Thanks to everyone who reviewed my first SG-1 fanfic, Surfacing – I'm feeling the love, guys!

This is totally original storyline from my own head, so please be kind if you review it. It may be a bit slow to start and I think it's going to be a bit talky, but please be constructive if you are going to criticise me – I can't get better if you don't tell me what I'm doing wrong.

I'm hoping to be able to post once a week, but life sometimes gets in the way.

OK, you know the drill – I do not own any Stargate SG-1 characters. Only the original ones are mine.

Chapter 1

Stepping through the event horizon, the familiar sensations enfolded SG-1; momentary confusion of noise and light, the distinctive prickling of their out of body consciousnesses. Four figures stepped out into a bright, sunlight world, the shimmering glow blinking out behind them.

"Carter."

Sam already had her scanner out and was moving down the earthen slope in front of the Gate, "Yes sir." She moved around, eyes on the readouts, as the men casually took up defensive positions behind her.

"MALP readings are confirmed, sir; no large energy sources in the immediate vicinity and no toxins in the atmosphere." Sam tucked away the scanner and looked around. As with most of the planets they visited, the surrounding area had the usual abundance of native plants; trees, shrubs, grasses. There was a well-trodden path which at first glance appeared to lead to the Gate, but Sam quickly realised that it actually led to a lake, partially hidden behind some greenery. She made her way to the bank, Jack following. Beyond the bushes, they found a number of coracles moored at a small wooden quay.

Jonas joined them, "Well, I'd say this is evidence of habitation, wouldn't you?"

Jack nodded and moved out onto the path to join Teal'c. "OK, let's see where this path goes, shall we kids?"

Teal'c started forward, but stopped almost immediately, gesturing to the others to do the same. The muzzle of Jack's gun moved around slowly as he tried to locate the danger.

"What d'you got, T?"

"I am unsure, O'Neill," Teal'c scanned the shrubs ahead of them, "I believe we are being watched."

Jack walked forward cautiously, "OK, you can come out. We're not here to cause trouble and I for one don't feel up to an exciting chase through the undergrowth." He was greeted with silence; a breeze moved some trees, but no-one emerged onto the path.

Sam moved to Jack's side, "Sir? Four o'clock." Jack turned slowly. Peering out from near the quay was a white face, eyes wide and mouth open. Jonas started making his way over, his hands held open in front of him to show the newcomer that he wasn't going to hurt him. For a moment, it looked as if he was going to make a break for it, but then he seemed to reconsider and warily slid out onto the path. He was wearing a simple tunic with trews and boots, but Jack noted the large knife hanging on his wide belt. Jonas stopped a few yards in front of him.

"Hi. My name's Jonas. My friends and I are explorers. We don't mean you any harm."

"Neves," the man pointed at himself, hesitantly, "How are you here?"

"We came through the Stargate," Sam replied, gesturing to the ring, "That is a transportation device that can take us to different planets."

Neves looked up at the Gate, his eyes wide again, "The Ligade takes you to planets? How?"

"It creates a stable wormhole that enables…"

"Carter!" Jack saw the confused look spreading over Neves' face, "It's complicated," he added.

Neves seemed to remember something and dismissed the Gate with a wave of his hand, "But how are you here? Why did we not know you would come? Why did the Prophet not warn us?"

"The Prophet?" Jonas asked softly.

"Yes, the Prophet. She must have a reason for not telling us of your arrival; perhaps we have angered her. I must go to her." Neves turned and started to run down the path.

Jack started after him, the rest of SG-1 falling in behind him, "Hey, Neves; wait up!"

Neves stopped briefly and turned, "Yes, you will come with me."

SG-1 followed a short distance behind him through a small copse of trees. When they emerged around a bend and back out into the sunlight, a small town lay before them in a shallow dip in the landscape. The buildings were made of basic wattle and daub, but towards the centre of the town, some had a second story and appeared to be quite large. Neves gestured to them urgently and they followed him into the town.

"This is interesting," commented Jonas.

Jack glanced at him, "And why, pray?" he asked, completely disinterested.

Jonas didn't seem to notice the irony, "Well, the clothes indicate a much earlier period in Earth history than the buildings. It's as if the people have made some technological advances since they were brought here by the Gou'ald."

"Surprisingly, that is a little bit interesting, "Jack looked around him, "does that mean we won't have any trouble from the resident 'god'?"

"The Gou'ald usually prevent any advancement while a planet is under their control, so I'd say that's a good bet, sir."

Teal'c interrupted them, "O'Neill, do you not think the people's reaction to us is also interesting?"

SG-1 stopped and looked around the street that was leading them into the centre of town. A woman stood in a doorway, unashamedly staring at them, a hand to her mouth in shock. A child was clutching at her father's arm on the verge of tears. Her father patted at her hand vaguely, his mouth open. All around them, people seemed stunned at what they were seeing.

"Yeah, let's go see what Neves is doing, huh?" Jack waved sheepishly at a couple, who backed away from him warily. Ahead in the square, Neves was whispering urgently to an older man, who was looking every bit as surprised as the other residents.

"Hey, Neves! What's with the shock and awe? I mean, we're used to being a curiosity, but this is extreme, even for us." Jack turned to his team, "No offence, Jonas."

Jonas' brow furrowed slightly as Sam grinned at him. The older man stepped forward and held out his hand to Jack. "I am Briga, Gawen of the town. You must understand; my people are not used to unexpected arrivals."

"Colonel Jack O'Neill," Jack took Briga's hand, "You must understand; our arrival is usually unexpected."

Briga looked bemused, "I am afraid I do not understand anything about you or your companions, Colonel. I do not mean to be impolite, but you must come with me to see the Prophet; we must find out why she did not inform us of your appearance or how you came to be here." He stepped back and gestured to Neves, who beckoned to the team once again.

Jack sighed, "Come on, folks; we're off to see the wizard."

SG-1 endured another walk through the town with doors and windows opening on all sides so that the inhabitants could stare long and hard at the visitors. The buildings thinned out slowly until they were walking through open land, dotted with the occasional barn or outbuilding. Livestock wandered in the fields around them.

"So, what's your town called, Briga?" Jonas asked as he walked next to the Gawen.

"Ours was the first settlement, so it is named for our world; Pridan." Briga shook his head slightly, "We know little of our history, but we know that were brought here from another world many, many generations ago and were first settled here. We have discovered some details from the writings in recent decades, but there is still much we do not know. We know that a powerful being brought us here through the Ligade and that there was an uprising against our oppressors, but without more knowledge of the older culture, we cannot read the chronicles they left us."

"I may be able to help you with that, if you would let me see the writings."

Briga smiled, "I thank you, but that is a decision that must be made by the Prophet; she is the higher authority when it comes to a mystery such as yourselves."

Neves called out from ahead, "I must leave you here; I am not permitted to enter the bentra." Briga moved to the front of the group, "Follow me." Neves watched as SG-1 filed passed him, then turned and ran back to Pridan as fast as he could. Below them, the team could see a small group of huts, arranged around the mouth of a cave. They were spacious, well-tended and decorated with brightly coloured scraps of material. By the side of the path where they stood, a small rock was piled with clothes, baskets of food and more coloured scraps; Briga gathered up some of the bundles. Sam and Jonas picked up the rest and they continued into the settlement.

A girl of about five years old appeared at the door of one of the huts, stared for a moment and ran shouting into the cave. Within moments, more girls were emerging from the shelters, staring in surprise as the people of the town had done. The eldest seemed to be little more than twelve or thirteen.

Briga moved to the middle of the settlement and placed the bundles on the ground; Sam and Jonas did the same. One of the girls came to stand in front of him, "We thank Pridan for these gifts," she parroted, obviously following a well-known ritual.

"And Pridan thanks the Chosen for theirs," replied Briga, bowing his head respectfully. As more of the young girls moved to collect the gifts, he asked, "Where is the Prophet? I must speak with her."

"Yes, I can see why, Briga." A slight woman with extremely long, dark hair stood at the mouth of the cave. She was dressed in a simple tunic dressed, held at the waist by an intricately woven band. At her neck was a delicate silver torc.

Briga bowed deeply as she moved past him. "I felt sure there was a reason you did not tell us of the strangers' arrival; I had to come here to speak to you."

"I am not angry with you, Gawen of Pridan; please rise. You are correct; there is a very good reason that I did not tell you of the newcomers, but I cannot discuss it with you now." She laid a graceful hand on his arm and smiled at him, "Please excuse me; I must talk with these people alone."

Briga nodded, smiling. He strode back towards the path, waving at SG-1. Jack turned to the woman watching him, "Well, he seems pleased with himself."

"Briga is a good man. He is simply happy that the Prophet is not displeased with his people. Beyond that, he does not care." She lifted the hem of her dress and turned quickly towards the cave, "Come with me," she threw over her shoulder.

Sam caught Jack's eye and shrugged. He sighed and followed.

The inside of the cave was well-lit and furnished in a simple but comfortable style; wall hangings muffled any natural echoes and the ground was insulated with rugs and mats. The main area had a number of low couches, well-padded and spacious, and in a small alcove towards the back was a large wooden bed with richly coloured coverings. The woman gestured at SG-1 to sit, settling opposite them.

Jack cleared his throat, "OK, time for some introductions, I think. Unless you got someone else hidden back there who's gonna want us to follow them."

She smiled, "I am Serel, Prophet of Pridan."

"Jack O'Neill, Colonel, United States Air Force," he pointed out his companions in turn, "Major Samantha Carter, Jonas Quinn and Teal'c."

Serel nodded at each, the turn of her head graceful and controlled, "I welcome you, Jack O'Neill. I wish I could learn more of you and why you are here, but I am afraid I have to ask you to do something of vital importance for me and for my people. I am sorry I have to be so forward."

"No, please; what help do you need?" Jonas leaned towards Serel, eager to please as always.

"You must kill me."