This time when they stepped through the Stargate onto Angrezi, the hollow was not empty. When they had left they had seen Confederate soldiers dismantling a small base camp that they had used for their simulated invasion of the Angrezi. Now, although the tents were all gone, two lines of soldiers flanked the ancient road on the left turbanned Angrezi soldiers wearing scarlet tunics and black pants and on the right a rank of bareheaded soldiers wearing black tunics and pants broken only by grey collars and cuffs. Both ranks of soldiers came to attention as SG-1 stepped down from the Stargate.
Colonel ONeill, Captain Carter, Doctor Jackson, Tealc, called von Pinn, who was standing at the far end of the little corridor of soldiers, wearing the same black uniform as the men to their right, although in his case he also had grey epaulettes and facings on his tunic. On behalf of Admiral Sario Ayodhya of the Confederated Free Systems Fleet, Ambassador Lord Nekhrun of the Confederated Free Systems and his imperial majesty Padishah Alexander VIII of Angrezi, I welcome you to Angrezi.
Jack paused. I feel distinctly underdressed, he whispered to Sam, who was standing next to him in the same BDUs that the rest of SG-1 were wearing, their formal clothes all packed into their backpacks.
Youre dawdling, sir, she hissed back as they walked towards von Pinn. The soldiers all saluted as SG-1 passed them and the two Air Force officers reflexively returned the salutes.
Thanks for the warm welcome, Jack greeted von Pinn.
Youre entirely welcome, Colonel, von Pinn replied. How often do you think we can bandy the word welcome back and forth? he asked under his breath as they shook hands.
Long enough to avoid the reception? Jack asked hopefully.
Sadly not. Von Pinn turned and gestured to the open space behind them. If youll step this way please, well ring up to the Leonidas where quarters have been provided for you and you can prepare for the reception. Theres also a briefing for the protocol that will be in place I know that its tempting to make sure youre rested before having to endure something like this, but please try not to fall asleep. If you start anything too messy then it would reflect poorly upon the Confederacy.
.oOo.
The Leonidas was much as Jack remembered it clean, polished and professional. This time they were escorted to a suite of rooms deeper inside the ship. There were a pair of guards outside the doors, wearing the same uniform that Jack remembered and looking rather drab alongside von Pinns new outfit.
Whats with the black and silver? Jack asked. Dress uniform?
Dress blacks, von Pinn agreed. The epaulettes are for officers, facings like these mark a command grade officer a Lieutenant or a Captain - and when the facings and epaulettes are merged into a single shoulder piece then youre faced with one of the admiralty. The fancier the markings, the more senior the officer.
Sounds like the Admiral will be carrying around a lot of brass, Jack observed.
Von Pinn laughed. Its even worse than that. This is about as formal as it gets so well be wearing a sash to display our decorations as well and he has to wear Nekhruns as well. He may have to bring a valet along to carry all of them.
Jack shivered. Ive never been so grateful for mess dress uniforms in my life.
Its not as if we have to wear them all that often, von Pinn shrugged.
Weve been asked to find out whats going to happen to Colonel Maybourne, Daniel asked as he came back from looking around the suite. Is that going to be a problem?
I dont think anythings been decided yet, von Pinn told him. Until it is, hes just been locked up. Lord Nekhrun said something about holding him hostage against having a Tauri named, he hesitated. What was the name. Geord Luke As, I think, account for certain inconsistencies in his video entertainment -
We will defend Georgelucas with our lives, Tealc declared boldly.
- but I think he was joking, von Pinn said, giving Tealc a puzzled look. Or not?
Probably joking, Jack snorted. Although thats a shame, come to think of it. Ive got a few questions for him myself...
Tealc shook his head. There is no doubt, ONeill, that Greedo shot first.
Seriously, I dont know whats going to happen to Maybourne, von Pinn interrupted, proving that even halfway across the galaxy, everyone was fed up with that particular question. If youre trying to get him back and I cant honestly see why youd want him then its pretty much going to depend on whether you can keep him locked away from carrying out any more operations like this one.
Jack winced. Maybourne was a slippery character and keeping him locked up would be a great deal easier said than done. I suppose well have to see what can be worked out, he replied.
.oOo.
SG-1 had been offered front row seats at the briefing, with at least six rows of seats behind them filling up with men and women in a considerable variety of what Daniel assured Jack was formal garb. Jack and Sam both wore mess-dress, Daniel wore a black tuxedo and Tealc had donned his carefully maintained Jaffa gear, looking every bit the First Prime of Apophsis that he had been before they met on Chulak. On the other side of the aisle, however, the men and women all wore Confederacy dress blacks, more than half of them with bright silk sashes of royal blue or crimson descending from their left shoulders to their right hips and with very few exceptions wearing officers epaulettes. The few who did not were evidently long service non-commissioned officers with red sashes liberally laden with decorations in comparison to the scantier selections of their officers.
There were only a few seats still empty when the doors slid open to admit Admiral Ayodhya who didnt so much stalk in as sidle towards a seat immediately across from Jack. There was something oddly furtive to him and the blue sash he wore, while impressively bemedalled, didnt seem to to live up to von Pinns description.
Probably the most important thing to remember, the civilian giving the briefing concluded, Is not to address anyone on the uppermost level of the throneroom unless they address you first and not to step onto it without an explicit verbal invitation by someone already standing on it. Stop and ask their permission first if you have to. Admiral Ayodhya assures me that he wont let the Padishah cut your nose off if you do, but it would cause needless offense.
Did the Admiral promise that he wouldnt cut our noses off if we do? asked some wag from the back of the civilian seats.
The briefer, who Jack had noted wore a red sash of the same kind that so many of the officers did, tapped his papers against the desk before closing them up in his folder. No, Herr von Strang. He did not. There was an uneasy pause. Are there any further questions?
Will Lord Nekhrun still be attending with Admiral Ayodhya? asked another voice, this one recognisably Andre von Pinn.
The Admiral rose to his feet and turned to face the audience, eyes glowing. That is my intention, Lieutenant von Pinn. Is there any reason for your enquiry?
I was just wondering why you werent wearing your decorations, Lord Nekhrun, von Pinn replied politely. I apologise for any discourtesy that I may have offered you.
Nekhruns eyes narrowed. I appear to have accidentally left them behind when I came aboard, Lieutenant, he advised. More precisely, I was in such a hurry to board the Leonidas that I forgot to collect them from my vault back on Heinessen. I am sure that the Padishah will not feel their lack.
At that moment the door to the briefing room hissed open and a tiny middle-aged woman of obviously indian heritage trotted in, clutching a garment of red and blue silk. Ah, Lord Nekhrun, she said brightly. I hope Im not disturbing you at all.
Ah no, Nekhrun said resignedly.
Oh good, the woman said, her smile displaying brilliant white teeth. Ive found the rest of your uniform, it must have fallen at the back of the closet and ended up in one of your shoe boxes somehow.
Imagine that, agreed Nekhrun, his voice somewhat strained. He obediently turned around and then sank to his knees so that the much smaller woman could slip the garment, some sort of sleeveless jacket, over his broad shoulders. The look on his face, Sam noted, was almost identical to that on Jacks on the not infrequent occasions when he was being dragged to the infirmary by Janet Fraiser. Then the light faded out and in a somewhat amused voice, Admiral Ayodhya continued: And let that be a lesson to all of you, that even the greatest warlord can be defeated by those who know him best.
Youre a flatterer, young man, the woman said with a slight gleam in her eyes that spoke of amusement. Ill have you know that Ive learnt a few things carrying my Lord Nekhrun around all these years.
That statement seized SG-1s attention sharply. Nekhruns usual host was von Pinn had told them that Nekhruns usual host is a very sweet lady whos been with him for a couple of generations but it hadnt occurred to them that she would be visibly aged most Goauld utilised a sarcophagus to keep their hosts looking young and attractive.
Ah, how many years was that, if you dont mind my asking? Daniel asked cautiously.
Not quite eighty years, she told him. My, you must be the Doctor Jackson that I have heard so much about. Doesnt seem that they feed you very well, wherever it is that you come from youre all skin and bones.
.oOo.
In the end it took heroic measures and promises to return to the Leonidas after the reception for a proper meal to extract Daniel from the clutches of Nekhruns host Harjit.
You actually share headspace with her? Jack asked incredulously as they descended the stairs to the deck with the Ring transporters.
Nekhrun shrugged, the gesture sending all of the many medals hanging from his vest jangling rather less than melodiously. Her familys been working for me for almost a thousand years, Colonel. Now her grandmother, she was a real tyrant. They keep me grounded.
Theyve got you whipped, jeered Jack.
That is not part of the arrangement, Nekhrun retorted. His eyes grew distant. Although her great-grandmother did have a certain fondness for that sort of thing. Disturbing woman, I had to insist on moving to Harjits grandmother once she was old enough it was getting seriously difficult to keep the stablehands in my employee. Something about tight riding pants, I think she said.
Jack paled slightly and Sam snickered.
You mean you actually he spluttered.
Ah, now that is part of the deal, Ayodhya explained, the Goauld fading into the back of the Admirals awareness. Probably to feel all warm and cuddly about the look on the Tauri Colonels face. Whoever Nekhruns host is, while hes in, is the lord of the manor, so to speak, with all the perquisites thereof. He paused and frowned. Actually Im distantly related to Lady Harjit. Her great-grandmother would be my, hmm His eyes glowed for a brief moment. Great-great-great-grandmother. The glow faded and he winced. By one of those stablehands it would seem. Wonderful, the things you can learn, hosting Lord Nekhrun for a month or two, they told me. Hah.
So you come from the same planet as her? Daniel asked
Well, I was born on Heinessen, Ayodhya corrected. My grandfather settled down there after what Im assured was an exciting and colourful career in the diplomatic service, but he came from Uttara Mahanandai on Basantapur.
Daniel nodded. And Basantapur is where Harjit comes from?
Her family have served Lord Nekhrun in the Mahanandai since our ancestors first came to Basantapur, Ayodhya agreed. Admittedly, without most of us knowing about it until a few generations ago. It was quite a shock to some of the higher caste families to find out that Lord Nekhruns representatives were of the Shudra.
Whats a Shudra? Jack asked.
Jack! Daniel protested. Didnt you listen to a word of the briefing?
Some of them, yeah.
Other than, there will not be refreshments?
Well
Daniel started swearing in several languages that he was fairly sure Jack didnt know, although hed been caught offguard once on that matter. When he paused for breathe, Nekhrun filled in for him with great eloquence although he was a little lacking in the vehmence. Jack, traditional Hindi culture divides the population into four castes. The Shudra are the lowest of the castes, the workers. When were in the Padishahs throne room theyll only be allowed onto the lowest of the levels of his throneroom except when they are specifically escorted further up. From what I gather, Nekhrun is accorded extremely high social status in the Confederacy, so for him to be represented on Basantapur by a member of the Shudra would be a huge slap in the face.
The offical stance is that whoever his host is takes on his own status, Ayodhya explained, but its taken years for the unoffical stance to catch up with that. He shrugged. Not that anyone else in the Confederacy, except possibly the Angrezi now, cares about Basantapurs caste system as long as they dont try to impose it on the rest of us. He opened a door, revealing a ring transporter. Alright, brace yourselves for the uppermost of Angrezis upper crust.
Why did you have to invite use again? Jack almost whined.
Misery enjoys company? Ayodhya suggested with a smile.
.oOo.
Angrezi high society was apparently largely focused on standing around talking, Jack noted. At least nobody was expecting him to dance. The throne room was almost large enough a football game, although the low steps seperating the four levels would have been a formidable hazard to anyone running around. The Padishah was enthroned on the Lion Throne, a Goauld-worthy creation of elaborately worked gold and crimson velvets that stood just before the step up to the highest level of the huge chamber. Apparently, even though he was the ruler of the planet, the Padishah wasnt of the highest caste and couldnt go further back without permission. It didnt make much sense to Jack, but Sam had mentioned that if it meant that the Padishah was bound by laws rather than being an absolute ruler then it was probably a good sign.
Which still left Jack drifting around the level since he didnt think that walking up to the Grand High Poobah of the entire planet and saying Hi, can I have a trade agreement and those dudes who shot up your soldiers please? would make quite the impression that General Hammond would want.
Youre looking rather bored, said an amused voice as he was studying one of the huge oil paintings that were spaced along the walls of the throne room. He turned to see a young woman in a sari examining him somewhat sceptically. I do hope not, daddy would hate to feel that he was being a poor host.
Daddy? Jack asked, hoping that this wasnt going to be some elaborately stagemanaged ploy to make it look like he was hitting on a girl at least a decade and a half his junior. Maybe two decades.
Ah, she said. Of course, we havent had the chance to be introduced yet, have we. You have the inestimatable pleasure to be addressing her Royal and Imperial Highness, the Princess Shakuntala of Angrezi. And who might you be? Im sure that that isnt a Confederate uniform, dashing though it is.
Jack blinked. Great, an princess at least a decade and a half his junior. Colonel Jack ONeill of the United States Air Force. From Earth.
Oh good, the Princess said brightly. I was hoping that that was who you were. I wasnt sure though, you dont look old enough to be Doctor Jacksons father -
Im not Daniels father, Jack said quickly. Blast it! Did everyone in the galaxy think that that was their relationship? Its just a coincidence about our names. Before there could be an awkward silence, or more embarassing, a continutation of that topic of conversation, he changed it: Is it really an inestinatable pleasure to be addressing you?
She laughed, not a girlish giggle but the chuckle of someone who was glad to have a break in the formality. Im assured that it is by ever such a large number of young fellows, Colonel. However, perhaps youll have drawn your own conclusion by the end of the evening. What brings you back to Angrezi? I would have thought that you would want my fathers memories of the Colonel Mayburns exploits to have time to cool before showing your faces to him again.
Well theres an Earth saying about striking while the iron is hot, Jack said. If we just went away then your fathers opnion of us would be based on Colonel Maybourne and perhaps we can make a better impression on him than that.
Audacious, the princess agreed. And I suppose that Admiral Ayodhya was very persuasive about his invitation? I do wonder why he did that.
I suppose that it was Nekhruns idea, suggest Jack. Although that rather begs what his agenda is.
She smiled again, as if in amusement. Im always puzzled that anyone would think of Nekhrun as male. I suppose youve only met her while Admiral Ayodhya was her host but shes really far more feminine when Lady Harjit hosts her. She was a very merry host when I visited Basantapur last year.
As far as I know, snakes are all male except the Queens, Jack shrugged.
Snakes? the princess froze and then shook her head. I really must ask you not to refer to Goauld as that, Colonel. Snakes, after all, are quite magnificent creatures and hardly deserve comparison to dear Nekhruns depraved cousins.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
Colonel ONeill, Captain Carter, Doctor Jackson, Tealc, called von Pinn, who was standing at the far end of the little corridor of soldiers, wearing the same black uniform as the men to their right, although in his case he also had grey epaulettes and facings on his tunic. On behalf of Admiral Sario Ayodhya of the Confederated Free Systems Fleet, Ambassador Lord Nekhrun of the Confederated Free Systems and his imperial majesty Padishah Alexander VIII of Angrezi, I welcome you to Angrezi.
Jack paused. I feel distinctly underdressed, he whispered to Sam, who was standing next to him in the same BDUs that the rest of SG-1 were wearing, their formal clothes all packed into their backpacks.
Youre dawdling, sir, she hissed back as they walked towards von Pinn. The soldiers all saluted as SG-1 passed them and the two Air Force officers reflexively returned the salutes.
Thanks for the warm welcome, Jack greeted von Pinn.
Youre entirely welcome, Colonel, von Pinn replied. How often do you think we can bandy the word welcome back and forth? he asked under his breath as they shook hands.
Long enough to avoid the reception? Jack asked hopefully.
Sadly not. Von Pinn turned and gestured to the open space behind them. If youll step this way please, well ring up to the Leonidas where quarters have been provided for you and you can prepare for the reception. Theres also a briefing for the protocol that will be in place I know that its tempting to make sure youre rested before having to endure something like this, but please try not to fall asleep. If you start anything too messy then it would reflect poorly upon the Confederacy.
.oOo.
The Leonidas was much as Jack remembered it clean, polished and professional. This time they were escorted to a suite of rooms deeper inside the ship. There were a pair of guards outside the doors, wearing the same uniform that Jack remembered and looking rather drab alongside von Pinns new outfit.
Whats with the black and silver? Jack asked. Dress uniform?
Dress blacks, von Pinn agreed. The epaulettes are for officers, facings like these mark a command grade officer a Lieutenant or a Captain - and when the facings and epaulettes are merged into a single shoulder piece then youre faced with one of the admiralty. The fancier the markings, the more senior the officer.
Sounds like the Admiral will be carrying around a lot of brass, Jack observed.
Von Pinn laughed. Its even worse than that. This is about as formal as it gets so well be wearing a sash to display our decorations as well and he has to wear Nekhruns as well. He may have to bring a valet along to carry all of them.
Jack shivered. Ive never been so grateful for mess dress uniforms in my life.
Its not as if we have to wear them all that often, von Pinn shrugged.
Weve been asked to find out whats going to happen to Colonel Maybourne, Daniel asked as he came back from looking around the suite. Is that going to be a problem?
I dont think anythings been decided yet, von Pinn told him. Until it is, hes just been locked up. Lord Nekhrun said something about holding him hostage against having a Tauri named, he hesitated. What was the name. Geord Luke As, I think, account for certain inconsistencies in his video entertainment -
We will defend Georgelucas with our lives, Tealc declared boldly.
- but I think he was joking, von Pinn said, giving Tealc a puzzled look. Or not?
Probably joking, Jack snorted. Although thats a shame, come to think of it. Ive got a few questions for him myself...
Tealc shook his head. There is no doubt, ONeill, that Greedo shot first.
Seriously, I dont know whats going to happen to Maybourne, von Pinn interrupted, proving that even halfway across the galaxy, everyone was fed up with that particular question. If youre trying to get him back and I cant honestly see why youd want him then its pretty much going to depend on whether you can keep him locked away from carrying out any more operations like this one.
Jack winced. Maybourne was a slippery character and keeping him locked up would be a great deal easier said than done. I suppose well have to see what can be worked out, he replied.
.oOo.
SG-1 had been offered front row seats at the briefing, with at least six rows of seats behind them filling up with men and women in a considerable variety of what Daniel assured Jack was formal garb. Jack and Sam both wore mess-dress, Daniel wore a black tuxedo and Tealc had donned his carefully maintained Jaffa gear, looking every bit the First Prime of Apophsis that he had been before they met on Chulak. On the other side of the aisle, however, the men and women all wore Confederacy dress blacks, more than half of them with bright silk sashes of royal blue or crimson descending from their left shoulders to their right hips and with very few exceptions wearing officers epaulettes. The few who did not were evidently long service non-commissioned officers with red sashes liberally laden with decorations in comparison to the scantier selections of their officers.
There were only a few seats still empty when the doors slid open to admit Admiral Ayodhya who didnt so much stalk in as sidle towards a seat immediately across from Jack. There was something oddly furtive to him and the blue sash he wore, while impressively bemedalled, didnt seem to to live up to von Pinns description.
Probably the most important thing to remember, the civilian giving the briefing concluded, Is not to address anyone on the uppermost level of the throneroom unless they address you first and not to step onto it without an explicit verbal invitation by someone already standing on it. Stop and ask their permission first if you have to. Admiral Ayodhya assures me that he wont let the Padishah cut your nose off if you do, but it would cause needless offense.
Did the Admiral promise that he wouldnt cut our noses off if we do? asked some wag from the back of the civilian seats.
The briefer, who Jack had noted wore a red sash of the same kind that so many of the officers did, tapped his papers against the desk before closing them up in his folder. No, Herr von Strang. He did not. There was an uneasy pause. Are there any further questions?
Will Lord Nekhrun still be attending with Admiral Ayodhya? asked another voice, this one recognisably Andre von Pinn.
The Admiral rose to his feet and turned to face the audience, eyes glowing. That is my intention, Lieutenant von Pinn. Is there any reason for your enquiry?
I was just wondering why you werent wearing your decorations, Lord Nekhrun, von Pinn replied politely. I apologise for any discourtesy that I may have offered you.
Nekhruns eyes narrowed. I appear to have accidentally left them behind when I came aboard, Lieutenant, he advised. More precisely, I was in such a hurry to board the Leonidas that I forgot to collect them from my vault back on Heinessen. I am sure that the Padishah will not feel their lack.
At that moment the door to the briefing room hissed open and a tiny middle-aged woman of obviously indian heritage trotted in, clutching a garment of red and blue silk. Ah, Lord Nekhrun, she said brightly. I hope Im not disturbing you at all.
Ah no, Nekhrun said resignedly.
Oh good, the woman said, her smile displaying brilliant white teeth. Ive found the rest of your uniform, it must have fallen at the back of the closet and ended up in one of your shoe boxes somehow.
Imagine that, agreed Nekhrun, his voice somewhat strained. He obediently turned around and then sank to his knees so that the much smaller woman could slip the garment, some sort of sleeveless jacket, over his broad shoulders. The look on his face, Sam noted, was almost identical to that on Jacks on the not infrequent occasions when he was being dragged to the infirmary by Janet Fraiser. Then the light faded out and in a somewhat amused voice, Admiral Ayodhya continued: And let that be a lesson to all of you, that even the greatest warlord can be defeated by those who know him best.
Youre a flatterer, young man, the woman said with a slight gleam in her eyes that spoke of amusement. Ill have you know that Ive learnt a few things carrying my Lord Nekhrun around all these years.
That statement seized SG-1s attention sharply. Nekhruns usual host was von Pinn had told them that Nekhruns usual host is a very sweet lady whos been with him for a couple of generations but it hadnt occurred to them that she would be visibly aged most Goauld utilised a sarcophagus to keep their hosts looking young and attractive.
Ah, how many years was that, if you dont mind my asking? Daniel asked cautiously.
Not quite eighty years, she told him. My, you must be the Doctor Jackson that I have heard so much about. Doesnt seem that they feed you very well, wherever it is that you come from youre all skin and bones.
.oOo.
In the end it took heroic measures and promises to return to the Leonidas after the reception for a proper meal to extract Daniel from the clutches of Nekhruns host Harjit.
You actually share headspace with her? Jack asked incredulously as they descended the stairs to the deck with the Ring transporters.
Nekhrun shrugged, the gesture sending all of the many medals hanging from his vest jangling rather less than melodiously. Her familys been working for me for almost a thousand years, Colonel. Now her grandmother, she was a real tyrant. They keep me grounded.
Theyve got you whipped, jeered Jack.
That is not part of the arrangement, Nekhrun retorted. His eyes grew distant. Although her great-grandmother did have a certain fondness for that sort of thing. Disturbing woman, I had to insist on moving to Harjits grandmother once she was old enough it was getting seriously difficult to keep the stablehands in my employee. Something about tight riding pants, I think she said.
Jack paled slightly and Sam snickered.
You mean you actually he spluttered.
Ah, now that is part of the deal, Ayodhya explained, the Goauld fading into the back of the Admirals awareness. Probably to feel all warm and cuddly about the look on the Tauri Colonels face. Whoever Nekhruns host is, while hes in, is the lord of the manor, so to speak, with all the perquisites thereof. He paused and frowned. Actually Im distantly related to Lady Harjit. Her great-grandmother would be my, hmm His eyes glowed for a brief moment. Great-great-great-grandmother. The glow faded and he winced. By one of those stablehands it would seem. Wonderful, the things you can learn, hosting Lord Nekhrun for a month or two, they told me. Hah.
So you come from the same planet as her? Daniel asked
Well, I was born on Heinessen, Ayodhya corrected. My grandfather settled down there after what Im assured was an exciting and colourful career in the diplomatic service, but he came from Uttara Mahanandai on Basantapur.
Daniel nodded. And Basantapur is where Harjit comes from?
Her family have served Lord Nekhrun in the Mahanandai since our ancestors first came to Basantapur, Ayodhya agreed. Admittedly, without most of us knowing about it until a few generations ago. It was quite a shock to some of the higher caste families to find out that Lord Nekhruns representatives were of the Shudra.
Whats a Shudra? Jack asked.
Jack! Daniel protested. Didnt you listen to a word of the briefing?
Some of them, yeah.
Other than, there will not be refreshments?
Well
Daniel started swearing in several languages that he was fairly sure Jack didnt know, although hed been caught offguard once on that matter. When he paused for breathe, Nekhrun filled in for him with great eloquence although he was a little lacking in the vehmence. Jack, traditional Hindi culture divides the population into four castes. The Shudra are the lowest of the castes, the workers. When were in the Padishahs throne room theyll only be allowed onto the lowest of the levels of his throneroom except when they are specifically escorted further up. From what I gather, Nekhrun is accorded extremely high social status in the Confederacy, so for him to be represented on Basantapur by a member of the Shudra would be a huge slap in the face.
The offical stance is that whoever his host is takes on his own status, Ayodhya explained, but its taken years for the unoffical stance to catch up with that. He shrugged. Not that anyone else in the Confederacy, except possibly the Angrezi now, cares about Basantapurs caste system as long as they dont try to impose it on the rest of us. He opened a door, revealing a ring transporter. Alright, brace yourselves for the uppermost of Angrezis upper crust.
Why did you have to invite use again? Jack almost whined.
Misery enjoys company? Ayodhya suggested with a smile.
.oOo.
Angrezi high society was apparently largely focused on standing around talking, Jack noted. At least nobody was expecting him to dance. The throne room was almost large enough a football game, although the low steps seperating the four levels would have been a formidable hazard to anyone running around. The Padishah was enthroned on the Lion Throne, a Goauld-worthy creation of elaborately worked gold and crimson velvets that stood just before the step up to the highest level of the huge chamber. Apparently, even though he was the ruler of the planet, the Padishah wasnt of the highest caste and couldnt go further back without permission. It didnt make much sense to Jack, but Sam had mentioned that if it meant that the Padishah was bound by laws rather than being an absolute ruler then it was probably a good sign.
Which still left Jack drifting around the level since he didnt think that walking up to the Grand High Poobah of the entire planet and saying Hi, can I have a trade agreement and those dudes who shot up your soldiers please? would make quite the impression that General Hammond would want.
Youre looking rather bored, said an amused voice as he was studying one of the huge oil paintings that were spaced along the walls of the throne room. He turned to see a young woman in a sari examining him somewhat sceptically. I do hope not, daddy would hate to feel that he was being a poor host.
Daddy? Jack asked, hoping that this wasnt going to be some elaborately stagemanaged ploy to make it look like he was hitting on a girl at least a decade and a half his junior. Maybe two decades.
Ah, she said. Of course, we havent had the chance to be introduced yet, have we. You have the inestimatable pleasure to be addressing her Royal and Imperial Highness, the Princess Shakuntala of Angrezi. And who might you be? Im sure that that isnt a Confederate uniform, dashing though it is.
Jack blinked. Great, an princess at least a decade and a half his junior. Colonel Jack ONeill of the United States Air Force. From Earth.
Oh good, the Princess said brightly. I was hoping that that was who you were. I wasnt sure though, you dont look old enough to be Doctor Jacksons father -
Im not Daniels father, Jack said quickly. Blast it! Did everyone in the galaxy think that that was their relationship? Its just a coincidence about our names. Before there could be an awkward silence, or more embarassing, a continutation of that topic of conversation, he changed it: Is it really an inestinatable pleasure to be addressing you?
She laughed, not a girlish giggle but the chuckle of someone who was glad to have a break in the formality. Im assured that it is by ever such a large number of young fellows, Colonel. However, perhaps youll have drawn your own conclusion by the end of the evening. What brings you back to Angrezi? I would have thought that you would want my fathers memories of the Colonel Mayburns exploits to have time to cool before showing your faces to him again.
Well theres an Earth saying about striking while the iron is hot, Jack said. If we just went away then your fathers opnion of us would be based on Colonel Maybourne and perhaps we can make a better impression on him than that.
Audacious, the princess agreed. And I suppose that Admiral Ayodhya was very persuasive about his invitation? I do wonder why he did that.
I suppose that it was Nekhruns idea, suggest Jack. Although that rather begs what his agenda is.
She smiled again, as if in amusement. Im always puzzled that anyone would think of Nekhrun as male. I suppose youve only met her while Admiral Ayodhya was her host but shes really far more feminine when Lady Harjit hosts her. She was a very merry host when I visited Basantapur last year.
As far as I know, snakes are all male except the Queens, Jack shrugged.
Snakes? the princess froze and then shook her head. I really must ask you not to refer to Goauld as that, Colonel. Snakes, after all, are quite magnificent creatures and hardly deserve comparison to dear Nekhruns depraved cousins.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.