ACED IT

 Years ago I gave myself a short list of creative writing projects. Actually one assignment "Take all my favorite bits of dialogue from my favorite shows and play them out with characters from a different show." This is my first attempt to actually do that with any of the  dialogue I selected. 

Two villagers Sarah and Michael find the truth – with the help of three very distant travelers

William, Jayden (Data) and Deanna introduced themselves to two villagers. Sarah, who was about to be given to a mysterious group called 'The Order', and her fiance Michael. They had initially been mistaken for members of this 'order' themselves but their complete lack of familiarity with the old ones, or why everyone was so scared of The Order in the first place, convinced Sarah otherwise. Sarah has dusty brown skin as do a few of the villagers but she also has blue scales beside her eyes; a mark of her very real empathic powers. One of two gifts that were left behind by the old ones.

“What kind of place is this?” Will Riker said with a note of intolerance.

“I do not believe it is possible to even speculate on that.” Data intoned.

“Spare her please.” A man's voice said from behind them. They turned and saw a man at most in his early 30's standing 10 yards behind them.

“We are not here to hurt her, or anyone else for that matter.” Will said reassuringly.

“Where are you from?” the man insisted. Data pointed a pale hand in the direction from which they came. “The Black Hills?” The man guessed.

“I believe one could call them that yes.” Data replied in his gentle cadence.

“Then you are indeed of the order. I beg of you Sarah is no monster. She has the powers yes but she has done nothing but healing with her gifts.”

“Healing?” Said the third stranger, a young woman with raven black hair pulled in a complex, but neat wrap at the back of her head.

“Michael, these people neither fear nor seek our like.”

“Who else would come today of all days from the black hills?”

“Michael, use your eyes not your lessons. They don't understand why you're so scared of them.”

“That is true. I regret to say I honestly do not understand your fear.” Will Riker told the man. “Listen let us just get Sarah out of that and we will find a way to prove it to you.”

“Only if Sarah judges your motives to be pure.” Michael responded coarsely.

Sarah closed her eyes a moment and smiled faintly. You could almost see her shoulders and face relax. “You have nothing to fear from them. Of that I am certain.” Riker looked at the woman with a mingling of curiosity and respect. Suddenly Sarah's face transformed. Her upper body tensed and her head dropped slightly. “The others are still coming. You must get these people out of here.”

“I am not leaving you Sarah.”

“Whether I deserve it or not, I am sacrificed. And I accepted my fate. These strangers are ignorant of this nonsense...and far more innocent than I.”

At a nod from Riker the pale-skinned Lt. Commander Data crouched at Sarah's side and tore the chains off of her wrists. Data lifted her gently and she bowed her thanks.

“Into the house quickly.” Michael urged. Sarah hesitated for only a moment looking at Michael, as if trying to urge him not to say anything stupid, before she ran into one of the nearby structures. Riker made as if to follow. “Leave her alone Please!” Michael exclaimed, throwing himself to his knees. “Take me if you wish!”

Data walked calmly up to the man. “My friend spoke the truth before. We have no wish to harm you or anyone else in your village for that matter. Your...sister I believe...sensed that about us. Trust HER.”

Michael looked up, shaking only slightly. Slowly he rose to his feet and with a small bow of his head, motioned the others inside.

The house had 3 small rooms and little furniture. But the quality of the pieces was undeniable. There was a wooden bookshelf that was almost as tall as the painting easel it stood next to. Riker looked to their hosts, asking for permission before taking a seat on the couch in the middle of the room. It was a wooden piece covered in blankets. Deanna sat beside her and Data stood at Deanna's right. Sarah sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall, Michael leaned over her, almost shielding her from the guests. But you could tell this was not strictly speaking his intention. Sarah slowly stood to her feet. “I am afraid we have been tremendously impolite. The first thing I must say is Thank You. Especially you Sajiq.” She said turning slightly to Data. Secondly, what are your names?”

“My name is – This is my friend Jayden.” Riker interrupted.

“Jayden. I'm pretty sure that means 'one who speaks truth'. Does it match you?”

“I would like to believe it does.”

The woman stepped forward. “My name is Deanna.”

“D-Anne-a.” Sarah sounded the word out. “Not sure if it fits but it is a pretty name.”

“What does it mean?”

“In...in the old tongue it would mean 'voice of the wind'.”

“My name is William.” The other man offered. Sarah's eyes widened and she glanced hard at his ears and his head as if taking his measure. “Does it not have meaning?”

“Yes but does it fit?” Will prompted. Then chuckled nervously realizing it could taken more as a demand than a joke.

“I would simply call you Sajen. Because of that alone, I would be inclined to confirm it.”

“It means 'leader'.” Michael offered helpfully.

“And either of you?” Will said with a gentle nod.

“Sarah means 'one who listens'. And whoever gave me the name absolutely knew what they were doing. It is...uniquely fitting.”

“Sarah...” Michael said cautiously

“Michael, I've never seen a reason to hide. And these people have the most open minds I've ever known. And eyes that are more open than one could hope to meet.”

“Strange. One would think it was the other way around.” Deanna mused.

“An open mind doesn't help if your eyes are dim. And then there are people with habitually closed minds who are willing to have theirs opened. I take it you mean...” She hesitated, clearly unwilling to tell another person what they meant to say. “I take it you have been described similarly many times over?”

“Yes. And I'm curious how your mind is so completely open.” Deanna said gently.

“I sense the heart or soul of a person. Whatever they are feeling at that moment. And I'm pretty good at just truly listening to those around me. That's why I drew the comparison the way I did. My gifts of listening and seeing do not open my mind and would do no good if I did not also have an open mind ready to process...what they saw, or consider another way to read what I feel.”

“You are not afraid of your own people?”

“No, and for the most part they do not fear my either. It's awkward, they are awkward around me and don't know how to relate to me but that's as far as that goes. The awestruck wonder and amazement that would come from someone having powers or gifts...passed down through the ages.” She yawned.

“This is going to take some time, would you like something to drink?”

“Some wine or cider please.” Will said. Deanna nodded in agreement.

“Jayden could you please get a bottle of cider out of the cupboard and 4 glasses? Michael will show you where they are.”

“The Order are a group of hooded, secluded followers of the old ways. Or more accurately, the old Ones.” She brushed her right temple with her hand. “a few of us have these blue scaly patches beside our eyes. And sometimes this rune appears. It's a sign of the gift of the heart. One of two gifts said to be left behind from the old ones.”

'What is the other?” Will Riker inquired.

“Fire, strength...your friend could have that gift except his hands are pale as the rest of him.”

“What?” Riker and Jayden said together.

“The old ones are not gods or ancient beings. Many generations ago two different peoples shared this land. They were incredibly like each-other, in every way that mattered. The stories say that there was only a brief time of fear and mistrust. But there were accidents. Done by those who had not completely mastered their powers. People got confused and things became strained. Not the least because demands made on the gifted to do more for their City. They could do more for their peoples and neighbors than the others. Eventually most of them left, to find a new home and commit themselves to learning about the origin and purpose of their race. We actually don't have a word for that race anymore. At the time we still considered ourselves one tribe. The few of them that stayed behind married and lived with us. Becoming more and more like us. Until only vestiges of their visage remained.”

“And that's why you look different from anyone else here. You are...”

“Mixed heritage, yes. My mothers mother was one of the strongest. I have greater control than most. And I am far more powerful, more comfortable in who I am. But the one thing I can't do is not listen to what I hear. And the Order...doesn't exactly ask nicely when they find one like me.”

“Message received.” William said softly.

Michael stood and faced William and Jayden directly. “Please understand, it is rare to meet someone who has never heard of the Order. And you didn't even know what the Old Ones were. You must come from a very distant place. For all we know you are 'old ones' yourselves.”

“Well that would certainly explain Deanna.” Every eye in the room except Sarah's looked at her. “You have the same gift I do. I can sense it. 'discerner of the essence of the heart'. You can hear how a persons heart speaks.”

“Yes. I've never actually heard it described that way but, yes. It's a gift of my mothers people.”

“hadhih almas'alat tatahawal 'iilaa 'alghaz jadida!” Sarah exclaimed suddenly, her hand in the air.

“Sire tá an oíche níos dorcha anois, agus an ghaoth ag séideadh níos láidre. Theipeann ar mo chroí níl a fhios agam conas, ní féidir liom dul níos faide.” Michael told her reasureingly, his hands on her shoulders.

“Thank you. You always know just what to say, don't you.” Sarah smiled at Michael and then, looking at her new friends, blushed deeply. “Michael is not my brother Jayden. He is my...we are more than promised to each other.”

“He is your intended. You are bethrothed.” Deanna explained. “But what did he say?”

“Sire the night is dar-ker now. And the wind....blows stronger.

Fails my heart...I know not how. I can--go no longer.” Sarah sang softly.

The scene was absolute chaos. Four men in hooded cloaks walked through calmly, demanding 'the cursed one' to be delivered over to them. From everything I had seen Sarah was the farthest thing from cursed, and most of her village knew it. A burst of energy shot from underneath one of their robes, setting a nearby hut on fire. The one closest to us reached out and grabbed one of the villagers by the shoulder. Apparently that was the last straw.

“STOP!” Sarah called out fiercely. “You're here for me.”

“You actually show your face?” The man in front said in a deep voice.

“Well, I wasn't exactly eager to lose my identity to the greater whole of the cult.” 'I can't say I blame her' I thought to myself. “But the rest of this village has nothing to do with my people. And come to think of it, neither do you.”

“How dare you, you ignorant child!”

“Where are your marks? Why do you even hide your faces? If you're so proud of being inheritors, why cover yourselves? That siren call in my head finally put it together. Why so many of us turn and hide at the all clear sign.”

At this point she had truly lost me. But she seemed to finally know her answers.

“ 'What is wrong?' 'There is nothing wrong, it is all clear'. Over 1900 years have passed and we all still know that story. The falling bombs the people calling out 'all clear' but its gone, it's passed. There are no more flying machines, no more bombs, no more wars!”

“The rings tell us that story.” One of the villagers spoke up.

“And none of you listened, you didn't learn anything. It was ages ago men were taught to hide below the ground when the sirens blew to run from the raining death but it's over. That fire was said to come from the sky, not from strangers.” She turned to face the hooded figures. “I've seen fire come from under your robes but never from your hands. And if you have the powers of the old ones, where are your marks? Why not show us the sign on your faces? You've never shown us the power of the mind, only the power of fire. How is it you inherit only one of the two gifts left behind by the old ones? And those with the gift of fire never used it to do anything like this. Any destruction that came from their abilities was an accident, done by those who hadn't mastered their powers. You clearly have mastery over your gifts of fire – despite the pale hands and normal fingers you keep hidden under your robes – and you use them only for destruction and intimidation. I can say with assurance none of my people would ever have used their gift in such a way. So what, if anything are you?”

“They are criminals. And we are here to make sure they never trouble you again.” I said stepping forward. “To say that you overplayed your hand would be an understatement. And an epic joke.”

“And how exactly is that?” Their leader asked.

“Ask your lieutenant over there.” I replied. “And you really might as well take your hoods off.”

“That honor should be mine you assi-sian.” She pronounced it Uh-sigh-C-N

“Okay I'm going to assume you did not just call me an assassin.” I told her in an undertone.

“The word must mean something different wherever you are truly from.” She whispered back. Then she pulled the hoods off each member of the cult. Showing three very human looking people with skin no darker than her own, one who was as white as I am and no marks on any of their faces. It was clearly enough to convince the village that these cult members had no valid claim to the inheritance of the old ones. That they were in effect charlatans as well as thieves.

Michael, Sarah and the other villagers stood perfectly still, and at their full height as another, the one Sarah had called 'Aidan', put restraints on each of the four men. Then with a respectful nod backed away to join the others.

Data stepped forward. “And to answer your question...Sajen. When you reached out and grabbed that man by the shoulder, you showed the village your very normal looking hand. From what I understand anyone with the gift of fire would have a red tint to the skin, to indicate such power. In this case it would have been advantageous of you to look conspicuous.”

At that point I completely failed to stop myself from smiling.

“Okay that word, what does it mean in the old tongue?”

“A-Sa-sin? 'one who stands apart'. And if I may ask, what has it...come to mean...for you?”

“Killer. One who has no moral objection to killing in pursuit of the greater good.”

Sarah actually nodded in understanding. “The furthest 'apart' from society one could ever stand.”

“I...never actually thought of that.”

“You don't know the old tongue, you have nothing to start from.”

“asdiqayiy lays ladayhim alkathir min alwaqt liltaealumi. wakanat ladayhim makhawif 'ukhraa. ladaya baed alfahm fi mithl hadhih al'umuri.”*

“What in the name of...” Michael exclaimed, staring at Jayden. I could hardly blame him. I couldn't keep the look of shock off my face either.

“Do you understand what I just said?” Jayden inquired.

“min almuthir lildahshat 'an nasmaeaha tatahadath bishakl mithaliin min fam almusafiri, niema.” Sarah replied in kind. “That was a yes.” For the first time since we'd arrive I saw her smile brightly.

“The old language, is Arabic.” Jayden said to his friends by way of explanation.

“I understand.” Sarah said looking at him with an appreciative smile. “Thank you... Sajiq.”

Lexicon:

“hadhih almas'alat tatahawal 'iilaa 'alghaz jadida!”

This matter winds itself ever into new riddles.

“asdiqayiy lays ladayhim alkathir min alwaqt liltaealumi. wakanat ladayhim makhawif 'ukhraa. ladaya baed alfahm fi mithl hadhih al'umuri.”

my friends do not have much time to learn. They have had other concerns. I have some understanding in such matters.

“min almuthir lildahshat 'an nasmaeaha tatahadath bishakl mithaliin min fam almusafiri, niema.”

Surprising as it is to hear it spoken so perfectly out of the mouth of a traveler, yes.

This is the dialogue which served as the inspiration for this story.

Young man: Spare her, please.

Daniel Jackson: We're not going to hurt her..or you. We're friends. I'm...I'm Daniel.

Young Man: I am Simon. You have come through the circle of Darkness.

Sam Carter: If you mean the star-gate, yes.

Simon: Then you must be of his brethren. I beg of you, Mary is so young; she did nothing to warrant sacrifice. If you leave her body, the village cannon may choose another possessed soul.

Daniel: You think we're demons? (Simon recoils, eyeing Daniel)  He thinks we're demons.

(Sam frees Mary who runs into the house)

Simon: (throwing himself on his knees) Leave her body please! Take me in her place.

O'Neill: Oh, stop it will you. Get up. (lifts him gently) We're not demons. Mary is NOT possessed, from the looks of it she's a little sick. Now if you let us, we might be able to help her.

(Simon pulls the hood of his cloak back and motions them/invites them inside)