AN- Another chapter, and another long delay. I was a little hyped up for AT9, so I do have a valid excuse. It was the most amazing experience meeting Amanda Tapping, something I hope to do again at AT10. I haven't forgotten this , just so you all know, I will finish it, promise.
Sam stepped up behind Jack, Daniel stepped up behind her and Teal'c took the rear. Jack stopped at the entrance to the chamber and turned to look at everyone behind him, lifting his right hand up he gave the signal for them to go on three. Slowly counting down with his fingers, they all stepped forward and around the entranceway on three, filling the doorway to the main chamber.
"Oh my god, is that a real person?" Daniel asked as he took in the new edition to the main chamber.
All eyes turned to Sam who had her tablet in front of her, her fingers dancing over the screen as she pulled up different readings.
"I would guess it's a hologram, these energy readings don't say flesh and blood to me. It's safe to enter again." Taking a step forward and stopping as she waited for the others to follow.
One by one they stepped up and formed a line in front of the holographic person, who stood in front of the still glowing device. Daniel took a step closer when he was sure everyone was watching and had his ass if his move was the wrong one. When nothing happened he was just about to introduce himself when the figure in front of him raised its arm and spoke.
"I am Malcary, my people are, or should I say were, the Farnenians. We were a peaceful people, brought here many cycles ago, or so it is told, by a race of people set on domination and power. It is told, that one day, the great sky dwellers will return and claim the planet and its people as their own once more. If you are seeing this, then that day has come and gone. All that is left of my people resides in this data device, and of course, the temple you now stand in. Let me tell you the story of my people so that they will live on and never be forgotten." Lowering his hands and wavering them sideways and up as the room around them all shimmered and an image of a bustling city appeared around the man, filling the chamber.
All four members stood looking around the make-believe city, a very bust a bustling market town full of happy people going about their business.
"Is there a way to shut this off, or we got to stay for the grand tour?" Jack asked no one in particularly as Malcary started to point out parts of his now long ruined city.
"I do not see an off switch," Teal'c responded as he stood still, his hands folded behind his back.
"Fun T, very funny." Raising his eyebrow at Teal'c before turning to Daniel and Sam.
"Step back, it may be triggered by our presence," Daniel suggested as he took a step away from the hologram.
The others stepped back and sure enough, the hologram flickered and went off.
"So, what we got? A time capsule? A dying races last will?" Looking at the ball as he spoke.
"Jack, this is amazing. It's like Thor's hammer, only from a different perspective." Daniel chipped in, his voice full of wonder and excitement.
"The main difference being Thor was an actual space dwelling species and he was peaceful. By the sound of him," Inclining his head at the ball, "the sky dwellers sound might like Gao'uld." Taking in the chamber as a whole when he spoke.
"Well, yes, they do. Yet that doesn't change what we have to do. We need to find out what happened here. This may be the only way." Daniels face a cross between wonder and hesitation.
"We can take it back with us and study it all you want Daniel. Most people buy a postcard or a t-shirt when they come back, you bring back an entire civilization." Shaking his head as he looked at Daniel and then Sam.
"Can that device be powered anywhere else, Sam? I don't want to pack it up and find its linked somehow to the building." Daniel asked Sam as he made eye contact with Sam.
"I have no idea, Daniel. All my machines say it has a power source, so it should be able to. The only way you'll find out is taking it for a walk I guess." Looking at her tablet one last time before putting it down and taking a step forward.
"Here, I'll get it." Daniel practically jumping forward to retrieve the device.
Sam moved back and let Daniel pick it up, she knew better than to get in the way of a geek and his or her new toy. Daniel stepped forward quickly and picked the device up like it was made of glass. Tucking it under his arm he walked away and towards the doorway.
"Wait for me Daniel Jackson, I shall accompany you." Teal'c voice echoing around the chamber as he moved towards Daniel.
Daniel just shrugged his shoulders and looked at Jack.
"See you shortly, let's hope this works." Turning and striding out the room with Teal'c close beside him.
"That's the kids away to play, what do you want to do now?" Jack raised his eyebrow and gave Sam a look she couldn't normal resist.
"Pack the rest of Daniel's stuff on the cart ready to send back. He wants to have a look inside that later," her eyes drifting to the sarcophagus, "I heard him on the way to the bathroom when he mentioned it to Teal'c." Knowing Jack hadn't been with her when she heard him mention it.
"Gotta love Daniel and his inquisitive nature, he's never lost his thirst for knowledge, even after what's happened to us all over the years." Picking up a box and following Sam out towards the cart.
Luckily there were only four boxes left so it was quick work. Between them, Sam and Jack had the cart ready and covered to send back. Jack passed Sam the remote, she was the better driver out the whole group. Just as the cart trundled out into the open two figures stumbled out the tree line and Jack leveled his weapon in the direction of them. He kept his weapon raised, even when Daniel and Teal'c made themselves known. It wasn't until they stepped almost level with them that he finally lowered it. Daniel was carrying the device and he didn't look happy.
"What's wrong Daniel?" Sam asked as Daniel placed the small object at his feet and stood back up.
"Something here powers it, as you walk away you can feel the energy sort of drain out of it. We've done a few different loops now and every time we get outside the temples range it seems to stop vibrating." Looking between the device and the temple.
"Brilliant, so we have to stay in there to get the full message. Wonderful, more history lessons."Jack's grumbled as he looked at the device then at Sam.
Sam led the way back inside, making sure she had Daniel beside her as she went. As they entered the main chamber Sam stopped Daniel and held her hand up for them all to stop.
"This is strange, when we entered the room the energy levels went up on the device but so did the radiation levels. I wonder if it's the device giving off the radiation and not something in here. Daniel, you want to take a walk with me? Maybe I can get some better readings if I am with the device constantly and can see the changes it goes through." Picking up another handheld device and looking at Daniel.
"Sure, can we take a walk to the gate then and send them artifacts back? Two jobs get done in one go." Looking more at Jack than Sam when he asked the question.
"Don't be long, and stay in radio contact until you're out of reach. Just to be on the safe side of course." Adding the last bit when he saw the way Sam looked at him.
"Brilliant, do I have to carry it the whole way or can I put it on there?" Pointing at the cart.
"Can't see why not, as long as the cart isn't too far in front. I can take readings as we walk." Smiling as she looked at Daniel. "I'll get my gear and meet you out front." Walking away to get her pack and weapon.
Jack followed Sam out and into the small chamber, they used as their room. He stood in the doorway and watched as Sam did her jacket up before clipping her tac vest back up. Jack had stood and watched Sam go through the motions of gearing up for missions hundreds of times, yet now he felt differently as he watched her. He had seen her gradually change with each mission, with each enemy defeated, each new friend made. The young fresh face, eager, captain he had stood opposite was long gone, replaced with the woman he now stood watching. At times he hated seeing what she had to face, what she had to deal with, and ultimately live with. On many occasions he had wanted to shield her from the horrors they faced, save her the pain and suffering that would follow. Yet, he knew deep down, the woman he loved, the woman who stood before him, wouldn't be the same woman had she not stood side by side with him during it all. The click of her weapon magazine brought him out his musing.
Sam had felt Jack's eyes on her her the whole time she was getting ready. As she let her weapon fall against her chest after checking the magazine she looked up at him and saw he was deep in thought. She saw a mix of emotions quickly flit across his face before his colonel mask was back in place. As she stepped up to him she saw him clench his fists tightly, a gesture she knew only too well, both from watching him, and personal experience.
"It's safe out there. The only thing to worry about is storms." Trying to relieve the tension she could both see and feel radiating in waves from Jack.
"I know, it's just different now." His right hand reaching out for her, but stopping just before he touched her.
"It is in some ways, but not in others. We've done this for years, watched the other go off to face enemies unknown. Mostly we've done it together, but other times we've done it alone. Doing it together was some of the hardest. Watching, not being able to do anything when the other was in danger or suffering. We have always known the reasons why we never crossed the line. What the consequences would, or could be, if we did this. Yet, in some ways, we were doing this," lifting her hand and wrapping it around Jack's, "long before we were actually doing it for real." Squeezing his hand before letting go. "On Nato, when we rescued my father, you tried to protect me. Not just from the prison, but the memory recall device. I saw how quick you were to pull Martouf aside when it became too much for me. You always went that little bit extra, always pushed that little bit further for me. See, nothing has changed, we are still the same people, doing the same thing. The only difference is, I can tell you I love you before I walk away now." Balancing on her toes as she reached up and pecked him on the cheek.
Jack quickly looked along the passageway leading to the main chamber, making sure that Daniel and Teal'c were not in sight. Turning back to Sam he reached out and hugged her tightly. Pulling her to him before letting go just as quickly as he had had took hold of her.
"Go, Daniel will think you got lost. We'll talk later when you're back safe and sound." Stepping aside so she could pass him.
Sam stepped passed Jack, but not before she let her hand brush across the back of Jack's.
"Daniel, you ready to go? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get more boots for the colonel, his feet are starting to smell the place out a little." Laughing as she felt Jack reach behind him and clip her ass with his fingertips.
Jack turned and watched Daniel and Sam walk along behind the cart, Daniel now steering it as Sam held up her gadgets and machines to monitor the device. They would be fine, it was only to the gate and back, what could go wrong on a deserted planet!