Rec and meta: making kidfic work
If you've been hanging around this journal for the last year or so, you've probably seen me squee about night_spear1287's marvelous AU, Daniel of Abydos. It's a deliciously long four-part series that rewrites history from S1 through S4, with stellar characterization, realistic repercussions and emotional fallout, and fabulous tweaking of canon to reflect both the AU and the overall arc of the show.
The basic premise is this: Drs. Claire and Melburn Jackson opened the Stargate in 1982 and went through to Abydos. Captain Jack O'Neill was part of the team that accompanied them, and the highest ranking officer to make it back alive. Claire and Melburn remained behind on Abydos. Fast-forward fifteen years to '97, when Apophis comes through Earth's Stargate... and when the flurry of COTG is over, a fourteen-year-old Daniel Jackson who grew up on Abydos is stuck on Earth for a year, until the Abydons open their Stargate again.
I've been enthusiastic about reccing these wonderful novels. Those that enjoy kidfic (and that's a discussion I hope to have here too, someday) don't need any prompting to go read a well-written story that features a younger Daniel, but for those like me who vastly prefer the adult incarnation, a little extra coaxing doesn't always go amiss. Then I got an interesting e-mail from a member of my flist. She admired Nightspear's writing skills, but asked (quoted with permission):
I just hit this huge wall of disbelief when they let Daniel, at his age in this story, become an employee and then go off world and work with SG1 officially.
That just blew me right out of the story and I couldn't read any more. It just seemed so totally unrealistic to me -- because of his age.
...How were you able to wrap your head around the thing that blew me out of the story -- the fact that there is no way, to me, that Hammond would allow a kid of 14 or 15 to become a military offworld adventurer. And there is no way, to me, that Jack would go for that either.
I responded by citing some of the limitations that Nightspear set on Daniel - for one thing, Daniel is most definitely not included on any SG team when he's that young! I also thanked her, because by asking the question, she made me focus more closely on this aspect of the story, and I'm awed at how Nightspear handles it with care and sensitivity.
I've included numerous long quotes and details under the cut, all with Nightspear's permission. Ellipses at the beginning of a paragraph indicate that I've skipped over prose and dialogue within the quoted text. If you read further, you're going to be partially spoiled. I've tried to avoid revealing any major plot twists, but if you'd prefer not to be spoiled at all, either skip the quotes or just take my word for it - start with Translations and read... and read... and read. :)
Because of the extensive quotations, I won't be able to fit this all into a single entry - not even on Dreamwidth, I think, although I will try! So I'll be breaking this up into four sections, with one post per novel. Let's begin with Translations, which covers canon from COTG through The Serpent's Lair.
As my correspondent points out, the real stumbling blocks to a minor joining the SGC are Hammond and Jack. Hammond, because he would not ignore laws and protocols and the questionable morality of allowing a teenager to step into danger; Jack, because his history, and the ghost of Charlie O'Neill. This is not to suggest that others are not also bothered by the dilemma, with the possible exception of Teal'c, whose upbringing and culture is different. But most of this discussion will focus on George and Jack."Sir...I regret to inform you that Claire and Melburn Jackson were killed in the attack. They are survived by their son, Daniel, who was kidnapped by the aliens, along with two of the native Abydons."
No one planned to bring Daniel to Earth. But when he was taken with Skaara and Sha'uri to Chulak, they were left with little choice: the Abydos Gate was buried, and wouldn't be uncovered for a year. Without any precedent for dealing with minor aliens and the legal tangles, Hammond makes the initial decision to keep fourteen-year-old Daniel on base until they could sort things out.
So they have a fourteen-year-old boy who watched his parents get shot and killed - by Teal'c, no less - and then saw Sha'uri and Skaara, whom he calls brother and sister, dragged away and turned into Goa'uld. Interestingly, Daniel doesn't consider himself to be a real minor:Daniel tilted his head and stared at him in a way that made Jack feel bizarrely like he was being assessed and judged by a--how old was he, anyway? Thirteen, maybe? Finally, Daniel nodded, but reiterated, "I'm not a kid."
"Hey," Jack said. "If I can call Carter a kid, I can call you 'kid,' too." Okay, so he'd never actually called her that, but the point was that he could if he wanted.
"Carter--that's...?"
"She was with us on Chulak. You know, Captain-Doctor." Both of Hammond's eyebrows inched upward at that. "But she doesn't like to be called that, so you should probably just stick with Captain Carter. Or even Sam. The point is, I'm older than you, that's all. By the way, how old are you?"
"Almost seventeen years. Almost saé--of age."
Jack snorted. "Yeah, right." Granted, the elder Jacksons had mentioned that he was coming of age within the year, but seventeen was impossible. He would have noticed if they'd brought a toddler along with them as a stowaway during the first Abydos mission.
Daniel's head snapped up in annoyance. "What? You think I'm lying?"
"Daniel, you can't--" Suddenly understanding, Jack nodded. "Ah. That's seventeen in Abydonian years." Hammond looked surprised again--it'd take a while for them all to get used to the idea of traveling to different planets with different rules than their own.
The next question is, what do they do with him? Daniel has ideas of his own, mostly to do with revenge and fighting against the Goa'uld to get Sha'uri and Skaara back. The adults don't care for that at all - particularly Jack, who spends a good chunk of the first season struggilng not to see Daniel as a Charlie-substitute, and more or less failing for quite some time."We need to make some decisions about the Jacksons and their son," Hammond said. "This is our situation. You had orders to bring Drs. Claire and Melburn Jackson back to the SGC in order to help deal with a poorly understood hostile. In doing so, they were killed in action by that hostile, and you brought their son here instead, leaving him no way of returning to his original planet."
"Well...it sounds bad when you put it that way, General," Jack said as Carter shifted uneasily, "but it's not like we kidnapped the kid."
"I'm not condemning your choice of actions, Colonel. But the bottom line is that having a fourteen-year-old boy running unsupervised through this base is unacceptable."
"I've taken a little time to speak with Daniel Jackson," Frasier spoke up. "He seems very determined to find a way to go back to his home planet or, barring that, he's mentioned that he'd like to join an exploration team and help to look for the two Abydons taken as Goa'uld hosts. I know that's not an option," she added at the general's look.
"What about a temporary foster parent, off base?"
"That could be a possibility, if we find could someone with the right clearance," she said. "However...I'm told that he'll be leaving in a year, so we'd have to keep close tabs on him, anyway. I'm not sure it would be worth it, to him personally--adjusting to a new culture, probably entering a school, and making up a fake history, especially so soon after his parents' deaths, when he's just going to leave all of it behind again in a year."
..."Doctor," Carter asked, "are you suggesting that he should stay here, on base?"
Frasier hesitated. "Normally, I wouldn't. This isn't the most child-friendly environment, clearly, but since it's relatively short-term..." She sighed. "If we force him to leave and enter into a more normal household, if we could find one suitable, whatever stability it would give him would only be an illusion, since he's just counting down to the day when he'll go back. And it would be forcing him to leave, because he seems to want to say here."
"He wants to stay here because he wants to work for us, not because he wants 'stability,'" Jack pointed out.
..."Also, his immune system could be unused to common pathogens we're exposed to on Earth, so whatever we decide, I'll want to keep him here for a short while, anyway, to make sure. In fact, General, it might be a good idea to develop a standard protocol for treating people from off-world, in case a similar situation comes up again."
"I hope it will not become the norm," the general commented wryly. "But that raises a good point. We can't discount the possibility that something like this may happen again, and what we're discussing now with regards to Daniel Jackson could, more generally, affect future procedure. I'll leave developing a medical protocol to you, Doctor."
"Yes, sir."
"During the time Daniel Jackson is here, I'll allow him into the laboratories at the discretion of the scientist in charge of the project, if no one minds his presence. If this becomes a problem over the next few days, I'll reevaluate that decision. It's either that, Colonel," Hammond added when Jack looked disgruntled, "or keep him locked in his room or find some other way to keep him occupied here over the next year."
"Sir," Carter said, "I know there aren't exactly laws that deal with this, but what is his official status as of now?"
"He has been granted the equivalent of temporary protected status here--specifically, in the SGC itself."
"And as a minor, people won't object to a lack of a guardian?"
"This case can't exactly be covered by a social worker," Hammond pointed out. "I suspect that, because he's not a native of our world, those interested would be less inclined to insist on the usual procedures for dealing with children."
Jack frowned. "So human rights don't apply to people who aren't from Earth."
"They're probably thinking of him as an alien more than as a human, I'll admit. In this case, Colonel, it can be helpful to us if it means fewer people will complain about his presence here."
"And what's he supposed to do about, you know, food and clothing and things like that?"
Frasier offered, "Someone will be in the infirmary around the clock. My staff and I can see to his immediate needs the best we can."
"So he'll eat hospital food for the next year. Sounds...nice."
"We've had guests at this and other facilities before," Hammond said. "At least for the moment, we can arrange some system for the boy to get what he needs from the commissary."
"He's going to be a little more permanent than most of our guests, sir."
"His situation is a little more abnormal than most of our guests', Colonel, given who he is and why we can't send him home."
Right. Still... "With all due respect, sir, it's a fine line between what you're proposing and outright forced confinement. I know that's not how it's intended, but we can't keep a kid underground for a year."
Frasier suggested, "I don't see why he can't leave the base sometimes, preferably accompanied by one of the staff."
"That's like...occasionally being on parole. With guards."
"For his safety in an unfamiliar world, Colonel O'Neill," Hammond said sharply. "There's not a lot more we can do. Let's also not forget that, if the wrong people hear about him and his connection to the SGC, or his parents' contributions here, or his birthplace, there could be problems for all of us, including the boy."
Grudgingly, Jack nodded. "Yes, sir."
"General, Colonel," Carter said, "if you don't have any objections, when I don't have any pressing duties, I wouldn't mind letting Daniel stay with me. I'm in the lab a lot of the time, anyway, and he hasn't bothered me or Sergeant Siler so far while we've been working."
"That's good of you to offer, Captain. I trust you will exercise good judgment and proper caution when dealing with more sensitive technologies or information."
"Yes, sir," she agreed. Jack wondered exactly how security clearance worked for aliens.
So at the beginning, Daniel's status at the SGC is seen as clearly temporary, due to the uniqueness of his situation: an alien teenager, unused to Earth techonology and customs, unfamiliar with much of Earth's history and culture. Robert Rothman heads the archeology department in this AU, and Daniel becomes a sort of unofficial assistant - not out of any deliberate decision, but simply because it happens. Even this makes Jack uncomfortable, but he recognizes that it's something Daniel truly needs."At the next Solstice on Abydos, I would have come of age, if I passed my trial. I shouldn't need to--"
"What does that mean?" Jack cut him off.
"What does what mean?"
"Coming of age. What's it mean on Abydos, practically speaking?"
Daniel cocked his head to the side. "It means a person is responsible for himself and is expected to contribute to the group. He is a...an independent member of the society with no one to account for his actions but himself."
"And so you start your...job or whatever, equal to everyone else?"
"Not equal. Completing the rite of passage doesn't mean a person has reached his full skill. For me, I would still be a student of history and language, but I would be expected to begin to work with the other men and older boys, and to help in teaching, as well, until I became skilled enough to be called a teacher in my own right."
"Well, right here, right now, this is how it's gonna be," Jack said decisively. "I don't care if you're a fourteen-year-old student or a 'gate guard or a forty-year-old veteran soldier. After what you've been through, you need some time--and maybe some help from people--to...to find your balance again. So we're not gonna leave you alone and pretend we don't give a crap just because you're almost of age." He paused. "And honestly, is that what you'd want? Don't try to make me believe that's how they do it on Abydos."
Daniel wrapped his arms around himself, looking completely lost, and shook his head 'no.'
"As for the rest..." Jack sighed, rubbing his forehead. "All right, look. It's not all my decision, but if you want to keep working with Dr. Rothman and the other researchers, I won't argue. But you're still a student, right? You will listen to Rothman, the general, Fraiser, and whoever else they put in charge, including and especially when they say you're to stay on Earth until the Abydos 'gate is opened again. Agreed?"
"Yes. Thank you, Jack."
Rothman doesn't just get translation help from Daniel, though; he also becomes Daniel's tutor, introducing him to history and science and encouraging him to learn as much as possible. In fact, of all the characters in Nightspear's AU, Robert Rothman is one of my favorites.
Once past the events of The Enemy Within, Daniel doesn't even get into the Gate Room, much less through the Stargate. He does not meet Tuplo, although like nearly everyone else on base, he is affected by the Touched virus; he does not meet the Tollan, the Nox, Nem, the people of Cartego. His only real involvement with any SG-1 mission is the trip to Cimmeria, where he does much of the research; even then, his participation is limited to the briefing room, where he assists Robert Rothman. He does meet Maybourne, and spends some time at Area 51. (Hathor is very neatly circumvented, and never gets within a hundred miles of Daniel.) He also meets Ry'ac and Cassandra on base, and the contrasts between the three minors is fascinating.
Daniel becomes close to the three-man team that makes up SG-1, until many at the SGC think of Daniel as SG-1's "kid brother." Daniel develops a close relationship with Jack: not quite friendship, not quite father-son, but somewhere halfway in between. Neither one is comfortable with the father-son aspect, but for quite a while, it seems to be the default reaction.
We witness the slow, uneasy beginnings of his relationship with Teal'c, who eventually becomes the mentor to a most unique chal'ti. Jack is horrified when he discovers this:Daniel glanced over his shoulder once more, still feeling like he was in here without permission, though no one was likely to mind at this hour of the morning. He eyed Teal'c's confident stance, the bulging muscles even more evident now that he was out of uniform. Teal'c could probably snap him in half without trying.
Still, he couldn't back down now; he'd asked for it. After too many days in either Robert's office or his or Teal'c's room, with nowhere to really run like he'd been free to do outside Nagada, he needed to move. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to learn. Just in case. No one said that a scholar had to depend on others to protect him, if he could protect himself. If Teal'c thought he had strength, he would prove that he did.
"Okay," he said to steel himself, and stepped forward.
"Have you studied martial arts previously, Daniel Jackson?"
"Not really. My brother taught me to wrestle and fight with a knife, a little, but that was all."
"Then we begin from the beginning. No weapons. I will teach you the art of lok'nel."
Lok'nel was...slow, at least at first. It was a far cry from the quick, rough fighting he'd learned from grappling first with Skaara and later with Tobay, Bolaa, and others. This was slower, but more controlled. Part of him was impatient with the pace, but another was secretly thrilled at the skill involved, at how meticulous it was, at the precision needed for every move.
...He returned to his crouch and waited for Teal'c to knock him over again.
It was right at that moment that Jack's voice called, "What the hell!"
Daniel yelped in surprise and jumped, making an ungainly topple to the mat. He managed to slap his hand down first but still felt the breath leave him in a whoosh.
Teal'c's hand was under his back instantly to help him sit back up. Daniel gasped a few times, then said, "I almost did it," and pushed himself to his feet.
"Indeed," Teal'c said, his eyes scanning to assure himself that there was no harm done, as he did each time. "But a fall such as that could still cause you injury in less controlled situations, if you continue to twist your spine."
Then Jack, dressed in his BDUs, was looming over him, and then turned and somehow managed to loom up at Teal'c. "What the hell was that?"
"It is part of the technique that all young Jaffa learn," Teal'c informed him, unruffled.
"Daniel is not one of your Jaffa!"
Daniel stared at Jack, then looked to Teal'c, who did not seem to understand what the problem was any better than he did. "I believe humans use similar techniques to prevent injury while training. I have observed Captain Carter and yourself employing them."
Jack was not appeased. "Teal'c, you're twice his size!"
"Jack!" Daniel said, wishing he wasn't still panting. "He was being careful. I mean, really careful. We didn't do anything dangerous."
Jack whirled on him now, and Daniel was taken aback to see how livid the man was. "He wouldn't have to mean to hurt you."
"Nothing was going to happen. Jack, you trust Teal'c more than anyone!" Because it was true, at least on base--Jack was either dismissive or suspicious of people he didn't know well, and Teal'c and Sam, and maybe a couple of others, were the only ones he didn't treat that way, besides the general.
"This has nothing to do with trust, Daniel," Jack said through gritted teeth. "Accidents happen." A look of fear flashed for just a second, then disappeared again behind the rage.
...He'd barely sat down before a tray was placed in front of his. Jack dropped into the opposite seat.
Remorse and embarrassment ran through him as he remembered the scene that morning, but annoyance and confusion at Jack's reaction were stronger and kept him from lifting his head.
"I was pretty surprised this morning," Jack said mildly.
"So was I," Daniel grumbled back, raising his eyes enough to glare. "I don't understand why you were so mad."
"Well, I didn't realize your Goa'uld lessons would be taking place in the gym. I got out of the changing rooms and heard someone yelling 'Kree.' And then I ran in and saw you about to get a nice kick in the head. What d'you expect me to think?"
"It wasn't in the head, and he barely made contact," Daniel said immediately before he had time to think about it. "I didn't consider that," he admitted. "But then, when you saw that nothing was wrong--"
"There was something wrong. Your technique needs work," Jack told him.
"I'm learning," Daniel said defensively. "And besides, you distracted me."
"You let yourself be distracted. Not a good idea if you're ever in a fight."
"Well, that's why--wait, I thought you didn't want me to get in a fight."
"I don't," Jack said sharply. "I'd rather you geeked out with Rothman or Carter all day. Remember what I said before, at my house? I don't want you to get hurt."
Daniel sighed in exasperation and pushed his tray aside. "Jack...it's Teal'c!"
...Jack narrowed his eyes at him, then changed the line of conversation. "Carter thinks I overreacted," he said.
"You talked to her?"
"She thinks it would be safe enough to do drills alone with Teal'c if you want." Daniel noticed that he didn't say he agreed.
"Did you talk to Teal'c?" Daniel asked pointedly. "You were acting like he was an enemy. In the beginning, you kept telling everyone you'd trust him with your life."
"I do."
"Well, you should tell him."
"I think he knows, Daniel."
..."Then it's okay for me to continue learning from Teal'c?" He wasn't sure why he was even asking--Jack didn't have authority over him.
"I can't stop you from doing it," Jack corrected, as if reading Daniel's thoughts. "But...I'll admit that if you ever get into a situation when you have to protect yourself, you might as well be prepared. And Teal'c's probably one of the best fighters here, so he's not a bad choice for a trainer."
"So...okay. Um, thank you." It was nice to have Jack's approval, even if he didn't need the permission. If nothing else, Teal'c still had to answer to Jack. "I won't get hurt," he said again, because he knew the man was concerned, which felt kind of nice to realize.
..."I hope you never see another battle again, Daniel. But we all thought Abydos was safe when we went through, and it wasn't. We thought this base was safe, with all our security measures, and it wasn't enough. When you get back home, we won't be around to try and protect you. You understand?"
The reminder of danger made his stomach drop. "Yes," he answered, ashamed now at his tone. And for almost throwing Jack's own loss of his son in his face earlier. "I'm sorry I said...sorry for being disrespectful."
Jack snorted. "You're fourteen--I hear that's in the description. Don't make a habit of it."
So Daniel trains under Teal'c and Sam and Jack, and studies under Robert Rothman (with some extra homework from Sam into the bargain.) Jack is pleased with the friendship and the closeness, but not so pleased when that relaxed attitude means Daniel learning more than he should, as he does with Cassie's situation and a mission that Sam undertakes to Area 51. The two clash about the implications of Daniel's future at the SGC:"I just want to be allowed to know what's going on and what I'm doing work for. Are you going to keep me out of Robert's office now, too?"
"You know, maybe we should do that!"
Daniel gaped for a moment, stunned. "Say whatever you want about my age or...or my schooling, but I work as hard as any other translator here," he said, furious, "and don't act like it hasn't done any good. Who taught SG-6 the right words when Lt. Hale was captured that one time and they had to negotiate for his release? Who found the information that led to all the naquadah testing that's being done here?"
"That's what we hired Dr. Rothman to do, and there's Lt. Hagman, Capt. Young, and...a couple of other translators in the department."
"Those things I mentioned were in Goa'uld, which means I did them!" he ground out. "Even if Robert learned more of the language, haven't you noticed that the majority of the planets you find speak languages that the two of us work on?"
"SG-7's talking about astronomy with English speakers on Hanka right now without your expertise."
"A few planets speaking English, Jack, which we don't even understand yet, and how many speaking variants of Goa'uld or Egyptian? Robert and I are the only ones qualified to work on those, and in addition we get things in Latin and...and things from Babylon--we even got something like Ancient Greek once. Robert's only one person, and there's no way one person could finish all the crap that gets thrown at our office!"
Jack stalked closer and said in a falsely mild tone, " 'Crap,' Daniel? When did you start swearing in English?"
Slowly, pointedly, Daniel answered, "I learned, Jack. I'm good at languages. It's what I've been doing here for the past four months."
"Well, good for you. Learning is what children are supposed to do."
"No one complains about my involvement or my age when I find something helpful," Daniel countered, bristling at the patronizing words. "When I brought you the Hathor article, I offered to step aside and get Robert so the adults could handle it, but you told me to go with you to General Hammond and explain. You made a point of saying you trusted me--or is that only when it's convenient to you?"
Sam took a hesitant step forward. "He has a point--"
Jack whirled on her. "Dammit, Carter, don't you see what's going on? We're using him, and it's not right!"
Surprised into silence, Daniel reeled back and stared. Sam recovered first and asked, "Sir?" Teal'c lifted his head thoughtfully and watched in silence.
Looking between them, Jack ran a hand through his hair and said, quieter but no less intense, "Look at what's happening here. We are training a fourteen-year-old boy to be the...the perfect little worker for the SGC, and no one's even been noticing!"
"What are you talking about?" Daniel said, more cautiously.
"I'm talking about everything you were just saying, Daniel. You're practically a full member of the research staff, you speak the languages we care about the most, you train with Teal'c every chance you get--"
"Wait, no, we talked about that, Jack, you said you--"
"--you're helping prepare mission briefings to send teams off-world--"
"The general approves when we have good intellig--"
"--you're passing information about suspicious NID agents to Hammond--"
"That wasn't my fault, yi shay!"
"--and yesterday," Jack finished, shouting too, now, "I was standing in the briefing room about to confide in a kid how screwed up a...a military situation was! You shouldn't be sneaking around and trying to listen in to find out if your friends survived an insane mission, Daniel! Do you people not see something wrong with this?"
"I'm not on your team, Jack, I know that," Daniel said, trying and failing to keep his voice calm. "I'm not claiming to be anywhere near ready to be your perfect worker--"
"The way it's been going, in a few years you will be!"
"Then train me!" Daniel yelled back.
Jack stopped. "What?"
..."What if I decided not to go home in half a year?" he asked quietly.
Sam's eyes widened. Jack's face seemed to freeze, while Teal'c's still wasn't revealing anything.
"Daniel," Jack warned softly, seriously, "don't make a decision like this on the spot while you're upset, and don't do it because you're annoyed at me."
Daniel stared at the carpet, then looked back up and shook his head determinedly. "No. It's not like that. I've thought about it, Jack. I've been thinking about it for months, ever since I first talked to Teal'c about what war on the Goa'uld means. I've just never...said it out loud before. You told me once that, if I wanted to stay, I could."
"I said 'probably,'" Jack corrected, "and it was...theoretical then. Look, Teal'c can't go home or be with his family. You can. That's not something you give up lightly."
"Home, Jack?" he repeated, his voice not quite shaking. "To my...my parents' grave? And the graves of whomever else was killed that night--I'm not stupid, Jack, I know there must have been...others that you and your men didn't recognize. And I'd just sit there and not do anything, while my brother and his sister have to live as Goa'uld hosts?"
"Daniel." Jack exhaled sharply. "I know. I know, it'll be hard, but you'll regret it later if you stay and try to pretend it didn't happen."
A sudden rage surged up in him, and Daniel had to dig his fingernails into his clenched fists to push it down. "That's not what I'm doing," he finally forced out relatively calmly. "I'm not pretending anything. Teal'c could be with his family in the Land of Light, but he's choosing to stay here, because he can't fight from there. I have as much of a right to want to stop the Goa'uld as Teal'c does, and I can't do it from Abydos, not as well as I could from here."
...Jack uncrossed his arms finally and said, "You haven't thought this through."
"I ha--" Daniel stopped his protest, then admitted, "Not completely, no. I haven't figured out everything. Yet. But I will."
"We're not the ones you need to convince."
You're the ones I want to convince, he thought, and said aloud, "But the general listens to you. He won't agree if you're against it. I'm not going to change my mind."
"Yeah?" Jack said, his voice hard. "Take some time to think, then tell me that again. You're talking about leaving your homeworld and your people. You're talking about staying on Earth to help fight a war, Daniel. Think about it very hard and make sure you know exactly what that means."
Daniel let his eyes drift to the others. Sam was intent on the carpet. Teal'c said nothing but gave him a solemn nod. Daniel thought it was approval, but there was something else, too, that he couldn't quite decipher in the Jaffa's eyes.
"In about three of our months, it will be the winter solstice on Abydos," Daniel offered finally. "On the first of May."
Jack nodded. "And then you'll come of age. Prove to me--as an adult--that you're serious about this. Then, we can discuss it again."
"I will." Formally, in the Abydonian way that he had avoided before in order to blend in, Daniel crossed arms in front of himself and bowed. "Thank you," he said, meeting Jack's eyes briefly, then turned and left, so that he could get out of sight before his legs gave way under him.
There is less Sam and Daniel friendship in this series, but when Nightspear does write them together, it's always fantastic. Here are Sam and Daniel discussing his possible future at the SGC, weeks after that explosive confrontation with Jack:"How are you dealing with everything?"
"Fine," he said. When she raised her eyebrows, he went on, "I've gotten used to this place, and to all of you. I can do something that's important, I like the work here, and I'm learning all the time. Sam, what do want me to... I mean, what does this have to do with Cassandra?"
"Cassandra's going to be adopted--probably by Janet, but if she's not happy, then we'll find someone else."
"Right," he said slowly. "You told me about that. I'm...uh, happy for her. What...?"
"You know what that means?"
"I'm...sure your legal system isn't the same as the one on Abydos, but yes, I understand the concept of adoption, Sam." Actually, he'd found Lt. Hagman looking something up in the office next door yesterday and had slipped the question in during their brief conversation.
"Daniel, even if you do decide to stay on Earth...you could have the same thing. Even at fourteen or fifteen years old...we could find someone to take you in; I can think of a couple of people here who would probably be willing, even."
He almost asked 'who?' but forcibly avoided getting distracted. "Sam..." he started.
"No, listen to me," she insisted. "If you stay here, living on base, you're going to miss out on a lot of the things that most people experience before they start jobs. What happened to wanting someone to take care of things for you, when you first got here? You never want that anymore?"
He stared at her for a long moment. "Yes, sometimes. Don't you? Didn't you, when you learned what was happening to Cassandra?" She looked taken aback, and he felt instantly guilty for using that against her. "Sam, don't ask me to step away from the SGC now, after all I've already done and heard here. If I stay on Earth, it won't be because I want to go to a regular high school and...and play sports or whatever you're talking about."
She sighed. "We shouldn't have let you get so entrenched into all this. I know you don't want to hear that," she interrupted his protest, "but in the beginning, we were still all trying to figure out the Stargate..."
"I was getting in the way and not making it easy on you, I realize that," he said. "I know you were humoring me with the translations, at first."
"We messed up," she said bluntly. "We figured it was short-term; you'd leave in a year. And somehow...at some point, we just stopped thinking twice about giving things to you to translate or talking to you about things we should've kept quiet. I don't know about other teams, but we don't always even go through Dr. Rothman anymore when we need something specifically from you. That's not something I'm proud of."
...Daniel sighed. "Sam, maybe it was a mistake to let me start working here, but it's done, and like I said, it's done some good, yes? If you want to give someone a normal Tau'ri childhood, start with Cassandra--she can still have it, and it seems like it's what she wants. Besides," he tried to joke, "I turned out okay, didn't I?"
Sam smiled sadly at him. "You've turned out more than okay, Daniel. But consider all the options, because there are a lot of them. You've got months before you need to decide what you want to do. Talk to us--any of us--if you need advice. Because...well, adult or not, you still need friends."
"I know that."
She watched him for a moment, then said, "You still have family on Abydos. Not blood, I know, and not Skaara or his sister, but I've heard you talk about the people there. I know they're important to you. It won't be easy to walk away from that."
His smile faded. "No, it won't. But I think they would understand." Tentatively, he looked away and dared, "And I think, maybe...it would be hard to walk away from...some people here, too."
..."I hope you don't feel like you need to work to earn your keep, because that's not what we intended."
"I'd work whatever the circumstances were," he said. "I'm just saying that General Hammond's been very generous to me." He hesitated, then told her, "Actually, that's something I've been talking to Robert about. I'd like to keep working here, but, like Jack said, I haven't planned things out fully. There are things I'd need, like continued rooming and a way to pay for supplies like food and books..."
"You've talked to Dr. Rothman about this, then? What does he think?"
Daniel gave a short laugh. "After the way you guys reacted? I didn't even have to convince him. He's been generous, too, teaching me techniques and languages, trusting me with my own projects...this way he doesn't have to worry about work collapsing back on him when I leave. Right now, he's the only fulltime archaeologist in the department, so he has to examine all the artifacts, and I'm left with most of our translation work. He's hoping I'll eventually know enough to take on more of the archaeology side," he told her, letting a hint of pride leak through.
Sam's face was less enthusiastic, though. "This goes back to what I was saying before--there are other issues besides just the continuation of your work."
"Oh, I know," he assured her. "Like...for example, education is really important to to me, too, even if I've never considered the kind of education that's normal for Earth. If I were to be his assistant, he'd want me to demonstrate that I'm keeping up at least at some minimal level of learning."
"You could study and eventually take a high school equivalence test or something. It's just...Daniel, you're what most people would call 'gifted.' You've got to catch up some areas, but you could get accepted to the best universities in the nation if you wanted it, for college or graduate degrees. I'd feel bad to see you wasting the opportunity to really explore your talents."
"Robert thinks I should go to college, too. He's been talking about the University of Chicago, where he used to work before here, but even if...well, anyway, that wouldn't be until a few more years, at least." It was hard to try to think past even a few months, now. "But I'm still trying to figure out how everything would work--education's only one of things to think about. I also don't know what General Hammond would require from me if I stayed here."
"You're really putting some serious thought into this."
"I am. I told you, this wasn't a...a passing whim."
Aside from a few minor adventures on Earth, Daniel does spend most of Season One in safety. It's only when we get to this world's version of TBFTGOG that things begin to get dangerous.
No, of course this Daniel doesn't got to P3R-233 and go through the quantum mirror - but an adult Doctor Daniel Jackson comes through theirs!
I don't go into too many details, although that chapter is one of my favorites in Translations. Adult!Daniel warns them of the upcoming invasion, citing his own experiences as proof. Happily, Kinsey's machinations are derailed in this universe, and SG-1 doesn't have to mount a black ops mission to go through the Gate. Adult!Daniel's last words in this chapter will break your heart, though - be warned.
So SG-1 is almost ready to leave, and Daniel is in the Gate room to watch them go - and Jaffa come through the quantum mirror, which they'd brought back to the SGC, and attack the base. Daniel is taken hostage, and in the intense standoff to try and save his life, Daniel ends up accidentally falling through the Stargate to join them on Apophis' ship. They try to leave him safely in hiding while they reconnoiter, but, well... this is SG-1, after all.
When it's all over but the expanding cloud of debris and everyone is safely back on Earth - and, in passing, Daniel reaches the official age of majority on Abydos, even though he knows he's still considered a minor at the SGC - Hammond, Rothman, and SG-1 sit down with Daniel to discuss his future. There is still no suggestion that he join a team, much less SG-1, although it is suggested that he might sometimes accompany Rothman and SG teams offworld on follow-up research missions to vetted planets. Daniel also proposes an alliance between Earth and Abydos, with himself as official liaison, which he continues his work at the SGC. Does he want to join an SG team, too? Well, yes - but he knows that it's something that can only happen sometime in the future.
The following extensive quote is from the last chapter of Translations, which essentially ends with the aftermath to The Serpent's Lair."We're proposing a fulltime commitment to the SGC on Daniel's part, but as...uh, essentially, a student-worker. In the department, he would be treated like any other civilian researcher, either as my assistant or working independently when I think he can handle a particular project on his own. Another part of his time would be devoted to study. In SGC emergencies, of course, I'd ask that Daniel be allowed to participate if he can help, regardless of hours--the way he's been participating already, but with stricter guidelines."
"Exactly what do you mean by 'study'?" General Hammond asked.
"I'd personally take responsibility for Daniel's work and put together the curriculum for his education myself," Robert replied. "If he continues to work here, he will be expected to pass the GED, which I think he could do in a year or two with some guidance. I know that's the minimum education requirement for all personnel here at the SGC."
..."I'm not questioning his competence or whether he can help the SGC," the general said. "I'm questioning the ethics of using him. He could enroll in a school fulltime to have a more normal education."
Daniel opened his mouth to protest that it wasn't 'using him' if he was volunteering for it, but Robert answered first.
"Personally, I'd like to see him go to college eventually, and I'll make sure he's prepared so that if he decides in a few years that he wants to, he can still do that."
Daniel spoke up, "The things I'll be learning here, General...it's the kind of thing I would have learned with my parents if they had survived. It's what I was raised to do, in a way. And in return, you'll have someone who has been literally living in the culture of the SGC and its specific issues, and who is willing to work for you."
..."You've been a participant--willing or not--on a few missions that, obviously, were less than safe," General Hammond reminded him. "I hope that isn't the type of thing you're hoping to do more often."
This would be a tricky point, too. "No, sir, not at the moment."
"Not 'at the moment'?"
"I--well, Dr. Rothman and I both believe it would be a good idea to increase civilian researchers' participation off-world," Daniel said. "I realize that's not a simple thing. What I'm asking is to be allowed to continue to learn with Teal'c, or undergo any other training necessary. If I learn to defend myself well enough--maybe not soon, but eventually--then any team I'm with won't be more burdened than necessary with trying to protect me."
..."Research and exploration are important objectives to this program," the general said, "but that doesn't change the fact that we're starting to fight a war, here, on top of other dangers."
"I'm not asking to go into danger completely unprepared. I'm asking you to let me train with whoever is willing to teach me. I heard about the new regulations for new SG team members, that they have to pass physical tests and be able to respond to various situations--if I can meet those requirements, eventually, I'd ask you to consider it then."
General Hammond sighed. "I won't promise you a place on a team now. That will come if and when you are able to meet our requirements, and it certainly won't be anytime soon. When that time comes, I might reevaluate our policy on civilian off-world travelers."
"Actually," Robert said, "I'd like to suggest that you start reevaluating it now, if there are researchers willing to be assigned to field teams. Whether or not Daniel's allowed, there are more civilian than military scientists here, and sometimes we could be useful in the field."
"Are you volunteering, Dr. Rothman?"
"If...necessary, then yes, I'm willing to, but I'm happy staying home and going on occasional, purely research missions. But if someone wants permanent assignment on an off-world team..."
"I'll keep it in mind," the general allowed reluctantly. "If someone volunteers, I'll consider it on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Jackson," he added, "in your case, the answer is 'no.' Later, I might consider it, if you can prove yourself to me and one of our teams."
"I understand," Daniel said quickly, knowing he was unlikely to get any more.
..."And this base would be his home? Your endorsement of this idea is what surprises me the most, Colonel. I remember you arguing more than anyone else about how it wasn't the right environment for someone to grow up." Daniel couldn't help letting his eyes drift over to Jack; he'd never known that before. "You've changed your mind about that?"
"No, sir," Jack said without hesitation. Daniel tensed. "I still don't think a military base is the right place for anyone to spend virtually his entire life. I don't even think it's right for Teal'c to be stuck here. But Daniel's asking to stay on Earth to help the SGC. If we're not going to let him do that, then he'd go back to Abydos."
The general looked briefly at Daniel, then back. "And this would be a bad thing, in your opinion? Going back to his home, rather than serving as part of the first line of defense for this planet?"
Instead of answering directly, Jack said, "Daniel, where would you go if you couldn't stay with us, here?"
Not sure where this was leading--he hadn't prepared for this--he replied, "Abydos, of course. I would try to keep relations with Earth open."
"And keep the Stargate open, too. Which means people could travel to other planets."
"Well...well, yes, if... I do know the addresses of several safe planets that could be explored or researched."
"By now, you also know the addresses to several unsafe planets," Jack pointed out.
"Of course, but--"
"Like Chulak?"
Daniel's eyes widened in surprise. "I never told you I was thinking about--" He cut himself off.
..."My point, sir," Jack said, calmly, "was that Daniel...and maybe other Abydons, too...they're not going to sit back and do nothing. Daniel could be a good 'resource,'" he said reluctantly, "though that's not the word I'd use. This is just a matter of making the best use of his...brain."
General Hammond looked between him and Jack. "I'm not denying that we could make use of his skills. I'm wondering whether we should."
"Daniel shouldn't have been here helping us from the beginning. I wish he weren't involved. But he was, and he's here now. Whether you call that our fault, or his, or the Goa'uld's, that's how it is. I wouldn't say this lightly," Jack added, "but after everything, I think he's earned a chance to help us, if that's what he wants."
"Maybe so, but at the very least, you've pointed out yourself that this place isn't meant to be a permanent living space. Teal'c's choices may be limited simply because he stands out more among other people, but that isn't the case for a young human."
"The majority of the time," Daniel said, "I would ask to be allowed to continue living here, sir, if you'd allow that." He hesitated, then continued, "Colonel O'Neill...uh, has offered..."
"Officially, he'll live in my house," Jack said, "until he's able to make his own arrangements or he decides to return to his homeworld. Obviously, he can't drive to or from here on his own, so in practice, he'd stay on base a lot when my schedule doesn't match with his, the way other SGC personnel have rooms here to spend the night occasionally. It's not perfect, but it's better than never seeing anything but gray walls."
..."I've been wondering for a while now whether this was coming," General Hammond said. Daniel raised his eyebrows a little in surprise. "As much as I know you could be an asset to us, especially after some time to learn with the people here, I had some doubts about whether allowing it would be the right thing to do. And I still do."
Daniel's stomach dropped, and he opened his mouth to try one last time, but the general continued before he could.
"Since you seem to have convinced some of my best people, however, on their advice, I'll allow it. On a provisional basis," he added. "I'll give you until the Abydos 'gate opens on..."
"August seventeenth," Sam and Jack said at the same time before he had a chance to fill it in.
"August seventeenth, then," the general said. "You have just over three months to prove to me that you can handle this, without negatively affecting anyone or any operation here. Like any other person working here, if you can't keep up, I will put an end to it."
"Yes, sir," Daniel said, relieved. There was sorrow, too, waiting at the back of his mind, but he'd expected that, and he'd deal with it later.
..."Thank you, General," Daniel said, and included the rest of them in his look as he promised, "I won't let you down."
General Hammond looked down at the table, then nodded and stood. They rose with him. "I know you won't, son. And, Daniel..." He extended a hand, and after a second, Daniel reached out to clasp it in return. "Welcome to Stargate Command."
I hope these excerpts help explain why I truly had no problem accepting the behavior of Hammond, Jack, and the others in dealing with a minor Daniel living on a base that serves as the front lines to the war against the Goa'uld. Nightspear does address those issues, and to me, walks on the right side of the line of making it plausible for us to accept the situation.
I'm afraid the next section won't be available for posting until next week. In the meantime, though, I welcome any thoughts or polite disagreements. And I know Nightspear will, too. :)
Continued with part 2 and part 3.
The basic premise is this: Drs. Claire and Melburn Jackson opened the Stargate in 1982 and went through to Abydos. Captain Jack O'Neill was part of the team that accompanied them, and the highest ranking officer to make it back alive. Claire and Melburn remained behind on Abydos. Fast-forward fifteen years to '97, when Apophis comes through Earth's Stargate... and when the flurry of COTG is over, a fourteen-year-old Daniel Jackson who grew up on Abydos is stuck on Earth for a year, until the Abydons open their Stargate again.
I've been enthusiastic about reccing these wonderful novels. Those that enjoy kidfic (and that's a discussion I hope to have here too, someday) don't need any prompting to go read a well-written story that features a younger Daniel, but for those like me who vastly prefer the adult incarnation, a little extra coaxing doesn't always go amiss. Then I got an interesting e-mail from a member of my flist. She admired Nightspear's writing skills, but asked (quoted with permission):
I just hit this huge wall of disbelief when they let Daniel, at his age in this story, become an employee and then go off world and work with SG1 officially.
That just blew me right out of the story and I couldn't read any more. It just seemed so totally unrealistic to me -- because of his age.
...How were you able to wrap your head around the thing that blew me out of the story -- the fact that there is no way, to me, that Hammond would allow a kid of 14 or 15 to become a military offworld adventurer. And there is no way, to me, that Jack would go for that either.
I responded by citing some of the limitations that Nightspear set on Daniel - for one thing, Daniel is most definitely not included on any SG team when he's that young! I also thanked her, because by asking the question, she made me focus more closely on this aspect of the story, and I'm awed at how Nightspear handles it with care and sensitivity.
I've included numerous long quotes and details under the cut, all with Nightspear's permission. Ellipses at the beginning of a paragraph indicate that I've skipped over prose and dialogue within the quoted text. If you read further, you're going to be partially spoiled. I've tried to avoid revealing any major plot twists, but if you'd prefer not to be spoiled at all, either skip the quotes or just take my word for it - start with Translations and read... and read... and read. :)
Because of the extensive quotations, I won't be able to fit this all into a single entry - not even on Dreamwidth, I think, although I will try! So I'll be breaking this up into four sections, with one post per novel. Let's begin with Translations, which covers canon from COTG through The Serpent's Lair.
As my correspondent points out, the real stumbling blocks to a minor joining the SGC are Hammond and Jack. Hammond, because he would not ignore laws and protocols and the questionable morality of allowing a teenager to step into danger; Jack, because his history, and the ghost of Charlie O'Neill. This is not to suggest that others are not also bothered by the dilemma, with the possible exception of Teal'c, whose upbringing and culture is different. But most of this discussion will focus on George and Jack."Sir...I regret to inform you that Claire and Melburn Jackson were killed in the attack. They are survived by their son, Daniel, who was kidnapped by the aliens, along with two of the native Abydons."
No one planned to bring Daniel to Earth. But when he was taken with Skaara and Sha'uri to Chulak, they were left with little choice: the Abydos Gate was buried, and wouldn't be uncovered for a year. Without any precedent for dealing with minor aliens and the legal tangles, Hammond makes the initial decision to keep fourteen-year-old Daniel on base until they could sort things out.
So they have a fourteen-year-old boy who watched his parents get shot and killed - by Teal'c, no less - and then saw Sha'uri and Skaara, whom he calls brother and sister, dragged away and turned into Goa'uld. Interestingly, Daniel doesn't consider himself to be a real minor:Daniel tilted his head and stared at him in a way that made Jack feel bizarrely like he was being assessed and judged by a--how old was he, anyway? Thirteen, maybe? Finally, Daniel nodded, but reiterated, "I'm not a kid."
"Hey," Jack said. "If I can call Carter a kid, I can call you 'kid,' too." Okay, so he'd never actually called her that, but the point was that he could if he wanted.
"Carter--that's...?"
"She was with us on Chulak. You know, Captain-Doctor." Both of Hammond's eyebrows inched upward at that. "But she doesn't like to be called that, so you should probably just stick with Captain Carter. Or even Sam. The point is, I'm older than you, that's all. By the way, how old are you?"
"Almost seventeen years. Almost saé--of age."
Jack snorted. "Yeah, right." Granted, the elder Jacksons had mentioned that he was coming of age within the year, but seventeen was impossible. He would have noticed if they'd brought a toddler along with them as a stowaway during the first Abydos mission.
Daniel's head snapped up in annoyance. "What? You think I'm lying?"
"Daniel, you can't--" Suddenly understanding, Jack nodded. "Ah. That's seventeen in Abydonian years." Hammond looked surprised again--it'd take a while for them all to get used to the idea of traveling to different planets with different rules than their own.
The next question is, what do they do with him? Daniel has ideas of his own, mostly to do with revenge and fighting against the Goa'uld to get Sha'uri and Skaara back. The adults don't care for that at all - particularly Jack, who spends a good chunk of the first season struggilng not to see Daniel as a Charlie-substitute, and more or less failing for quite some time."We need to make some decisions about the Jacksons and their son," Hammond said. "This is our situation. You had orders to bring Drs. Claire and Melburn Jackson back to the SGC in order to help deal with a poorly understood hostile. In doing so, they were killed in action by that hostile, and you brought their son here instead, leaving him no way of returning to his original planet."
"Well...it sounds bad when you put it that way, General," Jack said as Carter shifted uneasily, "but it's not like we kidnapped the kid."
"I'm not condemning your choice of actions, Colonel. But the bottom line is that having a fourteen-year-old boy running unsupervised through this base is unacceptable."
"I've taken a little time to speak with Daniel Jackson," Frasier spoke up. "He seems very determined to find a way to go back to his home planet or, barring that, he's mentioned that he'd like to join an exploration team and help to look for the two Abydons taken as Goa'uld hosts. I know that's not an option," she added at the general's look.
"What about a temporary foster parent, off base?"
"That could be a possibility, if we find could someone with the right clearance," she said. "However...I'm told that he'll be leaving in a year, so we'd have to keep close tabs on him, anyway. I'm not sure it would be worth it, to him personally--adjusting to a new culture, probably entering a school, and making up a fake history, especially so soon after his parents' deaths, when he's just going to leave all of it behind again in a year."
..."Doctor," Carter asked, "are you suggesting that he should stay here, on base?"
Frasier hesitated. "Normally, I wouldn't. This isn't the most child-friendly environment, clearly, but since it's relatively short-term..." She sighed. "If we force him to leave and enter into a more normal household, if we could find one suitable, whatever stability it would give him would only be an illusion, since he's just counting down to the day when he'll go back. And it would be forcing him to leave, because he seems to want to say here."
"He wants to stay here because he wants to work for us, not because he wants 'stability,'" Jack pointed out.
..."Also, his immune system could be unused to common pathogens we're exposed to on Earth, so whatever we decide, I'll want to keep him here for a short while, anyway, to make sure. In fact, General, it might be a good idea to develop a standard protocol for treating people from off-world, in case a similar situation comes up again."
"I hope it will not become the norm," the general commented wryly. "But that raises a good point. We can't discount the possibility that something like this may happen again, and what we're discussing now with regards to Daniel Jackson could, more generally, affect future procedure. I'll leave developing a medical protocol to you, Doctor."
"Yes, sir."
"During the time Daniel Jackson is here, I'll allow him into the laboratories at the discretion of the scientist in charge of the project, if no one minds his presence. If this becomes a problem over the next few days, I'll reevaluate that decision. It's either that, Colonel," Hammond added when Jack looked disgruntled, "or keep him locked in his room or find some other way to keep him occupied here over the next year."
"Sir," Carter said, "I know there aren't exactly laws that deal with this, but what is his official status as of now?"
"He has been granted the equivalent of temporary protected status here--specifically, in the SGC itself."
"And as a minor, people won't object to a lack of a guardian?"
"This case can't exactly be covered by a social worker," Hammond pointed out. "I suspect that, because he's not a native of our world, those interested would be less inclined to insist on the usual procedures for dealing with children."
Jack frowned. "So human rights don't apply to people who aren't from Earth."
"They're probably thinking of him as an alien more than as a human, I'll admit. In this case, Colonel, it can be helpful to us if it means fewer people will complain about his presence here."
"And what's he supposed to do about, you know, food and clothing and things like that?"
Frasier offered, "Someone will be in the infirmary around the clock. My staff and I can see to his immediate needs the best we can."
"So he'll eat hospital food for the next year. Sounds...nice."
"We've had guests at this and other facilities before," Hammond said. "At least for the moment, we can arrange some system for the boy to get what he needs from the commissary."
"He's going to be a little more permanent than most of our guests, sir."
"His situation is a little more abnormal than most of our guests', Colonel, given who he is and why we can't send him home."
Right. Still... "With all due respect, sir, it's a fine line between what you're proposing and outright forced confinement. I know that's not how it's intended, but we can't keep a kid underground for a year."
Frasier suggested, "I don't see why he can't leave the base sometimes, preferably accompanied by one of the staff."
"That's like...occasionally being on parole. With guards."
"For his safety in an unfamiliar world, Colonel O'Neill," Hammond said sharply. "There's not a lot more we can do. Let's also not forget that, if the wrong people hear about him and his connection to the SGC, or his parents' contributions here, or his birthplace, there could be problems for all of us, including the boy."
Grudgingly, Jack nodded. "Yes, sir."
"General, Colonel," Carter said, "if you don't have any objections, when I don't have any pressing duties, I wouldn't mind letting Daniel stay with me. I'm in the lab a lot of the time, anyway, and he hasn't bothered me or Sergeant Siler so far while we've been working."
"That's good of you to offer, Captain. I trust you will exercise good judgment and proper caution when dealing with more sensitive technologies or information."
"Yes, sir," she agreed. Jack wondered exactly how security clearance worked for aliens.
So at the beginning, Daniel's status at the SGC is seen as clearly temporary, due to the uniqueness of his situation: an alien teenager, unused to Earth techonology and customs, unfamiliar with much of Earth's history and culture. Robert Rothman heads the archeology department in this AU, and Daniel becomes a sort of unofficial assistant - not out of any deliberate decision, but simply because it happens. Even this makes Jack uncomfortable, but he recognizes that it's something Daniel truly needs."At the next Solstice on Abydos, I would have come of age, if I passed my trial. I shouldn't need to--"
"What does that mean?" Jack cut him off.
"What does what mean?"
"Coming of age. What's it mean on Abydos, practically speaking?"
Daniel cocked his head to the side. "It means a person is responsible for himself and is expected to contribute to the group. He is a...an independent member of the society with no one to account for his actions but himself."
"And so you start your...job or whatever, equal to everyone else?"
"Not equal. Completing the rite of passage doesn't mean a person has reached his full skill. For me, I would still be a student of history and language, but I would be expected to begin to work with the other men and older boys, and to help in teaching, as well, until I became skilled enough to be called a teacher in my own right."
"Well, right here, right now, this is how it's gonna be," Jack said decisively. "I don't care if you're a fourteen-year-old student or a 'gate guard or a forty-year-old veteran soldier. After what you've been through, you need some time--and maybe some help from people--to...to find your balance again. So we're not gonna leave you alone and pretend we don't give a crap just because you're almost of age." He paused. "And honestly, is that what you'd want? Don't try to make me believe that's how they do it on Abydos."
Daniel wrapped his arms around himself, looking completely lost, and shook his head 'no.'
"As for the rest..." Jack sighed, rubbing his forehead. "All right, look. It's not all my decision, but if you want to keep working with Dr. Rothman and the other researchers, I won't argue. But you're still a student, right? You will listen to Rothman, the general, Fraiser, and whoever else they put in charge, including and especially when they say you're to stay on Earth until the Abydos 'gate is opened again. Agreed?"
"Yes. Thank you, Jack."
Rothman doesn't just get translation help from Daniel, though; he also becomes Daniel's tutor, introducing him to history and science and encouraging him to learn as much as possible. In fact, of all the characters in Nightspear's AU, Robert Rothman is one of my favorites.
Once past the events of The Enemy Within, Daniel doesn't even get into the Gate Room, much less through the Stargate. He does not meet Tuplo, although like nearly everyone else on base, he is affected by the Touched virus; he does not meet the Tollan, the Nox, Nem, the people of Cartego. His only real involvement with any SG-1 mission is the trip to Cimmeria, where he does much of the research; even then, his participation is limited to the briefing room, where he assists Robert Rothman. He does meet Maybourne, and spends some time at Area 51. (Hathor is very neatly circumvented, and never gets within a hundred miles of Daniel.) He also meets Ry'ac and Cassandra on base, and the contrasts between the three minors is fascinating.
Daniel becomes close to the three-man team that makes up SG-1, until many at the SGC think of Daniel as SG-1's "kid brother." Daniel develops a close relationship with Jack: not quite friendship, not quite father-son, but somewhere halfway in between. Neither one is comfortable with the father-son aspect, but for quite a while, it seems to be the default reaction.
We witness the slow, uneasy beginnings of his relationship with Teal'c, who eventually becomes the mentor to a most unique chal'ti. Jack is horrified when he discovers this:Daniel glanced over his shoulder once more, still feeling like he was in here without permission, though no one was likely to mind at this hour of the morning. He eyed Teal'c's confident stance, the bulging muscles even more evident now that he was out of uniform. Teal'c could probably snap him in half without trying.
Still, he couldn't back down now; he'd asked for it. After too many days in either Robert's office or his or Teal'c's room, with nowhere to really run like he'd been free to do outside Nagada, he needed to move. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to learn. Just in case. No one said that a scholar had to depend on others to protect him, if he could protect himself. If Teal'c thought he had strength, he would prove that he did.
"Okay," he said to steel himself, and stepped forward.
"Have you studied martial arts previously, Daniel Jackson?"
"Not really. My brother taught me to wrestle and fight with a knife, a little, but that was all."
"Then we begin from the beginning. No weapons. I will teach you the art of lok'nel."
Lok'nel was...slow, at least at first. It was a far cry from the quick, rough fighting he'd learned from grappling first with Skaara and later with Tobay, Bolaa, and others. This was slower, but more controlled. Part of him was impatient with the pace, but another was secretly thrilled at the skill involved, at how meticulous it was, at the precision needed for every move.
...He returned to his crouch and waited for Teal'c to knock him over again.
It was right at that moment that Jack's voice called, "What the hell!"
Daniel yelped in surprise and jumped, making an ungainly topple to the mat. He managed to slap his hand down first but still felt the breath leave him in a whoosh.
Teal'c's hand was under his back instantly to help him sit back up. Daniel gasped a few times, then said, "I almost did it," and pushed himself to his feet.
"Indeed," Teal'c said, his eyes scanning to assure himself that there was no harm done, as he did each time. "But a fall such as that could still cause you injury in less controlled situations, if you continue to twist your spine."
Then Jack, dressed in his BDUs, was looming over him, and then turned and somehow managed to loom up at Teal'c. "What the hell was that?"
"It is part of the technique that all young Jaffa learn," Teal'c informed him, unruffled.
"Daniel is not one of your Jaffa!"
Daniel stared at Jack, then looked to Teal'c, who did not seem to understand what the problem was any better than he did. "I believe humans use similar techniques to prevent injury while training. I have observed Captain Carter and yourself employing them."
Jack was not appeased. "Teal'c, you're twice his size!"
"Jack!" Daniel said, wishing he wasn't still panting. "He was being careful. I mean, really careful. We didn't do anything dangerous."
Jack whirled on him now, and Daniel was taken aback to see how livid the man was. "He wouldn't have to mean to hurt you."
"Nothing was going to happen. Jack, you trust Teal'c more than anyone!" Because it was true, at least on base--Jack was either dismissive or suspicious of people he didn't know well, and Teal'c and Sam, and maybe a couple of others, were the only ones he didn't treat that way, besides the general.
"This has nothing to do with trust, Daniel," Jack said through gritted teeth. "Accidents happen." A look of fear flashed for just a second, then disappeared again behind the rage.
...He'd barely sat down before a tray was placed in front of his. Jack dropped into the opposite seat.
Remorse and embarrassment ran through him as he remembered the scene that morning, but annoyance and confusion at Jack's reaction were stronger and kept him from lifting his head.
"I was pretty surprised this morning," Jack said mildly.
"So was I," Daniel grumbled back, raising his eyes enough to glare. "I don't understand why you were so mad."
"Well, I didn't realize your Goa'uld lessons would be taking place in the gym. I got out of the changing rooms and heard someone yelling 'Kree.' And then I ran in and saw you about to get a nice kick in the head. What d'you expect me to think?"
"It wasn't in the head, and he barely made contact," Daniel said immediately before he had time to think about it. "I didn't consider that," he admitted. "But then, when you saw that nothing was wrong--"
"There was something wrong. Your technique needs work," Jack told him.
"I'm learning," Daniel said defensively. "And besides, you distracted me."
"You let yourself be distracted. Not a good idea if you're ever in a fight."
"Well, that's why--wait, I thought you didn't want me to get in a fight."
"I don't," Jack said sharply. "I'd rather you geeked out with Rothman or Carter all day. Remember what I said before, at my house? I don't want you to get hurt."
Daniel sighed in exasperation and pushed his tray aside. "Jack...it's Teal'c!"
...Jack narrowed his eyes at him, then changed the line of conversation. "Carter thinks I overreacted," he said.
"You talked to her?"
"She thinks it would be safe enough to do drills alone with Teal'c if you want." Daniel noticed that he didn't say he agreed.
"Did you talk to Teal'c?" Daniel asked pointedly. "You were acting like he was an enemy. In the beginning, you kept telling everyone you'd trust him with your life."
"I do."
"Well, you should tell him."
"I think he knows, Daniel."
..."Then it's okay for me to continue learning from Teal'c?" He wasn't sure why he was even asking--Jack didn't have authority over him.
"I can't stop you from doing it," Jack corrected, as if reading Daniel's thoughts. "But...I'll admit that if you ever get into a situation when you have to protect yourself, you might as well be prepared. And Teal'c's probably one of the best fighters here, so he's not a bad choice for a trainer."
"So...okay. Um, thank you." It was nice to have Jack's approval, even if he didn't need the permission. If nothing else, Teal'c still had to answer to Jack. "I won't get hurt," he said again, because he knew the man was concerned, which felt kind of nice to realize.
..."I hope you never see another battle again, Daniel. But we all thought Abydos was safe when we went through, and it wasn't. We thought this base was safe, with all our security measures, and it wasn't enough. When you get back home, we won't be around to try and protect you. You understand?"
The reminder of danger made his stomach drop. "Yes," he answered, ashamed now at his tone. And for almost throwing Jack's own loss of his son in his face earlier. "I'm sorry I said...sorry for being disrespectful."
Jack snorted. "You're fourteen--I hear that's in the description. Don't make a habit of it."
So Daniel trains under Teal'c and Sam and Jack, and studies under Robert Rothman (with some extra homework from Sam into the bargain.) Jack is pleased with the friendship and the closeness, but not so pleased when that relaxed attitude means Daniel learning more than he should, as he does with Cassie's situation and a mission that Sam undertakes to Area 51. The two clash about the implications of Daniel's future at the SGC:"I just want to be allowed to know what's going on and what I'm doing work for. Are you going to keep me out of Robert's office now, too?"
"You know, maybe we should do that!"
Daniel gaped for a moment, stunned. "Say whatever you want about my age or...or my schooling, but I work as hard as any other translator here," he said, furious, "and don't act like it hasn't done any good. Who taught SG-6 the right words when Lt. Hale was captured that one time and they had to negotiate for his release? Who found the information that led to all the naquadah testing that's being done here?"
"That's what we hired Dr. Rothman to do, and there's Lt. Hagman, Capt. Young, and...a couple of other translators in the department."
"Those things I mentioned were in Goa'uld, which means I did them!" he ground out. "Even if Robert learned more of the language, haven't you noticed that the majority of the planets you find speak languages that the two of us work on?"
"SG-7's talking about astronomy with English speakers on Hanka right now without your expertise."
"A few planets speaking English, Jack, which we don't even understand yet, and how many speaking variants of Goa'uld or Egyptian? Robert and I are the only ones qualified to work on those, and in addition we get things in Latin and...and things from Babylon--we even got something like Ancient Greek once. Robert's only one person, and there's no way one person could finish all the crap that gets thrown at our office!"
Jack stalked closer and said in a falsely mild tone, " 'Crap,' Daniel? When did you start swearing in English?"
Slowly, pointedly, Daniel answered, "I learned, Jack. I'm good at languages. It's what I've been doing here for the past four months."
"Well, good for you. Learning is what children are supposed to do."
"No one complains about my involvement or my age when I find something helpful," Daniel countered, bristling at the patronizing words. "When I brought you the Hathor article, I offered to step aside and get Robert so the adults could handle it, but you told me to go with you to General Hammond and explain. You made a point of saying you trusted me--or is that only when it's convenient to you?"
Sam took a hesitant step forward. "He has a point--"
Jack whirled on her. "Dammit, Carter, don't you see what's going on? We're using him, and it's not right!"
Surprised into silence, Daniel reeled back and stared. Sam recovered first and asked, "Sir?" Teal'c lifted his head thoughtfully and watched in silence.
Looking between them, Jack ran a hand through his hair and said, quieter but no less intense, "Look at what's happening here. We are training a fourteen-year-old boy to be the...the perfect little worker for the SGC, and no one's even been noticing!"
"What are you talking about?" Daniel said, more cautiously.
"I'm talking about everything you were just saying, Daniel. You're practically a full member of the research staff, you speak the languages we care about the most, you train with Teal'c every chance you get--"
"Wait, no, we talked about that, Jack, you said you--"
"--you're helping prepare mission briefings to send teams off-world--"
"The general approves when we have good intellig--"
"--you're passing information about suspicious NID agents to Hammond--"
"That wasn't my fault, yi shay!"
"--and yesterday," Jack finished, shouting too, now, "I was standing in the briefing room about to confide in a kid how screwed up a...a military situation was! You shouldn't be sneaking around and trying to listen in to find out if your friends survived an insane mission, Daniel! Do you people not see something wrong with this?"
"I'm not on your team, Jack, I know that," Daniel said, trying and failing to keep his voice calm. "I'm not claiming to be anywhere near ready to be your perfect worker--"
"The way it's been going, in a few years you will be!"
"Then train me!" Daniel yelled back.
Jack stopped. "What?"
..."What if I decided not to go home in half a year?" he asked quietly.
Sam's eyes widened. Jack's face seemed to freeze, while Teal'c's still wasn't revealing anything.
"Daniel," Jack warned softly, seriously, "don't make a decision like this on the spot while you're upset, and don't do it because you're annoyed at me."
Daniel stared at the carpet, then looked back up and shook his head determinedly. "No. It's not like that. I've thought about it, Jack. I've been thinking about it for months, ever since I first talked to Teal'c about what war on the Goa'uld means. I've just never...said it out loud before. You told me once that, if I wanted to stay, I could."
"I said 'probably,'" Jack corrected, "and it was...theoretical then. Look, Teal'c can't go home or be with his family. You can. That's not something you give up lightly."
"Home, Jack?" he repeated, his voice not quite shaking. "To my...my parents' grave? And the graves of whomever else was killed that night--I'm not stupid, Jack, I know there must have been...others that you and your men didn't recognize. And I'd just sit there and not do anything, while my brother and his sister have to live as Goa'uld hosts?"
"Daniel." Jack exhaled sharply. "I know. I know, it'll be hard, but you'll regret it later if you stay and try to pretend it didn't happen."
A sudden rage surged up in him, and Daniel had to dig his fingernails into his clenched fists to push it down. "That's not what I'm doing," he finally forced out relatively calmly. "I'm not pretending anything. Teal'c could be with his family in the Land of Light, but he's choosing to stay here, because he can't fight from there. I have as much of a right to want to stop the Goa'uld as Teal'c does, and I can't do it from Abydos, not as well as I could from here."
...Jack uncrossed his arms finally and said, "You haven't thought this through."
"I ha--" Daniel stopped his protest, then admitted, "Not completely, no. I haven't figured out everything. Yet. But I will."
"We're not the ones you need to convince."
You're the ones I want to convince, he thought, and said aloud, "But the general listens to you. He won't agree if you're against it. I'm not going to change my mind."
"Yeah?" Jack said, his voice hard. "Take some time to think, then tell me that again. You're talking about leaving your homeworld and your people. You're talking about staying on Earth to help fight a war, Daniel. Think about it very hard and make sure you know exactly what that means."
Daniel let his eyes drift to the others. Sam was intent on the carpet. Teal'c said nothing but gave him a solemn nod. Daniel thought it was approval, but there was something else, too, that he couldn't quite decipher in the Jaffa's eyes.
"In about three of our months, it will be the winter solstice on Abydos," Daniel offered finally. "On the first of May."
Jack nodded. "And then you'll come of age. Prove to me--as an adult--that you're serious about this. Then, we can discuss it again."
"I will." Formally, in the Abydonian way that he had avoided before in order to blend in, Daniel crossed arms in front of himself and bowed. "Thank you," he said, meeting Jack's eyes briefly, then turned and left, so that he could get out of sight before his legs gave way under him.
There is less Sam and Daniel friendship in this series, but when Nightspear does write them together, it's always fantastic. Here are Sam and Daniel discussing his possible future at the SGC, weeks after that explosive confrontation with Jack:"How are you dealing with everything?"
"Fine," he said. When she raised her eyebrows, he went on, "I've gotten used to this place, and to all of you. I can do something that's important, I like the work here, and I'm learning all the time. Sam, what do want me to... I mean, what does this have to do with Cassandra?"
"Cassandra's going to be adopted--probably by Janet, but if she's not happy, then we'll find someone else."
"Right," he said slowly. "You told me about that. I'm...uh, happy for her. What...?"
"You know what that means?"
"I'm...sure your legal system isn't the same as the one on Abydos, but yes, I understand the concept of adoption, Sam." Actually, he'd found Lt. Hagman looking something up in the office next door yesterday and had slipped the question in during their brief conversation.
"Daniel, even if you do decide to stay on Earth...you could have the same thing. Even at fourteen or fifteen years old...we could find someone to take you in; I can think of a couple of people here who would probably be willing, even."
He almost asked 'who?' but forcibly avoided getting distracted. "Sam..." he started.
"No, listen to me," she insisted. "If you stay here, living on base, you're going to miss out on a lot of the things that most people experience before they start jobs. What happened to wanting someone to take care of things for you, when you first got here? You never want that anymore?"
He stared at her for a long moment. "Yes, sometimes. Don't you? Didn't you, when you learned what was happening to Cassandra?" She looked taken aback, and he felt instantly guilty for using that against her. "Sam, don't ask me to step away from the SGC now, after all I've already done and heard here. If I stay on Earth, it won't be because I want to go to a regular high school and...and play sports or whatever you're talking about."
She sighed. "We shouldn't have let you get so entrenched into all this. I know you don't want to hear that," she interrupted his protest, "but in the beginning, we were still all trying to figure out the Stargate..."
"I was getting in the way and not making it easy on you, I realize that," he said. "I know you were humoring me with the translations, at first."
"We messed up," she said bluntly. "We figured it was short-term; you'd leave in a year. And somehow...at some point, we just stopped thinking twice about giving things to you to translate or talking to you about things we should've kept quiet. I don't know about other teams, but we don't always even go through Dr. Rothman anymore when we need something specifically from you. That's not something I'm proud of."
...Daniel sighed. "Sam, maybe it was a mistake to let me start working here, but it's done, and like I said, it's done some good, yes? If you want to give someone a normal Tau'ri childhood, start with Cassandra--she can still have it, and it seems like it's what she wants. Besides," he tried to joke, "I turned out okay, didn't I?"
Sam smiled sadly at him. "You've turned out more than okay, Daniel. But consider all the options, because there are a lot of them. You've got months before you need to decide what you want to do. Talk to us--any of us--if you need advice. Because...well, adult or not, you still need friends."
"I know that."
She watched him for a moment, then said, "You still have family on Abydos. Not blood, I know, and not Skaara or his sister, but I've heard you talk about the people there. I know they're important to you. It won't be easy to walk away from that."
His smile faded. "No, it won't. But I think they would understand." Tentatively, he looked away and dared, "And I think, maybe...it would be hard to walk away from...some people here, too."
..."I hope you don't feel like you need to work to earn your keep, because that's not what we intended."
"I'd work whatever the circumstances were," he said. "I'm just saying that General Hammond's been very generous to me." He hesitated, then told her, "Actually, that's something I've been talking to Robert about. I'd like to keep working here, but, like Jack said, I haven't planned things out fully. There are things I'd need, like continued rooming and a way to pay for supplies like food and books..."
"You've talked to Dr. Rothman about this, then? What does he think?"
Daniel gave a short laugh. "After the way you guys reacted? I didn't even have to convince him. He's been generous, too, teaching me techniques and languages, trusting me with my own projects...this way he doesn't have to worry about work collapsing back on him when I leave. Right now, he's the only fulltime archaeologist in the department, so he has to examine all the artifacts, and I'm left with most of our translation work. He's hoping I'll eventually know enough to take on more of the archaeology side," he told her, letting a hint of pride leak through.
Sam's face was less enthusiastic, though. "This goes back to what I was saying before--there are other issues besides just the continuation of your work."
"Oh, I know," he assured her. "Like...for example, education is really important to to me, too, even if I've never considered the kind of education that's normal for Earth. If I were to be his assistant, he'd want me to demonstrate that I'm keeping up at least at some minimal level of learning."
"You could study and eventually take a high school equivalence test or something. It's just...Daniel, you're what most people would call 'gifted.' You've got to catch up some areas, but you could get accepted to the best universities in the nation if you wanted it, for college or graduate degrees. I'd feel bad to see you wasting the opportunity to really explore your talents."
"Robert thinks I should go to college, too. He's been talking about the University of Chicago, where he used to work before here, but even if...well, anyway, that wouldn't be until a few more years, at least." It was hard to try to think past even a few months, now. "But I'm still trying to figure out how everything would work--education's only one of things to think about. I also don't know what General Hammond would require from me if I stayed here."
"You're really putting some serious thought into this."
"I am. I told you, this wasn't a...a passing whim."
Aside from a few minor adventures on Earth, Daniel does spend most of Season One in safety. It's only when we get to this world's version of TBFTGOG that things begin to get dangerous.
No, of course this Daniel doesn't got to P3R-233 and go through the quantum mirror - but an adult Doctor Daniel Jackson comes through theirs!
I don't go into too many details, although that chapter is one of my favorites in Translations. Adult!Daniel warns them of the upcoming invasion, citing his own experiences as proof. Happily, Kinsey's machinations are derailed in this universe, and SG-1 doesn't have to mount a black ops mission to go through the Gate. Adult!Daniel's last words in this chapter will break your heart, though - be warned.
So SG-1 is almost ready to leave, and Daniel is in the Gate room to watch them go - and Jaffa come through the quantum mirror, which they'd brought back to the SGC, and attack the base. Daniel is taken hostage, and in the intense standoff to try and save his life, Daniel ends up accidentally falling through the Stargate to join them on Apophis' ship. They try to leave him safely in hiding while they reconnoiter, but, well... this is SG-1, after all.
When it's all over but the expanding cloud of debris and everyone is safely back on Earth - and, in passing, Daniel reaches the official age of majority on Abydos, even though he knows he's still considered a minor at the SGC - Hammond, Rothman, and SG-1 sit down with Daniel to discuss his future. There is still no suggestion that he join a team, much less SG-1, although it is suggested that he might sometimes accompany Rothman and SG teams offworld on follow-up research missions to vetted planets. Daniel also proposes an alliance between Earth and Abydos, with himself as official liaison, which he continues his work at the SGC. Does he want to join an SG team, too? Well, yes - but he knows that it's something that can only happen sometime in the future.
The following extensive quote is from the last chapter of Translations, which essentially ends with the aftermath to The Serpent's Lair."We're proposing a fulltime commitment to the SGC on Daniel's part, but as...uh, essentially, a student-worker. In the department, he would be treated like any other civilian researcher, either as my assistant or working independently when I think he can handle a particular project on his own. Another part of his time would be devoted to study. In SGC emergencies, of course, I'd ask that Daniel be allowed to participate if he can help, regardless of hours--the way he's been participating already, but with stricter guidelines."
"Exactly what do you mean by 'study'?" General Hammond asked.
"I'd personally take responsibility for Daniel's work and put together the curriculum for his education myself," Robert replied. "If he continues to work here, he will be expected to pass the GED, which I think he could do in a year or two with some guidance. I know that's the minimum education requirement for all personnel here at the SGC."
..."I'm not questioning his competence or whether he can help the SGC," the general said. "I'm questioning the ethics of using him. He could enroll in a school fulltime to have a more normal education."
Daniel opened his mouth to protest that it wasn't 'using him' if he was volunteering for it, but Robert answered first.
"Personally, I'd like to see him go to college eventually, and I'll make sure he's prepared so that if he decides in a few years that he wants to, he can still do that."
Daniel spoke up, "The things I'll be learning here, General...it's the kind of thing I would have learned with my parents if they had survived. It's what I was raised to do, in a way. And in return, you'll have someone who has been literally living in the culture of the SGC and its specific issues, and who is willing to work for you."
..."You've been a participant--willing or not--on a few missions that, obviously, were less than safe," General Hammond reminded him. "I hope that isn't the type of thing you're hoping to do more often."
This would be a tricky point, too. "No, sir, not at the moment."
"Not 'at the moment'?"
"I--well, Dr. Rothman and I both believe it would be a good idea to increase civilian researchers' participation off-world," Daniel said. "I realize that's not a simple thing. What I'm asking is to be allowed to continue to learn with Teal'c, or undergo any other training necessary. If I learn to defend myself well enough--maybe not soon, but eventually--then any team I'm with won't be more burdened than necessary with trying to protect me."
..."Research and exploration are important objectives to this program," the general said, "but that doesn't change the fact that we're starting to fight a war, here, on top of other dangers."
"I'm not asking to go into danger completely unprepared. I'm asking you to let me train with whoever is willing to teach me. I heard about the new regulations for new SG team members, that they have to pass physical tests and be able to respond to various situations--if I can meet those requirements, eventually, I'd ask you to consider it then."
General Hammond sighed. "I won't promise you a place on a team now. That will come if and when you are able to meet our requirements, and it certainly won't be anytime soon. When that time comes, I might reevaluate our policy on civilian off-world travelers."
"Actually," Robert said, "I'd like to suggest that you start reevaluating it now, if there are researchers willing to be assigned to field teams. Whether or not Daniel's allowed, there are more civilian than military scientists here, and sometimes we could be useful in the field."
"Are you volunteering, Dr. Rothman?"
"If...necessary, then yes, I'm willing to, but I'm happy staying home and going on occasional, purely research missions. But if someone wants permanent assignment on an off-world team..."
"I'll keep it in mind," the general allowed reluctantly. "If someone volunteers, I'll consider it on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Jackson," he added, "in your case, the answer is 'no.' Later, I might consider it, if you can prove yourself to me and one of our teams."
"I understand," Daniel said quickly, knowing he was unlikely to get any more.
..."And this base would be his home? Your endorsement of this idea is what surprises me the most, Colonel. I remember you arguing more than anyone else about how it wasn't the right environment for someone to grow up." Daniel couldn't help letting his eyes drift over to Jack; he'd never known that before. "You've changed your mind about that?"
"No, sir," Jack said without hesitation. Daniel tensed. "I still don't think a military base is the right place for anyone to spend virtually his entire life. I don't even think it's right for Teal'c to be stuck here. But Daniel's asking to stay on Earth to help the SGC. If we're not going to let him do that, then he'd go back to Abydos."
The general looked briefly at Daniel, then back. "And this would be a bad thing, in your opinion? Going back to his home, rather than serving as part of the first line of defense for this planet?"
Instead of answering directly, Jack said, "Daniel, where would you go if you couldn't stay with us, here?"
Not sure where this was leading--he hadn't prepared for this--he replied, "Abydos, of course. I would try to keep relations with Earth open."
"And keep the Stargate open, too. Which means people could travel to other planets."
"Well...well, yes, if... I do know the addresses of several safe planets that could be explored or researched."
"By now, you also know the addresses to several unsafe planets," Jack pointed out.
"Of course, but--"
"Like Chulak?"
Daniel's eyes widened in surprise. "I never told you I was thinking about--" He cut himself off.
..."My point, sir," Jack said, calmly, "was that Daniel...and maybe other Abydons, too...they're not going to sit back and do nothing. Daniel could be a good 'resource,'" he said reluctantly, "though that's not the word I'd use. This is just a matter of making the best use of his...brain."
General Hammond looked between him and Jack. "I'm not denying that we could make use of his skills. I'm wondering whether we should."
"Daniel shouldn't have been here helping us from the beginning. I wish he weren't involved. But he was, and he's here now. Whether you call that our fault, or his, or the Goa'uld's, that's how it is. I wouldn't say this lightly," Jack added, "but after everything, I think he's earned a chance to help us, if that's what he wants."
"Maybe so, but at the very least, you've pointed out yourself that this place isn't meant to be a permanent living space. Teal'c's choices may be limited simply because he stands out more among other people, but that isn't the case for a young human."
"The majority of the time," Daniel said, "I would ask to be allowed to continue living here, sir, if you'd allow that." He hesitated, then continued, "Colonel O'Neill...uh, has offered..."
"Officially, he'll live in my house," Jack said, "until he's able to make his own arrangements or he decides to return to his homeworld. Obviously, he can't drive to or from here on his own, so in practice, he'd stay on base a lot when my schedule doesn't match with his, the way other SGC personnel have rooms here to spend the night occasionally. It's not perfect, but it's better than never seeing anything but gray walls."
..."I've been wondering for a while now whether this was coming," General Hammond said. Daniel raised his eyebrows a little in surprise. "As much as I know you could be an asset to us, especially after some time to learn with the people here, I had some doubts about whether allowing it would be the right thing to do. And I still do."
Daniel's stomach dropped, and he opened his mouth to try one last time, but the general continued before he could.
"Since you seem to have convinced some of my best people, however, on their advice, I'll allow it. On a provisional basis," he added. "I'll give you until the Abydos 'gate opens on..."
"August seventeenth," Sam and Jack said at the same time before he had a chance to fill it in.
"August seventeenth, then," the general said. "You have just over three months to prove to me that you can handle this, without negatively affecting anyone or any operation here. Like any other person working here, if you can't keep up, I will put an end to it."
"Yes, sir," Daniel said, relieved. There was sorrow, too, waiting at the back of his mind, but he'd expected that, and he'd deal with it later.
..."Thank you, General," Daniel said, and included the rest of them in his look as he promised, "I won't let you down."
General Hammond looked down at the table, then nodded and stood. They rose with him. "I know you won't, son. And, Daniel..." He extended a hand, and after a second, Daniel reached out to clasp it in return. "Welcome to Stargate Command."
I hope these excerpts help explain why I truly had no problem accepting the behavior of Hammond, Jack, and the others in dealing with a minor Daniel living on a base that serves as the front lines to the war against the Goa'uld. Nightspear does address those issues, and to me, walks on the right side of the line of making it plausible for us to accept the situation.
I'm afraid the next section won't be available for posting until next week. In the meantime, though, I welcome any thoughts or polite disagreements. And I know Nightspear will, too. :)
Continued with part 2 and part 3.