Chapter 1

Daniel ran into the gate room just in time to catch up with the team. "So you were planning on joining us," Jack said as he marched the team forward, up the ramp and towards the gate, not looking at Daniel as he joined the line. "I had some work I had to finish and I.. I lost track of time," explained Daniel, fumbling with his helmet clip, not appreciating Jack's sarcasm. Teal'c, Carter, Jack and Daniel all stepped through the event horizon and left the earth in an instant.

Stumbling slightly as he stepped through the gate Jack regained his balance and looked around, squinting he took out his sunglasses. The team were heavily geared up and the sun was scorching, "What have we got Daniel?" asked Jack impatiently.

"I'm not sure," said Daniel looking slightly confused.

"What is wrong Daniel Jackson?" asked Teal'c following Daniel's eye line, he looked at the floor.

"Er. Well… On the floor. It's.."

"Get to the point!" said Jack, muttering impatiently.

"There's tyre marks, Sir," Carter inputted, looking at the floor, surveying the tracks, "I'd say a large vehicle carrying a fair bit of weight. We're talking metal in structure, these tracks aren't anything you could get from a wooden cart. And the tread is a similar design to the rubber tyres we have back on Earth. This,"

"This could well be a highly developed race, with advanced technology," Daniel interjected, he looked flabbergasted and impressed at the same time.

"You're doing that face, where you've found something you find interesting," Jack squinted at Daniel, "Probably worth checking out then." Jack marched straight through the dirt and tracks that Daniel was looking at like the archaeological find of the century. Daniel followed rolling his eyes. SG-1 wandered along the dirt road. As they came over the hill they came upon a town down the other side. Jack surveyed it with caution. "Looks peaceful enough, but let's keep out wits about us, shall we people." He looked at Daniel particularly, his eyes gesturing to his gun. Daniel sighed and looked to the town instead.

They walked down into the town, all standing out like sore thumbs. "This doesn't make sense," Daniel stated looking around, his brow creased.

"Care to explain?" asked Jack, not taking his eyes off the people they passed, hand resting on his P-90.

"The technology is advanced and even might be further on than some of our own. But the buildings, the clothes they wear. It all looks like it's from late Colonial times. Basically… the Wild West." Daniel continued to muse on his thoughts.

Jack started walking slower and got a better grip on his gun, "Well hold on to your hat cowboy, 'cos they don't look friendly," Jack squinted ahead. Men on horses were rounding up some other, rather better dressed, civilians. The civilians were armed but didn't look like they were looking for a fight. Three men and one woman. Jack accessed the situation and screwed up his face. "Aww hell, I really didn't want to have to get involved in stuff like this. Just once." He took and deep breath and after standing for a moment signalled SG-1 forward. The team crouched slightly in their stance, stepping lightly and quickly to surround some portion of the men on horses, though this was probably going to be ineffectual.

"Now their ain't no need for this, so why don't y'all just turn round and be on your way," suggested one of the men.

"I think that'd be a really good idea," said Jack stepping forward slightly and pointing his gun at one of the men on horses. At that moment all the mounts turned and Jack raised his eyebrows mockingly. The six mounts and their horses, seeing they were outnumbered, all turned and filtered out, riding fast through the way SG-1 had just come. All attention was now on the interestingly dressed gentlemen, and lady, now standing before them, though the feeling on attire was predominantly mutual.

"Um… How about some er, introductions," suggested Daniel, forcing a half-hearted smile, trying to diffuse the situation. "I'm Daniel Jackson, this is Colonel Jack O'Neill," he said gesturing as he went, "Captain Samantha Carter. And this is, er… Teal'c…" he forced another smile, aware that Teal'c might seem some what odd to them. Teal'c bowed his head. The man who had been trying to diffuse the previous situation continued looking them up and down, his eyes were now flitting from Daniel to Jack, sizing them up. After a few moments silence and enough time for Jack to take off his cap and scratch his head impatiently, the man spoke. "Names Mal, this is Jayne," he nodded to the respective people, "Zoe and that's our doctor." He tilted his head, still taking his time to evaluate who was standing before him. "Now if you don't mind, we'd best be on our way," said Mal, smiling broadly and turning his back, beckoning his companions.

"Hold on," yelled Daniel as the group jumped into their craft, which had not been noticed before. Daniel and Carter's eyes both widened at the craft. It was a vehicle of some kind, but it hovered at least four foot off the ground. Mal screwed up his face, looking behind them at the town they really should be leaving. Finally Daniel gathered himself, "we're travellers, peaceful explorers," Daniel explained.

"Ain't no such thing as a peaceful person. Hell I got a Sheppard on board my ship who's had his share of dirt," retorted Mal, wishing to end the conversation soon.

"Okay," said Daniel, forming his next question carefully. "Well um… So you have a ship!" Daniel exclaimed, like he had just realised something extraordinary, "We like to learn about the cultures we come across, maybe you could show us your technology," Daniel looked hopefully at Mal's face.

Mal was the only one who hadn't sat down yet in his craft. He stood for a few more moments, contemplating the people before him. "Well don't seem right that you got us out of trouble and we leave ya in the dirt. You can come see my ship and we'll give you a bite to eat, though I warn you that their ain't much worth eatin' out in this part of the 'verse. But if I get even a hint of trouble from any of you, I will be down on you like a ton of bricks."

Jack believed him. "We'll keep peace, if you do. Or should I say something else. We'll keep off our triggers anyhow." The woman, Zoe, lowered the craft so they could climb in. The craft lowered further still when Teal'c climbed aboard. Jack turned to him, "you've gotta lay off the burgers there T." After a few moments they were in motion, taking off at speed, a few feet from the ground, heading towards the horizon.