Title: Arsenic and Antimony
Author: Nym Washi
Summary: A planet holds possibilities SG-1 never imagined, but what happens when they screw it up?
Season: Future-I've seen up to Space Race
Spoilers: Anything up to mid Season Seven
Rating: PG
Pairings: Nothing other than show scripted canon
Archive: Please ask me first
Disclaimer: If I owned them the series would be different, just borrowing, I'll clean up when I'm done.

* @ * @ * @ * @ * @ *


Major, just how important is PX3-721? General Hammond queried Major Carter.

To be blunt sir, irreplaceably so. A planet so incredibly rich in unknown chemicals has never been found within our surveys already explored planet in the Stargate network. When you then add in the findings of Dr. Jackson's team I'd say that this planet could justify the whole reason we're here, sir. The blonde Major stood at the front of the darkened briefing room, the projector displaying images of PX3-721 onto the wall behind her.

You understand my concerns with this mission? He asked.

Yes sir, and while the atmosphere is essentially made up of an as yet unencountered compound, there is substantial oxygen present in the atmosphere. Not to mention the significant evidence of an established culture.

Regardless Major, how much oxygen are we talking about? Sam sighed, she knew this was going to be a clincher, the make or break for the mission go ahead.

Approximately the same amount by comparison of carbon dioxide present in Earth's atmosphere. General Hammond stared at the Major. Janet has come up with a plan sir, the oxygen levels are not so low that a team couldn't survive. However there is a better than average chance of oxygen deprivation which could cause light-headedness and headaches. Dr. Fraiser is suggested any SG Team to go through to 721 should take a supply of oxygen through with them similar to a portable aqua lung.

Will they operate in the atmosphere of PX3-721? Hammond quizzed again, it was one of the longest briefings SG-1 had ever sat through and Sam was getting annoyed that the others were not piping up to help win the case, though in all likelihood to Teal'c and Colonel O'Neill the planet was the last place they'd want to visit.

With some modifications, yes sir they will. The General went to open his mouth. Modifications I've already made to several sir. The older man let out and small sigh and stared at the Major again.

Well then SG-1 I'd say that Major Carter has left me no choice in the matter, you have a go.


* @ * @ * @ * @ * @ *

SG-1 exited the wormhole with relative ease, the days of bumpy rides and injuries upon arrival were well and truly over ever since Sam and her team of colleagues had been able to compensate for the stellar drift.

Are you sure the air's not okay? Daniel asked, the planet didn't really look terribly different, sure some of the plants were coloured a little odd but really it still looked very Earth-like. Carter shrugged.

Well, the atmosphere certainly won't kill you. At least not right away, but if the threat that Janet made is anything to go by, I'd keep the mask on. All four members of SG-1 had donned control release oxygen masks which attached to small tanks in their packs before disembarking. While the masks didn't effectively block SG-1 from breathing the air of the planet, they did release a controlled amount of oxygen every five minutes to prevent any symptoms of oxygen deprivation. In the event of an emergency, Dr. Fraiser had suggested that with the removal of the masks, SG-1 should be able to survive for several hours so long as they practised deep breathing exercises.

Colonel O'Neill looked over at his team, they looked utterly ridiculous. But knowing it was the best they could do in a bad situation, he merely raised his hand and motioned for them to head out.

* @ * @ * @ * @ * @ *

With Colonel O'Neill taking point and Teal'c bringing up the rear the team walked in relative quiet for most of the journey to the constructions that had been recorded by the MALP. The team had just scaled over a high ridge located just before the ruins, when the Colonel noticed movement.

He gestured the team down, Carter hit the deck hauling Daniel with her. The pair of them scuttled over to Jack's position careful to remain quiet. Just over the ridge a group of three things could be seen.

I thought you said it was uninhabited! Jack hissed at Sam and Daniel. Shrugging his shoulders, Daniel looked at Jack with a frown on his face.

It's supposed to be, the MALP survey didn't pick anything up and Sam confirmed it. Sam nodded her agreement.

Well maybe someone should have told them, because they're looking pretty much like they've inhabited the planet! The Colonel hissed again, it was very hard to reprimand the insubordinates with an oxygen mask on.

Sam pulled out her binoculars and zoomed in on the group just as Teal'c caught up and ducked down next to the remainder of SG-1.

What has transpired? He asked Colonel O'Neill. The Colonel shrugged.

Ask Carter, she's supposed to be coming up with an explanation.

Well, they're definitely bipedal. Sam said as she peered through her binoculars. In fact, if I didn't know better I'd say they were conversing. She passed the binoculars over to Colonel O'Neill before pulling out a compact electronic pad from her belt and switching it on.

Okay...So are they sentient? Daniel asked as he now squinted through the binoculars.

That's weird. Sam said tapping a few keys on her pad.

Daniel asked distractedly still looking at the three beings on the ridge.

Well, I'm not getting any life signs from them. At all.

* @ * @ * @ * @ * @ *

Nym - 3/5/2004

Here we go, my new story. Bonus with this one is I know exactly where it's going! Yay!