Empty Quarters

[Chayne Harralki]

Chayne took the first unassigned quarters she could find. As soon as she was inside she headed for the bunk, curling up on it and closing her eyes to take a few moments to herself. It helped her to center again before she was joined by anyone else.

[Jason Sheridan]

Sheridan entered the room, making sure it was ok, before stepping into the room totally. He turned, spun the wheel on the door, securing the room.

Leaning against the wall, more out of the desire to have some hard support behind his back than anything else, he folded his arms, and silently looked the woman.

[Chayne Harralki]

Her eyes still closed, Chayne's lips twitched slightly.

"I know you want to ask questions - ask." Those blue orbs fastened on Sheridan's face. "But sit here with your back to me while you ask - it will make the healing easier."

She shifted over to make space.

[Jason Sheridan]

Sheridan hesitated, mentally checked his knife and sidearm, of which only the karambit was still there.

CRAP! I have to get that back as soon as I'm done here. crap.

Then he debated sitting with his back to a person he hardly knew, who had just thrown him across a hallway. Then he finally moved over and sat down.

"Well a name would be nice. I'm sure by now, everyone on base knows and despises mine."

[Chayne Harralki]

There was a noise, as if amusement had been stamped down.

"I see that the General did not brief you fully on the compliment of the SGC. I am Chayne Harralki, fighter for my people against the Goa'uld and sworn ally to the Tauri."

Sounds of fabric against cord then metal scraping against fabric came from behind him.

"I'll start with your shoulders then along your spine - please stay as still as you can."

[Jason Sheridan]

He sat up straight, and forced himself to ignore the dull, continuous pain.

"No, I was inducted in the most unceremonious way possible to this field. I received a short, typically unhelpful briefing on the base before my transfer. It was about all they could do with me, short of black...nevermind. So, I need no explanation of the how, but a story to go along with what I already know myself would be helpful if you feel like sharing. You won't find that story for me in any file in the military, that's for sure. But I might be persuaded to share for an equal story."

Sheridan Kept himself as still as possible as she worked.

[Chayne Harralki]

The healing device hummed quietly as Chayne considered her usual reticence about speaking of her past. Hesitantly she offered all she could at that moment.

"My brothers and I lost our mother to a Goa'uld host harvest. My brother lost his intended to the same. My father was murdered by a Jaffa. We spent the next ten summers fighting against the Goa'uld who wished us as his slaves, many of us loosing more loved ones each time the ships came. We were lucky that the Tauri found us, agreeing to help us, because we needed the extra strength to finish our war. With their help, my people freed themselves from the Goa'uld. Now my surviving two brothers lead our people and I am here where my skills are of use against the Goa'uld - a fight I have pledged myself to until they are all dead for their cruelty, tyranny and arrogance."

She reached with her spare hand to trace his shoulder blade, her eyes closed as she concentrated the healing device on the path her fingers took.

"It is not much of a story but it is a true one." Her tone took on a note of speculative understanding as she continued, "I suspect your story will not be much of one but be true nonetheless."

[Jason Sheridan]

Sheridan nodded at the woman's comment.

I know there's more to this, that she either isn't willing to share, or isn't ready to talk about. That's OK, I've got that too. Don't we all?

"I'm Jason Sheridan. Paul is ok too, a lot of people used to call me by my middle name. My story is pretty unremarkable mostly. I was one of the people that stood between the average people, and those ones that wanted to control or destroy them. Its not so black and white as its supposed to be. Suffice it to say the Goa'uld wasted no time in infiltrating anything they could get their hands into on Earth. I uncovered something even I wasn't ready for at the time, and then I was one of them. It wasn't as if it was for a century, but it was more than long enough."

Sheridan's abrupt silence signaled the end of his story. Memories flashed through his mind, as he sat and listened.

[Chayne Harralki]

"Almost." The dark amusement in her voice belied the gentle movements as she finished healing the bruising over his lower back. "There is light and there is darkness. Some people are made mostly of light and capable of some dark thoughts or deeds. Some are made of only darkness, lacking in any light."

There was a hesitation, as if she would say more, then the humming of the palm device intensified.

"The healing is near completion. How does your back feel now?"

[Jason Sheridan]

Stretching, Sheridan twisted his back left and right. It was a bit stiff, but it was much better. At least it didn't feel like a stab every time he moved.

"Its much better, thank you. And I agree, but its so much more complicated than that. What about people who bend and twist the darkness to create the light? Are they dark, or are they light. Or are they something else? Standing between the darkness and the light, are they grey? a third category? Its all in the details. Don't you think?"

[Chayne Harralki]

Slowly the blonde woman uncurled from the bunk, her movements slightly off. Shaking her head, she slipped the healing device more securely onto her hand.

"There is no grey. Only those who have been lost to the dark and battle to regain the light."

Reaching out to grab the door, Chayne determinedly twisted the lock and pulled it open.

"I must get to the infirmary...there are people I must check on." She moved out, her first step catching on the ridge of the doorway but the second stronger as she drew on her reserves of strength. "The people who disarmed you are likely there."

((Moving to infirmary))

[Jason Sheridan]

Feeling significantly better, Sheridan got up and headed out the door a moment after she had left, reflecting on her words.


"There is no grey. Only those who have been lost to the dark and battle to regain the light."

Perhaps, but I doubt its so simple as that.

Getting up, he headed for the infirmary, determined to get back what 'belonged' to him, and to see what he could do to help, if anything.

Sheridan Left and returned to the Infirmary.

[SG-Ubik]

After a long stroll around the ship, Dave walked into one of the empty crew quarters and simply slumped onto the unmade bed. After feeling an uncomfortable object behind his back, Dave tried catching it, only to remember he had left an M9 intar behind his belt. He took it out and gave it a short study, holding it firmly towards his face.

... Too bad it doesn't have real rounds...

He dropped it on the floor next to the bed and just fell asleep afterwards.

[Chayne Harralki]

Divesting herself of all her equipment, Chayne settled upon the bed easily, her ability to fall asleep unchanged from her days back on her home planet. She slipped into an easy restful state where her mind left her to her dreams.

After six hours she awoke as if an alarm had rung in her ear - refreshed, alert and ready. She knew it would be a little longer until they reached their destination and decided to spend the next couple of hours in meditation.

The mind needs rest as much as the body... The reproving voice in her mind informed her, bringing a rueful twitch to her lips.

Lowering herself to a cross-legged position, Chayne allowed herself to relax...


The computer screen beeped. Unfolding from the floor the young woman crossed the room and read her message. Her lips thinned as she considered what she was about to do. Then her entire expression shifted to a self-satisfied smirk.

Serves them right...

Walking out of the room, Chayne headed for the holding cells to check on her 'guest' for the last time - there was always something to be said for preparations being complete.