Chapter 15 – Janus and Juturna

Dark.

Dark became light as Jackson's eyes began to open. He jumped up as his reflexes responded.

Jonas was already conscious tending to his daughter who was still unconscious. Daniel knelled beside him.

"Is she alright?"

"I think she's coming around."

Astraea eyes began to flutter open. When they were fully opened, Astraea smiled at them both.

"Pater," Astraea spoke. "Daniel."

The two men helped Astraea to her feet as they looked around the room they were in.

The room was entirely white apart from a old brown oak like door.

Daniel full of his usual curiosity, walked over to the door and opened it

"Prodigious!" Astraea breathed.

"You can say that again." Daniel gasped.

Jonas nodded in complete agreement.

The trio walked through the doorway. The door closed behind them and faded away.

The trio looked at the beautiful city in front of them. Tall elegant towers, beautiful scenery. The area was covered in flowers and meadows. It looked like a fairy tale, a magical land.

"Where are we?" Jonas asked.

"I know not, Pater." Astraea walked further into the city. "I have not seen anything like this city on Terra Nova."

"We may not be on Terra Nova." Daniel suggested.

"How's that possible?" Jonas asked.

"I wish I knew."

They walked further into the city. Daniel's head was moving at speed to look and sense everything this place had to offer. Jonas smiled at the beauty of the land. Astraea alternatively, walked with her hands folded with a look of reverence.

"Finally, you have arrived!" A young elf like woman approached the small group.

They stopped dead in their tracks.

"You've been expecting us?" Jonas inquired.

"Of course. I have been waiting for a very long time." The young woman smiled. "Please, let me introduce myself. I am Juturna."

Astraea gasped slightly.

Daniel just stared in awe. "Goddess of fountains, wells and springs. But more importantly," Daniel paused. "Wife of Janus.

Juturna snorted. "Maybe once."

Daniel coughed. "Because you cheated on your husband with..."

"Do not even say his name!" Juturna commanded. "It was not one of the best choices I have ever made." Juturna shivered. "I cannot believe that I let that old man touch me." The young goddess moved her long blond hair away from her face. Her eyes sparkled with perfection. If she was mortal she would be a fashion model.

"If I did not do what I did would of ended up with all my privileges and achievements removed." Juturna sighed.

She glanced to the trio and smiled at them. "Please follow me."

Juturna led the group to a small circular park like bench. They sat at it.

"I appologise for my temper and attitude." Juturna removed a small pair of white gloves she's been wearing. "I have been waiting a very long time for you to arrive."

"Why are you hear?" Jonas asked. "Are you a prisoner?"

Juturna glanced at the young man. Recognition filled her eyes. She glanced over to his Daughter, Astraea. Juturna felt a strong sense of recognition.

"I," began Juturna. "Am not in so many words. This is a punishment. Janus took me on many journeys after we were married. He'd been married before.."

"To Camese and Jana." Daniel injected into the conversation.

Juturna nodded.

"Well," she continued. "I was his temporary assistant before we were married. I kept that position, even though I was a scientist in my own right. I created rivers and seas on planets which had none. So that they could be colonized by my people.

"I agreed to be his assistant because of one simple fact. Love."

Juturna smiled. Her smile contained sorrow, longing and bitterness.

"What happened?" Jonas asked.

"Janus and I were going on a mission to collect information on another planet we intented to colonize. But as soon as we left sensors, Janus turned on a new component which he claimed was going to benefit our people. But before I could protest, time shifted and we arrived in the future."

"What?" Daniel was in conplete dibelif.

"It didn't last long and we returned to our own time and completed our mission." Juturna took a deep breath. "We went on many of these trips, but one time there was a problem. Janus got called away to help repair a Stargate subrouting, he told me to carry out or mission on my own and return as soon as possible. I did what was asked of me, but when I returned home, there was a problem with the star drive and I had to use and escape pod. When my people found the reckage they found the time device."

"I was arreseted and questioned by" Juturna shuddered. "Him. All I could do to stop career from being ruined was to throw myself literally at his mercy."

Juturna's head hung in shame.

"We were found by..."

"Larunda," said Daniel.

"Correct." Juturna nodded. "I see she is still famous."

Juturna shook her head. "She could never keep a secret. She was sent away after the incident. I was also sent to another part of the galaxy to continue my work."

"What about Janus?" Jonas asked.

"He had to punish me for this transgression, even though he understood why he did it. Our marriage was disolved. I was sent here by Janus many years ago to wait for a trio of people. As soon as I complete my task. I will be free."

"Why are we here?" Astraea inquired.

Juturna looked puzzled. "Well you have come for The Altus Animus Book, have you not?"

The small group looked at each other.

"Can we have a moment please?" Daniel asked.

"Of course." Juturna smiled. Juturna moved away. "I will be waiting in here." she pointed at a building.

"Altus Animus Book? Have you heard of that?" Daniel pointed the question to Jonas' daughter.

"Yes." Astraea nodded. "It is a guide to Ascension. It is a great honor to be given the book and should not be taking...." Astraea trailed off and staired into space.

Jonas put his arm around his grown up daughter. "Astraea?"

"Help! Help!" A woman screamed. Astraea recognized the voice; it was Allannah.

Astraea turned and watched her surrogate mother being torched. She recognized the surroundings from her Goa'uld genetic memory. It was a Ha'tak.

Suddenly, Astraea found herself at the village. She could hear a terrible rumble. Death gliders flew over the village and began to rain fire on it.

"No!" Astraea screamed.

"What's wrong?" Jonas asked.

Tear's slided down Astraea's face. "Terra Nova is under attack and Allannah is being torched on the Ha'tak in orbit."

"Terra Nova is under attack!" Daniel gasped.

"What about Sam, Teal'c and The Colonel, are you they alright?" Jonas inquired.

Astraea shook her head. "I did not see them, but I am sure that they are safe at this moment in time."

"We've got to get back to the village." Daniel stated.

"But how?"

Astraea walked away from the two men and approached the library building and walked into the building.

"Maybe we should talk to Juturna?" Jonas asked.

"Worth a try," agreed Daniel. "Astraea...." Daniel turned and realized that Astraea was no longer with them. "Where's Astraea?"

"Maybe she went into the building?" Jonas suggested.

The two men walked up the steps leading up into the library.

The building was full of books. They seem to number in the billions.

Daniel's mouth gaped wide open. "This is a universe of knowledge. It's amazing. It would take a life time and more to absorbed this knowledge."

"There's Astraea." Jonas noted.

Astraea stood in the center of the library facing Juturna. Astraea bowed and accepted a thick but small white book with gold writing.

Juturna smiled at the young woman. She noticed the two men watching them. She held her hand up, smiled and faded away.

Astraea turned to her father and her new friend.

"We need the book." Astraea firmly declared. "I will be able to send the both of you back to Sanctuary."

"What about you?" Daniel asked.

"I will go to the Ha'tak to save my patrona."

"No!" Jonas exclaimed. "I can't let you do that." Jonas grabbed his daughter's hand. "You may have these powers but you don't have full control. I will go."

Astraea sighed and nodded in agreement. "You are correct, pater." Astraea opened the book and flicked through the pages. "Daniel and myself will return to Terra Nova, to the mountains of the Conscientia."

"Why to the mountains?" Daniel inquired. "Shouldn't we return to Sanctuary to help Sam and Jack?|

"We will be helping them. Conscientia is mentioned to bring great peace to the world."

Daniel nodded. "Sounds like Thor's Chariot on Cimmeria. Could be a weapon."

Jonas nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I read the reports."

"We are agreed?"

Jonas and Daniel nodded.

Astraea smiled. "Desiderium for Portis, Pater."

Astraea opened the book. "I must read this incantation. Let us begin."

"Libertas amor Antonia infinito, transporto meus pater, Jonas Quinn orbito ha'tak." Astraea took hold of Jonas' hand.

Jonas began to fade away. "Wow!" The young Langaran gasped. "This is amazing." Jonas totally faded away.

Astraea turned to a stunned Daniel. Dr. Jackson just gazed in wonder where Jonas Quinn once stood.

"Are you ready, Daniel?" Astraea asked.

Still stunned Daniel just nodded slowly.

Smiling Astraea informed Daniel, "We will travel to the Conscientia mountains. To stop the invasion of my world."

Astraea took hold of Daniel's hand.

"But what about Jack, Sam and Teal'c?"

"Do not worry, we'll be able to contact them when we get to the mountains. Your communication device will be amplified."

"How?" Daniel inquired.

Within seconds Daniel heard small click and whirring noises.

"I have adjusted your communication device to work on long distances." Astraea smiled. "Do not forget I have the memories of many Goa'ulds."

"Of course." Daniel agreed.

Astraea took hold of Daniel's hand again and began to recite the incantation. They began to fade away just like Jonas did.

TO BE CONTINUED