Daniel’s Dilemma

By RPonda

 

 

Jack, Daniel, Teal’c and Sam were all sitting in the briefing room discussing the planned mission to P3X-749. The MALP readings showed an indigenous population very near to the ‘gate.

 

“These people have a developed civilization,” stated Daniel. “I think we ought to explore it more.”

 

General Hammond looked to Captain Carter, “Are there any scientific reasons for going to this planet?”

 

Daniel was silently thinking, ‘of course there has to be a military or scientific reason or we don’t go.’ He’d been feeling a little miffed about a recent mission he’d suggested being refused because of having little more than cultural interest.

 

“I’ve looked over the mineral surveys, and there seems to be some minerals the MALP can’t identify.”

 

“Colonel, what is your opinion?” asked the general.

 

Jack looked at Daniel, then back to the General. “Sounds to me like we should check the planet out.” He knew Daniel needed a chance to use his unique skills for a change. Too many recent missions had centered on the military needs of the SGC. Besides, Jack’s knees would appreciate a soft mission.

 

“Okay, you have a go for 0800 hours tomorrow morning. Get what you need together. Dismissed.”

 

At 0800 hours, SG-1 was kitted out and ready to travel through the Stargate. The familiar kawoosh signaled the opening of the wormhole and all four team members stepped through to P3X-749.

 

After arriving on the planet, Jack and Teal’c checked their surroundings, signaling they could move on to the village.

 

“Okay, Daniel, you do the meet-and-greet when we get there,” ordered the Colonel, “but don’t forget, I need to know what’s going on.” Jack was getting a little tired of Daniel doing all the talking if the natives didn’t speak English.

 

“Right Jack, no problem,” replied Daniel offhandedly, as he kept walking to the village.

 

Teal’c gave Jack a raised eyebrow.

 

“I know, he’s already in peaceful explorer mode,” Jack said quietly to Teal’c. “Help me keep an eye on him.”

 

As they were approaching the village, about a dozen natives came out to greet them. They were all men dressed in simple clothes designed for warmth and ease of movement. The elders stood at the front, while the younger men stayed at the back. Off in the village, Jack noticed some women and children looking curiously at the group.

 

“Hello, we’re peaceful explorers who want to learn about you and your culture,” explained Daniel, as he tried different languages.

 

The natives kept giving him curious stares until he hit upon a language they seemed to understand.

/We welcome you to our community. Please join us in our meeting area,/  they said in their native language.

 

/Thank you. I’m Daniel Jackson, this is Captain Carter, Teal’c and our leader, Colonel O’Neill/

 

“Daniel?”

 

“Jack, they’ve welcomed us and wish to meet with us,” stated Daniel. “May we join them?”

 

“Yeahsureyebetcha, lead on,” answered Jack as he stretched his arm ahead of him.

 

Daniel and the leader tried to talk as they walked to the center of the village.

 

When she got the chance, Carter inquired, “So Daniel, can you tell us anything about them yet?”

 

“Um, not too much yet. They’re speaking an old Norse dialect. I haven’t had a chance to speak it very much. I’m pretty rusty,” Daniel replied, somewhat sheepishly.

 

Jack turned to look at him, “But you understand what they’re saying and they seem friendly, right?”

 

Daniel responded quickly, “Of course Jack, trust me.” He turned back to the leader.

 

When the team arrived at the village center, they were invited to sit around a warm fire to talk.

 

The oldest villager began, /We welcome you to join us. I am Hasma. Who is your elder?/

 

/Colonel O’Neill is the leader of our team, so I would say he is our elder./ Daniel smirked as he answered the question.

 

“Daniel?”

 

He shrugged.  “He just wanted to know who our elder was.”

 

Hasma and the others looked at the exchange between Jack and Daniel. /If he is your elder, why does he not speak to us himself?/

 

Daniel focused on Hasma again, /Oh, um, in our community different people have different jobs. It’s my job to speak different languages and let my elder know what is being said./

 

/So you serve him?/ asked Hasma.

 

/Yes, in a way,/  he answered. /Do you have different jobs in your community?/

 

/Of course. Many of our people serve the elders in our community. It has been this way for generations./

 

“Daniel,” questioned Jack, “do you want to let us in on what you’re discussing?”

 

Daniel looked at him with an apologetic look on his face, “Oh, right Jack. Well we’re just talking about different jobs in the village. We haven’t really gotten to any other topics.”

 

“Okay, Daniel, just remember to keep us in the loop. I don’t like it when you’re the only one who understands the language.” Jack didn’t mind Daniel doing his job; however, being left in the dark because of an inability to communicate made him very uneasy.

 

Hasma regained Daniel’s attention. /Is your leader having problems with you?/ He looked concerned.

 

/No, no,/ responded Daniel quickly, /I just got so involved with our discussion I was forgetting to let him know what we were talking about./

 

/You must endeavor to serve better,/ admonished Hasma, giving Daniel a disapproving look.

 

Daniel looked at him warily, /Yes, of course./

 

Daniel and the elder continued discussing each other’s cultures, while Jack, Sam, and Teal’c sat watching the goings on of the village. It seemed to be a very organized community. The women had brought them food and drinks, and the younger men took care of the elder’s needs. Occasionally Jack would ask questions of Daniel about what was being discussed.

 

A young man sitting behind the elder overhead Daniel ask if they had any written language. He spoke up, /I beg your pardon, Elder? We could show Daniel where our stones are with the writings, if that would be allowed./

 

/Writings? I’d love to go see them,/ said Daniel.

 

Hasma looked at Daniel’s eager face. /I think that would be an excellent idea. We could use a break./

 

As the young men stood up, Daniel also got up to follow them. Unfortunately, in his excitement over a possible new discovery, he forgot about Jack.

 

“Daniel, where are you going?” Jack stated loudly as he began to stand up too.

 

He turned around and looked back at Jack. “They just want to show me some writings they have. It’s just a little ways away,” he said, even though he had no idea where they really were. He turned back to follow the young men, not picking up on the stares of the elders.

 

Jack called out to him, “Daniel, aren’t you forgetting something?” Daniel just stared back at him looking curious. “We’re a team. We stay together. No wandering off.”

 

Just as Daniel was about to reply to Jack, he felt strong hands grab his arms. He tried to look around at who was holding him. When he couldn’t turn that far, he looked at the elder. /What’s going on?/ he questioned Hasma.

 

/You are disobeying your elder, are you not?/ stated Hasma as he glared at Daniel.

 

Daniel tried to shrug out of the grasp to no avail. /Not exactly. We just weren’t agreeing on what I should do./

 

Meanwhile, Jack, Sam, and Teal’c had all stood up holding their weapons at the ready. “What’s happening, Daniel?” inquired Jack with an edge to his voice.

 

“I’m not sure yet. Something to do with my disobeying you. Just give me a minute and let me talk to them,” Daniel answered harshly.

 

Hasma came over to stand directly in front of Daniel. /You are still disobeying him. I can hear it in your tone of voice. We do not allow disobedience among our servants without punishment./

 

/Punishment! What type of punishment?/ he asked nervously.

 

/Seeing as how no harm has come of your disobedience, the usual punishment is a paddling./

 

Jack raised his eyebrows at the shocked look on Daniel’s face. “Daniel?”

 

This time Daniel carefully answered in a more respectful tone. “Uhm, he says they punish minor disobedience by paddling the servant.”

 

Jack did not look happy. “Well, tell them we have our own methods of discipline, and believe me, we will take care of it when we return.”

 

As Daniel relayed the message, Jack tried to determine how he could get them out of this situation without hurting anyone.

 

“They don’t agree to wait. He says he can’t allow his servants to see another servant disobey without being punished. He must maintain order. If you won’t punish me, he’ll see to the paddling.” Daniel was looking worried.

 

“What do you mean if I won’t punish you?” asked Jack with interest.

 

Daniel looked like he really didn’t want to answer that question. He stared at the ground and replied, “Since you’re my ‘elder’ you’re responsible for me. Therefore you mete out the punishment.”

 

“Is there any way you think we can get out of doing this without force?”

 

Regretfully he answered, “I don’t think so. Hasma seems pretty insistent. This is their way of life.”

 

Jack questioned Daniel while maintaining his alertness. “Do you have any opinion on what should happen?”

 

“Not that I want to be paddled, but I would prefer that over having to hurt or possibly kill someone to get me out of some short term pain.” Daniel wished he could just disappear.

 

“Sam, Teal’c?”

 

“If Daniel can handle it sir, it might be the easiest way to get out of here safely,” said Sam as she gave Daniel a comforting gaze.

 

Teal’c answered, “As long as DanielJackson will not be seriously hurt and we may leave safely afterwards, I believe the decision should be in your hands.”

 

Jack turned back to Daniel, “If we agree to this, how will it happen?”

 

Daniel wasn’t sure, so he asked Hasma.

 

/You will be taken to the place of punishment and held down. Then your leg coverings will be lowered. Finally, your elder will strike you firmly ten times with the paddle. If he tries to take it easy, I will take over and double the strokes. After that you are free to leave or stay as you wish,/ Hasma stated formally.

 

Daniel reluctantly informed Jack of the requirements. He agreed he could handle it, and Jack agreed to dispense the punishment.

 

Daniel was released when he told Hasma they agreed to the punishment. Then the unhappy team silently walked over to the place of punishment. It didn’t look as bad as it sounded. A waist high table had been placed in an open area. Obviously this was to be a public punishment. There were ropes at one end of the table, and another set around the legs on the other end. Daniel asked if he would have to be tied down.

 

/You must be restrained in some way. Either with the ropes or by your friends,/  replied Hasma.

 

Daniel looked over at Sam and Teal’c. “Um, guys, I either have to be tied down or have someone hold my arms. I’d prefer the two of you to do it. If you would?”

 

“Of course DanielJackson, I will gladly take care of that for you.” “Anything you say, Daniel,” Teal’c and Sam piped up.

 

Daniel made his way over to the table. He faced the edge and slowly undid his belt. Then he unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. Finally he let them drop to his ankles and bent over the table stretching his arms out for Sam and Teal’c to hold.

 

Hasma came over to Daniel and then pulled down his boxers. A sharp intake of breath could be heard from Daniel. Then Jack was handed the paddle. /Ten strokes, no less,/ stated Hasma.

 

“Daniel?”

 

“He’s just reminding you to give me ten strokes Jack. Let’s just get this over with.” Daniel steeled himself for the first stroke.

 

Jack prepared himself, not wanting to drag this out for Daniel any longer than he had to. Knowing he couldn’t take it easy, and chance having the elder take over, he began.

 

Down came the first stroke.WHACK Daniel was surprised at just how much it did hurt. WHACK The second one came down a little lower than the first. WHACK Daniel gasped. He was trying very hard not to show the pain he was feeling. WHACK WHACK It was a losing battle as he started to squirm.

 

Jack hated doing this to Daniel, but knew it was better to finish quickly. He drew his arm back.

 

WHACK WHACK Even though he remained fairly quiet, tears were streaming down Daniel’s face. WHACK WHACK Daniel just wished for his punishment to end. WHACK Finally it was over.

 

Sam and Teal’c let go of Daniel’s arms. He carefully rose and wiped his eyes, then readjusted his clothes.

 

Hasma placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder causing Daniel to look up at him. /You took your punishment well. It is over. All is forgiven. Will you be staying or returning to your home?/ he inquired.

 

Daniel looked over at Jack who was still holding the paddle. “Jack, he says it’s over and wants to know if we’ll be staying or going.”

 

Jack quickly stated, “Going Daniel, definitely going. Right now.”

 

Daniel informed Hasma, /We’ll be going now. I’m sorry if I caused any problems for you or your people./

 

/As I said, it is over. You are welcome to return any time, as long as you understand your responsiblity to your elder./

 

/Yes, thank you. I understand much better now./

 

Jack tried to hand the paddle back to Hasma.

 

/No elder, take this with you in case you need to use it again,/ Hasma said as he handed the paddle back to Jack.

 

Daniel shrugged when Jack looked at him. “He’s giving you the paddle to keep. I suggest you take it. It’s an interesting artifact.” He carefully didn’t translate everything Hasma had said.

 

“Thank him for me and let’s get going.” Jack took the paddle and started everyone on their way back to the Stargate.

 

Teal’c took point while Jack watched their six. Sam and Daniel were in the middle as usual. Jack noticed Daniel walking rather stiffly as he carefully rubbed at his backside, not realizing Jack was watching. Even though Jack hadn’t enjoyed paddling Daniel, he couldn’t help but grin a little. He stayed close enough to overhear Sam and Daniel talking.

 

Sam was concerned for her friend. “You doing okay, Daniel?”

 

“Sure Sam, I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting the mission to turn out this way.” Daniel wasn’t thrilled with having been punished in front of everyone, but he realized he had caused his own predicament. He’d gotten so involved in what he was doing, he’d forgotten to keep Jack in the loop. Jack would usually give him a lecture and let it go at that. This time he got more than he’d bargained for. “Guess I did bring it on myself,” he said sheepishly.

 

“Yeah, I guess you did,” Sam said lightly while patting his shoulder.

 

Daniel gave her an indignant look. “Hey, you’re supposed to make me feel better, not agree with me,” he said grinning at her.

 

Sam couldn’t help laughing. “Well, at least it’s over and we’re heading home.”

 

“Oh, we’re heading home alright,” Daniel snuck a quick glance back at Jack, “but somehow, I’m not sure it’s over yet.”

 

Jack smiled back at Daniel while slapping his hand with the paddle.