Our fleet has lost its champion; to ash he has returned,
To stand before the next life, in the state his deeds have earned.
Our hero needs an honor guard, an escort, and a crew,
And if youre the best available, I guess youll have to do.
No Quarter, NO QUARTER! You damn well earned your fate.
Give Lord Nekhrun our compliments; were sorry you are late.
Ancient legends say the rank a fallen warrior held
Depended on an Honor Guard of foes that one had felled.
And so in tardy tribute to the one we couldnt save,
Well lay your fiery deaths like crimson flowers on his grave.
No Quarter, NO QUARTER! You damn well earned your fate.
Give Lord Nekhrun our compliments; were sorry you are late.
We know what Nekhruns ending was, by all the songs we heard.
And now we reach the battle; we are in no gentle mood.
Hear that thunder rolling till it seems to split the sky?
Thats each manjack in the Navy taking up the cry -
No Quarter! HUA!
No Quarter! HUA!
No Quarter! HUA!
The Angrezi certainly knew how to throw a party, Jack noted. Currently there was a veritable carnival sweeping across the the capital city and anyone wearing a Confederate uniform was unable to pay for their drinks, or allegedly any of the other services that were apparently available in the less exclusive quarters of the capital.
In the palace, the Padishahs senior officers, representatives of von Lohengramms fleet and virtually every single survivor of Ayodhyas battle group were roaring a song in tribute to their fallen hero. Jack suspected that it had been hastily patched together from an existing song rather than being a new composition but that didnt seem to dampen anyones enthusiasm.
Arent you drinking, Colonel? Shakuntala asked and he turned, his back to the balcony rail hed been leaning on, to see her watching him from the doorway, a sizeable bottle of coloured glass braced against one hip and a goblet half-full of some colourless liquid in the other.
Just wondering what happens now, he told her. Do you have another glass of that?
She laughed and offered him hers, which he took gingerly. Dont worry, theres no symbolism or anything to sharing a glass, Shakuntala assured him. Well, other than being fellow warriors.
Thanks. I almost got married one time if Danny hadnt warned me at the last minute Jack shook his head and sipped on the contents of the glass. A moment later and he was glad that all hed done was sip the stuff was strong, something like 80-proof hed guess and after a moment he realised it was plum brandy.
She laughed again at the accusing look that he shot at him. I didnt come out here to tease you, Colonel. Well, not just to tease you. Father agreed to reopen the Stargate to notify your people of your well-being and the Tokra manaaged to connect first. It would seem that they want to send a delegation to explain themselves, and presumably to get a good look at us for themselves.
Jack nodded. Whos coming? Selmak?
Thats one of the names, the Princess agreed. Someone you know?
His host is Sams father, he explained. Do you want me to meet them first? Warn them not to do anything stupid like badmouthing Nekhrun.
That wouldnt win them any points, she agreed. Im sure it can be arranged for you.
They stood in silence for a moment, thinking their own private thoughts and then Jack drained the glass. Its too bad he died, he said. Might have actually made me reconsider my opinion of the sna- uh, worms.
Well we couldnt have that, Shakuntala observed. Fortunately the one known exception to the species general repulsiveness wont be around to challenge your prejudices any more.
Jack! Daniel called, walking out onto the balcony. I just heard that the Stargate will - he broke off as he saw Shakuntala standing beside Jack. Oh, uh am I interrupting anything?
The two looked at each other. No, they confirmed quickly.
We were just talking about Nekhrun, Jack explained.
Theres no chance that he and Maybourne managed to make it to an escape pod? Daniel asked. I mean, theyre both survivors
Shakuntala turned to look out over the city. It would be nice to think that, Doctor. Against the bright lights of the city neither man could see the golden glow that lit her eyes for the moment. However, all the escape pods were accounted for.
.oOo.
The Tokra were in a subdued mood as they explained Deleks treason, first to SG-1 and then to Admiral von Lohengramm and the Confederate diplomats. Anise, although part of the delegation, said nothing to either group after the revelation that Nekhrun was dead, but had died apparently heroically. However, her expression when the Padishah proposed that the first Destroyer to be built at the shipyards just beginning constructed would be named the Wrath of Nekhrun said a great deal, as did her evident relief when Admiral von Lohengramm smoothly suggested that perhaps it would be more appropriate to resurrect the name Leonidas.
The prospect of war between the Tokra and the Confederacy had been averted however, and once the Tokra arrived the time had come for SG-1 to depart.
Ive been asked to make a few presentations, the blond admiral announced from beside the Padishahs throne as the four of them took their leave. The throne room was far less crowded than it had been on their previous visits although there was still an interested crowd of officers. Firstly, it is with great pleasure that I award the first Angrezi in the Confederated Free Systems Fleet her commission. He took out a roll of parchement and unrolled it. By the declaration of the People and the Senate of the Confederacy, the rank of Captain is hereby conferred upon Princess Shakuntala of Angrezi.
The princess stepped forwards, clad for once in the crimson tunic and black pants of her battlions dress uniform, and the Admiral handed her the parchment. The rank goes with official appointment as the liason officer between the Padishah and Fleet Headquarters, he added, So I suppose that Ill be seeing a great deal of you in the future.
Then he turned an aide, who presented him with a crimson sash. Tealc of Chulak. By the declaration of the People and the Senate of the Confederacy, for your valor in battle against the enemies of the Confederacy, you are hereby presented with the Silver Cat. He hung the sash across Tealcs chest, proudly displaying the single medal fastened to it, a stylised silver panther.
Daniel received a Crimson Cat, of red-enamelled bronze, on his own red sash. Sam and Jacks sashes were blue and while Sam received the same Silver Cat as Tealc, Jacks was surrounded by bronze laurels.
And finally, von Lohengramm advised. Lord Nekhrun left a personal gift to Colonel ONeill and it falls to me to make the presentation. He gestured towards the windows. Its a little large for the throne room, I fear, but Ive had it set up in the courtyard.
Jack frowned at him and then hastened to the window. He halted abruptly as he saw the courtyard below and Sam, close behind him, almost ran into him.
The X-Wing that sat in the courtyard, obviously fully prepared for launch. It was also a brilliant scarlet red, with black go faster stripes. The smile on Jacks face looked as if it would have to be surgically removed.
Sir, Sam said as Jack started whistling happily.
Dont spoilt the moment, Carter.
I dont think it will fit through the gate, sir.
Jack stopped whisting. Dammit, I knew I should have asked for a Viper!
.oOo.
Fin.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
To stand before the next life, in the state his deeds have earned.
Our hero needs an honor guard, an escort, and a crew,
And if youre the best available, I guess youll have to do.
No Quarter, NO QUARTER! You damn well earned your fate.
Give Lord Nekhrun our compliments; were sorry you are late.
Ancient legends say the rank a fallen warrior held
Depended on an Honor Guard of foes that one had felled.
And so in tardy tribute to the one we couldnt save,
Well lay your fiery deaths like crimson flowers on his grave.
No Quarter, NO QUARTER! You damn well earned your fate.
Give Lord Nekhrun our compliments; were sorry you are late.
We know what Nekhruns ending was, by all the songs we heard.
And now we reach the battle; we are in no gentle mood.
Hear that thunder rolling till it seems to split the sky?
Thats each manjack in the Navy taking up the cry -
No Quarter! HUA!
No Quarter! HUA!
No Quarter! HUA!
The Angrezi certainly knew how to throw a party, Jack noted. Currently there was a veritable carnival sweeping across the the capital city and anyone wearing a Confederate uniform was unable to pay for their drinks, or allegedly any of the other services that were apparently available in the less exclusive quarters of the capital.
In the palace, the Padishahs senior officers, representatives of von Lohengramms fleet and virtually every single survivor of Ayodhyas battle group were roaring a song in tribute to their fallen hero. Jack suspected that it had been hastily patched together from an existing song rather than being a new composition but that didnt seem to dampen anyones enthusiasm.
Arent you drinking, Colonel? Shakuntala asked and he turned, his back to the balcony rail hed been leaning on, to see her watching him from the doorway, a sizeable bottle of coloured glass braced against one hip and a goblet half-full of some colourless liquid in the other.
Just wondering what happens now, he told her. Do you have another glass of that?
She laughed and offered him hers, which he took gingerly. Dont worry, theres no symbolism or anything to sharing a glass, Shakuntala assured him. Well, other than being fellow warriors.
Thanks. I almost got married one time if Danny hadnt warned me at the last minute Jack shook his head and sipped on the contents of the glass. A moment later and he was glad that all hed done was sip the stuff was strong, something like 80-proof hed guess and after a moment he realised it was plum brandy.
She laughed again at the accusing look that he shot at him. I didnt come out here to tease you, Colonel. Well, not just to tease you. Father agreed to reopen the Stargate to notify your people of your well-being and the Tokra manaaged to connect first. It would seem that they want to send a delegation to explain themselves, and presumably to get a good look at us for themselves.
Jack nodded. Whos coming? Selmak?
Thats one of the names, the Princess agreed. Someone you know?
His host is Sams father, he explained. Do you want me to meet them first? Warn them not to do anything stupid like badmouthing Nekhrun.
That wouldnt win them any points, she agreed. Im sure it can be arranged for you.
They stood in silence for a moment, thinking their own private thoughts and then Jack drained the glass. Its too bad he died, he said. Might have actually made me reconsider my opinion of the sna- uh, worms.
Well we couldnt have that, Shakuntala observed. Fortunately the one known exception to the species general repulsiveness wont be around to challenge your prejudices any more.
Jack! Daniel called, walking out onto the balcony. I just heard that the Stargate will - he broke off as he saw Shakuntala standing beside Jack. Oh, uh am I interrupting anything?
The two looked at each other. No, they confirmed quickly.
We were just talking about Nekhrun, Jack explained.
Theres no chance that he and Maybourne managed to make it to an escape pod? Daniel asked. I mean, theyre both survivors
Shakuntala turned to look out over the city. It would be nice to think that, Doctor. Against the bright lights of the city neither man could see the golden glow that lit her eyes for the moment. However, all the escape pods were accounted for.
.oOo.
The Tokra were in a subdued mood as they explained Deleks treason, first to SG-1 and then to Admiral von Lohengramm and the Confederate diplomats. Anise, although part of the delegation, said nothing to either group after the revelation that Nekhrun was dead, but had died apparently heroically. However, her expression when the Padishah proposed that the first Destroyer to be built at the shipyards just beginning constructed would be named the Wrath of Nekhrun said a great deal, as did her evident relief when Admiral von Lohengramm smoothly suggested that perhaps it would be more appropriate to resurrect the name Leonidas.
The prospect of war between the Tokra and the Confederacy had been averted however, and once the Tokra arrived the time had come for SG-1 to depart.
Ive been asked to make a few presentations, the blond admiral announced from beside the Padishahs throne as the four of them took their leave. The throne room was far less crowded than it had been on their previous visits although there was still an interested crowd of officers. Firstly, it is with great pleasure that I award the first Angrezi in the Confederated Free Systems Fleet her commission. He took out a roll of parchement and unrolled it. By the declaration of the People and the Senate of the Confederacy, the rank of Captain is hereby conferred upon Princess Shakuntala of Angrezi.
The princess stepped forwards, clad for once in the crimson tunic and black pants of her battlions dress uniform, and the Admiral handed her the parchment. The rank goes with official appointment as the liason officer between the Padishah and Fleet Headquarters, he added, So I suppose that Ill be seeing a great deal of you in the future.
Then he turned an aide, who presented him with a crimson sash. Tealc of Chulak. By the declaration of the People and the Senate of the Confederacy, for your valor in battle against the enemies of the Confederacy, you are hereby presented with the Silver Cat. He hung the sash across Tealcs chest, proudly displaying the single medal fastened to it, a stylised silver panther.
Daniel received a Crimson Cat, of red-enamelled bronze, on his own red sash. Sam and Jacks sashes were blue and while Sam received the same Silver Cat as Tealc, Jacks was surrounded by bronze laurels.
And finally, von Lohengramm advised. Lord Nekhrun left a personal gift to Colonel ONeill and it falls to me to make the presentation. He gestured towards the windows. Its a little large for the throne room, I fear, but Ive had it set up in the courtyard.
Jack frowned at him and then hastened to the window. He halted abruptly as he saw the courtyard below and Sam, close behind him, almost ran into him.
The X-Wing that sat in the courtyard, obviously fully prepared for launch. It was also a brilliant scarlet red, with black go faster stripes. The smile on Jacks face looked as if it would have to be surgically removed.
Sir, Sam said as Jack started whistling happily.
Dont spoilt the moment, Carter.
I dont think it will fit through the gate, sir.
Jack stopped whisting. Dammit, I knew I should have asked for a Viper!
.oOo.
Fin.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.