Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

Chapter 7

Daniel stared at the photo. He couldn’t make out the words on the wall no matter how hard he stared at the picture. He blinked and took his glasses off to rub tiredly at his dry, gritty eyes. He had tried to rest but somehow had ended up back in his office. He placed the photo he held back down on the workbench and picked up the snap of Sam.

He must have seen Sam in that same pose a million times before, he mused. She looked like she always did; confident, tough – ready for everything that the mission could throw at them. And it wasn’t an illusion, he knew that. Sam was that kick-ass soldier but she was also a wonderfully brilliant scientist, someone he could talk with as an equal, someone who never made him feel odd about his own intelligence. And she was one of the best people he knew; warm and loving. She was the sister he had never had; a friend in every true way.

‘I should have been with her.’

Jack’s words haunted him. Jack had a good reason for not being on the mission. He hadn’t been part of the frontline team since he’d made General the year before. Daniel knew Jack missed the action but he also knew that Jack had grown into his General title more than probably the other man appreciated or wanted to appreciate. He was good at it but then he’d always been a good leader. Yep, Jack had a good excuse for not being around.

So did Teal’c. The Jaffa’s obligations had been about more than just SG1 for a long time. Teal’c was a leader of his people and Daniel figured the Jaffa would grow into the peacetime role eventually despite Teal’c’s warrior nature. Teal’c was needed on Dakara as much as Daniel and Sam wanted him to stay with them on SG1. Daniel missed his friend. He and Teal’c had spent a lot of time together in the past year since Jack had been buried under the responsibilities of his new role and any spare time Sam had, she had spent it with her then fiancé. Daniel pulled a face.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t liked Pete Shanahan; he’d seemed a nice enough guy but he couldn’t deny that he was pleased Sam had broken off her engagement. Not that she and a certain General seemed to be any closer to working things out – he guessed years of military ranks and denial made it difficult to move forward, maybe even impossible. Daniel sighed and dragged his thoughts back on topic.

If Jack and Teal’c had good reasons for not being on the mission, the same couldn’t be said for himself, Daniel thought guiltily. He should have refused Landry’s request to do the briefing on Atlantis; he should have made sure he had been on the mission with Sam. It was SG1’s last mission, Landry would have understood surely?

Daniel picked up another photo restlessly and discarded it again. He had been flattered when the new General had asked him to brief the IOA on Atlantis. He couldn’t wait to get to his new assignment and the briefing had been an opportunity to feel like he was already there. Atlantis was a new beginning for him. His eyes drifted to the picture of his late wife on the office wall. Abydos had once been a new start for him; a new world, a wife who loved him and who he adored. It was all gone; lost in the war he had helped to start by killing Ra. But the war had ended. He had found some redemption for his part in its beginnings and he was ready to start over. Maybe even ready to love someone again.

As much as he hated to admit it, a part of him was resentful that hadn’t been able to get going on his new start immediately; that he’d been unable to go back with the Atlantis team after they had debriefed, that the responsibility for being around to support Sam after her father’s death had fallen to him given Jack’s and Teal’c’s departures.

The picture of Sam drew him again and he picked it up. It wasn’t that Daniel hadn’t wanted to be there for her – he had – but a tiny part of him had wanted selfishly to believe Sam’s own assurances that she was fine with his leaving so he could start his new assignment as soon as possible. Yet while Sam would never have asked him to stay herself, would hate the idea he had stuck around just because of her, she had needed someone. Jacob Carter’s death had been a blow; her broken engagement had been another. She hadn’t spoken about either much but he’d seen the sadness in her eyes, the grief – something he understood all too well. If he had left he would have felt awful knowing he hadn’t been there to support her.

‘I should have been with her.’

Jack couldn’t have been with Sam on the mission and neither could Teal’c but he…Daniel closed his eyes on another wave of guilt. He really should have been with her.

He snatched up a photo of the temple walls and got to his feet. He hurried out of his office, unable to stand being there alone with his thoughts and guilt. He made his way down to the infirmary. He met Doctor Edwards coming out of the ward.

‘Doctor. Is Helen OK?’

Edwards put his pen in the top pocket of his white medical coat and nodded his head at Daniel. ‘Headache. She’s awake if you want to visit. The rest of SG12 are with her.’

‘Thanks.’ Daniel gave him a small smile.

‘Any news on the gate?’ Edwards asked.

Daniel shook his head. ‘They’re still running tests.’

‘Well, the med team will be ready to go whenever we get the all clear.’

Daniel nodded. There was always a med team with every search and rescue.

‘I have to admit I’m going to miss this place.’ Edwards said with a tired sigh.

‘Of course,’ Daniel murmured, ‘this week’s your last isn’t it?’

‘New head of medicine arrives next week.’ Edwards confirmed. ‘I’d better get back to my rounds.’ He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. ‘I’ll catch you later.’

Daniel let him go and entered the ward. Calliday was the only official occupant. She had been given a bed towards the end and she was sitting up with a stack of pillows behind her, her wrist in a cast. Someone had dressed her in the standard blue infirmary pyjamas and her red hair stood out starkly in contrast. Her team stood protectively around the bed and Daniel caught the smiles as they exchanged banter as he approached.

Green straightened. ‘Doctor Jackson.’

‘Major.’ Daniel nodded at the rest of SG12 before he looked at the woman in the bed. ‘Helen. How are you feeling?’

‘Bruises on bruises.’ She pulled a face.

‘I developed the pictures in your camera. Are you up to some questions?’ Daniel asked quietly.

‘Hey, can’t this wait?’ Turner asked crossly. ‘She’s just woken up.’

‘I’m fine.’ Calliday patted Turner’s hand. ‘Why don’t you guys go get me something from the mess?’

Grogan smirked as Green pulled him and Turner away, leaving Daniel alone with his fellow archaeologist.

‘Any news?’ Calliday asked urgently as soon as they were out of earshot.

Daniel shook his head.

‘I swear she was just behind me.’ Calliday murmured, her head falling back onto the pillows. She plucked nervously at the blanket covering her. ‘You had questions?’ She prompted gently as Daniel remained quiet.

‘Yes.’ Daniel passed her the picture. ‘I can’t make out the words. I was hoping you could describe them to me.’

Calliday sighed. ‘They were almost too faded and the Goa’uld dialect was so old. I could barely understand every other word. I think it stated that there was something inside the temple.’

‘What?’ Daniel asked.

She shook her head slowly. ‘I don’t know.’

‘You think it was the Stargate you found?’

‘No.’ Calliday frowned, a line appearing between her eyebrows as she considered Daniel’s question seriously. ‘The words weren’t anything like chappa’ai. I think it was just a coincidence.’

‘You think you could draw the words?’ Daniel asked.

‘Do you have any paper?’ Calliday asked.

Daniel looked around and ended up grabbing her chart from the bottom of the bed. ‘Here.’

Calliday looked at him but carefully sketched out the symbols with her good hand. She winced. ‘These are them.’

He took the chart and stared at the symbols. ‘Are you sure these are the right symbols?’

‘Positive.’ She looked at him. ‘Why?’

‘Well, I’m not entirely certain but I think it says Doomsday machine.’ Daniel said seriously. He looked at her. ‘Do you think you could have triggered anything when you entered the temple?’

‘I don’t see how.’ Calliday bit her lip.

‘Tell me everything.’ Daniel encouraged her.

Her fingers traced over the letters in the picture on her lap and Daniel could see they were shaking infinitesimally. ‘We got to the planet and made our way to the temple. I focused on the entrance way. There were symbols and writing.’ She rubbed her nose and looked up from the photo. ‘I managed to work out the temple belonged to Ra but hadn’t been taken over by another Goa’uld.’

‘Unusual.’ Daniel commented, folding his arms over his chest.

‘Maybe the planet has always been unstable.’ Calliday commented. ‘It would account for the lack of habitation since and why the temple was abandoned with so many artefacts inside.’ Her fingers tapped the photo.

Daniel nodded slowly. ‘You know I seem to remember…something…some story about Ra and a Doomsday machine.’

‘You know I think it rings a bell with me too? I just can’t remember why.’ Calliday sighed.

‘I don’t remember it in detail.’ Daniel admitted. ‘Maybe I heard it on Abydos.’ He shook his head and refocused on her. ‘Do you remember anything else?’

‘We didn’t get to see all that much more.’ Calliday admitted regretfully. ‘Just the room with the Stargate.’

‘OK.’ Daniel reached for the photo. ‘Well, thanks.’ He looked at her surprised when she kept hold of the picture.

‘I understand that I also owe you a thank you.’ Calliday grinned at him. ‘Something about protecting me when I landed on the ramp?’

‘Ah.’ Daniel smiled nervously and nudged his glasses up his nose. ‘That.’

‘That.’ Calliday let go of the picture. Her eyes held his. ‘Thank you.’

Daniel shrugged.

‘Maybe I can take you out for a drink to say thank you properly?’ Calliday suggested.

Daniel’s eyes widened. ‘Oh. Well. There’s, uh, well, no need. I mean, I’m going to Atlantis soon so…’

Calliday rolled her eyes. ‘It’s only a drink, Daniel.’ She pointed out.

‘I know.’ Daniel said defensively, wondering why he was so nervous. He’d been asked out for a drink before by an attractive woman. ‘I, uh…raincheck?’

‘Raincheck.’ Calliday agreed. Disappointment gleamed in her eyes for a brief moment before she shifted under the covers and changed the subject. ‘You know the temple is the only shelter anywhere close to the Stargate so Colonel Carter’s probably there.’

Daniel nodded. ‘Jack figured the temple was probably the most likely place she would go.’ If she wasn’t too injured…he stopped the thought abruptly.

‘It wasn’t your fault, Daniel.’ Calliday said softly.

‘I should have been there.’ Daniel dropped his gaze.

‘I should have waited for her.’ Calliday said.

Daniel’s eyes shot up. Her head was bowed; her eyes fixed to her blanket. ‘Hey.’ Daniel reached out and took her uninjured hand in his. ‘This wasn’t your fault either.’

Calliday nodded jerkily.

A sharp rap on the door-frame had both of them turning around in surprise.

Jack stood there unapologetically. He nodded at Calliday before pinning Daniel with an urgent look. ‘The gate’s working. Let’s gear up.’ He left before either of them could reply.

Calliday squeezed Daniel’s hand. ‘Go.’

Daniel let go of her and hurried after Jack. It was time for SG1 to rescue their missing team-mate.

Chapter 8

Sam stared into the empty tunnel. She had banged her head, she reminded herself. She was probably hallucinating again like she had on the Prometheus. She snorted inelegantly. Her hallucinations had been trouble; expressing her self-doubts as though her inner demons had been given life. She had wondered in the days that had followed her adventure on the Prometheus if the hallucinations had actually happened…if she had really seen the little girl and her team-mates. She had spent hours thinking about the conversations she’d had, going over them in her head and getting it all wrong, she concluded ruefully. But Sam still couldn’t deny that ultimately the hallucinations had saved her. The little girl – Grace – had blown bubbles and Sam had suddenly known what she’d had to do to get the ship free.

She had wondered about the little girl; had she been a hallucination? Had she been an emissary of the alien ship? Or had she been Sam’s inner child? The Sam who had first been captivated by the idea of travelling to the stars, who enjoyed blowing bubbles and wondering how the bubble worked…or was Grace some future child she hoped to have one day?

Without thinking, Sam picked up her gun and used the wall to lever herself to her feet. She switched the light on and stared into the shaft of light.

‘Hello?’ Sam called into the semi-darkness. ‘Are you there?’ She took a shaky step toward the end of the tunnel.

One step.

Another.

She held onto the cold wall; the slight chill from the entranceway disappeared and Sam found herself in front of the stairwell.

A giggle drifted up to her; the sound of a child’s footsteps on the stone stairs as they clattered downwards.

‘Grace?’ Sam said loudly. Her heart beat fast, the pounding loud to her own ears. She caught her breath and looked with trepidation at the stairs. She looked back toward the door. She bit her lip as she considered whether or not to head down the stairs. She knew she should stay in the tunnel; the search party would check the temple and she should be somewhere they could easily find her. But then…Green and Calliday knew about the stairwell…she turned back.

Teal’c blocked her way – a hallucination of Teal’c, she corrected tiredly in her head.

‘Colonel Carter.’ The hallucination seemed so real; same dark skin, dark eyes, the close cropped hair Teal’c had worn for the last year. ‘You should turn back.’

‘I know why you’re here.’ Sam said wearily. She pointed her finger at his impressive chest. ‘You’re the warrior part of me, the soldier, the protector.’

There was a flicker of amusement across Teal’c’s face. ‘Indeed.’

‘You’re here to tell me to be cautious, to stay where the search teams can find me.’

‘You are correct.’ Teal’c murmured.

‘You’re here to warn me away from Grace.’ Sam said breathlessly.

‘You do not know who she is.’ Teal’c pointed out. ‘You do not what she is.’

‘She’s a hallucination.’ Sam said patiently. ‘Like you.’ Tiredness swamped her and she lowered herself to the dusty floor. She leaned on the wall and closed her eyes.

Sam didn’t know how much time had passed before she opened her eyes and found the stairwell empty.

Teal’c – or the part of her represented by the hallucination of her team-mate – was right, Sam mused. She was hardly in any shape to go chasing after a little girl who was no doubt a figment of her own imagination.

‘Or is she?’

Sam’s head snapped around and found Daniel. She sighed. ‘I might have known.’

The hallucination of Daniel smiled at her. ‘Known what?’

‘That you would show up next.’ Sam touched the gash on her head gingerly. ‘You always do.’

‘Thank you. I think.’ Daniel got up and took the first couple of steps down into the stairwell. ‘Come on.’

Sam glared at him.

‘You know you want to.’ Daniel coaxed teasingly.

‘Daniel.’ Sam sighed in exasperation and got to her feet. She knew he represented the scientist in her; the curious, questing side that wanted to explore the unknown and find answers; the side her friendship with Daniel had nurtured, that thought outside the box and took risks her soldier side baulked at taking. She didn’t really stop to think as she followed her hallucination of her friend down the stairwell.

‘This is fascinating, don’t you think?’ Daniel said.

Sam steadied her balance as she got to the bottom. ‘Sure. Why not?’ She agreed.

Daniel grinned at her. ‘Oh come on. You’re not the least bit curious why you’ve conjured us up again? Why Grace is suddenly here?’

‘I banged my head.’ Sam said pedantically.

‘Don’t you think there’s more to it than that?’ Daniel pushed relentlessly. ‘Why did you run away to the Prometheus that time?’

‘I didn’t run away to the Prometheus.’ Sam’s denial was automatic. She lowered herself back to the floor; she just needed to rest – just a moment.

‘You didn’t need to make that trip.’ Daniel pointed out. ‘You ran away for a reason. Maybe when you figure that out, you’ll figure this out.’

Sam looked over at where Daniel had been standing; he was gone. She frowned at the darkness and aimed her gun down the tunnel; it cast a column of brightness. Why had she come down here? She closed her eyes. Why had she taken the Prometheus assignment?

She had just recovered from leading an assignment to Anubis’s base – leading because the then Colonel O’Neill had gone off to rescue Daniel. She had been worried about her team-mates while they had been apart – about Jack specifically. She had been scared of losing him; scared to admit all her old longings and love had resurfaced despite her best efforts to bury them. When she had accomplished her mission without him, Hammond had hinted perhaps she should have her own command and suddenly there had been possibilities in the air. So she had run away.

Oh, she’d convinced herself at the time that it had been because she would have a chance at studying the nebula but it had been an excuse. She had wanted time to think; an opportunity to take stock. Boy, had she got it. She considered her musings earlier about her life. Change was in the air again. Maybe that was why her hallucinations had reappeared or maybe it was just simply that she needed them to help her through the lonely minutes.

‘Come on.’

Grace’s childish voice had her eyes snapping open.

The young girl smiled at her. ‘You have to come and see.’ She turned and skipped away, disappearing into the darkness.

Sam staggered back to her feet. She stumbled down the tunnel. The doorway was still open – the way they had left it. She leaned against the adjoining wall with a groan. She was…

‘I’m so tired.’ Sam murmured.

‘I know, kiddo.’

‘Dad?’ Sam turned and found her father standing in front of her. He looked alive; dressed in the green BDUs of the SGC. His dark eyes smiled at her but her heart clenched painfully in her chest; tears stung the back of her eyes. ‘You’re not here.’ She said.

‘I’m always going to be a part of you.’ Jacob said firmly. ‘And you’re always going to be my little girl.’

She gave a thin laugh and tried to ignore how close to hysteria she felt. ‘This didn’t go so well the last time.’

‘I know.’ Jacob wagged a finger at her. ‘You really screwed up what I was telling you.’

‘You told me to let go of the things that prevented me from finding happiness.’ Sam reiterated. ‘I tried.’

‘You misunderstood what I…you meant.’ Jacob pointed out ruthlessly.

‘You meant that I shouldn’t let rules and regulations stand in my way.’ Sam remembered the conversation with her actual dying father all too well. She rested her head on the cool stone of the door. ‘I thought you…I meant that I needed to let go of Jack.’ Or had she?

‘You can still be happy, Sam.’

Sam raised her head. He was gone but her father’s words seemed to echo down the tunnel.

‘Sam!’ Grace’s shout broke through her confusion. ‘Help me!’

‘Grace.’ Sam stepped through onto the ledge. The darkness seemed to spin in front of her.

‘Come on!’ Grace was on the steps, running downwards into the black.

‘Wait!’ Sam called out anxiously. ‘Wait for me!’ She eased onto the first step, then the second, then a third. She let out a huff of breath. The light from her gun lit her way as she safely navigated the next few steps. She was almost at the bottom…

Dizzy.

She was so dizzy.

Her foot met air…

Sam tumbled downwards with a sharp cry.

Chapter 9

Jack hovered impatiently behind Walter as the gate spun in front of them. The control room was filled with personnel; the gate room was filled with the search and rescue volunteers. He rested his hands atop his P90 and ignored the urge to fidget and pace. He was a senior officer. His mind was focused on the mission, on rescuing Carter. That was it. That was all.

Right.

The Stargate chevrons encoded, one after another.

‘Chevron Seven,’ intoned Walter solemnly, ‘locked.’

The blue blossom of the horizon had Jack sucking in a relieved breath. The gate worked. They could go back; they could rescue Carter.

‘Send the MALP.’ Jack ordered.

Landry raised his eyebrows but he didn’t speak and Jack belatedly realised that it should have been the new SGC commander who gave the order. He swallowed down the annoyance he felt and focused on the mission as Walter confirmed the MALP was en route. It didn’t matter who gave the order; the important thing was that they were on their way to rescue Carter.

‘MALP has reached destination and we’re receiving video transmission.’ Walter said. ‘Switching to infrared.’ The change enabled them to see despite the darkness on the planet.

Jack took a step closer to the monitor.

‘The DHD is broken.’ Daniel tapped the screen.

‘We’ll need a naquadah generator to dial out manually.’ Jack was proud that his voice was even, firm. No hint of his inner turnoil.

‘Sergeant Siler.’ Landry nodded at the man who acknowledged the order briskly.

‘There is no sign of Colonel Carter in the immediate vicinity of the gate.’ Teal’c murmured.

‘She must have taken shelter.’ Jack said, his tone indicating that he wouldn’t consider any other explanation. He turned to Landry. ‘There’re no hostiles. No sign of earthquakes.’ He met the older man’s gaze expectantly.

Landry sighed. ‘You’re good to go.’

Jack nodded gratefully. He immediately headed down the stairs, knowing without looking that Teal’c and Daniel were at his heels. He cut through the press of bodies in the gate room and walked up the ramp a couple of steps before turning to look at the gathered assembly.

There was complete and total silence.

‘Here’s the situation.’ Jack said loudly. ‘Colonel Carter was left on P2X654 after an earthquake knocked out the wormhole. The MALP shows that the earthquake destroyed the DHD and we’ll be taking a generator to dial out manually.’ He stopped and looked around. He was pleased to see them all look back at him attentively. He wondered fleetingly when they’d gotten so young or rather when he’d gotten so old. He focused again. ‘It’s likely Carter’s sought shelter in the nearby temple which may or may not have some surprises left by Ra so SG1 will check that out first. Any questions?’

Silence.

‘OK,’ Jack ordered, tugging his cap down lower, ‘SG1 with me. SG3 take the rear.’ He strode up the ramp; Daniel on one side, Teal’c on the other. Jack didn’t pause in front of the event horizon, not even to take a moment to regret Carter’s absence; he walked straight into it.

The first thing he noticed on P2X654 was the cold. The wind was sharp. It bit through the layers he wore; the vest and jacket; the black t-shirt. He shivered. He ignored it; his chocolate eyes pinned to the tree-line, and scanned the area. He felt a twinge of disappointment as he registered Carter’s absence. He hit his radio. ‘Carter, come in.’ He waited for a moment. ‘Carter.’

No reply.

Nothing.

Nada.

Jack tried to reassure himself it meant nothing. Like he had said, she had probably taken shelter in the temple and maybe there was no signal. He moved off the steps and looked around the clearing, taking in the destruction caused by the earthquake. The DHD had sunk into the ground. The ground was torn up in places; there were visible cracks in the ground – trees had been torn asunder. How could Carter have survived? Jack shoved the panic that threatened his composure aside ruthlessly; he was no use to her if he panicked. He needed to find Carter and get her home. He was aware of the wormhole blinking out as the last member of SG3 stepped through.

‘Colonel Reynolds.’ Jack called to the experienced SG3 leader. ‘Hold the gate; get the generator set up. We may need to make a quick exit.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Reynolds ran back, shouting orders to his men.

Jack sent SG12 in the opposite direction of the temple in case Carter had stumbled unknowingly in the wrong direction. The med team waited in the clearing for instructions while he, Teal’c and Daniel set off in the direction of the temple. Jack led the way; Daniel behind him; Teal’c watching their six. Jack’s hold on his P90 was firm; his finger hovered over the trigger. He was pleased when the path gave way to a clearing, the temple rising out of the forest.

Daniel moved past him, hurrying to the walls anxiously. His fingers hovered over the writing.

‘Daniel.’ Jack snapped impatiently.

‘This could be important, Jack.’ Daniel shot back. His brow creased as he read the Goa’uld by the dim beam of the flashlight. ‘Uh-oh.’

‘Uh-oh?’ Jack growled.

Daniel shot Jack a worried look. ‘Helen drew the symbols right. I was hoping she’d got it wrong. This says there’s a Doomsday machine inside. I think the planet might be self-destructing.’

‘OK’ Jack waved his hands at the open entrance way, ‘let’s get Carter and get out of here.’

Daniel and Teal’c followed his lead as he strode toward the open doorway.

Jack flicked his light on and directed it into the dark space. He wet his lips. ‘Carter?’ He stepped in the silence and walked a couple of steps into the tight passage. His light fell onto a discarded pack on the floor.

‘That’s Sam’s.’ Daniel said needlessly.

‘Ya think?’ Jack muttered. Where the hell was Carter? She knew better than to move from the entry where she would be easily found. His hand went to his radio. ‘Carter. It’s O’Neill. Come in.’ He frowned at the lack of response.

‘She might have taken shelter in the lower level.’ Daniel suggested.

Jack didn’t comment. He looked at Teal’c and the Jaffa silently picked up Sam’s pack. Jack crept forward. Something about the temple was creeping him out. It could have been the darkness or the association with Ra but he didn’t think so. He couldn’t help the horrible sense that something was wrong.

Carter should have responded to his radio call…

If she was alive.

She would never have left her pack and the tunnel…

If she was alive.

Jack shook off the negativity. She was probably just injured or her radio could have been ruined, who knew? He stopped by the stairwell and started down cautiously. He took one step then another. He shone his light right then left. Carter would have gone left, back under the temple towards the centre. He was already moving in that direction without conscious thought.

The open doorway slowed him.

‘This must be the second room Sam and Helen found.’ Daniel commented, his voice low.

‘Right.’ Jack moved forward again. The ledge protruding from the door was small; the landing barely able to hold all three men. Jack felt his gut churn; no sign of Carter.

This wasn’t good.

Daniel shone his flashlight around the space below. ‘Wow.’ He moved away from the edge towards the stairs.

‘Maybe Colonel Carter went in the opposite direction.’ Teal’c suggested.

‘Maybe.’ Jack allowed. He’d only been following his gut. He began to turn away.

‘Jack!’

Daniel’s yell froze the blood in his veins. Jack made his way to the archaeologist’s side and looked down the steps.

The combined beam of their lights illuminated the ground below and the crumpled form of their missing team-mate.

Chapter 10

Jack couldn’t really remember how he got from the top of the steps to the bottom. He only knew one moment he had been beside Daniel looking down at Carter and the next he was beside her. He immediately searched for a pulse, sliding a hand over her neck. The steady thump had him breathing out in sharp relief.

‘Jack?’ Daniel prompted anxiously.

‘She’s got a pulse.’ Jack confirmed. He reached for the radio with his other hand. ‘Reynolds, come in.’

‘Reynolds here, sir.’

‘We’ve found Colonel Carter in the temple. She’s unconscious. We’re going to need some assistance getting her out.’

‘Understood. I’ll redirect SG12 to your position with the med team. Out.’ Reynolds replied.

Jack looked up at Teal’c who had positioned himself on the steps. ‘Go wait for them at the entrance. Show them down here.’

The Jaffa nodded and sprinted back up the stairs.

Daniel was already kneeling on Carter’s other side, reaching into his pack to pull out medical supplies. ‘You think we should move her?’

‘No.’ Jack realised belatedly that he hadn’t removed his hand from Carter’s neck and slowly withdrew it. ‘We should wait until the med team gets here. She’s breathing.’

‘It looks like that she already did some first aid.’ Daniel noted as he motioned at the bandages on her hands.

Jack nodded. ‘She’s dry. She changed clothes.’

‘She must have come down here for some reason and fallen.’ Daniel theorised out loud. ‘Maybe there was another tremor.’

‘She knows to stay in easy reach of the entrance for rescue.’ Jack muttered.

‘It looks like she banged her head.’ Daniel pointed out as he covered her with a blanket. ‘She might have been disoriented.’

Jack shot him a look. ‘Where the hell is that med team?’

Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook violently. Daniel and Jack both covered Sam’s prone body as dust and debris fell from the walls.

Jack reached for his radio. ‘Reynolds!’

‘…, sir.’ Reynolds broken voice was barely audible.

‘Get everyone back through the gate now!’ Jack ordered. ‘Do not wait for us! Repeat, do not wait for us! Copy?’

‘Copy that.’

Jack let his hand drop and he held on grimly as the earth continued to shake. He didn’t know how long he and Daniel remained curled up over Carter. He spared a thought for Teal’c and hoped the Jaffa was OK. He figured the Jaffa would have stayed in the temple rather than heading back to the gate.

The tremors finally eased away. Jack checked Carter’s pulse again. It was still strong. He shone his light around the space. The artefacts in the room had fallen all over the floor although the Stargate at the far end had remained upright. He reached for his radio. ‘Teal’c?’

The radio crackled.

Daniel pushed his glasses up his nose and stared worriedly at Jack.

‘Teal’c?’ Jack tried again.

‘I am here, O’Neill.’ Teal’c’s voice came through strongly.

‘What’s your situation?’ Jack asked briskly.

‘I am well but the temple has sustained some damage.’ Teal’c radioed back. ‘The entrance way has been blocked by debris. I will endeavour to shift it.’

‘Copy that.’ Jack sighed. He clicked his radio on again. ‘Sierra Golf One to any remaining personnel. Come in.’

There was silence.

‘Repeat, Sierra Golf One to any remaining personnel. Come in.’ Jack shook his head. It didn’t look like anyone else was on the planet. His heart sank as his eyes fell on Carter. She needed medical attention.

‘You think everyone got back OK?’ Daniel asked as Jack kneeled back down next to Carter.

Jack shrugged.

‘They’ll send another rescue team.’ Daniel assured him.

‘Maybe.’ Jack muttered without thinking.

‘Maybe?’ Daniel asked.

‘There might have been more damage to our gate, Daniel.’ Jack pointed out. He rubbed a hand through his short grey hair. ‘And if I was Hank, I wouldn’t be keen on sending any more people to a planet that’s unstable.’ He tucked the blanket closer around Carter.

Daniel nodded slowly. ‘I’ll, uh, I’ll go and help Teal’c.’

‘Careful on the stairs.’ Jack cautioned. He watched Daniel until he was out of sight before he sat down beside Carter. He rooted into the pack for a long lasting temporary light. He switched it on and switched off the light on his P90. He placed it to one side before he scooted back over to Carter.

He knew he couldn’t wait for a med team to confirm her condition. Carter needed immediate care. He gently stroked her bangs away from her forehead and winced at the dull bruise and raw scrape. He did a cursory check of her limbs and was relieved to discover she hadn’t broken any. He trailed his fingers gently down her neck and gave a sigh of relief; she didn’t seem to have broken her neck. He shifted and lifted her t-shirt to check her spine and ribs. More bruising on the ribs but there was no evidence of internal bleeding and her spine seemed OK.

He tugged her clothes back down and lifted her head to place his spare t-shirt underneath it. He shifted her body into a recovery position and tucked the blanket back around her. Once they had the temple door clear, Teal’c could carry Sam back to the gate, Jack determined.

The silence was oppressive.

Jack took a sip of water from his canteen and decided to look around; he should check for any dangers especially given the whole Doomsday machine thing. He picked up his gun, switched the light back on and quietly stepped away from Carter. He moved slowly, careful of any traps. His beam of light fell across the various statues, pots and vases that had fallen into the floor. His boots crunched on ceramic and jewels but his eyes were narrowed, looking for anything that might be dangerous. He came to a stop at the other end of the room.

The Stargate loomed in front of him. The light glanced over the silver ring, the symbols were unusual. Jack frowned. He’d spent eight years of his life going through the gate and authorising travel to other worlds, and admittedly, he wasn’t the best at remembering addresses but he didn’t recognise any of the symbols on the gate at all. He looked around; he couldn’t see a DHD. If Ra was using the gate as a second exit from the planet then there should have been a DHD…

‘Jack?’

‘Here, Daniel.’ Jack responded into his radio.

‘Teal’c and I have almost cleared the door.’ Daniel radioed back.

‘Great. You and Teal’c head to the clearing and check on the state of the gate. I want to make sure its OK before we try and move Carter.’

‘Right. We’ll check in when we get to the clearing.’

His light caught on a seam in the wall. A secret door? His frown deepened as he took another step towards it. Secret doors were never a good thing. His gaze followed the beam of light as it travelled down the crack. He couldn’t see a door handle or any way of opening it. He sighed. No doubt Daniel would find a way but hopefully they wouldn’t be on the planet long enough. If the naquadah generator was intact they could all gate home safely.

A moan drifted across the room.

Jack’s head snapped around.

Carter.

He hurried back across the wide space. She had already shifted into a sitting position, resting heavily against the wall, when he reached her.

‘Hey,’ Jack crouched down beside her

Her blue eyes widened at the sight of him and she held up a hand as though to ward him off. He refrained from touching her.

‘I was wondering when you would show up.’

Her direct tone him aback. He pressed his lips together. ‘Sorry.’ He said shortly as he sat down beside her, putting his gun on the floor and resting against the wall. ‘We had some trouble with the gate or we’d have been here earlier.’

‘Sure.’ Sam agreed wincing. She closed her eyes.

‘Daniel and Teal’c are checking out the gate. As soon as they give the all clear we’ll head home.’

Sam’s eyes opened and she stared at him.

Jack shifted uncomfortably under her relentless gaze. ‘What?’

‘I guess this is the pep talk?’ Sam said.

‘Do you want a pep talk?’ Jack asked bemused.

Sam sighed. ‘Isn’t that why you’re here? You think I need a pep talk. Well,’ she winced again, ‘I guess I think I need a pep talk.’

‘OK.’ Jack’s eyes flickered to the bump above her and wondered how badly Carter had hit her head. He decided it would probably be best to play long with her. ‘Well, I guess if you need me to give you a pep talk, I can give you a pep talk. What are friends for, right?’

Sam rested her head against the wall and her eyes fell shut again. ‘So we’re back to that?’

‘Look, Carter,’ Jack said gruffly, his heart suddenly pounding twice as fast at her question, ‘maybe this isn’t the best time…’

She laughed cutting him off mid-sentence. ‘When is a good time?’ She opened her eyes to look at him with frank amusement.

She had a point, Jack thought ruefully. Every time they’d ever come close to talking about what was between them something had gotten in the way.

Sam’s gaze roamed over him. ‘I know you’re always going to be here for me as a friend; I’ve never doubted that.’

Jack nodded. It was the truth no matter whatever physical distance might be between them with their various assignments. It was why he was there after all.

‘I just thought…’ she dropped her gaze, ‘hoped, I guess, it was more than that.’

‘Carter.’ Jack didn’t know what to say to her; he didn’t want to have this conversation with her when she was concussed and injured. Hell, she probably didn’t know half of what she was saying. He should stop this before it went any further.

‘You know the last time you told me you weren’t complex.’ She sighed. ‘Or I told me.’

His own intent to put a stop to the conversation was arrested. Jack lifted one eyebrow in inquiry. ‘The last time?’

‘So I told myself that you weren’t complex and if I thought you wanted only friendship, then that’s all it was.’ Sam frowned. ‘At least, I think that’s what I thought.’ She closed her eyes. ‘It’s all so confusing.’

‘It’s that.’ Jack agreed wholeheartedly. He looked at her pale face concerned. ‘Carter…’

Her eyes opened to look at him with raw honesty. ‘I got it all wrong.’ She continued. ‘And now it’s too late.’

‘Is it?’ The question was out of his mouth before Jack could prevent it.

Sam looked at him curiously. ‘Isn’t it?’

Jack took in a deep breath and backed off the question. He waved at her. ‘Carter, don’t you think we should talk about this later? We really should focus on getting out of here.’

‘You’re right.’ Sam admitted. ‘I should really focus on getting out of here.’ Her eyes were still on his. ‘One more thing…’

‘What?’ Jack asked relieved the discussion was over.

Sam moved before he could react. Her lips covered his as her hand moved to cup the back of his head. It was everything he remembered about kissing her; passionate, loving, wonderful. For a split-second, he was stunned before the reasons why it wasn’t a good idea started yelling in his head; she was injured, he was taking advantage, they were off-world on a mission. His hand moved to push her away gently, only she moved back before he could.

Sam stared back at him in shock. ‘Oh my God.’ She murmured, her blue eyes searching his. ‘You’re real.’

Chapter 11

‘Yes.’ Jack answered hesitantly, his eyes filled with concern. ‘I’m real.’

Sam shifted away from Jack abruptly, grimacing in pain from her injuries. Her eyes closed. She couldn’t remember when she had last felt so mortified – maybe when she had interrupted his dinner with Kerry Johnson.

‘Carter…’

‘Sir…’ Sam opened her eyes reluctantly.

‘Jack?’ Daniel’s voice intruded harshly through the radios. ‘We have a problem.’

They looked at each other for a long moment before Jack reached for his radio. She looked around and registered the light, the packs – all the physical evidence that should have alerted her to the reality that he wasn’t a hallucination.

‘What, Daniel?’ Jack responded to the radio call.

‘We can’t get to the gate.’ Daniel said.

Uh-oh, Sam thought, that didn’t sound good.

‘Say again, Daniel?’ Jack snapped, getting to his feet.

‘We can’t get to the gate.’ Daniel repeated. ‘There’s some kind of forest fire between here and the Stargate. We, uh, can’t see a way around it.’

Jack pinched the brow of his nose. ‘You have got to be kidding me.’

‘Daniel Jackson is correct, O’Neill.’ Teal’c’s calm tone just irritated Jack more. ‘The fire is extremely dangerous.’

‘OK. Return to the temple.’ Jack sighed. ‘We’ll figure something out.’

‘How’s Sam?’ Daniel responded.

Jack looked over at her. Sam blushed furiously and ducked her head.

‘She’s awake. We’ll see you in ten.’ He clicked his radio off. He stooped and picked up his water canteen. ‘Thirsty?’ He handed it to Sam.

Sam accepted it with a murmur of thank and took a sip. He sat back down next to her and took the canteen back. He sipped from it himself before he screwed the top back on. The tension thickened until Sam could barely breathe.

‘Sir,’ Sam began nervously, ‘if I could just explain…’

‘Carter.’ Jack cut her off brusquely. He glanced at her. ‘It should be me apologising…’

‘Don’t.’ Sam said loudly, interrupting him.

They looked at each other and looked away again.

‘I, uh, thought you were a hallucination.’ Sam explained, lowering her gaze. Her fingers twisted the blanket that covered her and she wondered again why she hadn’t clued into it as evidence Jack was really there before. Her hand sneaked up to her bump.

Jack’s eyes widened. ‘Exactly how hard did you hit your head?’

Sam winced visibly at the jibe but didn’t argue with it. She took a breath and raised her gaze to his, hoping he would see her determination to move past the kiss. ‘Did SG12 get back safely before?’

Jack stared at her for so long she was afraid he wasn’t going to let the subject of their kiss drop. She kept her gaze steady, her jaw tightening reflexively. He suddenly shifted. ‘They did.’ He pulled a face. ‘Calliday bumped her head too but she’s OK.’

‘I’m guessing the energy surge blew some capacitors?’ Sam questioned, determinedly keeping them on topic.

‘It did.’ Jack agreed. ‘Siler and his team fixed it so we could come rescue you.’

‘Just you guys?’ Sam frowned. It was unusual to just send a single SG team without medics or back-up on a SAR.

‘Us, SG3 and 12. A med team.’ Jack reeled off. ‘There was another earthquake, I ordered the others home.’ He smiled crookedly. ‘So as you can see we’re doing a fine job of rescuing you, Carter.’

She couldn’t prevent the smile she gave him. ‘Sounds like I missed a lot.’

‘Not much.’ Jack said wryly. He glanced at her concerned. ‘You know we kind of expected to find you by the temple entrance.’

Sam flushed. ‘I, uh, I thought I heard something down here.’

His eyebrow rose in an unconscious mimic of Teal’c.

She shifted under the blanket. ‘I, well, the, uh, reason why I thought you might be a hallucination was because I, uh, I’d already seen one.’

‘A hallucination?’ Jack checked, his eyes drifting to her head wound.

‘Kind of more than one.’ Sam confessed, studiously examining the bandages on her hands.

Jack nudged her. ‘How many fingers am I holding up?’

‘Three.’ Sam said immediately.

‘Follow my finger.’ Jack watched as she tracked his digit back and forth through the air.

‘Blurred vision? Dizziness? Nausea?’ He asked.

Sam glared at him, not wanting to admit how bad she felt. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Carter, you have a serious concussion.’ Jack replied tersely.

Sam softened as she took in his concern and worry. She touched his arm without thinking. Both their heads turned as they heard footsteps approaching. Sam gently withdrew her hand as Daniel and Teal’c appeared at the top of the stairs. They hurried down and Sam accepted their brief and gentle hugs before they moved to sit with them. Jack passed them water canteens.

‘It’s bad out there.’ Daniel informed them. He swiped at his face with the back of his hand.

‘How far is this fire from the temple?’ Jack asked, settling back beside Sam.

‘Not far, O’Neill.’ Teal’c confirmed. There were beads of sweat dotting his dark skin. ‘And there is much smoke. I do not believe it would be wise to leave this place.’

‘We should probably wait it out.’ Daniel agreed, reaching for an energy bar.

‘Well, this place is fairly solid.’ Jack motioned at the thick stone walls. ‘We should be OK from the fire if we can find a way to keep the smoke out.’

Daniel nodded. ‘We found a way to close the outside entrance.’ He looked back up the stairs. ‘I can probably close this door too.’

‘You guys do know that forest fires can last for days.’ Sam pointed out. She pulled the blanket closer. ‘And until it does, we can’t get to the Stargate and another rescue team can’t come through.’

‘We don’t really have a lot of options here, Sam,’ Daniel replied softly, ‘especially with the Doomsday machine.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Doomsday machine?’

Daniel looked at Jack who raised a hand as though in defeat.

‘The writing on the wall outside indicates there’s a Doomsday machine here in the temple.’ Daniel explained. ‘It’s possible that it’s responsible for the, uh, weather.’

Sam sighed. ‘I guess we need to leave quickly then.’

‘Any suggestions?’ Jack interjected.

‘Plan B?’ Sam attempted a smile. ‘I just don’t think we can rely on the fire burning out quickly, sir. And by the sound of it, we may not be able to wait for the SGC to send the Prometheus. It’ll take almost a week to get here.’

‘Colonel Carter is correct.’ Teal’c said supportively.

‘She usually is.’ Jack quipped. He nodded at the Jaffa. ‘What about your tretonin?’

Teal’c inclined his head. ‘My supply will be sufficient if we are to leave shortly.’

‘I have some spare.’ Daniel said. He smiled self-consciously. ‘I just automatically packed it.’

Teal’c inclined his head in gratitude.

‘OK,’ Jack declared, ‘I think we’re all agreed that we can’t wait here forever.’ His eyes strayed back to Sam and she realised anew how worried he was about her. He jerked his gaze away and pointed up the stairs. ‘Daniel, Teal’c, why don’t you take care of that door. It’ll help slow any smoke that makes it into the temple. We’ll work on a plan B after.’

Daniel and Teal’c nodded. They both stood up fluidly and made their way back up the stairs.

‘It doesn’t make sense.’ Sam murmured, thinking out loud.

‘What doesn’t?’ Jack asked.

‘The fire.’ She explained weakly. ‘It was raining outside for a long time. The forest should have been wet.’

‘So why the fire?’ Jack mused. ‘I see your point.’

‘Unless…’

‘Unless?’ Jack prompted.

Sam shifted position under his gaze. ‘Earthquakes are usually caused by plate tectonic activity. It’s not unusual during severe shifts for molten lava to rise to the surface. If the lava has moved closer to the surface or broken through, it would probably be hot enough to cause the moisture to evaporate and create the fire.’

‘So we could be looking at having to deal with lava flows?’ Jack asked caustically. ‘Great.’

‘Maybe not.’ Sam sighed and rubbed her arms. ‘I’m just thinking.’

‘I would never expect you to stop.’ Jack joked.

Sam shivered despite the blanket.

‘C’mere.’

Suddenly his arm was around her shoulders tucking her closer to him. Sam resisted for a millisecond before she allowed herself to cuddle into his warmth and the solid comfort he offered. She was so tired.

‘Hey, Carter.’ Jack nudged her. ‘You have to stay conscious here.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Sam sighed even as her eyes fluttered shut. The blackness called to her and she slid into it gratefully.

Chapter 12

Daniel studied the pictures around the door intently, shining his flashlight onto each single one. ‘I think I’ve got it.’ He depressed the sun symbol on their side of the doorway. The door slid shut.

The two men made their way back down the stairs. They slowed as they got to the bottom as they took in the sight of Sam huddled into Jack.

Jack briefly glanced at them before his eyes fell to the woman he held. ‘She passed out again.’ His voice was filled with worry. ‘She has a serious concussion.’ He paused as though debating whether to say anything else. ‘She’s seeing…things.’

‘Really?’ Daniel crouched beside his friends. ‘What kind of things?’

‘Does it matter?’ Jack asked bluntly.

‘I guess not.’ Daniel murmured.

‘She thinks there might be the possibility that the earthquakes have triggered lava flows.’ Jack said, changing the subject. He adjusted his hold of Sam a little.

‘Oh.’ Daniel nodded. ‘She could be right.’

‘Which makes our returning through the Stargate even less likely.’ Teal’c murmured.

‘So, what’s our plan B?’ Jack said.

‘We have a Stargate.’ Daniel pointed towards the back of the room.

Jack nodded. ‘But no DHD.’

‘Perhaps it would be wise to explore this temple more thoroughly.’ Teal’c suggested.

‘Teal’c’s right.’ Daniel agreed. ‘I mean, with the amount of Goa’uld artefacts down here, we might even find a healing device for Sam.’

Jack frowned. ‘There’s some kind of secret room at the back behind the gate. Maybe there’s a DHD in there.’

‘It could hold the Doomsday machine.’ Daniel suggested thoughtfully.

‘The Doomsday machine?’ Jack said incredulously.

‘I’m still not convinced that it’s not connected to the seismic activity and what’s happening to the planet.’ Daniel said.

‘Nice.’ Jack stated dryly. ‘Look, let’s just focus on getting off this planet. You and Teal’c go explore.’ He nodded at Sam. ‘I’ll stay with Carter.’

Daniel exchanged a look with Teal’c but neither of them argued. The archaeologist pushed himself back to his feet. He picked up his flashlight. Without discussion, Teal’c moved to the right while Daniel took the left.

The beam of light fell on vases, statues and jewels. Daniel skipped over all of them as unimportant. His eyes fell on an ornate box with strange markings and he picked it up, turning it over carefully. He couldn’t decipher the markings and he placed it back on the bench where he had found it.

He saw artefacts that wouldn’t have looked out of place in an Egyptian museum collection and he knew half a dozen professors who would have killed to get their hands on one piece never mind the multitude that filled the room.

Daniel glanced back toward Jack and Sam. Jack hadn’t moved; he remained sat against the wall with Sam curled up over him. He had rarely seen Jack so concerned for their team-mate. Usually Jack’s visible displays of anxiety were limited to the times Sam was missing. That he was so visibly troubled when she was injured worried Daniel. It wasn’t good that Sam was unconscious or that she was seeing hallucinations.

He pushed his own burgeoning anxiety to one side and focused. They just needed to get off the planet, get back to the SGC where Sam could get medical attention. Although he wasn’t certain how they were going to do that given the fire he had seen raging in the forest, and if Sam was right and it had been caused by lava flows…it was highly unlikely they were going to make it out of the temple. They needed another way.

His light caught finally on the Stargate and he reviewed the symbols with a frown. They were unusual. He searched around but like Jack, Daniel found no evidence of a DHD or any kind of power source.

‘Daniel Jackson.’ Teal’c came to stand beside him.

‘Do you recognise any of the symbols on this gate?’ Daniel asked.

‘I do not.’ Teal’c confirmed.

‘Neither do I.’ Daniel’s light hit the back wall. ‘There!’ He walked over and traced the seam in the wall. ‘This must be the room Jack was talking about.’

Teal’c nodded. ‘I do not see a way to open it.’

‘Check back along the wall for any kind of lever or raised stone.’ Daniel suggested.

Teal’c raised an eyebrow but he complied.

Daniel smoothed away the dust covering the door. He could see the faint outline of a picture. He reached into his vest and brought out a small brush. He swiped it back and forth gently, dislodging more dust and dirt. He coughed but continued until the picture began to take form.

‘I regret that I have found nothing to open the door.’ Teal’c said.

‘I recognise this symbol.’ Daniel replied absently. ‘I saw it on the walls of the ruins in Abydos.’

‘I have not seen it before.’ Teal’c said.

‘It was the symbol for the end of everything.’ Daniel remembered. ‘I remember now. After the rebellion on Earth when Ra went back to Abydos, he told them that if he should ever die than his kingdom would be destroyed by a magical device he had found on his travels. Eventually the story became interwoven with all the other threats that Ra made about how they could never kill him because he was their God so they never paid it much attention.’

‘You believe we have found the device to which Ra referred?’ Teal’c realised.

‘This symbol represented the machine in the story.’ Daniel looked at him. ‘We have to get in there.’ He looked at the size of the door again. ‘I think it’s a revolving door which pivots at the centre. If we push the right side then we should be able to open it.’ He laid his shoulder to the door and pushed. The stone gave way infinitesimally.

Teal’c stopped Daniel as he went to push again. Daniel stepped back and allowed the Jaffa to step forward. Teal’c placed his sizeable frame against the stone and pushed. There was a grating noise as the stone moved; it was slow and Teal’c grunted with the effort as it finally gave way. The stone allowed two narrow entrances on either side.

Darkness beckoned.

Teal’c ignored the sweat dripping from him as he directed his flashlight beam into the blackness. He took a step forward.

Daniel followed him, feeling the same mixture of nerves and apprehension that he always felt. They found themselves in a corridor.

‘Look,’ Daniel pointed at the walls, ‘this isn’t the same stone. It looks…different. These blocks are precision cut.’

Teal’c glanced around the grey walls, his dark eyes wide.

They inched forward. The corridor ended with a smooth, grey wall which had been inscribed with Goa’uld. The two team-mates looked at each other and Teal’c attempted to push the side as he had done for the door behind him.

‘It is a dead end.’ Teal’c said as he stepped back.

‘It can’t be.’ Daniel sighed. ‘There must be some way to open it.’

‘Daniel, Teal’c.’ Jack radioed them. ‘What’s your progress?’

‘We’ve found a way through the door you found but we’ve hit another.’ Daniel responded. ‘We’re just trying to find a way through it. Sam?’

‘Still out of it.’ Jack said. ‘Keep me up to date.’

Daniel clicked the radio off. He looked at Teal’c. Their combined worry for Sam was almost palpable. Daniel turned back to the door.

‘There has to be a way to open it.’ Daniel muttered. He began to carefully examine the doorway and surrounding stones.

Teal’c directed his beam of light towards the words on the door. ‘Daniel Jackson.’

The archaeologist moved closer to the door as a response and leaned in to read the words. ‘Only the God Ra can enter here as he alone possesses the…the key?’ He wrinkled his nose. ‘What does that mean?’

‘Perhaps one must be in possession of a symbiote in order to gain access.’ Teal’c theorised. ‘Or perhaps one must have a specific gene such as that possessed by General O’Neill.’

‘I think you’re right.’ Daniel sighed and rubbed his forehead, unaware of the streak of dust and grime he left there. ‘We need Sam and Jack. If it’s the Ancient gene then Jack should be able to open it and if it’s naquahdah or a protein marker maybe Sam can fool it.’

Daniel stooped and shone his flashlight on the lower portion. ‘OK, it goes on to say, that behind this door lies a machine of great power, one capable of destroying all worlds within Ra’s kingdom.’ He straightened abruptly. ‘And should this be read by one who is not Ra, the destruction of the kingdom will already have begun.’

His eyes flew to Teal’c’s. ‘I was right; we must have set off some kind of alarm system. Ra probably had some kind of code to stop the machine.’

‘Indeed.’ Teal’c commented.

Daniel froze as another thought struck him. ‘Teal’c, Ra still considered Earth part of his kingdom. If this machine is capable of destroying Ra’s entire kingdom then…’

Teal’c didn’t hesitate to complete the sentence. ‘Then Earth is in grave danger.’

Next: Let Go and Hold On: Chapters 13-18