way. Jack stood for a moment, looking out at his defenses. "Tell Colonel Petrus that we will not march on the enemy, but will stand our ground."

"Sir?"

"You heard me, Private. We will stand our ground."

"Yes, sir." Mycaelis started to walk away, but then stopped and asked, "Sir, if I may, why are we standing our ground and not attacking as has been the tactic in past scenarios?"

Jack liked the boy, he was smart. If he had been on Earth, he'd have had no problem recommending him for the Academy. He would make one damn fine officer--if he survived long enough.

"Tell me why you think we are," Jack said.

"Well, sir, if I could be so bold. With the force-field behind us we are protected from a rear attack. The shape of our trenches allows us to catch the enemy in cross-fire. If we do not attack them in the open, then we are likely to incur fewer casualties. Asking the general's pardon, the only flaw I can see in your reasoning is that if we do not attack within one week, we will all die anyway, so why not attack and try to gain the advantage?"

"Good analysis, Private, but tell me, in all of the poker games you and I have played with the officers, what have you learned?"

Mycaelis grinned. "Ah yes, now I see, it is a bluff! You are hoping General Valeray will attack first as a way to try and stop the automatic death sentence after one week, and will be forced to come up against our trenches."

"Very good, Mycaelis. You know, with training you would make a great general yourself. Think of the changes you could make."

"Yes, one could even change social structure." Mycaelis stole a glance at the cameras. "But then that would be impossible, wouldn't it, sir?"

Jack nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, it would." Mycaelis would go far if he survived, and he just might change his world for the better. Jack hoped so.

Six tense days passed as Jack held his ground, waiting for Valeray to break and launch his attack. It would be sometime tonight or tomorrow. If Jack had guessed wrong, then they'd all be dead and he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. He only hoped Daniel could escape and get back to Earth even if he could not. As Jack pondered this, a solider came up to him. "Sir?" He saluted as he had been taught. "Mistress Azura requests you presence. If you would follow me, I will take you to her."

'Now what?' Jack thought. 'New conditions to the game? That would be just like them to change things on the eve of battle.'

***

Jack departed the transport after it landed on the island. After the warmth of the area his camp was set up in, this new place sure felt cold. Following Frela and several armed guards, he walked across the grassy bluff toward a cabin set up against the woods. He wondered why he had been brought here on the eve of the battle they had put so much money into. Walking into the cabin, he saw Daniel lying naked in a bed. Blood stained the covers. Daniel seemed to be unaware of his entrance into the room.

"Daniel!"

Daniel did not move or react to him at all.

"What have you bastards done to him?" Jack demanded as he moved swiftly over to the bed where Daniel lay.

"He has been getting to know a few of our citizens very intimately," Frela answered.

Jack started towards Frela, his fists raised. Two guards stepped between him and Frela, their weapons raised.

"Now, now, Colonel. Violence is such a crude method to resort to. Surely we can come to an agreement to spare the good doctor any more pain?"

Jack turned and went to the bed. Sitting down beside Daniel, he called his name out softly, "Daniel, it's me...Jack."

Daniel ignored him and seemed to be in a world of his own.

"Daniel, please! It's me, Jack. Talk to me."

Daniel's eyes turned towards Jack's. "Jack, it's you?"

"Yes, Danny, I'm here. You're safe now."

"Are we going home?" Daniel's voice cracked a little.

Jack felt tears start to well up in his eyes. "Yes, soon."

"Please, Jack, soon. I don't think I can go through this again." Daniel was shaking as Jack gathered his bruised, bloody, naked body into his arms.

Daniel looked at Jack again and seemed for the first time to truly realize that it was Jack who was with him. "Please, Jack, don't let then do it again." Daniel raised tear-stained blue eyes up to Jack's concerned brown ones. Jack rocked him gently as he stroked the hair from his sweaty face.

"Shhh!" Jack cooed. "I won't let them hurt you again, no matter what I have to do to stop them." Jack was ready to take on all of them if it was the only way to protect Daniel.

"Well said, O'Neill. All you have to do is rape him yourself and he will be safe from the others. Refuse, and I'll let them have a go at him again."

"You're sick. How do you expect me to rape my best friend?" Jack was horrified at the turn of events. He looked at the three savages that stood in the corner of the room.

The smallest of the three spoke up, "He's a sweet piece of ass, that one is. You'd enjoy yourself, but if you don't want to, I'll not say no to another taste."

Jack wanted to lunge at the man and kill him with his bare hands, but then realized that would mean letting Daniel go.

"One way or the other he will be raped," Frela said. "The audience demands it. And we can't disappoint them now, can we? Choose! It's up to you. One or three, it makes no difference to me. But it might to Daniel there."

At Frela's words Daniel began to shake even harder. A soft sob broke free of his lips.

Jack looked at Daniel's frightened eyes. How could he allow him to go through that again? But then, how could he do such a thing to his friend? "Okay, okay. But get those three out of my sight."

The guards herded the three convicts from the room. Jack continued to rock Daniel, trying to comfort him. How could he possibly rape him? Looking at Frela, he said, "I'm not sure I can physically do this, if you get my meaning. Raping your best friend isn't exactly all that stimulating."

"Don't worry. We have a drug to help with that little problem." Frela motioned to the nurse. She came up to Jack and pressed a vial to his arm. It stung. He hissed. Then she too left the room.

"Wait a few minutes and I think you will start to feel the effects."

Jack helped Daniel up and over to the bed. He looked at the cameras. "Are they going to be running the whole time?"

"Of course. This is all part of the show. What would be the reason to do this without the cameras recording it?"

Taking a deep breath, Jack calmed himself. He relied on his special ops training. It was just like he had been taught when he had had to assassinate someone. Empty your mind of all thoughts but the task at hand. Erase all feelings. Just get the job done. Quickly he stripped himself bare. Jack lay down beside Daniel's nude body. He pulled Daniel tight against him. As he began to gently stroke his back he whispered soothing words to him. He felt Daniel relax some in his embrace.

* * * *

Jack walked back into his tent in his army's camp. How the hell had things gotten so fucked up? Tomorrow morning he had to lead a bunch of raw recruits against another set of raw recruits for the pleasure of his capturers. And today he had been forced to rape his friend to save him from further rapes. If he didn't, then Daniel would have suffered more brutality at the hands of those monsters. At least he had tried to be gentle and loving to give a little pleasure in the midst of all that pain. If he didn't win tomorrow, then he would be dead, which right now didn't seem to be such a bad thing.

Mycaelis approached Jack. "General, you seem distressed. Can I be of service?"

"No, I just need some time to myself to sort this out. Are the men bedded down for the nigh?"

"Yes, and the picket lines are set as well as night watch. Sir, do you really think General Valeray will break and attack tomorrow or will we all die?"

"I don't know, all we can do now is hope. Get some sleep." Mycaelis saluted then left the tent.

Jack lay down on his bed and for the first time in years he cried himself to sleep.

* * * *

Daniel curled up underneath the bed in his cabin. It was the only place he felt even remotely safe despite Frela's promises to Jack that the three convicts would not be allowed to touch him again. What had Jack done exactly? Daniel couldn't put a name to it. Not rape, but not consensual sex either. When you got right down to it, they had both been raped.

The door opened and Daniel heard the footsteps of several people enter the room. Daniel scooted farther underneath the bed as he tried to stay quiet, but his breathing was harsh and panting.

"Come now, Daniel, you can't hide from me." Frela's voice reverberated through the room. "Even if I didn't know that under the bed was the only place to hide, I can hear your breathing. You have company. It's time to come out and be hospitable, don't you think?"

He felt strong hands reach under the bed, grab his legs and pull him out. He let out a defeated whimper of fear as he looked up at Frela, Giavannie, Arees and Titus.

* * * *

Major Carter sat at the controls of the Teltac. Her father and Selmac had left to engage in kelnoreem. It had been a very boring week on board. She was about ready to kill a couple of marines if they didn't stop with the "Hoo-haw" and start acting like grown-ups. Colonel Makepeace wasn't too bad; at least the man had a brain. But the rest of SGC were lean, mean, fighting machines and little else.

Sam felt the ship lurch a little as they dropped out of hyper space. Teal'c entered the bridge and sat down next to her. "Now what?" she asked no one in particular.

"Now we start viewing their transmissions in the hope of finding Daniel Jackson and O'Neill," Teal'c answered as if she had been asking a real question and not a rhetorical one.

Jacob and Selmac joined them, as did SG-3.

Sam sat at the controls scanning the transmissions for over an hour.

"These people need to get someone who can write a story or something. This is so boring." She continued to "channel surf".
"Whoa! Got something," she announced.

Everyone crowded around the screen. There was a definite Colonel O'Neill, dressed as a southern general, directing his troops in the middle of a battle. The opposing army was assaulting his lines.

"What should we do? Go down and extract him, or let it play out?" Lt. Wilson asked the room at large.

Jack turned to Mycaelis. "Pull Company G over to reinforce Company B."

Mycaelis nodded, then set off at a dead run down the trench lines. Jack stood next to one of the guns in the battery. As it roared its discharge, he felt rather than heard rings dropping down behind him. He turned to see Teal'c and SG-3 materialize in the space in front of him.

"O'Neill, are you uninjured?"

"Yes! Teal'c, glad you could make it. We are about to turn the tide on this battle and any help would be--"

O'Neill ducked down against the wall of the trench as a bullet grazed his shoulder. Grabbing the wound, he applied pressure to help stem the bleeding.

"Shit! That was close!" At this point Teal'c and SG-3 could not understand a word O'Neill was saying as he yelled, "You, over here!" He motioned to a man reloading his gun. The man hurried over to him. "Go tell Colonel Dulcia to train his battery on that group of trees over there." Jack pointed to the area where most of the heavy fire was coming from.

"Yes, Sir." The man turned and ran down the trenches towards the gun emplacement.

Teal'c asked, "O'Neill, what language is that you are speaking?"

"Latin."

"I was not aware you were so fluent in the language."

"I'm not. It's the damn bar they placed on my head. It allows me to communicate with them." Jack grabbed his head as the pain shot through it.

"O'Neill! Teal'c asked in alarm. "Have you also been hit in the head??

"No it's this damn bar they use it to induce pain to insure compliance. They know you're here. Ignoring the pain as best he could Jack motioning to another man he ordered him to go to Colonel Hanna and have his men relieve Colonel Phineas's men so they could rest and get some food.

"Sorry, Colonel, we need to extract you now and find Dr. Jackson before the Tellusurians have time to react in any other manner to our presence here," Makepeace shouted over the noise just as Mycaelis returned. The ground shook as the battery opened fire on the trees Jack had indicated. After several well-aimed volleys the heaviest of the incoming fire stopped.

A young runner came up to Jack and saluted. "Sir, Colonel Thoma sends his regards. Their line has broken and they are fleeing into the woods. The colonel asks permission to pursue."

"Tell him to take companies A and F, cut them off at the ravine and have companies B, K and F take out their left flank," Jack shouted back still holding his head.

By now, Mycaelis had returned. He looked at the men standing behind O'Neill and asked, "Are these your people? Have they come for you?"

"Yes, I have to go and find my friend. Tell Colonel Hanna to remember the plan of attack and proceed with it. He should be able to finish this up with a minimum of loss of men. Please give all of the men my regards and explain why I had to go."

Mycaelis nodded. "They will understand. Go save your friend."

Jack grabbed Mycaelis by both upper arms and looked him straight in the eyes. "Remember what we talked about. You can change things for your people if you try."

"I will remember, General, everything you have taught me." Mycaelis gave Jack a sharp salute which Jack returned. He watched as the young man raced off to relay Jack's orders to the colonel.

"Sorry to grab you in the middle of the battle," Makepeace said, "but we need to find Dr. Jackson and get out of here now."

"He speaks the truth, O'Neill. Time is of the essence."

After ringing up to the Teltac Jack felt the pain subside in his head. He rushed into the control room with Teal'c and SG-3.

"Good to see both Carters."

Jacobs's eyes flashed for a second and Jack continued, "And you as always, Selmac. Got any leads on Daniel?"

"Yes, and we need to get to him now."

Jack looked at the screen and saw Daniel and the three convicts in the cabin together.

Jack's face turned bright red and his fists clenched as he cursed, "Damn bastard. He said Daniel would be left alone."

There on the screen for all to see was Daniel being raped by not one, but all three of the men.

"Shit!" exclaimed Captain Johnson. He looked sick. Green was usually a good color on a marine, but not his particular shade.

"Get us there now, Jacob. I don't care if you have to fly this thing apart to get there, but get us there now," Jack ordered.

"Carter he ordered get this damn thing off my head I don't care how you do it but do it now." Jack ordered

As they hovered over the cabin, Jack pressed on the band aide Sam had placed over the torn area that marked his temple where she had been forced to pry the bar loose with her knife. He reached out with his other hand and asked Makepeace for his handgun.

Makepeace was surprised. "Not a zat or a P-90?"

"No. I want this to be very personal." Stepping into the ring area with Teal'c, he motioned for Jacob to activate the rings. It had been decided that he and Teal'c would be the ones to retrieve their missing team member. SG-3 would remain on board as backup for when the Tellusurian security force show up.

After the rings had disengaged Teal'c ran to the back of the cabin. Jack positioned himself at the front door. Counting to twenty, he kicked in the door at the same time Teal'c came crashing through the back.

A man around Daniel's size turned towards Teal'c. Taking out his knife he started to advance on the warrior. Teal'c raised his staff weapon and sent the man crashing into the far wall where he slid down and stayed still.

Meanwhile, Jack took careful aim at a young man who was holding Daniel down so another one could rape him and placed one shot through his forehead. Jack felt no regrets at killing what was no more than a child as the boy fell from the head of the bed to lie dead on the floor. Even baby copperheads are lethal.

That left the large man who was engaged in raping Daniel. Teal'c roared in outrage. Grabbing the man around the neck, he snapped it before the man could react. He heaved the body from Daniel and tossed it aside.

Jack raced over to Daniel's side. Daniel pulled away from him, crying out, "No, don't! Get away from me!"

Teal'c knelt down next to the bed. "It is I and Colonel O'Neill. We have come to take you from this place, Daniel Jackson." He laid his hand on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel pushed it away as he tried to put more room between himself and Teal'c. Daniel started screaming in pain as he grabbed his head between his hands.

Jack's radio crackled, then Sam's voice came over it. "We've got to go now, sir. Company is coming your way from the front of the cabin." Jack would have liked to have had more time to soothe Daniel, but there wasn't any.

"Teal'c, wrap him up in the quilt and let's get a move on." Jack took up a defensive position near the door, watching for the security forces he knew were on their way.

Teal'c pulled the quilt onto the floor and advanced towards Daniel who started to scream obscenities and kick out at Teal'c.
"I am most sorry to have to do this. Please forgive me, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said as his right hand flashed out and caught Daniel in an open-handed blow, that dazed Daniel long enough for Teal'c to get the quilt wrapped around him and Daniel up into his arms. Jack pulled back beside Teal'c and keyed his radio. Daniel had started to come around and was struggling to free himself from Teal'c's grasp.

"We're ready ring us up." The last thing Jack saw as the rings descended was three guards rushing into the room.

* * * *

Once on board the Teltac, Teal'c carried the struggling Daniel back to one of the beds in the cargo room. Jack followed them. Teal'c laid him gently down on the bed and stepped back. Daniel's eyes were wide with fright. He didn't seem to recognize any of them. He curled up into a protective ball wrapped in the quilt.

Sam came back to the room as the ship lurched and entered hyper-drive.

"How is he?" she asked Teal'c.

"Not well. I am afraid he does not seem to know us."

"I think he's still in shock. Sir, Teal'c, I'm sorry, but for now I think you two should leave and not come back in for a while. That includes everyone else. I don't think he needs to be near men at the moment. I'll see what I can do for him."

Looking at Daniel, Jack agreed with Sam and both he and Teal'c left the room and shut the door behind them.

Sam sat down on the bed beside Daniel. He stared at her with fear.

"It's okay, Daniel. It's just me, Sam. No one is going to hurt you now. We've got you. You're safe." She cooed softly to him like a mother trying to still a frightened child. She continued to speak to him in soothing tones until at last he was calm enough for her to sit next to him without his jerking away from her.

Finally he looked at her with recognition and said in a soft broken voice, "Sam, what am I going to do?"

He started to tear up, but didn't allow the tears to fall as he fought to stay in control. Sitting up, the quilt fell off of his shoulders and pooled around his legs and hips. His body was bruised and battered. What looked like cuts from a knife scored his body in several places. Dried blood was smeared down his left cheek and neck, covering a large goose-egg that was forming there.

Feeling like crying herself, Sam took him into her arms and started to rock him. "You're going to cry it all out, then you're going to let us take care of you." As Daniel allowed his pain to express itself in his tears, she continued to rock him and stroke his back.

After a while Daniel fell asleep in her arms. She laid him down and took this opportunity to get her medical supplies from her pack. Drawing up a slightly larger than normal dose of morphine, she readied his arm and injected it.

Daniel jerked awake. "No, don't!" he cried out.

"Shoosh, it's just me. I'm giving you something for the pain. Lie back and rest." She started stroking the right side of his face, careful not to touch any of the bruising on that side. "It will help you rest."

As the medication took effect Daniel calmed down and was soon sound asleep.

After she was sure he was fully under, she began the task of tending to his wounds--all of them. She had not wanted him awake while she did. She was afraid it would just traumatize him more. She decided to leave the bar for now and let Janet remove it a little more humanely than she had had to do with the Colonel.

Pulling back the quilt she gasped. "Oh Daniel, what did they do to you?"

First, she cleaned him up so she could see what damage lay below the dirt and blood. Then she started to apply antibacterial ointment and bandages where she could. That finally done, she covered him up with one of the blankets from another bed. She put the original quilt on the floor. Taking her zat, she zatted the quilt three times. When he awoke he didn't need the quilt as a reminder of his ordeal.

She left to report to the others on Daniel's condition. She would tell SG-3 and her father the bare minimum, but to the colonel and Teal'c she would give a more thorough accounting.

* * * *

After a week they had arrived back at the Stargate. During that time Daniel had stayed in the room sleeping most of the time. Despite the antibiotics Sam had started him on, he was running a fever and had become very congested. Given the cold of the island and his physical condition, it wasn't hard to believe he had a case of bronchitis. She had hoped the medication would help this, but the fever continued to climb and was now 103.2. She continued regular doses of acetaminophen to help with that. Some of the cuts were infected, particularly those at the opening of the anus. After giving Daniel a shot of morphine to soften this part of the treatment, she cleaned them thoroughly, then left him to rest.

Later, when coming into the room to get him ready to ring down to the gate, she was disturbed by how labored his breathing had become. He slept fitfully, moaning in his sleep as he tossed and turned in the bed. She wasn't sure if it was the fever or the nightmares that had started the first day back on the Teltac. She felt his forehead. He was burning up and it had been just two hours since his last does of acetaminophen.

"Sir!" She called Jack into the room.

"What's wrong, Carter?"

"It's Daniel, sir. His fever is back up and his breathing is labored. I'm afraid he is coming down with pneumonia."

"Thank heavens we are at the gate. Let's get moving and get him back to the doc."

"I'm not so sure we should take him through the wormhole like this. It might prove too hard on his system."

"So what do you suggest?" Jack snapped. "We stay here while he gets worse?"

There were times like this that Sam was glad for her military training. Because if she had not had it, she most likely would have smacked him upside of the head and said, "Duh! We go get the doctor and bring her to him."

But instead she said, "No, sir. I would suggest we send SG-3 through and have them bring Dr. Frazier here to Daniel."

Jack looked at her as if he had heard what she really had wanted to say. As he left the room to inform SG-3 of their new plans, he answered, "Right, I knew that."

After Frazier had put Daniel on oxygen and gotten him as stable as she could, they took him through the wormhole to the waiting trauma team.

* * * *

Several hours later, Dr. Frazier entered the briefing room. General Hammond and the remaining members of SG-1 sat there waiting for her as she had thrown them, Jack in particular, out of her infirmary.

"How is Dr. Jackson, Doctor?" Hammond asked after she had sat down.

"Well, sir, he has numerous bruises and cuts, none of which are life-threatening. Thanks to Sam's skills, they are healing up just fine."

Sam dipped her head, embarrassed at the praise.

"He has pneumonia. It was not reacting to the normal antibiotics used for this, so I put him on a new generation antibiotic. We've got his fever down. He sustained tearing to the anal area and this has been cleaned. The lacerations were infected, but I'm confident the antibiotic I have him on will handle that. No internal damage seems to have occurred. Once we get the infections under control, I think he will make a full physical recovery."

"I noticed you said 'physical,' Doctor. What about mental?"

"Sir, Daniel was so traumatized by this that I had to sedate him to even examine him, let alone treat him. He was not able to tolerate male nursing staff or male doctors anywhere near him. I've put him in an isolation room with female staff only. I fully recommend a psychiatric consult and counseling for him."

Jack spoke up for the first time. "That is not going to go over well with him. You know how he is about shrinks after Machello's little buggers got in him."

"Yes, I'm well aware of that. But given Daniel's extreme reaction to Dr. McKensie, who I might add was only treating Daniel with the best method at the time for what seemed like schizophrenia to all of us..." She looked at everyone in the room. "And given Daniel's reluctance to see anyone in that field for regular evaluations that are a standard part of working at the SGC--I usually had to bully him into the evaluation when it was time--I'd say there is something else at work here that predates his involvement with McKensie."

"So you are going to send him off to McKensie?" Sam asked.

"No. I really don't think that seeing a male psychiatrist or counselor is in Daniel's best interest. I have a female psychiatrist, Dr. Lea Rust, in mind. She is in the Air Force and has a pretty high security clearance."

After a week in the infirmary Daniel was allowed out. He had to stay on base, but could sleep in his quarters and do light work in his office. Over the next two weeks it became painfully obvious that Daniel spent his time hiding from others and minimizing his contact with other people, mostly males and Jack in particular. He seemed to tolerate Teal'c's presence and the general's better and better over time, but whenever Jack came into the room Daniel would develop a panic attack.

Janet suggested Jack see Dr. Rust, too, to see if they could figure this out and work on the change in his and Daniel's relationship. She wasn't sure why it was just Jack who elicited these panic attacks. When she asked Daniel if he had any insight into this, he just shook his head and said that he had no idea at all. Jack wasn't any more helpful than Daniel was in solving this puzzle. But if it wasn't solved, then SG-1 would have to get a new archaeologist.

* * * *

After one particularly rough counseling session with Dr. Rust, Daniel took the elevator up to the top of the mountain in an attempt to calm down. It was a cool autumn day. He walked out to a point that overlooked the Rocky Mountains. Some already had a little snow on their caps and the aspens in the valley below were a bright golden color. It was one of those picture perfect days in Colorado. He sat down on the grass and just took in the beauty of it all, still trying to calm himself down.

It had been two months now and Daniel still felt no closer to putting all of this behind him. He and Dr. Rust had talked about his problems with Jack. Today Daniel had finally broken down and told her about Jack being forced to rape him in an attempt to save him from more rapes from the other three.

Daniel still felt dirty from the rapes and took too may showers, he knew, but Dr. Rust had assured him that this was normal and with time it would decrease. She was right. He was down to only two showers a day from five and no longer felt the need to have the water scalding hot. He was sleeping a little better and the nightmares had lessened. Again she had been right. So he had to believe her when she said that with time he and Jack would work this out and put it behind them. She suggested joint sessions with him and Jack. He had agreed with the stipulation that he could end them should they become too distressing.

She had tried to get him to take medication to help with the sleep and depression, but he had declined that, knowing it wasn't good for him to be on medication right now.

So at today's session he had finally told her everything that had happened and how he felt about it. He felt better about this until a little voice in his head reminded him that he had excluded the little part about the surgery or the true purpose of the show he had been forced to participate in. As a matter of fact, he had not told anyone that part. That was not relevant to his recovery nor was it any of their business. It was a good thing Janet had not had to do any scans after he had come back or she would have seen the changes in his body.

Jack had been told about the breeding program, but not the full extent of the program. That had come out in one of the debriefings. Jack had been left with the impression that Daniel would be used only to impregnate some of the women of the planet. And thankfully Daniel had been able to honestly say they had not used him for that while he was held captive. Apparently that phase of the plan was to have happened after the rape scenario.

He felt queasy again. He had been sick at his stomach for the last few days. Either he was coming down with a virus or all of the stress of the last few months was giving him an ulcer. Certain foods made him sick. Or maybe it was due to hormonal changes caused by his new organs. He had noticed that he tended to retain water when he ate salty things. His emotions were hard to keep under check. He cried a lot when he was alone.

He knew he should tell Janet about the alterations to his body. This type of hormonal changes couldn't be good for him, but he wasn't ready to do that yet. Later, perhaps, when he didn't have so much to cope with. He didn't want to face the fact that he wasn't really a man anymore. But at the same time, he wasn't a woman, was he? He still had all of his male organs in fully functional order. So what did that make him?

He already had problems walking around the SGC knowing everyone had probably heard about the rapes from SG-3. What would they think of him if this got out? That he was not only weak but that he was a freak, too. He laughed as he realized how close the words freak and geek were to each other. He was both now. Wouldn't Jack have a field day with that one!

He put these thoughts out of his head. He had been through rougher things than this--the loss of his parents, foster care, Shar'e's kidnapping and possession. What was an extra organ compared with those? All he had to do was start acting normal and with time, just like Dr. Rust said, he would put all of this behind him and things would go back to normal.

Next: A Growing Dilemma