Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM. The universe of Doctor Who belongs to BBC.
SG1/DW: A young archaeologist is caught inside a restricted area within Cheyenne Mountains. He makes a stunning claim of a secret chamber containing the power and knowledge of the Ancient One, road builder and healer.
The Saint Physician
Miniseries: Part IV
Catching up with the young man proved out to be a rather serious challenge for the SGC personnel. Generals O'Neill and Landry were getting old for all this running stuff. The others of their group were doing better.
Once downhill, the young man, having gathered wood here and there lit up a fire using that odd contraption with the buzzing sound. It normally did not work on wood but only when opening doors. Then he sat down and waited for the others to arrive.
"What now..." – Landry asked hoping for a clear answer.
"We wait for the chief." – The young man replied. "I've send him a signal."
"Of course, you have..." – Landry exclaimed and sat down. The grass was so soft that it felt nice sitting on it. The gentle aroma in the air soothed his strained nerves and allowed the ugly truth of reality sink in. The SGC had been finally destroyed by the Lucian Alliance.
He still could not believe who was responsible. How did they manage to miss, Eliza Samuels being a Lucian Alliance spy? Her grades were perfect. How did she do it? And when did she arrive on Earth? Or was she of Earth and they converted her? So many questions but very few answers...
He wondered of the impact this event had on the people of Earth finally learning something had been hidden from them. Or did the IOA and the governments of the world hide the truth once more? But then if the Lucian showed that would be rather harder. And he had no doubt they would come to claim their price.
Of course, he had no doubt the space ships' captains would give them hell. They still had five ships in orbit and then there was Atlantis. They would avenge this insolence. But nothing changed the fact the SGC is gone with half the State and devastation that would last for at least a thousand years.
He felt bad for all the teams stranded offworld. He hoped SG1 would come back and save the day but they were in the hands of the Alliance. SG2 was there too but no one could have predicted the rat had already stricken. How did they miss her? How did they allow this to happen? The alliance had finally managed to surprise them. Of everything he thought they could throw at them this was simply not expected. This was mean...
"Hank!" – O'Neill dragged him back to the green grassed pasture. He was pointing west to a black dot on the horizon growing larger and larger. It was undoubtedly the redskins.
"I hope they're not going to try scalping us?" – Landry said bringing a smile to O'Neill's face.
"We have guns!"
"Right!" – Landry smiled. They did indeed. All was cool.
The large dot grew in size and soon they could make out the different individuals. It was indeed the redskins on brown and one black horse. The latter had a rather tall rider with eagle feathers in his hair and rather nice compliment dress of more feathers. It was definitely the chief.
The riding group stopped before them and jumped off the saddles. The chief was very tall for a redskin – six feet four or even five. He had a stalwart muscular body. Beneath the collection of feathers, he was dressed with a simple brown tunic and linen trousers with tassels of wild boar's skin. On his neck there was a necklace with a collection of teeth and talons of the feared grey grizzly. It was a sign of bravery.
The chief sat down opposite the young man and remained still for over an hour. Not a muscle on his face indicated he was actually even breathing. But apparently, the silence was too much for the good chief too so he stood up and said 'Hough' and then started to speak in a tongue Landry and the rest did not understand a word. It was a curious combination between growling sounds and just here and there some English one.
The young man on the other side seemed to absorb every word of the speech and just a small, tiny smile on his face indicated how interesting was all this for him. He left the chief to finish his long speech and sit back down.
The young man then stood up, repeated the greeting 'Hough' and started making the same combination of sounds. He moved around adding picturesque movement to explain some details. After an hour of boasting, he sat down as well. The silence resumed for an hour or two.
But this silence was trying the patience and nerves of the SGC personnel big time. They were not used to sitting and doing nothing for hours.
"Hough!" – The chief said though it seemed more like a whisper. "What does my young white brother need?"
Landry was startled by this sudden change. He could now understand every word.
"Hough, Chief Black Horse," – The young man repeated keeping his face absolutely still and serious. "I need to visit the big rock of the old chieftains where they lay at rest."
'Big rock of chieftains' – Landry thought. 'What the hell is that?'
Chief Black Horse seemed pensive but then he whistled and another warrior came to him. The chief whispered something in his ear. The warrior mounted one of the horses and rode away.
"We shall take you to the big rock of chieftains." – Chief Black Horse stated. He stood up and raised a hand in front of him. "By Manito...Hough!"
The young man repeated the gesture and stood up all beaming. He turned to the chief again.
"My white brothers will need horses as well."
"They shall have them. Wait for the great yellow eye to hide and I shall return to take you."
"Hough!" – The young man said satisfied and bowed his head to the chief who reciprocated and mounted his black horse riding away too with the rest of his people following.
"A bit of translation please..." – O'Neill asked.
"Oh, the big chief is going to return at dusk to take us."
"Take us – where?" – Landry asked on his turn. "What is this big rock of whatever?"
"Oh, it is a mountain where they keep their old kings rest – a cemetery of sort."
"Their what now?" – Landry exclaimed stunned. "Kings?"
"Yes, they had had kings before." – The young man replied with a look that was saying 'it is obvious'. "Long ago, they had kingdoms. They were not divided into tribes as they are now. They were very prosperous."
"What happened?" – O'Neill asked.
"Times, I suppose." – The young man replied. "Everything changes with time, General. It is the one enemy none has defense against well, unless you ran away."
"Why are we going there?"
"The old kings have certain...um...secrets, one of which will be helping us." – The cautious answer was. There were some things they should not know just yet.
"So what do you do until then?"
"Relax, sleep, run, whatever suits you." – The young man smiled wide and lay on the ground.
The Lucian Alliance mothership exited hyperspace. Commander Terni was at command. The devastation her plan had caused was visible even from orbit. Half the planet's surface was already hidden under a black could.
The Tauri were probably still wondering what the hell had happened and though it was part of the plan it was not something to rejoice of. There was nothing cheerful about this. It was sad but necessary.
She hoped though parts of the SGC have survived the initial blast otherwise finding the power would prove difficult. But whatever resistance she was to meet she would proceed even if she had to annihilate the rest of the planet.
"Bring SG1 here!" – She commanded.
SG1 were brought before her. In their faces, she saw her victory but there was no time for such contemplations.
"You still have a chance to save your world." – She said. "The power is in the SGC. We will go and find it, now."
"With all the SGC destroyed and gate being this close to your precious power that will prove rather difficult, if not impossible." – Cam countered barely holding his temper.
"We shall see." – Terni smiled. "Prepare my ship!"
"Commander Terni, five Earth ships detected in high orbit and approaching fast." – An officer interrupted.
Hope had returned to SG1's faces. But they were going to cooperate nonetheless, Terni thought.
"They are hailing."
"Tauri," – Terni shook head. "Reply!"
On the view screen, the face of Colonel Carter appeared.
"This is Colonel Carter of the Earth space ship Odyssey. Identify yourselves immediately or you will be fired upon."
"I'm Commander Leila Terni of the Lucian Alliance."
"Lucian Alliance?" – Carter repeated. "State your business here?"
"Isn't obvious, Colonel, savoring my victory?"
"Your victory?" – Carter frowned. "The attack on Earth..."
"Good, you're getting it."
Cam stepped forward. He was thinking that the rings are powerful to go down there but the beaming technology was better.
"Sam."
"Cameron?" – Carter looked at him. "What are you doing there?"
"We made an agreement with the Lucian Alliance."
"You what?"
"I'll explain later. We'll join you on the Odyssey soon."
"But..."
"For now, they are allies, Sam. Do not fire on them. They will behave."
Carter eyed him for a while then ceded. "Very well, we shall await your arrival." The view screen deactivated.
"Commander Terni, we will take on this mission of yours. I believe we have the details to discuss of what you need done." – Cam said.
Leila was a bit surprised. She was expecting their cooperation however it seemed somehow surreal but Cameron Mitchell meant it. It was visible in his eyes.
"Very well, follow me!"
Four hours later, two gliders left the belly of the mothership and headed to the Odyssey, and docked. Colonel Carter was on the bridge when they entered.
"Cameron, what the hell is going on?"
"Let's go and talk!" – Cam sighed and gestured her.
"Where is Teal'c?"
Cam only shook head. Carter closed her eyes. She understood all too well. Teal'c was dead.
"How complete is the damage at the SGC?" – Daniel asked.
"Most of it doesn't exist anymore." – Carter replied.
"All the levels or?"
"Why?"
"We need to get at the gate room, well, underneath it."
"Why?"
"To find something that will fix this mess."
"What?"
"Jackson," – Cam interjected. "I think we should start from the beginning."
"Agreed."
The explanation took its time and course. Sam Carter did not believe half of it but the idea of a power to control time lying beneath the gate all this time was simply absurd. Daniel however repeated the words found in the note and she came to agree it referred to the SGC.
"Major Marks, initiate scan of the immediate area around the gate room." – Carter ordered.
"Let's see if something survived." – Daniel sighed and looked at Vala. She had been unusually quiet.
"Colonel," – Major Marks exclaimed. "Sensors are picking up an entire floor still perfectly intact."
"WHAT?" – Carter exclaimed moving to Mark's console. "Where?"
"Originally two levels beneath the gate room."
"How is this possible?"
"I don't know." – Marks shook head. It was a mystery.
"Can we beam down there?" – Cam asked.
"I think so, yes, sir, we can."
"Good, SG1 move out!"
"Wait, Cam, Major, any radiation present there?"
"None!"
"Let's go then."
"You're coming too?" – Daniel looked at her.
"I'm part of SG1, aren't I?" – Carter looked back at him.
"True."
"And the adventure continues!" – Vala spoke for the first time.
"I suppose this time we can blame it on you, Cam." – Daniel interjected.
"I suppose you could." – Cam smiled.
SG1 readied all geared up. Major Marks initiated the procedure and they were beamed away.
Chief Black Horse held his word and returned at dusk with sufficient horses for all. They mounted them and proceeded to the royal cemetery. If of course anyone thought they were behind the next hills they were certainly deluded.
They rode for most of the next day without stopping. They camped at edge of a forest near a river's turn. The next day they continued riding north and stopped again at nightfall to rest. And then the next day continued and the next until they finally stopped. They were standing at the foot of a high mountain. It was perfect little place surrounded tightly by bushes with just a small passage where to get the horses through.
On the other side of the bushes, there was a tiny spit of water, a puddle. They dismounted and tied the horses.
"From here we proceed on foot," – The young man informed. He moved to the rocky wall and General O'Neill had the distinct feeling he was going to study the damn thing like he did in the altar chamber. But he did not. He only removed a few bushes and behind them stairs cut in the rock.
"Where do they lead?"
"Up!"
"How far is it?"
"Oh, another day or so!"
"And the horses?"
"We won't need them anymore. Chief Black Horse will take them back."
"So climbing..."
"Yes,"
"John Smith, was it, is that really your name?"
"No," – The young man shook head smiling widely. "But it could be."
"Right,"
"Allons-y!"
The stairs were following a winded path steadily climbing the mountain so it was not tiring at all. They were making though regular stops to rest. But the young man was right it took them nearly a whole day to reach the top. The young man did not allow them to sleep. He wanted to reach the top.
And once they did they were filled with awe. The top of the mountain was indeed breathtaking. A flat surface spread over at least two square kilometers held separate oblong stones, each 2 meters long. These were the tombs of the redskins' kings. Each stone tomb bore engravings that easily rivaled those of the Egyptians.
"More snakes?" – Landry asked O'Neill.
"I hope not!"
The young man moved around the graves obviously searching for something though he did not share what.
"Remarkable," – Master Sergeant Harriman exclaimed while studying the tombs.
"And hopefully snake less..." – O'Neill added.
"But if the Goa'uld did not get to them maybe some of the others did – Asgard, Furling or whatever." – Landry said.
"Or maybe none of them," – The young man reappeared carrying a strange, spherical and yet cylindrical device.
"And what is that?"
The young man smiled. "All in good time, General. Tonight we rest tomorrow we go."
"Go where?"
"Egypt, where else?" And so they rested.
The next morning with first light, General O'Neill woke up. He found the young man standing on the edge of the platform gazing at the distant horizon. He was still holding the odd device in hand. Apparently the thing was dangerous to leave it unattended. And his curiosity was aroused even more. What was that thing and what does it do?
"Good morning, General O'Neill," – The young man greeted without turning around.
"I suppose it is a good one." – O'Neill answered and stood next to him.
"It turns out some adventures never go according to plan, do they?"
"No, the A never really does. How many backups do you have?"
"Several,"
"Oh,"
"It can't ever be predicted how many times it'd go wrong, especially with a lot of moving parts."
"Very true," – O'Neill agreed.
They remained still until everyone was up. Having them together, the young man put them in a circle as he stepped in its middle. It was then when he activated the odd device in his hands. Its effects startled them. The cylindrical part started revolving very fast until it become almost a blur. The whole thing rose up in the air and when it had reached the speed the young man was expecting he touched the sphere.
Instantly, a bubble of yellowish light encompassed the space they were occupying, and they all vanished on the spot. Seconds later, they reappeared but were no longer on the flat platform of dead kings. The air had become hotter. The ground beneath them was sandy. As the effect of the odd device wore off they recognized the place – Egypt, and more to the point the Valley of Kings.
"What the hell was that?" – Landry exclaimed stunned and pointing at the device.
"It is the ODDPD."
"The what..."
"Omni directional dimension portal device. "– The young man replied. "It is a long story and for another time, General. This way," And he led the group in to the valley using the closest stairs in the area.
They reached downhill where the young man took one of the most prominent roads and took them deeper into the valley of kings. He was looking for the seventh seal where he had left another vortex manipulator. Of course, once there, he had to be more careful. The last time he had been here he had sealed in Isis in a jar. He/she was misbehaving on the Orient express. Well, at the time it was she and she was a very bad girl, and he liked it.
"Where are we going exactly?" – O'Neill asked as he caught up with the young man's fast pace.
"We're looking for the seventh seal where I put Isis last time."
"ISIS?"
"Yes,"
"As of the Isis and Osiris?"
"Yes, but only Isis. She was loose on the Orient Express."
"Where?" – O'Neill looked up stunned. "And wasn't it a he?"
"Well, the Goa'uld don't really have a gender but at the time it was a she. She was being a very bad girl. I caught her and put her in a jar."
O'Neill thrust his head for he had come face to face with Osiris who had taken over Sarah, Daniel's girlfriend and caused them quite a lot of problems before they caught her again. Of course the idea of that thing being loose on the Orient Express sounded extremely crazy.
The two were found in jars and they had always assumed Ra and the other snakes put them in there but as it turns out the story might be a bit different. But no, O'Neill thrust his head again, how could this young man have put her there, it was not possible. He was younger than he was.
"Really? You put him back in his jar?"
"Well, you're right it is usually displayed as a him but at the time he was a she."
"And YOU put him in the jar?"
"Yes," – The young man nodded. "She was misbehaving. I put him in the jar the first time well I was present when they did."
"Of course," – O'Neill had a problem. The young man before him was talking with conviction and it was becoming very confusing.
"Ah, here we are," – The young man exclaimed and started climbing. They reached solid rock but the young man turned in his usual sideways position. He exclaimed happily and pressed a speck on the rock wall. The rock wall immediately retreated revealing a passage. "These Egyptians, you got to praise them of ingenuity sometimes."
They followed him inside. The ground was of solid, polished rock, untouched by time or even dust.
"Careful, there may be traps," – Landry cautioned.
"There are," – The young man answered. "But…" He took out the buzzing instrument and the next door standing in their path opened, and no traps sprang. They continued from door to door and what seemed to be doors the young man ignored. "Ah, here we are the last door."
And once through, the sight became quite familiar – a typical throne room of a Goa'uld – with the throne and the sarcophagus.
"I hoped all those damn things were destroyed." – O'Neill exclaimed though he did not intend anyone to hear him.
"Apparently, we missed several." – Landry said sympathetically.
"Yes, cheap technology," – The young man said and passed by the sarcophagus and went to the throne where he found the vortex manipulator still intact. This version though was slightly different from the others. He had rigged it himself to work with four others but it remained the control one. "Put these on, and hold hands." Once ready, the young man tapped quickly on the wrist and pressed a glowing button. The whole grouped seemed to be sucked and left the throne room. They reappeared again but this time they were on a street just outside DC. "Welcome to 1950!"
"50?" – Landry exclaimed and as he came to look closely on all objects around him he came to the same conclusion – the fifties. "What…um…?"
"Well, it is time to say hi to Albert, come on!"
The young man's pace increased so they had to catch up. He stopped before a Victorian building, eagerly climbed the few stairs and knocked on the door.
At the door, a young lady stood. She looked at the strangers but her eyes were fixed on the young man beaming before her.
"Yes? – Her soft voice said.
"Ah, hello, I'm looking for Albert. Is he home?"
"Uncle Albert no longer lives here." – She replied.
"Oh," – The young man exclaimed. "Well, where is he then?"
"He moved out with the men."
"Well, this is not good. I left my fez in here."
O'Neill and Landry looked at each other dumbfounded once more this time at the word fez but the girl's eyes grew wide at that word.
"Please come in!" – She invited them.
The house was well furnished. The group was seated in the living room while the young lady took the young man aside.
"Uncle Albert said you might come one day."
"Yes,"
"He told me where he was going, a placed called Eureka."
"Of course," – The young man slapped himself on the forehead. "It is the village he helped build or is building. Did he leave the fez behind?"
"No," – She smiled. "But he said you will be back for it."
"Well, yeah, fezzes are cool."
"He asked me to give you this." – She disappeared for a moment then reappeared with an old suitcase. It contained several military uniforms.
"Excellent," – The young man said and darted to the living room. "Come on, put these on!"
"Uniforms?" – Landry eyed the content of the suitcase.
"Yes,"
"Why?"
"We're going to Eureka!"
"Oh, no!" – O'Neill exclaimed. "No, we're not."
Landry looked at O'Neill. "What?"
"It is a town full of yahoos and nut jobs, no thank you!"
"Well, not yet," – The young man beamed. "Come on it will be fun!"
O'Neill sighed deeply and put on the uniform of a colonel. It kind of felt right again though.
SG1 appeared inside the intact level. It was remarkable how this floor could have survived the blast being this close to the Stargate.
"Fascinating," – Daniel said.
"Yes," – Carter agreed. "This whole place should not exist."
"Speaking of which what level is this?" – Cam asked.
"I don't know." – Carter shrugged. "I don't remember this being on the official blueprints."
"Hey guys," – Vala called. "Come see this!"
They reached her position. It was the altar chamber. Daniel moved to examine it.
"Damn!" – He exclaimed.
"What is it, Jackson?" – Cam moved to him.
"It is the damned blue box again. Look!" – And he pointed at the altar writings.
"And the Stargate too..." – Cam observed. "How many languages is this?"
"Well there are Cimmerian, Babylonian, Hindu, North American Indian ideograms, Norse, Phoenician, and others. A few languages of the Ancient world are not present though, among them Egyptian, Mayan, Aztec and Ancient." – Daniel replied as he was making his observation of the writings.
"Interesting," – Cam said. "Not ancient and Goa'uld?"
"No, I know, it is odd."
"But in all, the gate and the box!"
"I noticed. It is really odd."
"It can't be the gate. It has no symbols, constellations." – Vala interjected.
"No, it is the gate but the original gate." – Daniel replied. "It is the first gate, type of gate, the ancients had built, the one on Destiny."
"Right, what, I've never been there."
"All is forgiven." – Cam winked at her. "Jackson, what are we looking for?"
"I'm not sure." – Daniel replied.
"Alright, what did the note say?"
"Again?"
"Yes, again,"
"Ok, it says: 'Inside the belly of the mountain where the shiny puddle is in the corner of the eye beneath the half floor behind the altar, the key fits.'"
"Beneath the half floor?"
"I imagine this place." – Daniel shrugged.
"And then behind the altar?"
"Yes,"
"Which one?"
"That is a good question. I have no idea."
"But you do have the key?"
"Yeah, I do, well, Terni thinks she has it but actually I do."
"You replaced them?" – Vala said with a growing smile. "Smart Daniel, smart, you're becoming more and more like me."
"Quite the compliment, Jackson,"
"Yeah, very reassuring," – Daniel was not particularly thrilled of it but his focus was now on the altars. The writings on the walls to here were also a puzzle. "I have to figure this out." And he left the altar room.
He wanted to understand the writings. His first glance told him they were alphabet but more careful focus revealed a story. The problem was they were all written in an obscure dialect of all these languages and without his books it was going to take more time.
"Daniel, what do you need?"
"My books,"
"I'll see what I can do." – Carter said.
Daniel nodded barely. His focus was at the wall of writing.
"We'd check if…you know…" – Vala suggested. Cam nodded. "See you Daniel,"
"Right," – Daniel lifted his head. "Be careful."
Vala and Cam left him alone and besides the writings were intriguing. What made him wonder is why all of them had built altars in this particular place. In every form of writing present – six symbols kept repeating: the gate, the blue box, the black rose, the golden tree, the liquid sword and the skull on book.
Daniel was certain now these symbols can hardly be letters. He was certain though not a hundred percent they were ideographic. They represented either a race or an object (ship, temple, or repository).
Carter returned shortly after with some of Daniel's books she had taken from his apartment. They have survived the cataclysm.
"How's out there?" – Daniel asked eyes pinned on the colonel.
"Ugly," – Carter sighed. She looked very tired and sad. "Any progress?"
"Some…" – Daniel pointed at the six symbols. "I'm fairly certain they are not letters of the alphabet I mean. They are definitely ideographic but I have yet to unlock that mystery."
"Where are Cameron and Vala?"
"Looking for survivor in the upper levels or the rubble, whatever…"
"I'll go help them."
"Ok, I'll yell if I have something."
Carter chuckled. "You…" She just shook head and left him.
Daniel noticed soon enough something interesting in the writings. It was a passage that read more or less: 'the magic box appeared from the heavens and lay to rest in the heart of the mountain', another section continued but in another language: 'hidden from praying eyes it would lay until its master arrives with the golden heart,' and then another continued: 'when the trumpets and the flute sing high, he will be whole again'.
Daniel contemplated of the meaning. The magic box could only be the blue box symbol and it obviously had an owner, and it was hidden. Now, he had no idea what the golden heart is, and the other two – trumpets and a flute. These last were curious. A flute existed in those times but a trumpet not really.
He passed onto the next passages: 'the great magic box holds the secrets of the Saint Physician, the man with many faces.' This part was difficult for Daniel – the man with many faces. He wondered of the meaning. Could it be the man was a liar but then why praise him?
The next passage read: 'the Saint Physician, the savior and protector of all worlds, the man who never stops, who never turns back, who always runs'. Was he running from responsibility or dark moments in his past? Still it was very odd for a doctor to be running all the time. Running from what, Daniel kept wondering but the text did not elaborate on that. Well, he was a doctor too though an archeologist but running all the time. Daniel chuckled – well to a point he was running all the time.
It continued: 'at his side always a delicate flower but hardened by running having seen the dark storm in his eyes, the cold fury, the burning fire of the suns, the wheel of time,'. This passage was definitely interesting and informative. This running doctor appeared not to be travelling alone but always with a companion. This is how Daniel explained to himself the delicate flower (a girl most certainly or a young woman).
He continued translating. The next one he found read: 'with the metallic torch at hand and fire in his eyes, the Saint Physician knows no equal. Just the mention of his name turns around demons and armies alike' and the next one: 'the silence came and took his fire away. And for a while, he was no more. But one step ahead of everyone he always is. Preserved in the vault his true fire lays waiting…waiting…'
Metallic torch, this could be only some kind of device. Fear of his name made armies run. The silence took his fire away. Now this one was more difficult. The silence took his mojo or his powers. Preserved in the vault – vault, Daniel wondered, some sort of storage. Maybe that is what the first passages meant that he would be whole again. But what was the silence? That part was a true mystery. Silence – it can have many meanings.
The next passage he found took his attention even more: 'two were they from the eternal tower. One always running was and the other hidden among the distant stars on the Destiny looking after those who sleep.'
Daniel stood up briskly. The Destiny still resonated in his mind. These writings were thousands of years old. How could they possibly know of the Ancient ship Destiny? One was watching over them. The running one was obvious the running doctor but the other watching over the crew that was now is stasis. How could the people of these times know about this? It was inconceivable. And who was this one watching over the crew of Destiny – another physician?
And then there was the eternal tower. Eternal tower – he wondered. What could possibly that be? Could it be another plane of existence? But these two did not strike as Ancients. The mystery in these texts had no end. At every turn so far he got answers more complex than the questions. What was going on here? Who was this running doctor? Why would all these cultures praise him?
The next passage continued: 'in the endless maze he travels'. Endless maze – this was puzzling. It could have many meanings among which – life. Life in a way is an endless maze but eventually it ends as everything sooner or later inevitably ends. No, somehow, life did not fit in here, did not fit with the endless maze. But then what could it be?
And then: 'he is young and ancient, a smile of a child always on his face, a mind of many stories'. Young and ancient – he was young and old. It was diametric opposition, a contradiction. Then – a smile of a child – he is curious. But then a mind of many stories – this one was tough or maybe he knew a lot of stories.
Daniel sat on the floor next to the walls of writings and buried his face into his hands. He needed to clear his mind. Those passages contained so much information most of which made no sense as it was completely out of context. He had no reference whatsoever. It is difficult to track something in history that existed only in this place. He had never come across this running doctor before. It was maddening. How does one erase himself from history?
He raised his head and his eyes fell onto something else and it was even more confusing as it read: 'something new, something old, something borrowed and something blue' and then a few lines below like an explanation it read: 'it is a brand new, ancient, borrowed, and bluest of blue…'
The first sentence was stunning. It had taken roots in the ritual of marriage for the bride – something new, something old, something borrowed, and something blue. And yet it was present here on the wall writings, thousands of years old. How was this possible? He wondered bluest of blue – what. Then his eyes went to the symbol of the blue box. Could it refer to the box?
What is this box? Why praise it so high? Was it a ship or repository? But then why say new and old? It was again diametrically opposed. Borrowed – it was intention of returning something taken and bluest of blue – the color of the sky, a symbol of freedom, of divinity and the box. Could the box be a means to freedom? Ugh…Daniel buried his face back into his hands. It was maddening. How does one make sense of all this?
"Who are you?" – Daniel couldn't help but exclaim. "What are you?"
But there was only silence in the corridor, silence and him. There were too many questions and too many answers no of which made sense. No archeological mystery was so complex, not even Atlantis. Atlantis? Daniel raised his head. Maybe there was something in Atlantis database about this? It was a long shot but it was worth it. Daniel stood up and went to look for his friends.
Eureka was a small camp inside Oregon. Its purpose was to expand the human knowledge by gathering the best scientific minds in the world. By 1950, it has already grown into something slightly bigger than a military camp, a village. Its original creator was Albert Einstein, the reclusive genius (or as the rest sometimes called him Mr. Atom). But General Jack O'Neill was right about one thing it was a place full of scientific rejects or said yahoos and nut jobs, the best scientists in the world.
The group led by the young man arrived in Eureka at dusk. The main gate was guarded heavily.
"Stop! Identify yourselves." – The gate guard shouted pointing his riffle at them.
The young man stepped forward. He rummaged through his pocket and took out a small leathered checkbook. He opened it and said. "I'm Doctor Smith, British Science Order, star physician extraordinaire. These fine gentlemen of the Air Force are my escort so I may arrive safely into Eureka. Here is the order. I'm here to meet with Professor Einstein."
The gate guard took a look at the leathered checkbook and nodded. He moved back and lifted the barrier. "You may come in, Doctor Smith."
"Thank you," – The young man beamed. "Where can I find Professor Einstein?"
"He is in the main lab. I'll have someone conduct you there."
"Thank you!"
General O'Neill was dead certain they would not enter but the young man managed yet to surprise him – Doctor Smith – British wunderkind. Of course, he also smelled trouble coming this way. Someone was bound to notice that six military were escorting a single individual and were following him like shadows. It was bound to raise a few eyebrows though playing the military for them came naturally. He has seen the schematics of this place but even that was not enough to prepare him for the changes. Seeing it live was indeed the different thing.
There were quite a few more buildings added since the original construction. And to one of these new buildings, they were headed. As they approached, a large explosion took place blowing the door right off its hinges.
Doctor Smith charged in through the smoke and his military shadows followed closely behind. The corridors were filled with a thick curtain of smoke. Navigating their way, they found the only open door. Coughing hard they ventured in where they saw a rather large hole in the room's floor. Atop the pile of ashes there was a red fez apparently untouched by the blast.
Doctor Smith was just picking it up slightly shaking head but a very broad smile on his face that made no sense to anyone.
"Oh, Albert, you sneaky dog," – Smith was saying under breath.
"What the hell happened here?" – A new voice coming from the door asked. It was a very strict voice with notes of frustration. "Where is Professor Einstein?" The body of the voice came along too – six feet one, dark brown hair, brown eagle's eyes, sharp nose, and thick eyebrows, dressed in the uniform of US Air Force General.
An assistant cowardly hiding until the general's arrival ran to him with all the symptoms of about to pass out saluted nervously and reported. "Professor Einstein was experimenting with the forbidden project, sir. He wanted so badly to make it work that it blew in his face and …oh…" The assistant fainted dropping to the floor like a bag of flees.
"Forbidden Project?" – O'Neill asked innocently.
"Who are you?" – The general turned to him finally noticing his presence.
"Colonel Jack O'Neill, US Air Force, sir." – O'Neill replied saluting. "Special division orders to escort Doctor Smith to Eureka, sir,"
"Special Division?" – The general eyed him suspiciously. "Why wasn't I informed?"
"That would be because of me, sir," – Doctor Smith replied.
"Doctor Smith?"
"Yes, General,"
"It doesn't ring a bell."
"No, not usually, Doctor John Smith, British Science Order, star physician extraordinaire. Professor Einstein requested my presence, off the book. He said he needed help with the bridge theory. I was carrying a…" – And Smith moved closer to the General. "A sensitive compound, courtesy of the British Crown, if you catch my meaning,"
"Was carrying?"
"Well, yes, was…"
The general eyed him for a while. "Lieutenant, clear this mess!"
"Yes, General,"
"And find the professor."
"Yes, General,"
"Are they all with you?"
"Yes, General," – Smith replied.
"My office, now!"
"After you, General,"
The general turned on the spot and left the room. They followed. O'Neill eyed the good doctor who only winked saying – it's ok. Leaving the building they turned left and walked to the general quarters.
The general sat down and asked his guests to sit down too. There were enough chairs for that. The general seemed occupied for a few minutes before he turned his attention back to his guests.
"I've asked to check on your story and there are a few bumps. Colonel O'Neill, impersonating a US Air Force officer is a federal offense and I'm sure you know how it is punishable."
"Yes, sir," – O'Neill swallowed hard.
"For the record, General," – Doctor Smith stepped in. First he closed the door of the general's office. "This is actually General Jack O'Neill, US Air Force and…"
"It is a cute attempt, Doctor Smith, but there is no Jack O'Neill in the records and…"
"And if you leave me to finish," – Smith interrupted with a big smile. "I might actually say you are not wrong but you are not right either."
"Care to elaborate on that one?" – The general's eyebrows flew high up.
"There is such a general just not now."
"What?"
"From your perspective you are correct and that is so because Professor Einstein was experimenting with time travel…"
"I'm aware of the professor's obsessions, Doctor."
"You're right. I'm the Doctor." – The young man's eyes glinted. "Check your Torchwood files, now."
"Torchwood?" – The general's face took on a curious expression. "Lieutenant, bring me the files marked T-10042."
"Yes, General,"
The lieutenant returned shortly after with the requested files. They bore a familiar crest. The general opened it.
"I'm the Doctor, THE DOCTOR!" – The young man emphasized. The general's eyes widened in surprise.
"Impossible!"
"New face, new hair cut," – The young man smiled. "But I'm still the doctor."
The general stood up and circled the young man then sat down again. "How?"
"That's not important,"
"What do you want?"
"I need the bridge device, the first one. I know you have locked it away. I will also need the fez."
The last request was a bit strange but it seemed it was not so unusual either. O'Neill was amazed by the sudden turns this young man was causing with the simple mention of his name and it made him wondered who this young man is really and how any of this was possible.
"Where is the Professor?"
"He'll back at some point." – The Doctor replied. "Undamaged, I promise."
"I imagine you'd want a lab?"
"That would be swell."
"Wait here. I shall arrange it." – The general said and left the office.
"Who are you really?" – O'Neill asked.
"I AM THE DOCTOR!"
To be continued…
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Lordheaven
