Waking up on another world, in the midst of an army marching to battle, it was Elizabeth who seemed insignificant.
Diplomacy required its participants to see through the eyes of others, to find the issues that mattered most to each side and approach them on a level accessible to all parties. She'd done her best-perhaps more than might have been advisable-to bridge the gap between the Falnori and Nistra, but the actions of the Cadre had not created the cultural divide, merely inflamed it. As for the effects of the adarite, only a direct comparison test would provide the kind of empirical evidence that might convince Galven, and it was simply too late for that now.
"Dr. Weir?"
She pushed herself up to a sitting position and tugged her fingers through sleep-tangled hair. "Morning, Major."
Lorne folded back one of the tent flaps and crouched to look through the opening. "Thought you'd want to know," he began. "Governor Cestan sent a warrior regiment ahead last night. They had numbers this time, and the scouts just reported back that they were able to take the gate hill."
"I suppose I should be pleased to hear that." Elizabeth rolled her shoulders to work out some of the kinks caused by sleeping on the ground. "They've been gracious hosts."
"They're also more likely than the Nistra to let us use the gate at this point." Reaching into his jacket, the Major withdrew a cloth-wrapped bundle. "Some bread. It's pretty good."
She accepted the bundle with a smile of thanks. "I'd like to think that exposing the Cadre for what they are and shielding the gates on this planet would do a lot to improve the state of affairs. I'm just not sure how we'll manage to accomplish either one in the middle of a battle."
"If you want my opinion, ma'am…"
That was one aspect of military protocol she'd never quite gotten used to. With the exception of John, sometimes they needed a little encouragement to speak their minds. "Of course I do."
Lorne met her gaze squarely. "I think we should bail out of here ASAP, before the fighting around the gate really gets going. We can come back through the other gate in a cloaked jumper to reassess the situation." The longtime Stargate program veteran spoke pragmatically, something she'd always appreciated. "The circumstances have changed since Dr. Beckett left and the Colonel went hunting for a DHD. If we stay here and wait for an opportunity to talk either side down, we'll be taking a big personal risk, and I'm not supposed to let you do that."
He was right, of course, and she didn't dispute a word. What he didn't say-but must have been thinking-was that they were at risk simply by being here.
"Fair enough," she said, gathering her bedroll. "Let's go see if Cestan has a moment to listen to a request."
When she emerged from the borrowed tent, she found the encampment surprisingly active. Although the sun hadn't yet broken free of the horizon, tents were being packed up and fires doused.
Walking through the camp, Lorne a half-step behind, she could see the distinction between the whip-warriors and the larger population of infantry soldiers. The soldiers, mostly men, were strapping thick leather armor over their torsos and affixing swords or crossbows to their backs. Some moved with a sense of vigor, others with apprehension. The warriors, by contrast, wore lighter garments-presumably for agility-and displayed little emotion. Nevertheless, it was clear that all were prepared for what lay ahead.
She found the interaction between the different groups striking in its normalcy. Warriors and soldiers conversed and assisted each other with no apparent class disparity. If she had needed reassurance that the Falnori didn't believe gene-bearers to be inherently superior to others-which ought to include the Nistra-that example told her volumes.
Cestan stood in the center of a small group of advisors while aides disassembled the large tent behind him. The robes he'd worn throughout the treaty negotiations had been replaced by more practical clothing: the tunic and pants worn by the warriors and the leather breastplate worn by the soldiers. The group disbanded shortly before the governor caught sight of his off-world guests.
"Day's greetings," he said at Elizabeth's approach. "I apologize for the haste, but we must move quickly. When Galven learns that his hunters at the gate have been overpowered, he will accelerate the bulk of his force. We must reach the gate and bolster our unit there before the Nistra can mount an offensive."
"I understand," Elizabeth replied. "In fact, Major Lorne and I would like to make use of the gate before that happens, if possible."
Cestan's lips thinned. "That may be difficult," he admitted. "The Nistra have the advantages of numbers and time-we believe they began their march hours before their strike group took the gate from your guards."
"If your force is smaller, you should be able to cover more ground," Lorne pointed out.
"That is true, and fortunately we have a shorter distance to traverse as well. Once in the forest, our army will divide itself and close in on the gate from multiple sides. If you travel with my western division, which will have the shortest path, you may be able to reach the gate without interference."
'Interference'-what an innocuous euphemism. Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you. I'm sure our needs aren't at the top of your priority list right now."
The Falnori leader surprised her by reaching out to briefly place a hand on her shoulder. "Your efforts here deserve better than this," he said, conveying sincere regret. "I am truly sorry."
She quashed a flare of irrational resentment. On Earth, she had been dismissed more than once by foreign leaders, generally older men who didn't see her as an equal, and she had an instinctual defensive reaction to the concept. Cestan hadn't shown her that same condescension, so it would be unfair of her to interpret his attitude as the typical `poor girl; you tried your best.' Still, the comment helped to renew her determination. "Governor, I recognize the difficult situation you're in, and I won't try to talk you into laying down your arms when it's clear the Nistra won't do likewise. I will ask you, though, to please bear in mind that my people are continuing to explore alternatives. If I can bring you proof that the raiders are not Nistra and protect the gates from their attacks, will you consider a ceasefire?"
"If you can achieve those aims, and convince Galven besides, you will have my support as well as my admiration." The note of cynical reservation in Cestan's voice came as no great shock.
"Unfortunately, Minister Galven has as much reason to be skeptical as you, if not more. I've asked him to give up control of his biggest commodity." A sudden thought occurred to Elizabeth. "You accepted our claim that adarite is harmful to those without the gene-the ability. Did you do so because your people would benefit if the Nistra relinquished the mines? Or do you believe what we've said?"
"In truth, I do believe it," responded Cestan. His gaze became distant. "You see, as a child I was fascinated by the craftsmen who fashioned the adarite whips. I had hopes of learning the trade myself and was apprenticed to one of the capital's finest masters. I struggled for a long year to improve my skills, never to succeed. The master would repeat his lessons, and I would still be unable to put them into practice. Many of us failed at the craft. Although the ability has never measured one's station in life, some of us came to believe that one might be born to a.. purpose of sorts." A hint of a smile crossed his features. "From what you have said, it is possible that we were not wholly wrong."