CHAPTER TWO

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Mitchell, Carter and Davis took their seats at the circular granite table. Aside from the guards stationed on the doors, they were the only occupants. Mitchell drummed his fingers rhythmically as Carter intermittently sighed and examined her nails. Davis stared straight ahead through the window and out towards the mountains in the distance.

"Forgive me, please. I was called away on urgent business." Vinor Erlend bustled into the room sounding quite out of breath.

"If this is a bad time, Vinor, we can always postpone," Carter offered.

"No, I'm sure…no…everything shall be well."

"Is it anything we can help you with as we're here?" Mitchell volunteered.

"I'm afraid not. One of our detachments has gone missing in the mountains. They were on night operational training and they have missed two check points."

Davis felt his stomach lurch.

"I have my best men out searching for them. I have no doubt there will be…" He stopped and looked at the glasses of water on the table. The liquid was trembling.

"Vinor?" Carter called to him.

"It is an earthquake," Erlend said, still focusing on the glasses. The trembling became stronger until the fittings in the room began to sway and judder. "Quickly, to the bunker."

They jumped to their feet and rushed after Erlend, through a door and down a set of steps. They were pleased to find Daniel waiting for them but the news he has was less welcome.

"I was at the gate when the tremor started. It's caused a landslide and the DHD was covered. If we want to get home again, we're going to have to dig it out and that's assuming it's not damaged."

"Carter?" Mitchell said.

"I don't know. Until I can get to it…I don't know," she shrugged.

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Adisa Thoril pulled off her helmet and wiped her forehead. She had been dispatched with the search and rescue team. They had recovered the missing detachment but Adisa remained frustrated with herself. The task had not had her full attention and the commander of the unit that had accompanied hers had made it clear that he had noticed. She peeled off the remainder of the armoured suit and stepped into the shower, the cool water washing away the sweat and grim of the last eleven hours. As she stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing at her wet hair with a towel, the comm unit jingled familiar tones. She answered audio only, not wanting to give anyone the shock of seeing her dishevelled and dressed in her robe.

"Accept," she called to the screen.

"Adisa, this is Vinor Erlend," the voice said. Adisa rolled her eyes wishing he could remember that he was her father occasionally.

"Yes, father?"

"Why have you not accepted visual?" The question had an accusatory tone that she did not like.

"I have just left the shower to answer this call. Do you really require visual, father?" she said irritably. There was only silence from the other end. She mumbled under her breath and accepted the visual link.

"The earthquake brought down the side of the hill and it has buried the devise that allows them to dial their address in the Fornfara. Colonel Carter is on her way to you. You will provide her with accommodation and assist her in the repairs where necessary. Co-ordinate with the second division. They have the best logistical experience," he commanded.

Adisa's stomach lurched. "Are the remainder of our friends safely back on Earth?" She faltered as she spoke.

"They are not. I have made arrangements for Doctor Jackson, Colonel Mitchell and Major Davis. You will join us for dinner. That is all." The screen went blank and only moments later Carter was at her door.

"Come through," Adisa smiled.

"I'm so sorry. I don't want to be any bother," Carter said as she set her MOLLE backpack down on the bed in the room Adisa had led her to.

"It really is no inconvenience. It's a pleasure to have the opportunity to learn about other societies and people and to speak with such a skilled scientist," Adisa smiled. "I shall leave you to settle in. I don't know if you might need something to wear. I can arrange to have your uniform cleaned. Come, I think we are about the same size."

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Adisa entered her father's home with Carter and led her immediately to a large reception room in which the gentlemen were already gathered. Davis' looked at Adisa, drinking in every detail. Her hair was piled on top of her head in haphazard way which allowed curling strands to fall loosely to her shoulders. Although not as elaborately dressed as she had been for the banquet, the claret dress she wore was no less stunning. As her eyes met his he struggled to tear his gaze away. Adisa flushed and lowered her eyes, pushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Can I offer you a drink," Erlend said with a warm smile that even Adisa believed was genuine. Once satisfied that his guests each had a glass of wine he led the way to the small round table. It was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and Adisa recognised the runner on the table as one she had embroidered when she was young and had given to him as a gift. He had seemed unimpressed at the time but she was gratified to see it taking pride of place today.

"I am glad to see that you're safe." The voice startled her.

"Safe?" she questioned.

"I understand that you were part of the search party when the earthquake hit."

"We were on our way back by then. Had we been in the mountains…well, it is irrelevant." She felt an involuntary shudder as she thought about what could have happened then quickly pushed it from her mind. They stood for a moment, neither knowing what to say, both feeling deeply uncomfortable.

"Well…I just wanted to say…I'm glad you're okay." He moved to walk away but Adisa reached out and gently touched his arm.

"I should apologise," she stammered. "I was rude to you yesterday and I have no valid excuse for it."

"Apology accepted," he smiled.

Immediately they took their seats, Erlend began to discuss the medical equipment with Carter, Mitchell listening intently for any signs of deception and Jackson still thinking about the note he had spent the day surreptitiously attempting to translate.

"You look…beautiful…by the way," Davis whispered.

Adisa stared at him blankly for a moment. She could not remember the last time she had received a compliment that did not involve her work. "Thank you," she managed eventually, staring down into the drink she had placed on the table. "It is rare that I have the chance to feel feminine. Well, you've seen the uniform," she smiled as she looked up and was met by the penetrating blue of his eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I…" She took a deep breath. "I am sorry that you are trapped here. My father has asked that I co-ordinate the effort to return you to your world. I am completely at your disposal to assist with the recovery and repair of the device you need to return home. You must ask if there is anything at all you need. I will have men available at dawn to help with the digging."

"We appreciate that."

Adisa sipped her wine slowly, trying to stop her hand from shaking. "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course, anything," Davis replied.

"What is Earth like?"

Davis' brow furrowed. "I don't know really. I suppose that I take it for granted. We have some amazing countryside and the mountain. I love to go up to the mountains in the winter in the snow." Davis answered thoughtfully.

"Snow?"

"You don't get…it's very cold and white and…" he began but Adisa shook her head.

"It is never cold here. Not even inside the dome. I would love to feel cold," she laughed. "Is it a peaceful place to live?"

Davis took a breath before replying. He had never thought of his planet in those terms before but now asked, he had no choice but to confess that it was not. Even before the Goa'uld, the replicators and the Ori, Earth had made trouble enough for itself. Finally, he shook his head. "Not like here,"

"It has not always been this way…but we should not think of sad things. This is a celebration of our alliance and, I hope, our friendship," she smiled.

"If ever you have the chance to come to Earth I'd love to take you to the mountains, show you the snow and the lakes. The Grand Canyon is something to see."

"I think…I would like that very much indeed. Perhaps I can persuade my father that an exchange visit is in order." Adisa looked over at her father who was still deep in conversation with Samantha and seemed not to have noticed his exclusion of Davis. "You enjoy being outside I think? Without walls to keep you from nature but I suspect that your work keeps you confined."

"You're right. My work doesn't allow me as much time as I'd like to hike and ski as I used to," he complained. "But then a nine to five job with 'normal' hours wouldn't have given me the chance to meet you…and your people," he added quickly.

"What is a 'nine to five' job?" Adisa frowned.

"I'm sorry. It's a job with set hours. Nine in the morning to five in the evening, Monday through Friday. Weekends off," he explained.

"I see…I think," she chuckled. "Will you be required to assist in the repairs to the…DHD?"

"Dial Home Device and no! I think that Sam will want me as far away from that job as possible," he chuckled.

"Then once we have removed the debris you will not be required. Would you allow me to show you something of my planet, by way of an apology for my behaviour? I know that my father has made arrangements but there are places that are not on the tour. I cannot give you snow but we do have mountains which have the most spectacular views and the ocean is not far from here. Places that are special to me," she explained, taking his hand in her enthusiasm.

"I'd love that," he replied as he gently ran his thumb over the tips of her fingers.

"Adisa," Erlend called to her. "Do not monopolise the attention of Major Davis. I am sure that he does not wish to hear all about your experiments."

Adisa withdrew her hand and clamped her lips together. Davis noticed the muscles of her jaw twitching in anger as she clenched her teeth.

"I am sorry Major. She is excellent in her field and passionate. She forgets, sometimes, that there is a little more to life and not everyone is as enthusiastic as she is."

"Please, don't apologise. I was fascinated," Davis defended.

"It is very kind of you to say," Erlend chuckled. "I understand that you generally do not travel from your Earth Major Davis. This must be very inconvenient for you. I am confident that we can have you on your way before too long."

"I'm glad of the opportunity. It's been very interesting," Davis replied.

"Hmm," Erlend muttered glancing from Davis to Adisa and back again. "I imagine it has but I am sure that there are more important things awaiting you at home. I was just telling your colleagues that I believe we have some medical equipment that you might find helpful."

"Do you plan to keep the gate active?" Davis asked. Adisa felt her body tense as she waited for him to answer.

"I will take it under advisement. A programme like your own in which we may spread out among the stars and meet other likeminded people could be most beneficial, but it is essential that we protect ourselves as well. We have been living peacefully here for many hundreds of years and I should like to keep it that way," Erlend smiled.

"We could certainly help you with that. Provide you with some addresses. Friends. Show you how the gate works," Sam suggested. Erlend nodded and smiled but something in his eyes made Sam wonder if the lesson was really necessary.

"Forgive me but you have a very well trained and highly skilled military for a planet that has been without threat for hundreds of years," Davis remarked.

Mitchell looked over to Carter to see if she had also observed the subtle change in the demeanour of their host.

"One can never be too prepared to fight off those who would threaten one's way of life…by whatever means necessary," he replied abruptly. "Ah, here is the food."