The Book of Gates Series

Hour One: Initial Descent

Author: Nefret24

Disclaimer: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment.

Professor Robert Langdon, Ph.d, is the creation of Dan Brown, author of Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code. Langdon is a symbologist at Harvard University and is the main character in both novels. Any references to him or his adventures in said chronicles are also not intended as infringement.

Dr. P. M. Effington, all other original characters, the story idea and the story itself are the property of the author. Dr. Effington's name (surname and first name, not her middle name or professional title) were originally used in the film Dream Date for the role played by Deborah Kerr. The use of the name is the only similarity and the sole reference to that film and is not the property of the author either.

Teeny-tiny reference to the Emersons of Elizabeth Peters' series. Couldn't help myself. I don't own them either.

Author's Note: This is my first SG1 fanfic. I apologize in advance for any mistakes in chronology and characterization. Also, historical facts have been altered in the making of this fanfic. Not to mention that I can be stupid and/or lazy and get things wrong a lot. So forgive factual errors too. And lastly, forgive my OC character- I can't help that I rather like her, despite what I hope are a very few Mary-Sueish shortcomings. I also issue a warning: this is intended to be part of a series, so some questions will remain unanswered until subsequent stories.

Please be kind and review. Constructive criticism and enthusiastic prodding keep me alive and writing.

Interesting Random Fact: There really is an Egyptian Book of Gates. It is in twelve parts for each hour of the night and chronicles Ra's journey across the sky (and subsequently, the netherworld) before being born again as the sun each morning.

Spoilers: Stargate the movie, The Curse, Crystal Skull, Fallen/Homecoming

Category: General, AU Season seven after Homecoming, Daniel-centric

Pairing: slight references to OC/ Robert Langdon, Sam/Jack

Summary: Discovered artifacts lead to revelations, an international deadly cult, and a new addition to the SGC.

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"Will you depart, father Re, before you commend me?

Will sky conceal you before you commend me?

Commend me to night and those dwelling in it,

So as to find me among your adorers, O Re,

Who worship you at your risings,

Who lament at your settings."

~ Excerpt from the stele of King Wahankh Intef II

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PROLOGUE: Giza Plateau, Egypt, circa 12,000 BC

The villagers had built tall pyres and danced in celebration, raising their arms to the sky, creating long, distorted shadows across the sands. Beer flowed freely, distributed throughout the massive throngs of people, all exultant and celebrating their victory over demons that had plagued them for too many generations. Drums beat loudly over the sounds of laughter and enthusiastic discussion. Tomorrow would be a new day. Tomorrow they would face the dawn free.

Not far from the site of their rejoicing lay the pylon, fallen, brought to ground as their last triumph, now covered by large stones. The scribes would be ordered to inscribe it with the appropriate rites once the jubilation ceased in order to complete the banishment of the demons from the sky. Three men stood at its base, contemplating its smooth surface with grim countenances.

Another whoop of joy arose from the camp, shortly echoed by a hundred other voices. One of the three looked out in their direction with disgust.

"The heathen fools continue in their revels."

Grumbled agreements met this comment, made with an eloquent sneer.

One of his companions shot a worried look in the dancers' direction. "If they knew what we would do, they would kill us all where we stand."

"They are too ignorant to understand the true nature of the gods," the first man replied again. "Do we know yet who is appointed to inscribe these stones?"

"No. Whoever is chosen, he will be loyal to Nakte alone. Nakte is the only one who knows the location of His banishment," the third man hissed. "And Nakte son of Nafreti is not so easily deceived."

"He knows nothing," said the first man overconfidently.

"Then we should make sure we keep it that way," said the third man. "Know you the symbols, do you not?" He addressed the second man, who still remained transfixed by the light of the distant fires, a worried crease in his brow.

"Yes- yes," he stammered quickly in reply. "I have seen them used many times with the chappa-i. But I do not know which is the location."

"Write them all down. And then we must leave this place," the third man ordered.

"But what of Nakte?" the first man sneered.

"He is but a man. What is that compared to a god?"

"Yes," the first hissed, an evil smile playing on his lips. "He can be killed and his soul damned, his ka to walk the earth in misery for all eternity."

"No. The man who would strike at him now would soon find his own life and more importantly, his cause, forfeit. We wait, in concealment, until the time is right," the third man finished confidently, wrapping the ends of his turban around the lower half of his face and neck.

"Ra shall rise again."

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To be continued