After the week of spending time with her friends from Earth, Sam went back to her Jedi training. Her friends at the bar were getting ready for a wedding.
They wanted to make this the best moment in Sam's life. After all she needed some darn good memories of this world.
Mara Jade Skywalker took Teal'c and Daniel to Dagobah, where the Stargate was held, so they can go back to Earth. Mara knew that Sam and Jack's family and friends would want to be at the wedding.
As they were flying to Dagobah, Mara asked, “Will these chevrons change if we moved the Stargate?”
Teal'c answered, “If you only use one Stargate in this galaxy, no. There are no planets that can be that close to any constellation to make that much of a difference as far as dialing into the Stargate. It is when a galaxy uses more than one Stargate thing are much different.”
Mira replied, “I thought so. Not into astronomy like Jack, but this is not my first time flying into space. For the time being, us Jedi Knights are not planning to use more than one Stargate.”
Teal'c asked, “Where are you planning to move the Stargate?”
“We Jedi have been talking about Coruscant. It can be better protected there. I am sure that Earth will be sending a number of people through the Stargate for Sam and Jack's wedding. It will be better for the wedding to be in Coruscant than Yavin 4.”
Teal'c replied, “Since very few know about the Stargate Program on Earth, it may take some time before all can be sent through.”
Mara sighed, “I guess if I were to believe no one else lived in the universe, I would panic too. I also would give everyone the opportunity to learn there are other life forms living throughout the galaxy and the universe.”
“The Tau'ri are very curious people, but they do seem to have great fear for what they do not understand.”
Mara spouted out, “That should change!”
“Indeed it should. I am hoping they will start to do so once the friends and family of Sam and Jack come to this galaxy. Once they start to see the reality of what is out there, they will have no reason to fear it.”
Daniel said, “Since I am one of those Tau'ri, I can state that we can use our irrational fears to our advantages. We can easily turn that fear to understanding and respect of different cultures. Earth has many, many cultures throughout its history.”
Mara said, “When we went to search for the missing Jedi Knights that had to scatter after the Clone Wars, we had come across several worlds like Earth. They have thought they were the only living beings in the galaxy. Sometimes it was very hard to control the panic, but in time they came to realize we were no different.”
Teal'c stated, “Since you all have the ability to see things with the Force...”
Mara interrupted, “The Force cannot always calm a storm, especially if people insist in creating them.” Mara paused for a moment. “Teal'c, trust me. I believe the people of Earth are less likely to panic. It is always the politicians that distort things. They have done it here on many worlds, and I am sure they do it with all the nations on Earth.”
“If the people of Earth had the chance to have a true voice, then they would change a lot of the bunk that goes on. It has been done on countless worlds here, and it can be done on Earth. Living beings are really not all that different. I have seen more than my share of all kinds of life forms in this galaxy. Earth is ready to travel through the Stargate once given the chance.”
When they landed and got to the Stargate, Teal'c said, “If you have to contact us, please dial the chevrons that I have given you. Tell the person or persons you meet that you know me. Just telling them you are a Jedi Knight should give you the royal treatment from the start. They can either relay the message to the SGC, or send you to Earth from Chulak.”
Mara said, “Once the Stargate is moved, Earth should be able to dial to Coruscant. I will let you know when our Stargate is set up. May the Force be with you.”
When Teal'c and Daniel arrived at Chulak, they immediately dialed for Earth. They first made verbal conversations before going through the Stargate to Earth. When they got hold of the SGC, the DHD officer got the General. The General darted to the communications room.
General Hammond said, “Teal'c it is great to hear from you. I take it that you found Sam?”
Teal'c told him all that had happened in a galaxy far, far away.”
“You are right. It will take some time to gather everyone. As you know this will cross some lines in keeping this base the best kept secret in the world, but I have to agree with Master Jedi Mara Jade Skywalker. We need to slowly get everyone on Earth see the wonders we have experienced.”
Teal'c said, “We can see how everyone reacts when they experience all the different life forms on Coruscant.”
“You and Dr. Jackson are welcome to come to the SGC anytime you are ready.”
The two of them did so immediately.
After a complete physical from Dr. Frasier, they were allowed to talk to the families and friends of Sam and Jack.
The wedding was not anytime soon, but they did invite some to go through the Stargate to at least see what it would be like on a different world and galaxy. Some of the close family members could help set up the wedding. Having them do the invitations would indeed be very interesting.
**********
Corran was teaching Sam to do more physical things with the Force than just running. With Jack's help, Corran set up an obstacle course near Sam's calisthenics center on Coruscant. The course starts off easy, but as she continues, it will get harder and harder.
She could rely on her Air Force training to the easy part, but the rest she would have to use the Force completely to finish it successfully.
Jack smiled, “Ready grasshopper?”
“As I ever can be.”
Corran said, “Go!”
Sam jumped to it. As expected, Sam was doing good at first. Since Sam is new in concentrating deep in the Force, she nearly fell on the ground.
Before she did, Sam used the Force to slow her decent before hitting bottom. Sam was able to land on her feet like a seasoned cat.”
After being on her feet, Sam cursed.
Corran replied, “Do not accept all defeats as failures Sam. Just keep pushing forward. I want you to keep at it until you make it over this hurdle.”
Sam tried it a dozen more times, before she achieved her goal.
When she came up close to her Master and Jack, she asked, “Since I am the grasshopper, I take it I will become a Knight once I complete this course?”
Corran thought for a moment and said, “If you can do it efficiently enough, then we will see. It will take a great deal to complete this course. It is not the course that is the issue. It is learning all you need to know before you become a Knight. When you do concentrate on the Force, you will do great, but you do not concentrate on the Force enough my Padawan. You must do it all the time.”
“There are some things I rather do without help.”
“That is why you have failed the first hurdle. It is also why you have not opened up enough to your feelings regarding your time here before Mara Jade rescued you.”
Sam slumped. She knew her Master was right. She needs to allow others to be part of her life regarding her raw emotions.
Sam was wondering if whoever kidnapped her was using that against her. “Could it be that simple to just share these horrific feelings with others?” Sam has always thought she would scare others away by sharing her negative feelings, especially the one she has received here in this galaxy.
Corran continued, “Sam when you use a tool like the Force, it will not take away anything from your life, but enhance it. You do not see my slouching around. I use the Force constantly. I have to admit, I would like the Force to make me a better cook.”
Sam laughed. “I think you are a great cook, Master.”
Corran smiled, “Break time over. This time use the Force. This is not the United States Air Force Academy. This is your Jedi training, so get to it.”
Sam smiled, and went back to the course.
She started at it again. She was able to pass the first obstacle she had an issue with before. She was able to pass a several more hurtles. Her Master stopped her where she was at. He instructed her to start over, and stop at that point. Sam did as she was told.
After a few rounds on the course, she suddenly got a feeling from the Force. She smiled and turned around to where her Master was located.
Sam said, “Dad!” Sam ran to him.
Jacob said, “Doing good work Sammy.”
She smiled, “Thanks dad. I never thought I would see you again.”
They both hugged like they have not hugged each other in a hundred years.
After hugging, Jacob asked her daughter with a smile, “Want to talk to your ole man?”
She answered, “Sure dad. I have wanted to do that for a long time.” They walked a distance from Corran and Jack.
Jacob asked, “How do you feel baby?”
Sam sighed, “I am trying to deal with what has happened to me lately.”
Jacob frowned, “Closing everyone else out again?”
“I have been dealing with my feelings for so long by myself.”
“What you faced after your mother's death is a hell of a lot different than what you have been through here in this galaxy. I do not know what you been through. No one does because you will not tell anyone.”
Sam replied, “I have been talking to C-3PO.”
“Why have you not talked to everyone else?” I am sure C-3PO is a good individual to share your feelings with, but he is only a droid. He appears to me more than a simple machine, but these new friends of yours, including your Jedi Master, are flesh and blood. They are here for you Sam. You need to allow them to help you. They cannot do that if you are staying silent.”
Sam was feeling sad, and she showed it.
“Dad, I do not know why, but every time I try to talk about how I feel, it hurts too much.”
Sam's father stated, “It will not stop hurting until you let it out. Stop being stubborn.”
Sam smiled.
“Now that you beat the crap out of this Telk fellow, you should not have that many places to hide behind.”
Sam said with a smile, “I do feel a lot better after I did that.”
“I am sure that whoever took you from us has somehow made it harder for you to talk. You do not need to let that bastard win either. I cannot come close to understand what you been through Sammy, but will you please focus on opening up more. You might need to allow this energy field, the Force, to help you do that.”
Sam nodded, “I will start to do that more.”
“You do that baby.”
“I am so happy to see you dad.”
Jacob smiled, “Same here. If you do not mind, I will be staying for a while with you in this galaxy.”
“What about the Tok'ra? You are one of the big wigs there.”
“Yes I am, but you are more important to me. Besides, if anything happens in Goa'uld town, they will contact me here.”
“How are things going regarding them?”
“For the time being they are keeping quiet. That is why I am going to stay with you.”
“Dad, I have been wondering if it was one of the Goa'uld system Lords are responsible in kidnapping me. They would be the perfect candidate.”
It was Selmak that spoke next, “The Tok'ra High Council has thought that. So far we have not come up with any leads to your kidnapping from any Goa'uld.”
“Who could have done this?”
“That is a very good question. I talked to your Jedi Master on our investigation. He told me that the Jedi Knights have come up with nothing on their end. If someone is this elusive, then kidnapping you had a very damn good reason. Being a simply slave was not the height of your kidnapping.”
“I know that I am here to be broken down.” Sam explained what she had been feeling all during her time as a slave.
“I agree with you. These deep foreboding feelings did not originate from you. They were deliberately given to you. Some of the Tok'ra is here. I will talk to the Jedi High Council on having us help them find whoever is responsible. If the Goa'uld is here in this galaxy, then we will know. It is very interesting that the Jaffa people have known about the Jedi Knight and the Tok'ra does not know one thing about them.”
Sam replied, “That is odd.”
“No matter, things will reveal themselves in time. As for your issues you are facing. We Tok'ra have faced many, many horrors. I think I can rightfully say you are as strong as a Tok'ra.”
Sam smiled, “Just keep my father safe. He is the only one I have.”
Jacob said, “So that is it. You think you are protecting me by keeping silent?”
“Dad it is a lot more than that. As you know it hurt me very much when I lost mom. I thought I lost you forever when I was taken.”
“I am here Sam. Like Jack, I am not going anywhere. Yes, I will have to go back to the Tok'ra High Council, and get bored as hell in their meetings. If it was not for them, I would not be here. You have these Jedi Knights. I think you owe them the same courtesy.”
Some of Sam's raw feelings were starting to surface. Sam was about to cry over them. Her father got her not to hold them back.
“Let it out. I am here.” She did let it out. Sam buried her face in her father's chest and cried. Her father said to her, “It is okay.”
Sam replied while still crying, “No it is not dad. I cannot get over all that have died in the mines. I feel I am responsible.”
Jacob gently moved her daughter's head so she could look right at him.
“You did not force them down there. You did not make them slaves.”
Sam was not convinced, “I was responsible for keeping them alive.”
Jacob lovingly said, “Sam you are hurting yourself like you have done with all the others when you were a teenager. You cannot be responsible for others. Spite how hard you will try. There will be people that will still go the wrong way. Sometimes they see the light, but most will always refuse to change. It has nothing to do with you, but them.”
Sam started to dry her face off with her hands.
“It is who I am. I cannot simply allow others to go down the wrong path without helping them.”
“You must have missed a special someone along the way.”
Sam was puzzled, “What are you talking about, dad?”
Jacob gave her little girl a smile, “I am talking about not helping yourself. It seems that person is in plenty of hurt. Why not go to her and help her.”
Sam gave a half smile and full of sadness look, “Thanks dad.”
Jacob replied, “Any time love. That is what fathers are supposed to do. I read it somewhere.”
Sam laughed.
**********
General Hammond was in his office when Major Davis knocked on his door.
Hammond replied, “Come in!”
Major Davis entered.
General Hammond said, “Please have a seat. I called you here to tell you that you are going to be the active commander of the base while I will be with Sam and SG1.”
Major Davis replied, “I was briefed by the President on that. I told him that I was only a Major.”
General Hammond replied, “Not anymore Colonel. Started tomorrow at 08:00, you will be a Lt. Colonel of the United States Air Force. Congratulations!”
Davis replied to Hammond's handshake, and saluted him.
Lt. Colonel Davis asked, “Sir, how long will you be gone?”
“Paul, you know how much SG1 means to me. I feel that I need to be with them.”
“Will you be retiring?”
“I was supposed to be retired a long time ago. If it was not for SG1 going back to 1969, I might not have been the commander here.”
“I will keep the light running when you all decide to come back.”
“I sent a notice to the President. If I do not come back anytime soon, I suggest that you be promoted to at least a one star General, and becomes the next commander of the SGC.”
Paul was about to protest.
Hammond replied, “I sure hell am not going to give the SGC to the damn NID.”
Paul understood, “No, I would not either.”
“You are about the only one I trust with the keys to this place. You also know more about what the hell is going on here than I do. I assure you, as I am standing here today, if I had hair on my head, I would lose every bit of it.”
Lt. Colonel Davis laughed.
General Hammond looked at his watch. “My granddaughters should be here in 15 minutes. Their parents left through the Stargate already. Good luck.”
Hammond walked off to finish getting ready for them.
It was not long for him to be with her granddaughters in the Gate Room, There were other family members waiting to go through the Stargate for the first time.
One of Hammond's granddaughters said, “Is this where you go through every day?”
“I have gone through it a couple of times, but I usually stay here.”
The other granddaughter asked, “Is Sam on the other end?”
“She is to where we are going, yes?”
Finally all 9 chevrons were dialed. After the thrust of the wormhole connecting to the Stargate, everyone was amazed and frighten at the same time.
General Hammond said, “It is nothing to be afraid of. You simply walk through.”
Someone asked, “We will be where Sam and Jack are once we get on the other side?”
Hammond answered, “On one of the planets in that galaxy, yes. I was told that the Stargate on the other end is on a planet called Coruscant.”
When they all arrived, Senator Mon Mothma was there to greet them.
She said with a warm smile, “Welcome to Coruscant. We are happy to have you all from Earth.”
One of the family members asked, “Where are Jack and Sam?”
Mon Mothma answered, “Sam is being trained at the Jedi Knight Academy. Jack is with her. I have a transport ready for you to take your apartments. From there you will be taken to where the wedding ceremony will be located, so all of you can work on the wedding.”
Another family member asked, “I thank you for all you have done for us here. I am more concerned with my sister, Sam Carter. Can I at least see her?”
Mon Mothma answered, “I will let her know you are here. It might be better for her to come to you, yes?”
Sam's brother answered with a smile, “Yes that would be great, thank you.”
Hammond and his granddaughters staid near the Stargate while Mon Mothma escorted the others to their transport. When she came back, she smiled at the girls.
Mon Mothma asked, “How did you like the travel through the Stargate?” They both answered, “COOOOLL!!”
Mon Mothma smiled, “I thought it was cool too. I met your Grandfather at the SGC on Earth.”
Mon Mothma looked at General Hammond. “It is great to see you again.”
“Same here Senator. How is Sam doing?”
“Under the circumstances she appears to be doing good. I have another transport to carry the three of you to her now, if you are ready?”
George Hammond smiled, “Yes we are.”
This ride Mon Mothma went with them. As the transport took off, one of George's granddaughters asked, “What is a Jedi Knight?”
“They are guardians of justice and freedom throughout the galaxy. They do this by manipulating the Force.”
Both of the girls asked, “The Force?”
Mon Mothma smiled, “The Force is an energy field generated by all living things. It surrounds and penetrates everything, binding the galaxy together. Like any energy field, the Force can be manipulated. There are two sides of the Force: the light side which is for peace, knowledge, and serenity. The dark side is anger, fear, and aggression.”
One of the girls asked, “Since Sam still has a lot of anger and suffering in her, will she become part of the dark side?”
Mon Mothma answered with a smile, “No she will not. Yes she still has anger, and a lot of hurt in her, but she will be fine.”
George said to his granddaughters, “Sam is a lot stronger than she thinks. She is holding on very well.”
**********
At the Jedi Academy, Cassandra was with Sam. Cassandra said, “I see you are acting like everything is okay. Now tell me the truth.”
Sam looked at Cassandra.
“None of that look. I know you butthead. You are hurting inside.”
Sam looked away. Sam said, “I am hurting inside. I am a lot better than I was, but now, I do not know.”
Cassandra said, “Girl you do know. Right now you are having your emotions spinning in all directions.”
Sam replied jokingly, “And I can still walk straight.”
They both laughed.”
“When you are ready to talk girl, I am here. If you do not, I will kick you in the ass.”
Sam replied, “Being violent are we?”
“Not like you are doing to yourself.”
Sam sighed. “It is not that at all. Something is making me think that I am responsible for all the bad things that have happen around my life here. I know that I am a softy for the underdog, but not like this.”
“You are not responsible for everything in life Sam. I tried to tell you that before.”
Sam smiled, “Yes you have. This is much different. I do not know how or what, but it is like someone has taken control of who I am.”
Cassandra replied, “Look at me girl.”
She did so.
Cassandra continued, “You are Sam Carter, and you are about to Marry the man of your dreams. No one is controlling you anymore.”
“Then why do I still feel this way?”
Cassandra answered, “That is simple knuckle head. You were kidnapped from all the ones you loved. You saw Jack getting shot, and thought he was killed. You were tortured by people that did not know you. Shall I go on?
Sam smiled at her. “Have I told you that I love you girl?”
“I think you mentioned it a few times.”
The two of them hugged.
“You better get back to that course, and become the best damn Jedi Knight in the fleet.”
