It has been nearly two years since Sam started her Jedi Training in a galaxy far, far away. To Sam's amazement, she has learned a great deal of the Force.
Corran, Luke, and the other Jedi Knights had to build three new training courses for Sam. She simple was far too powerful with the Force to have any training course tame her. On this third one, Teal'c added his knowledge to the design.
One day, while taking a break in her training, Mara was telling her that she will be training them before too long.
Sam smiled, “I doubt that. I have learned a great deal from all of you. How can I teach you anything new?”
Mara smiled, “You just did girlfriend.”
“What was that?”
“In the years I have known you Sam, there is one thing that always stands out from you, humility and determination. I have not seen you once give up.”
After Mara saw Sam's body language, “You did go through ringer and back on being slave, but you never gave up. I think if you did, your skills of using the Force would not have been that great.”
Sam sighed, “It is not over yet. Whoever wanted me in the first place will not give up because I am learning more of the Force.”
Mara sighed, “I am sure he or she will not, but please do not fear something that has not happened yet. You are right, it can get worse, but it is not that bad yet. Focus on the here and now. It is where all minds of a Jedi belong. In all that you have gone through, you surely need to stay focused on the here and now.”
“It is not easy, but I am at least standing.”
“No one is asking you to do more than that. A Jedi Knight with the Force is not indestructible. All of us are born, and we die like all forms of life do. Life goes on with or without us. The only thing any of us can do is hold on tight. What I think you need to do is to remember all the positive things you have done.”
Sam replied sarcastically, “That has not been all that many.”
Mara said, “Sam! Do I have to get Cassandra to kick that ass of yours? You have a great career as an Air Force Officer. Have you forgotten the things you have done on Earth during your honeymoon? Those should be very easy to remember when you are under pressure of one kind or the other.”
Sam replied with a smile, “I still go over what I did on Earth. I only helped two people and stopped some bank robbers, but I did those things due to my abilities with the Force. Believe me. I want to find something I did for them without the Force.”
“Sam because you used a tool to help you build something in your life does not make it less important. The Force is a means, but not the ends of being a Jedi Knight. Who you are inside is what is making your abilities grow in the Force. You control the Force. It does not control you. Do not be afraid to use something to your advantage. If you do not, only you will fail.”
Sam smiled, “If I do not complete my task on this new course, I will fail to achieve a good day’s work.”
Mara smiled back, “That is the spirit. Knock yourself out.”
Sam went back to her training.
Mary out of nowhere quietly walked up closed to watch.
Mara asked Mary with a smile, “How are you today?”
Mary answered with a smile of her own, “I am doing great. The other day, for the first time, I was able to have a very good conversation with a Twi'lek friend of mind without C-3PO or any other protocol droid. A few weeks ago a medical droid did a full medical exam on me. He was able to fix my heart so I will not have any more heart attacks.”
Mara replied, “Wonderful! I hope we can help cure a lot of diseases on Earth one day.”
“I hope you can too, but personally I am in no hurry to get back to Earth.”
Mara said with a smile, “I have been seeing you with that boy friend of yours a lot lately.”
Mary replied enthusiastically, “He is a wonderful man.”
“I am very happy that you have started to grow roots here. I think Sam is starting to do the same.”
“She has planted herself in both worlds. I do not know if I have the strength or the energy to do that. The moment I first saw her at that restaurant, I knew that she was a person that had energy to share with everyone on Earth and then some.”
Mara lowered her head in dourest. “We Jedi have been wondering if the reason for Sam being kidnapped was to tap that energy from her.”
“You mean something like what these Goa'uld do?”
Mara finally looked at Mary and answered, “Exactly.”
“If I understand right, only a Jedi Knight can detect if someone has the abilities to use the Force. How can a Goa'uld do this?”
“We have thought it was a Goa'uld symbiote inside of a rogue Jedi, but what we have learned from the Tok'ra, that is not possible. They said that a Goa'uld does not share anything with their host. Only through training can an apprentice, like Sam, learn the ways of the Force. When a Goa'uld symbiote dominates a host, the host looses their abilities to be themselves.”
“Are you saying the Force is a living energy?”
Mara smiled, “Very much so.”
“I have been told about the Force is an energy field that surrounds all life, but what is it? Where did it come from? Will this energy field run dry?”
Mara answered with a smile, “For your last question, the Force is not a fluid type energy. It does not fill up overnight when we Jedi Knights are asleep. If I understand your other two questions, I do not think I can answer them. I am not sure any Jedi living can rightfully answer them. To my knowledge not many Jedi Knights today know about their ancient history.”
“I am sure some information is out there ready to be discovered. It was not that long ago we here under Emperor Palpatine's rule. He and Darth Vader helped hunt down and destroy nearly all the Jedi Knights throughout the galaxy. In our search through the galaxy, we have found small remains of them. We are growing, but we are still a lot less before the Clone Wars.”
Mary smiled, “I wonder if there are others on Earth that can be trained to be a Jedi Knight as Sam?”
“That is a very good question. One day we will find out.”
Mara looked at Sam, and back at Mary. “I know one thing for certain. It will be Sam to train the first person on Earth.”
Mary smiled, “Who else? If she stayed on Earth longer, she might have already started.”
“She has to be a full Knight before she can do that, but I understand you thinking. Sam has the abilities to do a lot of things, and it has nothing to do with the Force. When she does master the Force, I cannot wait to see what is in store for her.”
**********
At the Jedi Library, Dr. Daniel and Janet Jackson were working on the ancient Jedi manuscripts. Daniel got Janet to work on documenting things that he himself scribbled down in his notebook.
Janet was one of the chief medical doctors on Coruscant. Janet retired from the United States Air Force sometime after Sam left Earth. Janet and Daniel got married on Coruscant a few months after Janet retired.
After writing down all that was given to her, Janet said, “Daniel I am done. What else do you have for me?”
Daniel replied as he was reading, “This ancient Jedi dialect is hard to decipher. It will be a time before I can have something for you.”
Janet said with a smile, “I cannot get over how we ended up here in this galaxy.”
Daniel stopped what he was doing, and looked at his wife. He said with a smile, “Our lives have been very interesting since Sam has been rescued from her captors.”
Janet cursed. “I would like to know why Sam was kidnapped in the first place. I am very happy that Sam is being trained to be a Jedi Knight, but why her. Earth is too far away from these Jedi Knights to have someone notice here no matter how powerful she is with the Force.”
“I would like to know that myself, and do all I can to help Sam through her feelings over it. Helping her deal with these feelings will do more good than finding out the why.”
Janet angrily said, “You know whomever is responsible is not through with her. I am wondering if she was meant to be rescued.”
“What do you mean?”
“We all know how powerful Sam is with this Force. I think that is why Sam has been dragged from all the way from Earth to here. She has something that is desperately needed by the one responsible in taking her.” Janet went quiet for a small moment. “Can you see that it is easier for someone else to train her? When she is ripe for the picking, all the horrors she has faced could start again if not a whole lot worse.”
“If we at the SGC can be pacified from being able to help Sam before she was taken, you are concerned this person or persons can do it here to all the Jedi Knights?”
“The Sith Lord did that to the Jedi Knights before. Who is to say there is not another doing that right now?”
Daniel did not know what to say. Janet did have a very good point.
“I know what the Tok'ra and the Jedi have said about having a Goa'uld using a Jedi Knight as a host in use the Force, but let's hypothesize that they found a way to use the Force in the Dark Arts.”
“If this hypothesis is correct of yours, then it can explain a lot, but I would like to know more before I walk down that path.”
Janet sighed, “So do I love. I just feel so damn helpless sitting her, and have the possibility of Sam going through what she has been through, again.”
Daniel smiled, “Sam has been learning a great deal. If someone is after her, let's hope that Sam has the ability to fight back.”
Janet sighed, “What I have learned, Anakin Skywalker was the same way. The Jedi Knights could not change one thing. Palpatine and Darth Vader nearly killed all the Jedi Knights.” Janet has a very terrible idea come to her mind, and she shared it with her husband, “Sam could be the tool to destroy these Jedi Knights.”
Daniel said calmly, “First, Palpatine is dead. It cannot be him after Sam. Second, if there was anyone starting up the Sith, these Jedi Knights would know. Third, If Palpatine or whomever is out there, they would have destroyed these Jedi Knights already. I think you are over reacting a bit.”
Janet smiled, “Sweaty, I hope so. I guess I am being overly protective now that I am with Sam. I am seeing a lot of hurt in her than when she was on Earth.”
Daniel smiled, “What I have understand, everyone that knows Sam has been thinking the same way as you. I am sure these Jedi Knights knows the risks that she faces more than we do. When it is our time to take part, then we can act on it.”
Janet said in frustration, “I want to do something for Sam right now! Wait until later, and it could be too late. I do not want us to make the same mistake we did before she was taken.”
Daniel replied lovingly, “Right now, showing our love toward her will help her deal with what she had faced. If she cannot let go of all that she had faced, she will be hurting herself more than anything.”
Janet let out a big sigh, “I guess you are right.”
“I believe Sam is a lot stronger than she appears. From what Jack had told me when they were on Earth, she did some wonderful things.”
Janet smiled, “She needs to finish her Jedi Knight training, and go back to Earth for good. When she does go back, I do not think Earth will be the same. Our lives have not been the same.”
“I think the life for the Jedi Knights will not be the same either. I think Sam has woken something up about their past. That is why I want to read all I can from their archives. I have no clue what has been woken up, but I can feel it in my bones that something has. Everyone in our galaxy is here, SG1, the Tok'ra, and the Asgards. We both know that everyone on Earth will start to use the Stargate once Sam brings her Jedi friends to Earth.”
Janet said excitingly, “Corran had been telling us that at the SGC when Sam and Jack were on Earth during their honeymoon. That is why Corran did not walk outside the complex. He somehow believed it was not time for him to do so.”
Daniel replied with determination, “That is why I am working hard ing finding something. I do believe it will be needed.”
Janet smiled, “If anyone here can find that something important, it would be you my love. If it were not for you, we would not be using the Stargate. I think it is more than just Sam that has this power.”
“What do you mean? I am no Jedi Knight.”
“No you are not. You were neither part of the Air Force, but if it was not for you, there would be no telling what mess Earth would have been into with the Goa'uld. Everyone that worked with SG1 has made a giant difference. Teal'c joined us at the very last moment. He did save your lives if he realized it or not by defecting. General Hammond had an important role.”
Daniel reminisced, “You are talking about us going back to 1969?”
“Yes I am. I had a hand in SG1 fate a number of times. SG1 did things that not even a platoon could do. I was amazed that you all came back alive. You had a few scratches by comparison, but you all came back alive.”
Daniel said in amazement, “You mean to say that Sam was able to use the Force without realizing it?”
“It was not just Sam. It was Jack as well. Remember him telling you about that dream he had. Did you not tell me that everything happen just as his dream showed him?”
Daniel replied with concern, “Yes it did happen exactly as his dream in every detail. I do not think he can use the Force, or he would be in training right now.”
“I do not think so. Jack has always been shielding himself by acting dumber. It could be that he has shielded himself without realizing he is doing it. Luke was able to find Sam due to her strong ability with the Force. It appears to me that these Jedi Knights do not go out of their way to find someone strong in the Force, or they would be doing it all the time. I am sure they can look within Jack and see, but they have not. As for you my love, you could have a special archaeologist ability that can find things that the average person could not. You have done so many of times. I cannot state that you are using the Force to do it, but you have found the most important things in a very short period.”
**********
When Sam complete this new training course, Corran said, “Very good my Padawan. You are sure giving us Jedi a run for your money.”
Sam replied with a smile, “Only going by what you been teaching me Master.”
Corran smiled, “I am going to have to find something for you to do until we can design a forth course for you.”
“I do truly thank you for getting me to be trained with more courses. I have learned so much more these past several months.”
Corran smiled, “Sam, if you keep it up, it will be to a point I can no longer teach you anymore. That does not necessarily mean you will be a full Jedi Knight.”
Sam smiled back, “I will always learn something from you Master.”
“We have learned a great deal from each other, I think.”
“When I do become a Knight, it will be the time I will take you all to my world. I will show you all the wonders that have never been seen in this galaxy. I wished I could have done so the first time Jack and I were there.”
“I was tempted to have you show me then, but I felt it was not the time. That is why I never left the SGC complex. Even though I was in that complex, I did not stay all that long. I would not want to ruin anything for you my Padawan.”
Sam smiled, “I cannot wait to show you all of the wonders that only Earth has to offer. I do not want to put even my big toe back on Earth until I am a Knight. It is not that I am afraid to go back, but I am confident that the right time will be when I am a Jedi Knight.”
“You have learned a great deal of the Force Sam, but you still yet have to learn a few things more.”
Sam replied, “I wished I can learn something to remove these damn feelings of mine. I thought I would have them gone by now.”
“What you have faced, it appears that you will always remember some of them. It is just the manner of living with them. I think you have dealt with them a lot better than you realize.”
Sam half smiled, “I wished I can be as confident as you are about me.”
Corran sighed, “If I had been through what you have gone through, I might be thinking the same way.”
Sam frowned, “I am not so sure about that. You all have faced things that I have not in my entire life.”
“What does that have to do with it?”
“Experience is everything, yes?”
“What does one experience have to do with another?”
Sam was puzzled. Corran saw this, but did not give Sam the answer quiet yet.
“What I am referring is that you all have faced hardship that no one on Earth has done ever.”
“What does one hardship have to do with another?”
Sam showed confusion on her face. “Sorry Master, but I am not sure what you are getting at?”
Corran still did not give her the answer straight out. “Stop finding answers from the outside world. The only way to answer you own life is by looking within yourself.”
Corran told Sam to meditate on this in the Force until she found the answer. Corran continued, “Sam this is your new training course, the one that you need to master. It might be the toughest one that you have ever been on. When you find this answer, come to me for your next assignment.”
Sam did as she was told. Sam went to her usual secluded meditation place she had always been to. Sam sat down with her legs crossed. Sam had no idea what she was asked to find, but she did not give up because it was hard. Since she was put in a world far, far away, everyone had told her to find the light within herself.
Now her next training course was build on that concept. When Sam was meditating in the Force Sam started to relive every moment that she went through during her kidnapping.
To Sam it was worse than sticking your big toe to see if the water is cold before jumping in a swimming pool. This pool had monsters in it. If she was not careful, they could bite her leg off.
Sam slowly traveled down memory lane to the point before she went through the Stargate on the last mission at the SGC. Sam through the Force was able to see as if she was right there living in that moment of everything she experienced. She saw herself on that planet after crossing through the other Stargate. She remembered how she felt before her kidnappers went through the Stargate.
Sam replied, “O' my God!” Sam broke from the Force, and stood up very quickly. Sam went into a mild panic. Sam had to force herself to think in this time and place. When she could think a little clearly, she used the Force to calm her mind. After she stabilized she cursed like a sailor.
Sam immediately went to her Master and told him what had happened. Sam continued saying, “I think I was attacked as I was going down memory lane. I know it was not any form of mental conditioning. No conditioning is that strong.”
Corran replied, “Sam I believe you.”
“Until the Jedi Council can find out who had attacked you, I want you to stop meditating on the Force as I have instructed.”
Sam replied with relieving smile, “Thank you Master. I think I will have no problem with that request.”
Corran smiled, “That will be enough training for you today my Padawan. You truly deserve the rest of the day off.”
“Thank you.” Sam walked home. When she got there, she was alone. Sam was happy to be alone. Just the same, she needed Jack at her side more than ever. She was timid to use the Force again to help her deal with this. She was recently attacked when she was simply meditating in the Force. Sam was very afraid it could happen again.
Sam was starting to feel alone once again. She did not know what to do. Something or someone was starting to get her to fear using the Force. Something was attacking her during her training. Sam immediately stood up. Sam said out loud, “I am Sam Carter O'Neill, and I am a free person!”
All the sudden her comlink went off. Sam realized it was Jack before flipping the switch. Sam replied, “Thank you for calling love. I am alone here at the house and scared out of my mind.” Sam told Jack what she felt in the Force.
Jack replied, “You have the right to be scared Sam. I would be. You are doing the right thing by taking this slowly. This is not your fault, and Corran, Luke, Mara, and a few others are monitoring you. If this attack happens again, you will not be alone this time.”
Sam calmly said, “I am starting to feel them around me through the Force. Due to that my fears are starting to melt away.”
“Good! I will be there as soon as I can. I love you.”
Sam replied the same thing before turning off her comlink.
Sam used the Force to talk to her Jedi protectors, “Surely they are more powerful Jedi out than me. How can I be so special?”
Luke said, “I did find you out among countless living being on Coruscant. It is very possible that you were easily found on Earth.”
Sam replied sarcastically, “Lucky me.”
Mara replied, “I am for one happy to have you among us girl.”
Sam smiled inwardly. “Thanks Mara. I thank you all for you help. Damn, I owe you at least two life debts for this.”
Luke replied, “Nonsense. We told you that no Jedi is alone. No one Jedi can face what you are going through by themselves, and we are not going to leave you when things get rougher for you.”
“If I cannot give you all a life debt, I will at least do my best to make it up to all of you.”
Corran said, “If you can show us your planet, then we can call it even.”
Sam sarcastically said, “If I make it through all this with my sanity intact.”
Mara scorned Sam, “Stop doing that to yourself!”
Sam replied, “Oops that one slipped.”
Corran replied sarcastically, “Like Hutt on a banana peel.”
Sam laughed. “I did not know you knew anything about bananas Master?”
Corran said, “I ate a couple when I was at the SGC on Earth. You need to stop eating at yourself.”
Sam sighed, “Yes I do. Thank you for not whooping my hide off my butt.”
Corran replied, “I am going to start to do that if I hear you cut yourself down again.”
Sam smiled, “Yes Master. Jack is about to walk in. May the Force be with you all.”
