The first thing I noticed was that it was cold. I was shivering and covered in frost. It took me a few moments; my mind hadn't really caught up with what was happening. I watched, detached as O'Neill and Teal'c moved forward and scanned the immediate vicinity. Daniel and Carter stood in front of me, guarding me from any potential attacks as I recuperated.
I glanced up and frowned, I was cold but the place was one huge desert. There was nothing on the skyline that showed any civilisations or in fact any people living here at all. Taking a deep breath, I stood. The heat from the desert had helped me recover quite quickly. I glanced back at the ring, the only thing in sight for miles. It was hard to believe that just moments ago I was in a military complex back on Earth, that is if we are on another planet.
Oh, trust me we are. Nai'R'da commented with a snicker. Ah and there was the creature that had caused all this trouble in the first place. I was on another planet for this symbiote and now the creature was laughing at me as my mind tried to get over this fact. I was on an alien planet for an alien creature inside me, attached to my head. Wow, life didn't get any weirder than this!
I turned back to SG1 and nodded to show I was ready. I stepped down the stairs, staying in the middle between four better trained people. I didn't know why they still had their weapons armed, there was nothing in sight but they knew best.
Our enemy the Goa'uld possess the ability to cloak their ships and the Tok'ra live underground. Nai'R'da explained patiently. I smiled gratefully, glancing at everything like a child in a sweet-shop. Well you couldn't blame me; the bugs I spotted were too weird to be true! I stayed focus, though keeping an eye out for any movement. I felt Nai'R'da's approval, but to be honest it was being connected to Nai'R'da that helped me. His instincts and guidance helped me focus and use a weapon with a lot of skill, I didn't know I had. I knew it was his memories and instincts that guided me the most, the bond was growing. We were both able to access memories at a mere whim, Nai'R'da was beginning to feel more and more like a part of me, but I wasn't as scared as I should be. After all wasn't I here to prevent the bond? But instead it was like I had subconsciously wanted this bond, to share my body and soul with this symbiote. It was confusing.
O'Neill frowned. "There are no signs of any enemy movement. In fact there are no signs of civilisation at all." He complained.
"Which is just how the Tok'ra like it, sir?" Carter replied. "If the Tok'ra had chosen any planet, its ones similar to this." She explained to me. "They like it deserted and abandoned. Makes their enemies think it's uninhabited." I felt Nai'R'da's agreement at her statement but he was also annoyed she had categorised the Tok'ra.
"The problem is that there is never any signs that their here. They're stealthy. If they are here, they're most likely watching us right now without us knowing." Daniel continued, scanning the horizon.
"Okay, I'll take point. John stay in the centre, we'll travel to that rock formation on the horizon, if we see nothing we are turning back and returning to base. I don't like staying where there is not much cover." O'Neill ordered. "If we do come across any enemies, find some cover and drop to the ground." I nodded in agreement. I may have Nai'R'da's memories and instincts but I doubted I would be much good in a fire fight at the moment.
The walk was longer than it appeared. The ring was a misty black dot in the distance by the time we reached the rock formations, but I barely glanced back as I was absorbed in the sight before me. Behind the rock formation was the steepest and deepest drop I've ever seen. The bottom was pitch black and misty. The land at the centre of the drop rose up above the mist and upon stood an impressive sight. A pyramid, an amazingly detailed pyramid. The stair case was as wide as the base of the pyramid; it thinned as it went up until it spanned a small doorway on the top. There were statues with weapons, made from some kind of black stone; they were clearly related to the Ancient Egyptians. The top of the pyramid was blinding, it was obviously made from some type of metal as it reflected the light in a blinding glow.
"Wow!" Daniel stated, staring down in complete amazement.
I now knew I wasn't on Earth. Nothing on Earth compared to this. I glanced at the statues adorning the outer-rims of the staircase. The nearer to the top they were the scarier they became. The bottom Statues wore masks similar to Earth creatures, but the ones on top had some truly frightening masks, one had sharp inner teeth and two long spikes coming from its upper lips with fangs at the tips. It looked frighteningly similar to a humanoid spider. "What is this place?" I asked, searching inwardly for Nai'R'da. The symbiote was nervous. "Nai'R'da doesn't like this place." I added.
"I can't be sure from here, but those statues clearly represent some kind of army. They get more powerful and scarier by the time they reach the top. I'm guessing it is some kind of journey for young warriors to become experienced soldiers." Daniel analysed, zooming in with his binoculars. "The detail that's gone into these statues is exquisite. They're so lifelike!"
"I hope not." O'Neill answered. "The top ones look formidable."
"The top is covered with a metal that seems very similar to gold. I'm guessing that the greatest warrior became king or queen of that clan." Daniel guessed. "I think we've stumbled across a religious symbol for an ancient race."
"Yes, but look at it, there is not one inch of dust anywhere." I answered. "You'd think in a desert like this that sandstorms or sand blown in with the breeze would have started to cover this temple. But it still looks relatively well-kept." I noticed their attention on me. "Tell me if I'm horribly wrong, but I think even on another planet like this, things eventually become covered, destroyed and hidden if they're not well kept. This temple is sitting in the middle of a huge crater, a perfect hole for sand to fill, yet it hasn't happened. Something must be keeping the temple uncovered."
What is it Nai'R'da? I asked as I glanced down at the temple.
I am not sure. I just have a bad feeling. Nai'R'da answered. Tread carefully. I frowned. Nai'R'da was normally pretty confident. Something was making him nervous.
"Is there a way down to take a closer look?" Daniel asked.
"I am not sure that's a good idea, Daniel." I replied. "Something is making Nai'R'da nervous." I added.
"Do you sense anything?" O'Neill asked.
"No, nothing, but this place is just giving us a bad feeling." I replied glancing warily down.
Daniel glanced between us. "Look guys if there is any sign of trouble we'll pull back out, but we can't miss this opportunity to explore a new temple. It's like nothing we've ever seen before!" He stated enthusiastically.
O'Neill sighed. "Any sign of trouble and we all head back to the stargate." He stated firmly.
Daniel nodded, "Look there is a staircase there leading around and down, right in front of the temple itself."
I glanced down and realised he was right, there was a staircase winding around the canyon like a cork-screw and it ended right in front of the stairs up to the temple. It was too good to be true, a staircase that conveniently lead to the entrance of a freaky temple. It smelt like a trap. "Isn't there anything we can send down to check it first?" I asked, cautiously.
"It would take to long." Daniel answered quickly. "We have hand-cameras with infra-red." He pointed out pulling out said camera. "Let's go." He moved over to the top of the staircase. "Come on guys."
"I don't like it." I stated simply, cautiously glancing down at the temple as I walked to the top of the stairs.
"Neither do I." O'Neill replied.
"Indeed." Teal'C added.
O'Neill led me and Teal'C down the staircase, Carter and Daniel were literally power-walking down the stairs eager to see the temple. I'd have preferred staying at the top. The closer to the bottom we got, the more nervous me and Nai'R'da became. I really didn't like this.
The pitch black I noticed from the top was actually some kind of fog. It blotted out the skyline the moment we walked into it. We had to rely on our video cameras to see. There was water everywhere, like some freaky moat. We waded through it cautiously. I could feel crunching beneath my feet and I pointed the camera down, but I could see nothing through the dark water. I lifted the camera back up and glanced at the approaching staircase. Slowly we rose above the black fog and light lit everything once more. I let out a breath as I was finally above the smoke, but I was not relieved. I was now stood in front of one of those statues. It was a formidable looking thing. It was a head taller than me with formidable muscles. It was clearly male, with only a small kilt covering its privates. It stood feet splayed, supported by a formidable looking spear. It's mask was similar to a wolf's. Even with the familiar animal mask, it still looked powerful. Is this a case of jumping from the frying pan and into the fire? I asked mentally.
"These statues are amazing!" Daniel said, glancing at a hawk masked one. "It's hard to believe the people who built this were from our own planet." He stated excited.
I smiled slightly at his enthusiasm glancing back at the wolf masked statue. I looked up past the statue and frowned. Is it me or do they start holding their spears straight but gradually hold them across the path to block potential visitors?
It is almost like their trying to block or warn people who travel here. Nai'R'da stated frowning. I don't think this temple was meant for visitors.
Me neither. I replied, I would have mentioned this to the team but they were already halfway up the staircase. I glanced back at the wolf-masked statue one more time before moving to catch up with them. I didn't want to be left here on my own. I think the scarier masks might be warnings. I bet their used to chase visitors away with fear, but we're just strolling in!
I told you Daniel Jackson is stupid. He sees interesting things and he grabs them without letting go, no matter the danger.
I hope he doesn't get us all killed. I thought with a frown. "Should we wander straight into a temple like this. We don't know what is inside?" I asked. "It seems to me, these statues are trying to warn us off. Look at them." I pointed out. "They start out with their weapons lowered and as we reach the top the weapons are active and cross like their trying to block us."
"It is very suspicious." Teal'C agreed. "I think they were made to scare of visits not to draw them in."
"Look, all we have to do is glance at the first room and then we can go. I want to see their written language." Daniel argued.
"Daniel, I really don't like this." I stated simply. "Besides we're supposed to be looking for the Tok'ra."
"Just give me five minutes and we'll leave." Daniel begged, I sighed and glanced at the Colonel. It was his choice. He was the man in charge.
"Alright, five minutes and then we're out of here."
I frowned, disappointed. I glanced back down the eerie staircase. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked warily. What started out as a bad feeling had now escalated. Alarm bells were ringing in my head, but I couldn't work out what was causing it. The whole place looked like a trap. I walked cautiously up to the nearest statue, its mask was of a creature I didn't recognise. It had an elongated snout with razor sharp teeth, its four eyes were intelligent and sharp. The figure was also of a man, he held two swords, and the one in his left hand was pointed outwards across the stairs. It was so realistic I could imagine the mask blinking.
A small breeze slipped over the entrance of the pyramid and echoed through the architecture. It was an eerie, moaning sound. If I wasn't standing in front of this statue and the entrance, paranoid and nervous, I would think this was some kind of horror movie.
Daniel cautiously stepped through the archway, glancing curiously at the walls. "Wow! There's symbols I've never seen before. Come look at this!" He waved me over. I sighed and cautiously approached, passing the spider masked statue. "You see that symbol, it's a snake. I think it may refer to the God of Darkness and evil, Apep. But the snake is very alien in design. Perhaps it's a representation of what the people who made this temple thought was the God Apep."
"If that is so then this must be the temple built for the God of Darkness and Evil." I pointed out, the symbol was right in front of us at the door. "I really don't think this temple is supposed to be visited. The people probably abandoned this temple in fear, or sacrificed victims here for the God of Death. I remember hearing stories of ancient people back on Earth sending visitors to the deaths to please their Gods. That could be what is happening here." I stated, glancing around cautiously. Was that why I had these alarm bells in my head? Were we being watched?
What the hell are they doing? Nai'R'da all but shouted. I turned and watched the team wander into the temple. Are they stupid? What the hell possesses them to walk into some foreboding temple! Are they morons?
What was Daniel doing? I knew he loved knowledge, but surely he wasn't stupid enough to walk into a temple that was very clearly warning strangers off. The problem is I either stay out here with these freaky statues and dark fog or I go in and join them. I thought annoyed. Who knows where they'll be. They could find an exit on the other side for all we know and we'll be stuck in this hole.
Or we could go in and end up dead like them. Nai'R'da stated snorting.
"Are you coming John?" Daniel called.
"I don't think it's wise to walk into a temple like this Daniel." I pointed out glancing warily at the temple.
"We're not going that far in and besides we have weapons." He replied. "Come on, no one gets left behind."
I'd rather be out here than in there. Nai'R'da stated.
I glanced up at the man with the spider-mask. I'd rather be anywhere but here. I replied. I did not like spiders. "Alright but we're only going to the entrance room aren't we?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes, just the first room and then we'll leave." Daniel replied, but I doubted it. Nai'R'da was really anxious, he didn't want to be here and neither did I. What happened to finding the Tok'ra? I followed Daniel at a sedate pace, glancing back to make sure the temple entrance wasn't covered. The entrance hallway was long and tight, it did little to sooth my nerves. When we finally reached the end of the descending hallway, we entered a large well lit room. Where had the lights come from? Some temples activate when visitors enter.
So we've activated the temple?
Yes. Oh crap! Something tells me this isn't good. I glanced back at the hallway we had come from, it wasn't blocked but I was still wary, who knows what traps and stunts the builders of this pyramid installed. Why was I even here? We were supposed to be looking for the Tok'ra!
I took a deep breath, now was not the time to panic. I cautiously analysed the room, it was dusky with disuse and there were loose bricks and materials everywhere. The wall was covered with symbols on black metal and there was some sort of plinth in the centre of the room. Daniel was by it, wiping away dust to read whatever was written upon it. "I don't think touching that is a good idea." I called out but I was too late. The whole temple was rumbling, rocks were falling from the ceiling and a large slab of rock was rolling to cover the room's exits. Oh damn. I thought looking up. The room was collapsing and there was no cover! "Get down! I cried out, I watched the four roll and avoid falling rocks. I glanced down. "You have to be kidding me!" I cried out. The floor was folding, like flaps, they were dropping, and the only thing remaining in place was the plinth. We all raced for the small thing as the doors dropped but only Daniel and Carter were close enough to reach.
I was falling, I saw Daniel and Carter slowly disappearing, the light that was in the room slowly faded until I was engulfed in darkness, but I was still falling. O'Neill and Teal'C couldn't be far surely? But I couldn't hear a thing. I glanced around, I couldn't see a thing, it was pitch black, and the wind was rushing past me. Oh shit.
I told you not to go into the temple! Nai'R'da snarled with fear.
Splash! I sank a good couple of metres before I could finally swim back up to the surface. Shit! I do not want to be in water, when I can't see. Who knows what is here!
Have you got anything that will light up?
I have that infra-red video camera, but I don't know if it will work, they said it was waterproof, but I doubt they meant go for a swim with it!
We have to try. Nai'R'da was right. The camera was attached by a strap to my jacket, so I soon found it and flicked it on. I sighed in mild relief when the camera switched on, I was confronted with a huge surface of water. I moved gently around looking for any solid land or wall I could climb up on. There. Nai'R'da pointed out. Get onto that bit of land before you dare look at what is in the water.He ordered. I didn't hesitate, I didn't want to be in this black water anyway. It may be empty but I'd rather take a look when I was on dry land.
I didn't dare put the camera down in case I became lost, I kicked my legs and used my spare arm to push myself in the right direction. It took longer, but it was the best I could do in this situation. Only once I had a good grip on the rock did I put the camera away to climb it. The rocks were curved and slippery from erosion but eventually pulled myself to the top and sat down. I pulled the camera back out and glanced around. I couldn't see any walls, in fact the only rock in sight was what I was sitting on. That's odd. I thought.
I slid cautiously to the edge and used the camera to glance into the water. Even with infra-red I could see very little but the first couple of centimetres into the water. I don't like this. Nai'R'da stated. I agreed, I was getting more scared by the minute.
Could this be man-made? I asked, the symbiote mentally nudged me, curious. On Earth underwater caverns are like tunnels, this is almost like a bowl. Look if it was an explosion of something like an impact, wouldn't there be more rock formations, but this only has one. Everything points to this being man made.
Or maybe the rock formations are below us in deeper water. Nai'r'da suggested. But you are right, we cannot see any walls or rocks. We have no light to see anything, we are at a disadvantage.
We can't remain here, O'Neill and Teal'C fell too yet I can't see any sign of them. Either this underground lake is really vast or we were separated somehow.
If it was a trap then there must have been something to separate us as we fell. Nai'R'da stated thoughtfully. But what is the intention of this trap? Why this water basin at the bottom? Why just this one rock?
Perhaps it could be to make us stay in one place? Everyone who falls would instantly head for this rock if they could see it. I replied. Either we remain here and potentially starve or get attacked. Or I could take to the water, tire and drown or get attacked. Not great options. Especially when we don't know what this trap is about. It could be a trap to starve and restrain us or it could be a trap to feed us to something, for all we know.
Yes, but we cannot remain here waiting to die or be attacked. We must try to find a way out. Sometimes the creators of traps tease their victims by giving them a very slim chance of getting out. It is most likely there is a hidden exit that we must actively find.
I glanced out at the vast water. That may be so, but where do we start looking? I wasn't too keen to get back into the water, but if there was a way out we had to find it. The exit may be at the bottom of this bowl for all we know and even with your help I can't swim all the way to the bottom, if I didn't die by drowning the pressure would eventually kill me.
If it is a trap the exit will be barely within reach and barely visible. Nai'R'da replied. Which means it is most likely going to be on the rim of this bowl if there is one. That or it is hidden in pillars like this one.
I can check this pillar easily but I can't even tell where to begin looking for the nearest edge, for all we know there is another drop instead of a wall and I doubt this camera will help me for long. It is on a battery, it won't hold its charge forever.
We will have to use that camera sparingly.
Surely you don't expect me to swim when I can't actually see! I thought with a frown. Nai'R'da thought for a moment, he felt hesitant and fearful. I worried for him. What's wrong? I asked nervously.
I could do it.
Do what?
Swim.
What take me over and swim? Wouldn't it just be the same, you'll still be blind without a camera.
No, I could leave you and swim, without a host I can swim faster and deeper. I can sense movement with my body.
But what if there was a drop you could not return.
I will be able to tell if there is a drop. But I would not survive very long without a host. Would you….
Would I what?
Would you allow me back in when I return, even after you see what I look like outside of you?
So that's what Nai'R'da was afraid of, being rejected when I saw him. Was he that repulsive to look at? I had to admit I was curious as to what my new friend looked like, but my friends nerves made me nervous. I did owe the symbiote my life, didn't I? Alright, I said nervously. I'll let you back in. Besides I'd rather not be left alone here for too long.
Alright. This may hurt a little. And then Nai'R'da was gone for the first time in a few weeks, even when the little symbiote was quiet I could still feel him, now I was empty, alone. I didn't like it. I didn't have long to contemplate that however as my throat flamed up, I cried out choking around something large and slimy. My eyes clenching shut in pain and then it was over. My throat was sore but what attracted my attention was some long slimy thing wrapped around my wrist. I opened my eyes and glanced down. I could barely see a thing. I could just see some long snake like thing wrapped around my pale wrist. Four red eyes stared up at me. I was fascinated as it squealed at me. So this was Nai'R'da, or what I could see of him anyway.
My throat was too sore to speak, so instead I cautiously approached the edge of the rock and lowered my wrist to the water. The creature squealed once more before slipping off my wrist and disappearing into the black depths.
Good Luck Nai'R'da.
