They emerged from the wormhole in a forested part of a planet that appeared to be in mid-Autumn. Many trees had lost at least some of their golden and red leaves. The temperature was cool, but pleasant.

Sam quickly pulled the Asgard device from her pocket to try to find Thor's signal.

"I've got something," she said. "From what I can tell on this thing I'd say it's just a few klicks from here. We should try to keep a low profile."

Teal'c took point as he often did, followed by Carter and then Mitchell, leaves periodically rustling underfoot as they walked.

In less than an hour they found Thor's ship. But no Thor.

Mitchell rushed forward and Sam watched their backs.

"Looks like a one-man—or one Asgard—ship. A bit mangled, but cool," commented Mitchell appreciatively, running his hand over the one intact silvery-gray wing.

The nose dipped toward the ground, but was not imbedded in it. Sam suspected Thor had been able to at least partially control the landing.

Teal'c was peering into the cockpit. "This appears to be blood, Colonel Carter."

Sam looked at him worriedly. "How much blood?"

"The amount would not indicate a fatal wound, but we have no way of knowing what transpired here."

Sam stepped over to take a look herself and Teal'c stepped back slightly to allow her room. She noticed a burgundy splotch on the control panel. It was dry to the touch.

"I don't think he's been here for a while," Sam said looking up at Teal'c.

"I concur," said Teal'c.

"Maybe he took off on foot after the crash," Mitchell offered.

Sam continued her survey of the cockpit. The layout of the control panel reminded Sam of other Asgard panels she had seen, but the six slots where she would expect to see oblong stones were empty.

"How does this work, do you think?" Cameron asked from Sam's shoulder. "There's no control stick. Don't they use control rocks or something?"

"Control stones, yes," Sam replied. "But a touchpad probably made sense in such a small cockpit."

She tried touching a non-bloody spot, but nothing happened. "You'll have to ask Thor when we find him," she continued.

Suddenly Sam lost her footing as the ground jolted beneath her and Cameron banged into her from behind as he was thrown off balance.

"What the heck? That felt like a mild earthquake," Mitchell said.

"I think you're right," Sam said, rubbing the knee that had banged into Thor's ship.

"Don't tell me we've run into an earthquake prone planet," Cameron said.

"I have no way of knowing what the seismic situation is," Sam answered. "Ordinarily we'd have sent a MALP for a survey."

"Perhaps another reason time is of the essence," Teal'c said. "Do you see the crystal Heimdall, spoke of?

"No, I don't see any crystals at all," Sam announced. "And there's no power to any of the systems—other than what appears to be a small battery powering the beacon," she said indicating a dim light being emitted from a small disk on the floorboard.

"Perhaps he disabled them," Teal'c suggested.

"Let's see if we can pick up a trail. If Thor was injured he can't have gone too far," Sam said.

"If the indigenous people are hostile he may have been captured by them," Teal'c commented.

"I know. Let's hope for the best," replied Sam.

Teal'c again took point and seemed to find a clear trail. Sam could tell where the vegetation had been disturbed in some places and thought she could have picked out the signs if necessary, but admired the ease with which Teal'c did it. She took position at the six.

"So this Heimdall. You called him—him, but he didn't exactly seem masculine to me. Do they have girl Asgards?" asked Mitchell as they walked.

"I thought you read all the reports, Cam," Sam teased. "They reproduce through mitosis. Gender isn't exactly relevant as far as I can determine."

"Well, yeah, but still, are all the Asgard that way?"

"What way?" Sam asked, enjoying his discomfort.

"Never mind."

After a short time Teal'c signaled a stop. Mitchell immediately quieted and crouched with his teammates.

Teal'c motioned toward some bushes at the edge of a clearing and signaled that he had detected movement. Sam signaled a flanking move.

Weapons drawn, the three surrounded the bushes.

The shrub moved slightly and Sam's finger lightly touched the trigger of her P90. She relaxed as she spotted the figure in the vegetation.

"Thor!"

Partly covered in fallen leaves, he definitely looked worse for wear. As he struggled to sit up, Sam saw a cut on his forehead and that he was only using his left leg to help himself sit up. His right was flung straight out in front of him. He had a small tan bag slung diagonally over his shoulder.

"Colonel Carter. I am surprised to see you. For what reason are you here?"

"To rescue you," said Mitchell.

Thor looked at him and blinked.

"Cameron Mitchell, uh, sir. SG1."

"Indeed?" commented Thor, blandly.

"Greetings, Thor. You appear to be injured," said Teal'c, cutting to the point.

Sam was already cleaning Thor's head wound. "We need to get you home for treatment."

"No. I must complete my mission," Thor said.

Sam grimaced. "How safe is this location? We should probably move."

"I agree, Colonel Carter. I did not wish to be discovered by the inhabitants of this planet but could not move far due to my fractured leg."

I hope this will splint like a human leg, Sam thought. She knelt and brushed some leaves off of him and began examining his leg. She saw that his right calf was slightly swollen and appeared to have blackish bruising.

"Just what is your mission, Thor? Heimdall didn't explain when he sent us after you," Sam told him as she tied a field bandage around his head, before turning back to his leg.

"I would appreciate your assistance. According to my readings before my vessel crashed, the device I seek is located several miles to the North."

"We shouldn't move you without…"

Sam was cut off by a stronger tremor than they had experienced before.

"Ok, that's not normal, is it?" Mitchell asked Thor.

"Seismic disturbances are currently a problem on this planet," Thor answered. "We should proceed quickly."

"Ok, but I want to splint that leg first or we could do it more damage," Sam said.

"Very well, but work quickly," Thor agreed.

Mitchell and Teal'c kept watch while Sam worked. Only once as she splinted his leg did Thor gasp slightly in pain.

"Ok, no time to rig a stretcher. I think a fireman's carry is our best bet for not jarring the leg," Sam said. "Cam, you take first shift carrying. Teal'c you take point. We need a more secure location."

Mitchell hoisted Thor to his shoulders and they set off.

"If you don't mind my saying, you're pretty tough, Supreme Commander," Mitchell told him. "Most people would have yelped getting a splint on a broken leg."

"I am not most people, Colonel Mitchell," the Asgard responded.

Sam grinned to herself. How do you like the Asgard so far, Cam?

As they continued to walk, Thor raised his head periodically to see where they were but did not offer any comments.

"So, cool ship you have. Is it quick?" Mitchell asked conversationally.

"Yes," Thor replied.

"How did it crash?"

"I would prefer not to discuss it."

Mitchell looked at Sam as if for help. She just shrugged.

"There should be some caves over the next hill," Thor said finally.

As they approached Sam called a pause. "Ok, let's check this out before we go charging in," she said.

Cameron carefully eased Thor to the ground. "With all due respect Supreme Commander, you're heavier than you look," he said with a groan.

"Appearances are often deceptive," Thor replied quietly.

"You ok? You look kinda gray—I mean paler gray or something," Mitchell said, looking at the Asgard closely.

"I am fine," he replied, closing his eyes briefly. "Colonel Carter, this is the location we seek."

From the hill they had climbed they could clearly see a cave below. Clusters of trees dotted the hillside, giving them some cover.

The members of SG1 worked their way down the hill through the trees to get a closer look. Upon reaching the tree line they lay on their stomachs to observe the cave without being seen. A ring of brightly painted red stones sat before the entrance.

Sam was getting a bad feeling. She looked at Teal'c and his glance told her he was too.

"Looks deserted. I'll check it out," Mitchell said and scrambled to his feet.

"Cam! Wait!" Sam called softly, but Mitchell had broken cover. She grimaced and turned to Teal'c. "I'll give him backup, you stay with Thor."

Sam had just about caught up with him at the ring of stones when she saw something glint at the edge of her vision. "Down!" she called and tackled Mitchell.

She heard a loud crack and felt a blow to her left thigh as she and Mitchell hit the ground.

"What the hell?" Cameron said, looking around, knocking Sam off him as he sat up. She groaned and clutched her leg.

Several men armed with what looked like muskets approached them. "They have defiled the circle. Do not let them enter the sacred cave!" they cried.

More shots rang out. The gunmen were closing in, cutting off their retreat.