M is for Ma’chello
Title: M is for Ma’chello
Author: SG_Betty
Word count: 380
Genre: Gen, Drama/Humor
Rating: PG
Warning: Shameless sentimentalism
Season: Season 3
Spoilers: Spoilers for ‘Holiday’-season 2- and ‘Legacy’-season 3
Disclaimer: While the situations and dialogue in this story are my own, all characters are wholly owned by Gekko Productions and MGM.
Note: Written for Teal’c Alphabet Soup, July 8, 2008
Thanks: Great thanks to Rigel_7 for beta reading and excellent advice.
Teal’c might have admired Ma’chello. They shared a determination to defeat the Goa’uld; the desire for revenge.
Teal’c might have admired Ma’chello, but he did not.
Ma’chello had been twisted by his long struggle, his great losses. He thought no more for the victims of his schemes than the Goa’uld. Twice, Ma’chello had almost taken Daniel Jackson’s life from him.
Once, it was by stealing Daniel Jackson’s body. Ma’chello thought to keep it; to claim a new life as a reward for his battles, as though Daniel Jackson’s life had no meaning. To keep it like a Goa’uld stealing the body of the host, like a parasite.
The second time was after Ma’chello’s death. His device had stolen Daniel Jackson’s sanity. His life was lost to the prison that the Tauri called a ‘psychiatric facility’, his clever mind in ruins.
The device had left Daniel Jackson to attack his symbiote. Teal’c was grateful for this, although he, himself, had almost died. Had it not, Daniel Jackson would have remained a captive in that prison; never again free, never able to tell of history, ideas, and adventure.
There had been no dishonor in Ma’chello’s goal, but there was great dishonor in his methods. Teal’c knew this to be true.
If Ma’chello had taken Daniel Jackson’s life, Teal’c would not be preparing for this day’s task. He looked forward to it greatly.
Teal’c put on his hat, pulling the brim low on his forehead, hiding the mark of Apophis. He was ready; soon Daniel Jackson would arrive.
Today, he would buy a ‘birthday present’ for his friend. Not one acquired for him or that he had been told was welcome, but one that he would choose himself. Teal’c knew where to obtain this gift. It must be a bookstore. He would pick a fine book that spoke to him of Daniel Jackson; of strange and wonderful places, of great knowledge, of humanity and exploration.
Daniel Jackson did not know the true purpose of this errand. Teal’c would not tell him. He wished to see the expressions on his teammate’s face as he showed him books of interest. When he found one that produced the response he desired, he would purchase it. He would say, “This is for you, Daniel Jackson. Happy Birthday.”
Author: SG_Betty
Word count: 380
Genre: Gen, Drama/Humor
Rating: PG
Warning: Shameless sentimentalism
Season: Season 3
Spoilers: Spoilers for ‘Holiday’-season 2- and ‘Legacy’-season 3
Disclaimer: While the situations and dialogue in this story are my own, all characters are wholly owned by Gekko Productions and MGM.
Note: Written for Teal’c Alphabet Soup, July 8, 2008
Thanks: Great thanks to Rigel_7 for beta reading and excellent advice.
Teal’c might have admired Ma’chello. They shared a determination to defeat the Goa’uld; the desire for revenge.
Teal’c might have admired Ma’chello, but he did not.
Ma’chello had been twisted by his long struggle, his great losses. He thought no more for the victims of his schemes than the Goa’uld. Twice, Ma’chello had almost taken Daniel Jackson’s life from him.
Once, it was by stealing Daniel Jackson’s body. Ma’chello thought to keep it; to claim a new life as a reward for his battles, as though Daniel Jackson’s life had no meaning. To keep it like a Goa’uld stealing the body of the host, like a parasite.
The second time was after Ma’chello’s death. His device had stolen Daniel Jackson’s sanity. His life was lost to the prison that the Tauri called a ‘psychiatric facility’, his clever mind in ruins.
The device had left Daniel Jackson to attack his symbiote. Teal’c was grateful for this, although he, himself, had almost died. Had it not, Daniel Jackson would have remained a captive in that prison; never again free, never able to tell of history, ideas, and adventure.
There had been no dishonor in Ma’chello’s goal, but there was great dishonor in his methods. Teal’c knew this to be true.
If Ma’chello had taken Daniel Jackson’s life, Teal’c would not be preparing for this day’s task. He looked forward to it greatly.
Teal’c put on his hat, pulling the brim low on his forehead, hiding the mark of Apophis. He was ready; soon Daniel Jackson would arrive.
Today, he would buy a ‘birthday present’ for his friend. Not one acquired for him or that he had been told was welcome, but one that he would choose himself. Teal’c knew where to obtain this gift. It must be a bookstore. He would pick a fine book that spoke to him of Daniel Jackson; of strange and wonderful places, of great knowledge, of humanity and exploration.
Daniel Jackson did not know the true purpose of this errand. Teal’c would not tell him. He wished to see the expressions on his teammate’s face as he showed him books of interest. When he found one that produced the response he desired, he would purchase it. He would say, “This is for you, Daniel Jackson. Happy Birthday.”