-Gateway Settlement, New Earth. Year 2.-
MacGyver's trapped.
Completely unable to move an inch with the weight pushing down on his chest. His arms are free but that's about it. The pressure's almost, but not quite, suffocating.
Which means he has to figure a way to remove the weight soon. Won't be easy, considering how much resistance he'll be facing if he isn't careful.
He opens his eyes, takes stock of the situation.
Janet's sprawled on top of him, head turned to the side, her hair all up in his face. He brushes it away with a smile.
He'd love to stay as her body pillow but he has to get out of here. Starts scooting back against the headboard, slowly levering himself up. Maybe he can shift her just enough off of him before she wakes so he can escape-
She stirs, murmurs something unintelligible. He holds his breath. She finds his hand and squeezes it, he squeezes back.
As she slowly opens her eyes he finds himself lost in a deeper and more compelling brown than even his own. "Hey."
"Hey yourself," her voice muzzy with sleep. "Goin' somewhere?"
"Yeah. Got a mission this morning."
She squints at the clock, groans. "At this hour? Way too early. Must've been Jack's idea."
"Yep. The early bird catches the worm and all that. Only I'd rather stay here with you." He reaches out to play with a strand of auburn hair before tucking it behind her ear, lightly fingering the delicate lobe.
She sighs. "God Mac, you're perfection."
He grins, almost blushing, but continues his caresses. Stroking along her cheek, down her neck and chest. Her eyes close in pleasure.
She's the one who's perfect, he thinks. Brilliant, beautiful, warm and so very passionate. He hasn't been this head over heels in love for a long time.
Been a long time since he's felt this contented too, all rested and cozy and thoroughly at peace. If only they could spend the rest of the day together in bed, and let the rest of the world go hang.
So strange the turn his life has taken, in the past few years. How much everything has changed, and for the better. A long time since he's felt this close to anyone, outside of family.
Already Mac can't imagine not having her in his life. The twinkle in her eyes every time she sees him. Her wry smiles, cheerful laughter, cheeky sense of humor. The thrilling sensation of her body against his as they make love.
All because he decided to take a chance.
An impish smile spreads across Janet's face. She begins moving against him in a slow, sensual fashion that sets his heart to pounding. "Are you really sure you have to go?"
Definitely a lot of resistance, if the stirring in his loins is any indication. "Um, yeah. Sorry. Rain check for later?"
She grins, leaning forward to capture his lips before pushing herself off and away from him. "Sure. I should get up anyway, make sure Cassie's ready for school."
When he emerges from the bathroom she's already dressing, buttoning up her uniform blouse. He swallows again, his gaze lingering on her gorgeous curves.
Janet catches him looking, quirks an amused eyebrow. "Something on your mind, handsome?"
"Just admiring the best-looking doctor on New Earth." Offers her his most disarming grin.
She beams at him, standing on tiptoe to meet him halfway for a tender kiss. "Flatterer. Have a good day at work. See you tonight."
"You, too. Looking forward to it."
Mac heads for a partitioned area serving as a ready room of sorts, to wait for the rest of the team. Today's mission doesn't call for Gate travel but a contingent from Alpha Base is arriving soon to accompany them.
Jack and Sam are laughing at something as Mac enters. Both seem more at ease lately, ever since their relationship's been officially sanctioned by Hammond. More comfortable in their own skins, and yet just as focused on doing their jobs as ever. In fact relaxing the fraternization regs and doing away with DADT altogether has done wonders for morale in the NEDF as a whole- and the SGC, in particular- to the surprise of many.
Sam notices him and grins. "Hey, Mac."
"Hey, Sam. Got the drone with you?"
She points to a metal case by her feet. "Yep. Version 2.0 is ready to go, thanks to your suggestions."
"Terrific. Looking forward to giving it a field test once we get to the city." He catches the smirk Jack throws in his direction. "And good morning to you, too. What's on your mind?"
The smirk widens into a grin. "Just thought we'd have to pry you away from Janet, considering how much time you're spending with her lately."
Mac snorts. "Could say the same about you two. How's the klah?"
Jack contemplates the contents of his mug, emblazoned with the SGC logo. "Not too bad. Getting better all the time. Tastes as good as it smells, for a change."
"Great." He heads for the beverage urn set up at the other end of the room, dispenses a cup. The pleasing aroma of coffee and chocolate with a hint of cinnamon drifts to his nostrils.
(It was Becky's suggestion to name it after a drink from one of her favorite literary sci-fi series, but surely they can come up with a more appealing name.)
He takes a speculative sip, adds a little crystallized sweetener derived from a native tuber. It's been a bit of work for the Chemistry and Botany departments over the past year, finding local equivalents to so many things taken for granted back on Old Earth- sugar and soap and even shampoo. They've been toiling pretty hard for Janet and the hospital of late to augment their dwindling stock of medicines, especially after the severe illnesses brought on by this year's brutal winter.
Teal'c enters, serene as always. "Good morning, O'Neill, Major Carter, MacGyver."
Jack raises his cup in greeting. "Morning, T. You seeing anyone lately?"
Also as always he takes Jack's non sequitur literally. "Indeed I am not. Despite living on different worlds my mate Drey'auc and I enjoy a most cordial and satisfying relationship, much like you and Major Carter, or Becky Grahme and Daniel Jackson. There is no need to seek other companionship."
"Where are those two lovebirds, by the way?" Jack wonders. "They're gonna be late for the meet-up if they don't get a move on. Hey Mac, go and see what's keeping 'em, why don't ya?"
Mac shoots him an irritated glare- his brother would have to ask just after he got comfortable- but complies.
He finds Becky and Daniel in the lab, suited up and ready to go. Probably needed to do some last-minute research before the briefing.
They're standing close together, talking quietly. Lost in their own little world.
He deliberately hangs back, unwilling to intrude on their private moment.
"...So what do you say? I'm willing to take a chance if you are."
"I don't know. It's a big step. I mean, we've only been together a couple years."
"We've known each other longer than that, if you count Seattle and our correspondence. Which I do. This isn't just some casual relationship, not for me at least." Daniel takes Becky's hand in his, entwining their fingers. Leans in closer, as for a kiss.
She backs away to fiddle with a pile of papers, a flush tinting her cheeks. "It isn't casual for me either, you know that. It's just, um-"
"Just what?"
She swallows, her eyes dropping to the floor. "Nothing. I...I'll think about it, okay?"
"Okay. I really hope you'll say yes." He reaches out, touching her cheek. Naked longing in his gaze, even as she keeps hers downcast. "Ti amo, colibrì," he adds softly.
"Ti amo anch'io, corvo," she replies just as quietly.
Mac really doesn't want to interrupt at a time like this. But there's no choice.
He clears his throat. "Um, guys?"
"Unc? What are you doing here?" Becky turns towards him with palpable relief.
"Jack sent me to fetch you guys. Almost time for the others from Alpha to get here."
A klaxon abruptly begins shrieking, echoing throughout the compound. The PA system crackles to life. "Scheduled offworld activation from Alpha Base. Repeat, arrival from Alpha Base."
"Sounds like our cue," Daniel says. "Jack doesn't like to be kept waiting."
The Gate's already open when they arrive. As are the hangar doors directly behind it, to Becky's surprise.
The blue-white shimmer of the event horizon ripples. A blunt, slightly angled nose of some kind of craft emerges, followed by the rest of its roughly cylindrical shape.
She grins. "It's a shuttlecraft, like the ones on Star Trek."
"More like a small spaceship," Sam corrects her. "Designed for missions when it's too far to walk or too awkward to take one of the ATVs. We're building much larger ships at the base too, with help from the Asgard."
"That's why you and Mac spent last month as consultants with the scientists there, huh?"
"Uh-huh. Took a while for us to work out all the technical kinks. McKay even doubted this one would be ready in time for this mission."
Jack snorts. "Loudly and often, I bet."
"The understatement of the decade," Mac concurs with a rueful grin. "The guy doesn't know when to shut up."
Just away from the event horizon the craft executes a careful curve to the left, ruffling hair and sending loose papers flying in its wake but otherwise causing no damage. It slowly glides out of the hangar and neatly settles down on the landing field beyond, which happens to be the meadow where the Gate was originally located.
Becky's impressed. Whoever's piloting must be really good.
A second craft quickly follows before the Gate shuts off, landing precisely next to the first.
"Looks like the rest of our party's here," Jack says. "Let's go and say hi, campers."
A ramp in the rear of the ship lowers and three men step down, barely paying any attention to their surroundings for all their bickering. "Už dost!" Zelenka finally snaps. "I have had it up to here with you," raising his hand well above his head.
"Radek's right, Rodney. Bloody hell, will ye please stop complaining for once?" Beckett chides. "We're on a mission, for heaven's sake. Behave yourself or you'll be answering to Colonel Caldwell when we get back."
McKay glares at them. "Whatever. Do we have time to get a bite to eat? I'm starving."
"Always hungry, you are. Odpadky střeva," Zelenka adds in Czech under his breath. Daniel catches it, hiding a chuckle behind his hand.
"What did he say?" Becky asks him. He whispers in her ear, she unsuccessfully suppresses a snort of her own.
McKay's eyes narrow. "What's so funny, pipsqueak? And what are you doing on this mission, anyway?"
"Pipsqueak? Seriously? Surely a genius like you can come up with a better insult than that." She's more amused than insulted, actually.
He bristles. Reminds her of feisty Zoe Ryan, in a way. Never satisfied, always spoiling for a fight.
A defense mechanism, as her mom might say. Must've been bullied something awful as a kid.
"Relax, Rodney." Sheppard drawls, clapping him on the shoulder as he passes by. "She has as much right to be on this mission as any of us. Right, Dr. Jackson?"
"She knows Ancient better than anyone else here. Including me." Her cheeks warm at the unexpected compliment, even as she avoids the pleading look in his eyes.
"There, see? Now behave yourself. General, Colonel," offering a salute to Hammond and Jack.
Behind him two other officers from the second shuttlecraft follow suit, Major Lorne and Lieutenant Ford. Mac nods at them in friendly fashion and they nod in return, clearly recognizing each other from Alpha Base.
Becky waves to John. "Hey, big brother."
He winks back. "Hey yourself, little sister."
Jack raises an eyebrow but ignores their banter. "Nice piece of flying there, Major."
Sheppard grins. "They're beauties, aren't they sir? I'm calling 'em Puddlejumpers."
McKay scowls. "Puddlejumper, indeed. How many times do I have to tell you they're nothing like piddling commuter aircraft? They're Gateships. Ships that go through a Gate. The name couldn't be any more obvious."
Sheppard casually waves him off. "Same difference. Anyway they're ready to go, sir," he says to Hammond. "Should carry all of us there and back with ease."
"Excellent. Everyone, please join me in the briefing room. I believe Doctors Jackson and Grahme are ready to begin their presentation."
"Nervous?" Daniel asks softly as they head for the briefing room.
"Maybe a little," Becky admits with a one-sided shrug.
A gentle hand rests on her shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll do just fine. Um, about what I said earlier-"
She flinches from his touch. "I don't want to talk about it right now. Maybe later, okay?"
"Okay."
She focuses solely on her notes, unwilling to meet the hurt and worry in his eyes.
Mac listens with interest as Becky and Daniel make their joint case for the mission, laying out theories and speculations backed up by translations displayed on the monitor. He's still fond of archaeology and the topic's frankly fascinating.
Good thing Jack's letting him come along, and not only for him and Sam to do field tests of the improved sensor drone, either. He wouldn't want to miss this for the world.
Besides it's kind of a hoot, watching their complimentary talents come into play like this. Whenever Daniel's inclined to stray from the point with side anecdotes and obscure citations Becky keeps everything on course. He does the same for her in turn when she gets bogged down with details.
Jack has no problem paying attention for once, even seems to be getting a kick out of it. "So this isn't just one of their wacky little outposts?"
"Not at all," Becky confirms. "It's an entire city, though why it's located in the mountains instead of the middle of the valley remains a mystery."
"It's not just some other alien or human civilization we're talking about either, Jack," Daniel chimes in. "This is a city of the Ancients, the ones who created the Stargate network. It's a huge discovery."
"They certainly left behind quite the legacy when they disappeared," Sam concurs. "All that potential knowledge and technology. It outweighs anything else we've come across since first going through the Gate. Hopefully we can put it to good use."
Hammond nods his agreement. "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't have to remind you we need every advantage we can get over the Goa'uld, particularly with Anubis gaining power and influence over the other System Lords. If you can find anything in the city that might increase our offensive or defensive capabilities I will count this mission a success. Doctors, thank you for an informative presentation. Good luck, all of you. Dismissed."
Jack starts whistling a tune under his breath. With a start Mac realizes it's In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edward Grieg. Appropriate but odd all the same.
Who knew his own twin would gain an appreciation for classical music, of all things?
Talk about a mystery for the ages.
The Puddlejumpers head east. Soaring over the fields of experimental farms, a pretty patchwork of imported Old Earth plants interspersed with local versions being tested for human consumption. Soon fields give way first to meadows, then dense forests.
Sheppard's once again as pilot, Jack leaning back in the copilot's chair to enjoy the ride. Mac sits behind them with Sam in secondary passenger seats, while others are perched on benches or fold-out jumpseats further back. The roar of the engine keeps conversations muted.
On one such bench Mac notices Becky and Daniel sitting close together. She hands him a bottle of water and he accepts it with a smile, letting his fingers trail over the back of her hand. He asks her something and she quickly shakes her head, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Becky's reluctance is puzzling. They're usually pretty tight, even though they wisely tend to avoid public displays of affection during working hours, much less on a mission.
Mac's honestly glad she found someone, though he can't help feeling a bit left out all the same. They had such a close bond while she was growing up, but now it seems she's spending more time with Jackson than him. Yet he can't really begrudge her a chance at a lasting relationship either, what with being preoccupied himself with Janet and Cassie.
Nevertheless a small, stubborn part of him keeps insisting Becky's still an innocent little girl in pigtails, instead of an enlightened young woman in love.
Maybe he'll always worry about her, even after she marries and has a family of her own. Just part of being a parent, as Janet or even Allison might say.
Jackson had better mend his fences with Becky, and soon. He'd really hate to see his niece suffer a broken heart.
"We're coming up on the city, sir," Sheppard announces half an hour later.
"Good. Land us over there in that meadow, at two o'clock," Jack orders. "We can walk from there, assuming it's not booby-trapped on the way. God knows what those wacky Ancients left behind."
Both Jumpers settle and everyone disembarks, stretching and arranging their gear.
A sudden long, drawn-out howling sends a chill down Mac's spine. Jack and others automatically reach for their weapons, equally startled.
"What the hell was that?" Ford's eyes are wide behind the sights of his P90.
"Direwolves, Lieutenant Ford," Teal'c says, hefting his staff. "A most dangerous predator species. There have been incursions into the settlement by their packs, doing considerable harm to the animals and crops raised by the farmers."
Daniel frowns. "According to the latest survey by Zoology there haven't been any around here for the good part of a year. Wonder why they're back."
"Whatever the reason, it can't be good." Becky's hand twitches toward the serpentine weapon in its holster, the one Jack calls a zat.
Mac's dismayed she has to carry it, even though it has a stun setting. He still refuses to carry a weapon himself but ruefully acknowledges their necessity, especially since they've had to compete with the direwolves for dominance over the past couple years.
"We'll keep an eye open if they show up," Jack says, putting on his sunglasses. "Let's move out, campers."
They walk through the woods for a while. There are more howls yet no other visible signs of the direwolves' presence.
Entering the city is easy. Through a massive open archway, down a broad stone avenue flanked by buildings. The elevation's about three thousand feet or so above sea level, according to readings from the sensor drone.
Beautiful. Unreal.
And eerily quiet, save for the occasional call of avians, their footsteps and the soft whirring of the drone hovering ahead of them. Too much so for Mac's liking.
Apparently Jack feels the same, filling the silence with his usual levity. "So what've we got here, Carter? Did they hire the same architects and building crew like everywhere else, or what?"
She studies the tablet in her hand. "According the readings from the drone the buildings do have the same composition as other Ancient sites, sir. Stone laced with naquadah for durability."
"So crude-looking," Becky comments. "Like they've been carved right out of the mountain. And huge! The Ancients weren't ones to build small, were they?"
McKay sniffs. "Yes, yes, thank you for the observation, Miss Obvious."
"That's Doctor Obvious to you," Sheppard gently chides, with an apologetic glance at Becky. Amazing how he can take the scientist's constant abrasiveness in stride.
Interesting relationship she's struck up with him over the past couple years, Mac muses. Apparently he reminds her of Chris, after a fashion. Weird hair, though.
"The Ancients did everything big," Daniel admits. "Durable, too. Their structures tend to last for millions of years, barring disasters. Remember the Repository of Knowledge on P3R-272?"
"As if I could forget," Jack groans. "Not a picnic, let me tell you."
An air of abandonment pervades the place, like the Ancients just up and walked away from everything, in one fell swoop. Remarkably well-preserved, considering.
"So what exactly happened to these Ancients?" Mac asks Daniel.
"We've just barely scratched the surface, really. There's still a lot about their civilization we don't know. Apparently they fell victim to some sort of plague, one too big and deadly to deal with for all their technological advances. As a result they abandoned practically the whole galaxy."
"So where did they go?"
"Well, many left the Milky Way altogether, though to where we have no idea. Others sought Ascension-"
"-Which is what exactly, people turning into disembodied spirits? More mind than matter?"
Daniel nods. "Something like that. Or maybe just a transfer to another plane of existence."
"Úžasný. How might that come about?" Zelenka wants to know.
"Remember the first law of thermodynamics? Energy can neither be created or destroyed, but it can transition between states," Sam explains. "Apparently the Ancients believed it applied to a person's life force, too. They certainly were further along the evolutionary path than us, to make the transition from matter to energy possible."
Eventually they come upon a single massive tower in the heart of the city. Possessing no obvious entrance, just a high, smooth, solid wall.
"Dead end?" Jack quips.
"It would appear so, O'Neill," Teal'c notes. "No other means of access are visible at this time."
A loud howling echoes through the silent city, answered by yips and wails in many directions.
"Man, that sounded awfully close," Ford says with a shiver.
"Yeah." Jack sighs, tilts up the brim of his cap. "We gotta get in that tower, and soon. Daniel, Becky, McKay, you're up. Find us a door, willya?"
"Like he expects us to just wave our hands and say 'Open Sesame', or something," Rodney grumbles.
"Probably not that easy," Daniel agrees. "The Ancients did like their tests."
Becky carefully studies the wall, even pulling out her penlight for more illumination. "There's something unusual about this surface, guys." Tentatively she passes a hand across the material.
McKay all but smacks it away. "Idiot! Do you want the tower to come crashing down on top of us? It could be booby-trapped, for all we know!"
Daniel comes to her side, protectively. "Rodney-"
She holds up a hand. "No, it's okay. I get his concern, even though I don't think it applies here. See, it looks smooth but it isn't. Got a very subtle texture, almost as if..."
"As if what?" Showing less concern as her boyfriend, more shared interest as a colleague.
"...As if they're Ancient letters, though etched small enough so they're not immediately visible. But there's a pattern..." brushing her fingers along the surface. She frowns in concentration, then nods. "Yeah, that's it. Two phrases, repeating over and over again. Anyone got paper and pencil?"
Daniel hands them to her and she places the paper flat against the wall, rubbing with the side of the pencil until the letters are revealed. "Yep," she says with satisfaction. "There they are."
"So what do they say, Beck?" Mac comes up alongside, just as curious as the others.
"Receperint de póli in terra. Dicere, amici, et eiságete. Basically, welcome to the City of Earth. Speak, friends, and enter."
"So if you're a friend just speak the password, and you can enter." McKay scowls. "Great! All we have to do is wait a million years or so and eventually it'll come to us. Unless we turn into dinner for direwolves first."
Ford's brow furrows. "I dunno, Dr. McKay. Something about it sounds awfully familiar to me."
"Yeah, me too," Becky admits. "But what?"
The wheels are already turning in Daniel's head. "Approximately 50,000 words in the Ancient language that we know of. As it's similar to Latin we need to multiply by three distinct genders, seven noun cases, five declensions, four verb conjugations, four verb principal parts, six tenses, three persons-"
McKay throws his hands over his head. "That's over 1,500,000 possible passwords! We'll never figure it out in time. Do we have an exit strategy?"
"Do we have a what?"
"Oh my god, we're all going to die."
More howls and yips even louder than before, punctuating the rising sense of urgency.
"Damn, they're getting closer." Jack hefts his P90. "Get a move on with crunching that password, guys. We're gonna need to get inside soon."
A direwolf appears at the other end of the street, growling softly. Then another. Advance scouts for the pack, without a doubt.
Beckett and Zelenka quickly huddle next to Mac and the others. Sheppard, Lorne, and Ford take up secondary defensive positions in front of them but behind Jack, Sam and Teal'c.
Mac swallows, starts checking his pockets. Maybe he can come up with something for a diversion, at the very least...
In the meantime Daniel's been scribbling madly on the notepad. Finally removes his glasses, rubs at his brow in frustration. "Damn, this is hard. Too many possibilities."
"Well, since we're dying," McKay says with resignation, "at least it's among friends."
Becky's eyes widen, then she starts to laugh. "Friends. Of course! Rodney, you really are a genius," slapping him lightly on the arm.
He puffs up a bit. "Well, people have said."
Daniel looks at her as if she's gone nuts. "Um, you okay?"
"Never better." She faces the wall, spreads her arms wide. "Amici! "
Nothing happens.
"Darn it. Thought for sure that'd work." Absently she reaches out, touching the wall.
Which lights up, or at least where her hand's resting.
She pulls back, quickly. "What the-"
"Becky, do that again," Daniel says, eyes wide. "But this time say the word as well."
"Right." She places her hand on the same spot. "Amici," she whispers. "Oh, please open."
Silver lines appear and spread, slowly outlining a doorway where no crack or seam had been visible before. It divides in two, opening outward. Lights blink on inside, one by one, illuminating a corridor.
"That's my girl." Jack grins, patting her on the shoulder as he takes point. "C'mon, let's get inside before those wolves get any ideas."
"What did you say?" Mac asks Becky as they fall in with the others behind him.
"Amici. Means friends in Ancient."
"How'd you figure that was the password, though?"
She grins. "The advantages of being a bookworm, Unc."
The interior of the tower is airy and light and open. Stark contrast to the rugged appearance of its exterior, even as warm earth tones keep it grounded at the same time.
Rooms and adjoining corridors lighten up immediately as they pass by.
"Freaky," Sheppard mutters under his breath.
Mac can only agree. This place gives him the creeps.
"Interesting," Lorne says after a while. "The architecture's like a mix of Frank Lloyd Wright and Art Deco, with touches of abstract motifs. Almost organic in a way."
"You're into art and design, Major?" Mac asks him.
He shrugs. "I like to paint in my spare time."
Eventually they reach a central hall or atrium of sorts, where Jack calls for a lunch break. Mac easily catches the MRE pouch and water canteen tossed his way and sits, leaning against a nearby wall.
Daniel hunkers down beside him. "Um, hi. Can we talk?"
"Sure."
While they eat the archaeologist picks at his food and steals the occasional bewildered glance at Becky across the way, chatting with Zelenka and Beckett and studiously avoiding him.
"Something on your mind, Daniel?" Mac prompts him gently.
"You've known Becky a long time, right?"
"All her life." He can't help the dry tone.
"Right. Of course." He looks down, scuffing the toe of his boot against the floor. "I honestly thought it made sense at the time. I mean, we're both night-owls, and she's at my place more often now than with you and Jack. So I thought, since that's the case why not make it a permanent arrangement?"
Mac's eyebrows rise. "You mean you proposed to her?"
"What? No! Don't get me wrong," Daniel adds quickly, "I love your niece, very much. But we're not ready for marriage. At least I'm not. Thing is-" He sighs, rubs the back of his neck. "I asked her to move in with me. But I guess she got spooked or something, and now she refuses to talk about it. I honestly have no idea what I did wrong. Could you talk to her?"
Mac blanches. He really does not want to get in the middle of this. Especially when it involves his niece. No way.
Such an anxious look in Daniel's eyes behind the glasses, though. And he likes the guy.
Not to mention he's been good for Becky, and she for him.
"Look, I'm flattered you think I still have any sort of influence over her. But you gotta realize she's more than capable of making her own decisions about things. You've heard the phrase, old soul in a young body?"
"Yeah..."
"That's her. She's always been more mature than others her age, growing up. Independent-minded yet conscientious at the same time, you know?"
Daniel nods. "That's one of the things I noticed about her from the start. And one of the things I like the most about her, too."
"You've probably also realized by now that when she loves, it's with her whole heart and soul."
"Yeah, I have." A fond, almost secretive smile. Probably remembering things about their relationship over the past couple years Mac doesn't even want to imagine.
"So you probably just blindsided her a bit. Be patient and give her time, okay? But don't force the issue, that'd spook her even more."
"I won't. Thanks for the advice, Mac."
"No problem."
"You two done chatting yet?" Jack stands up, wipes his hands on his trousers. "Break's over, people. We can't stay holed up in here forever while those direwolves are outside, so let's talk strategy."
Becky hates to admit it but she's getting bored just sitting around, waiting for Jack and the others to decide what to do about their situation.
Daniel keeps glancing in her direction but she can't talk to him right now. Not after what he asked her this morning in the lab.
Might as well do some quick exploring on her own. They'll never notice her gone.
A shadowed alcove in a nearby corner catches her eye. With a backward glance at the others she steps inside, her hand brushing against a panel.
Which lights up. A symbol and line of Ancient text appears on its surface: imperium locus.
Well, why not?
A door closes behind her. An odd sensation, as if moving yet not. Completely unlike a typical elevator.
Within seconds the door opens onto a space roughly hexagon-shaped. The same warm earth tones as the rest of the tower, interspersed with blue panels. A throne of sorts resides on a hexagonal dais in the center of the room.
Panels begin to glow and display information as she passes by. Just like downstairs.
Weird.
Moreover there's a hushed air of expectancy. Waiting for something.
Or someone.
She should be scared- or at least cautious- but for some reason she's not. It's peaceful and quiet here, away from everyone else.
Good. Just what she needs, right now.
She dearly loves Daniel, but living together's an awfully big step in her eyes. Next thing to marriage, for crying out loud. Neither of them are ready for a long-term, permanent arrangement- or so she thinks- but apparently he wants to take their relationship to the next level. Which she finds kinda scary, to be honest.
Might as well sit and have a bit of a think, as her dad used to say. Looks like the perfect place to do it.
Becky steps up onto the dais and sits, short legs dangling like they do on most chairs. Of their own volition her hands come to rest on pads embedded within the armrests.
~Confirmatus sanguine Alteranus. Imperium sella energopoiiméni.~
Her eyes widen. "Who said that?"
The chair lights up, tilting her backwards.
"What on earth-"
~Nevrikí diepafí dimicent.~
Her consciousness is suddenly yanked out of her body, without so much as a by-your-leave.
Dragged down deep, into the bowels of the earth-
-suffocating darkness and pressure surrounding her, a heavy, crushing weight-
-buried alive.
Oh god-Oh god-Oh god. Not again-Not again-Not again!
A familiar panic rising, overwhelming her senses-
A warm, soothing voice calms from within. Be brave. There is nothing to fear. Your body is safe, it's all in your mind.
Be brave. Right.
She can do this. Time to get a grip.
Along with lessons in staff fighting Teal'c has also taught her a form of kel'no'reem over the past couple years. She steels herself, grounds and centers her thoughts. Stilling her mind into a state of receptiveness.
Hello. I mean you no harm. Can we talk?
Consciousness expands into the rock surrounding her, patterns and particles of minerals in varying compositions. The orderly matrices of unmined control crystals. The heated flow of lava running like veins through rock. Plasma boiling deep within, keeping the molten iron core of the planet spinning on its steady progress through the solar system.
A sudden shift in perspective. Light, a shimmering multicolored glow, amber and russet and a clear pale gold.
~ Ave, Domina. Huy-Brasealis est. Gratam te póli sas.~
...Come again?
An odd feeling, like something rummaging around in her mind. Prying into all manner of dusty corners.
~My pardon, Domina. Perhaps you will understand better this way.~ A more masculine voice than before, rich and warm. Eerily similar to her father's. ~I am Huy-Brasealis. Welcome to your city.~
Huy-Braesealis? As in-
~Yes, as in a passage you once translated: Huy-Braesealis, astria sto pro oculo prostasía. Quinque pénte puncta energopoiísete.~
Huy-Braesealis. Hy-Brasil. Incredible.
~I apologize for the intrusion into your memories. Your command of Alteran is impressive, but I find it easier to communicate with you in your own language.~
Alteran?
~ Also known as Anquietas, or in your language the Ancients. You are of their bloodline, as are your uncles and two other individuals I sense.~
Images of Carson and John flash in her mind. Huh. Who knew they all had something in common?
~I was programmed to awake from hibernation when those with the correct bloodline activate the door and pass through. I have been waiting a very long time for you, Domina.~
How long?
~Ten thousand years.~
...Wow. That's a long time.
~Indeed. But now that you have awakened me, we can begin. How may I be of assistance?~
She can't even begin to wrap her head around this. Ten thousand years!
All that time waiting. And for her, apparently.
Bad enough she once bore Witness to the end of the world. Now a whole Ancient city's talking in her head, calling her its Lady.
Just when she thought the universe couldn't get any more nuts.
All right. First, tell me how to handle the direwolves outside, then we'll figure where to go from there.
~As you wish, Domina.~
There's something definitely off about this place, John Sheppard decides. And not only because it's an alien city millions of years old where the lights turn on if he takes even one step inside a room.
No, it's this itchy creeping feeling he's got in the back of his head. Like something wants his attention, really bad.
Freaky, without a doubt.
Finally the itch gets to be too much. On impulse he drifts away from the group, towards a shadowed alcove that seems to be calling him in. His hand casually comes to rest on a panel.
Which lights up.
A door closes behind him. An odd sensation of movement. Not your typical elevator, that's for sure.
The door opens onto a room roughly hexagon-shaped, same warm earth tones as downstairs, monitors here and there showing activity. A throne on a dais sits in the center of the room, lighted in the same blue glow as the monitors.
And Becky Grahme's sitting on it, of all people. Leaning back with eyes closed, the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest the only indication she's even alive.
He can't keep his eyes off her. He's come to see her as the little sister he never had, ever since the time he rescued her from the clutches of Lieutenant Albert Norris, still confined to Gamma Base for the foreseeable future.
The radio chirps. "O'Neill to Sheppard."
"Sheppard here. What can I do for you, Colonel?"
"Have you seen my niece? We can't raise her on the radio."
God. What's he gonna say? This place is nuts.
"I'm looking at her right now, sir."
"So what's she doing? Is she okay? C'mon Major, I'm not in the mood to play twenty questions."
"She's fine. She's just...reclining."
"...Reclining?" He can just imagine O'Neill's puzzled expression.
"Yes, sir."
"Is there any way you can stop her from...reclining, Major?"
"All due respect sir, I wouldn't. She's, um, a bit preoccupied right now."
"Preoccupied?"
"Uh-huh."
An exasperated sigh. "Sheppard, where the hell are you and how do we get there?"
He glances around. "Some kind of control room sir, with a throne in the center."
"A throne. In which my niece is reclining."
"Yes, sir. Are you still in the atrium?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"In the northwest corner there's some kind of a transporter with direct access to here. She must've come across it first."
"...Okay, we see it now. Sheesh, it looks cramped. Better make two trips, guys...Hey, that panel just lit up when I touched it. That happen to you, Sheppard?"
"Yes, sir. Not sure why."
"Me, neither. What's it say, Danny? Control room? Must be the place. We'll be there directly, Major. Keep an eye on her in the meantime, willya?"
"Copy that, sir." John sighs and slouches against one wall, crossing his arms.
The whole time Becky's remained unconscious in that damned chair.
She'd better be okay, whatever's going on in her head.
Because he's so not looking forward to facing two extremely protective uncles- not to mention her boyfriend- if anything happens to her.
Why, he might even join Norris in exile. And that won't do at all.
There are some days lately Mac's certain he's back in Los Angeles having the strangest lucid dream ever, the result of watching too many sci-fi movies with Becky.
This is one of them.
He keeps wanting to pinch himself, seeing her reclining in that weird lit-up alien chair while Sam, McKay, Daniel and the others do their thing.
Jack smirks at him. "Nope, you're not dreaming."
"I read the reports, but...I mean, does this sort of thing happen often to you guys?"
"Yeah. Though usually it's Daniel who touches something and gets us into trouble." The archaeologist shoots him a mild glare from where he's sitting on the dais, sketching and making notes of the control room.
Beckett backs away from the chair, tucking a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff back into his medical kit. "Your niece is fine, Colonel. Heartbeat steady and blood pressure normal. Nothing wrong as far as I can tell. Just unconscious."
"Any way you can wake her up, snap her out of it?"
"I wouldn't recommend it," McKay snaps, tapping on a laptop plugged in to the chair. "There's no way of knowing yet how deeply connected she is to the city. Only an idiot would yank her out of the chair right away, if they want to seer her fall into a vegetative state or worse."
Mac blinks. "Connected? You mean this place is talking to her?"
"The chair is really an advanced neural interface," Sam explains from the other side, working on her own computer. "There's a distinct feedback channel going on between her and the city. So yes, it seems they are talking to each other."
Jack sighs. "So the upshot is we have to wait until the conversation's over and she wakes up. Right, Carter?"
"That's basically it, sir."
"Great. Better stand down for a while, campers. She does like sleeping in."
Mac grimaces. Patience has never been his strong suit. He wants to wake her up right now, get her as far away as possible from this creepy place, even though it might make matters worse in the long run.
Most of all he hates feeling so darn useless.
A large, dark-skinned hand rests on his shoulder. "Do not fear, MacGyver. Your che'sula is strong for a scholar, and very brave. All will be well."
"Thanks, Teal'c. I appreciate it." Sometimes he wonders if anything's ever rattled the Jaffa. He has a feeling he wouldn't want to be around the guy if it does.
"Hey-" McKay frowns at his laptop. "The readings have changed. There's less activity."
"There is," Sam agrees. "And the feedback channel's disappeared."
The lights on the chair go out as it raises Becky to a sitting position.
Everyone holds back, trading worried glances. Unsure what will happen next.
Finally Jackson comes forward, gently touching her arm. "Becky?"
Her eyes slowly open, blink several times in succession, finally focusing on him. "Daniel?"
"Yeah, it's me. You're safe now. I've got you." As he speaks he enfolds her in his arms, pulling her away from the chair and down onto the floor.
She collapses against him with a low cry, holding him tight. He murmurs soft words of love, his hands caressing her, soothing away her fears. Giving her a reason to reestablish her connection with him and everyone else present.
Nonetheless Mac's filled with a fierce longing to shove him aside, hold her in his own arms. Protect her as he's always done.
As if reading his thoughts Daniel shakes his head and gives him a knowing glance that says, I know you'd rather be in my place but relax, I've got this.
He nods reluctant agreement, feeling a little pain in his heart as his little girl grows up and away from him, just that much more.
Eventually she pulls away, staring wide-eyed first at Daniel, then everyone else. "What...What happened? What am I doing here?"
"Easy, lass," Carson says, kneeling next to her. "Just want to take a quick look at ye. Follow my finger with your eyes...that's it." He does a few more basic neurological tests. "Nothing appears to be wrong. Though Janet ought to do a couple scans when we return to base, just to be sure."
A collective sigh of relief. Jack wipes at something in his eyes. Mac's have gone a bit misty as well, he has to admit.
She struggles to stand, waving away offers of help. Staggers a bit. "Whoa..."
Daniel quickly wraps an arm around her shoulders. "It's okay. I'm here."
Her brow furrows, as if trying to remember something. "Huy... Huy..."
"What was that?"
"Huy-Brasealis," she whispers.
He frowns slightly, uncomprehending. Then his eyes widen. "You're sure?"
She nods. "That's what it calls itself. The city's sentient, or at least the AI running it is."
"An artificial intelligence?" Rodney stares at her in frank incredulity. "Active after all this time?"
"No. Hibernating mostly, until we came along. Our presence woke it up again- mine, and you guys. It...he...has been waiting for us. For a very long time."
Mac raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean, us guys?"
"You, Jack. John and Carson, too."
Such a matter-of-fact tone to her voice, which makes him more than a little freaked out. An AI had tried to kill him once, back on Old Earth. And here he is facing another one, in an Ancient city light-years away from his lost homeworld.
Definitely one of those days.
"Ah!" Beckett's eyes are alight with wonder. "I was right!"
"Your ATA gene theory?" Radek asks.
"Aye. Ancient technology needs contact with someone carrying a specific gene to be activated. Which is most likely why you were the only one who could access the Repository of Knowledge, Colonel."
"Oh, just peachy," Jack sighs.
"Becky, John, Mac, would ye mind if I take a few blood samples from each of you after we return to base?"
Mac shares a glance with them, who both shrug their assent. "Sure, doc. Glad to help."
"Brilliant."
Jack grumbles under his breath about big needles.
Mac chuckles. "Still afraid, huh?"
"Don't you start." He clears his throat, adjusts his cap. "I think we've done enough for now, folks. Time to head back home. You good to walk, Beck?"
Her first few steps are faltering, but the rest are more steady. "Yeah, I think I can manage."
"Terrific. Let's blow this pop stand."
The direwolves' growls are audible even from inside.
"Wonderful," McKay grumbles. "Probably the whole pack's out there by now."
Jackson reluctantly hefts his own P90, moves to join his team. Jack waves him back. "Stay back with the others. We got this."
"Jack..."
"Daniel." His gaze flicks back to Becky, softens. "Keep an eye on my niece, okay? Right now she needs you more than we do."
"But-" he begins, then sighs. "Okay."
"Atta boy. Remember the plan, people. Push them back enough for us to get through, but fire only if they attack. Don't want things to escalate any more than they have to. Got it?" Murmurs of assent. "All right, move out."
Jack, Sam and Teal'c take point. Mac keeps to the middle with Becky, Daniel and the other scientists. Sheppard, Lorne, and Ford fall back to the rear, prepared to form their own protective circle around the civilians if necessary.
The door swings outwards. A sizeable pack of direwolves waiting as expected, watching them intently.
Mac swallows, wishing he could find something to grab as a weapon if need be. The Ancients left the place remarkably tidy, all things considered. Which doesn't help in the slightest.
"Good doggies. Nice doggies." Jack takes one cautious step forward, then another. "We won't bite if you won't, okay?"
The pack backs up with them, then pauses as their alpha comes forward. A barked command and some of the pack falls behind, surrounding the team.
"We should expect their attack at any time, O'Neill," Teal'c states.
"I hear you, T. But I'm banking they won't unless provoked."
"Unless their alpha gets bored and decides to have us for dinner." McKay's stomach grumbles. Some of the direwolves perk up at the sound. "Whoops."
"For god's sake don't encourage them, Rodney," Carson mutters. "They might be hungry."
"Stow it, you two," Jack warns, his gaze steady on the alpha.
The pack follows their slow, steady progress down the avenue, keeping them surrounded them the entire time.
"What are they waiting for?" Daniel wonders.
"Their alpha to make the first move, more than likely," Mac replies, recalling what he'd learned about wolf pack behavior for a Phoenix assignment. Seems to apply here as well.
The alpha stops, turns to face them. Settling into a crouching position, growling softly.
"Had enough of the game, huh?" Jack raises his weapon. "Look sharp, everyone. When I say run-"
The alpha springs into action with a mighty leap. Jack fires, striking the direwolf square in the chest.
Seeing their leader down does little to discourage the rest, surprisingly. Everyone does their best to fend off the ensuing attack, though bullets and energy blasts prove to be useless as a deterrent, even as many are killed or wounded.
McKay uses the drone to remotely attack the wolves, with varying results until one swats it aside with a massive paw. "This is completely hopeless," he moans. "We're all going to die, I just know it."
"Always the optimist, huh?" Mac grabs at a fallen branch and holds it out in Becky's direction. "Beck, think you can set this on fire?" She fires her zat and the branch ignites. He waves it at the charging wolves, driving them away.
"Time for a strategic retreat, folks," Jack calls out. "Head for the Jumpers!"
Nobody needs to be told twice.
The direwolves follow them through the forest, close enough to be worrisome.
Mac can't shake the feeling they're being toyed with, the thought sending chills up his spine.
One wolf feints from the side, distracting him enough to trip over a tree root. He hits the ground, hard. Grits his teeth at the sudden, shooting pain lancing up his right leg.
"Unc!" Becky hurries to his side. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," he insists. "Go on, get out of here. Don't worry about me."
She scowls. "Absolutely not. We haven't gone through the end of the world together only to lose each other this way. I won't have it. I'm putting a stop to this, right now." She stands, facing the approaching pack head on.
Her defiance absurdly reminds him of the time she got between him and Murdoc, desperate to protect him despite her injuries. "Becky, no. It's too dangerous-"
She smiles at him, oddly serene. "It's okay, Unc. I know what I have to do." She holds her arms in front of her, palms forward. "Apage!"
A sound more felt than heard emanates from the direction of the city, echoing through the forest.
The direwolves begin to whine and back away from them, until finally with much yowling and whimpering turn and run off, soon disappearing from sight.
The sound stops, as abruptly as it began.
"Bohudíky," Zelenka mutters, wiping his brow. "That was close."
Ford lowers his weapon, blinking in surprise. "Um, what just happened?"
Jack stares after the retreating pack, shaking his head. "Well I'll be doggone, as Harry used to say."
Mac groans as Carson wraps his ankle in a bandage. "Seriously, Jack? That's awful."
"Hey, it's not every day we face down a whole pack only for them to run away with their tails between their legs at the last minute. Right, Beck?"
A faint moan behind him as she slowly collapses.
"Becky?" Daniel catches her before she hits the ground, eyes wide in alarm. "Carson!"
Beckett comes to her side, checks her out. "She's all right, poor lass. Just fainted."
"What the hell was that?" McKay demands. "What did she do?"
"Got the city to produce sound waves or vibrations, at a guess," Sam suggests. "At a frequency too low for us to hear, but obviously enough to affect them." Her eyes widen. "Of course! We could do something similar around the settlement perimeter, as a nonlethal deterrent against the packs."
Mac nods. Her excitement's contagious. "Yeah. A continuous series of transmitters every few meters apart, coupled with detectors keyed to their heat signatures or pheromones or similar-"
"-Individually powered by photovoltaic cells," Zelenka chimes in. "When predators approach, the transmitters go off, emitting pulses of infrasound-"
"-Creating a flexible barrier to keep them away, adaptable to any terrain. Completely doable!" McKay adds triumphantly.
Sheppard smirks, ruefully shaking his head. "Doesn't take much to set 'em off, does it sir?"
Jack snorts his agreement. "You got that right. Hey Teal'c," noticing his friend's struggling with her limp form, "give Danny a hand with Becky, won't you?"
"Do not worry, Daniel Jackson." He takes her, lifting her easily in his arms. "I will convey your mate with the utmost care."
"Um, Teal'c? She's not my mate."
"Not yet." His expression's even more enigmatic, if that were at all possible.
Daniel falls into step alongside his teammate, clearly befuddled.
Lorne and Ford help Mac to his feet, supporting his weight between them.
Jack sighs, slipping on his sunglasses. "C'mon kids, let's get back to base. Been a hell of a day."
The ragtag group- battered and bruised but alive nonetheless- limps their way towards the Jumpers and home.
Another miraculous last-minute save. Mac wonders how long it'll take before their collective luck runs out.
Not for a very long time, hopefully.
She drifts in darkness. But comforting now, no longer threatening, her claustrophobia long gone.
"Becky? Becky, can you hear me?"
She blinks at the light stabbing into her eyes. "Wha...?"
Janet tucks it away, helps her to sit up a little. "Easy, now. It's just me. You're in the infirmary."
"Where are my glasses? Everything's blurry."
"Here they are." Daniel hands them over, adjusts his own. Offers a tentative smile. "Hey."
"Hey yourself. You okay?"
"Yeah. I have to admit this is kinda awkward for me. Usually I'm where you are after a mission."
"Tell me about it." Jack's straddling a nearby chair, grinning at them. "It's a wonder Janet doesn't charge you rent, for all the times you wind up here."
"Jack..."
An innocent shrug, as if saying, You started it. "Hey kiddo. Gave us a little scare, your passing out like that," he says softly. "Especially after saving Mac's life here."
"For which I'm grateful, even if what you did was a bit nuts." Mac beams at her from a neighboring bed, right leg in a fresh bandage and propped up with a pillow.
"Hey, Unc. How's the leg?"
"Better now. Janet wants me to stay overnight for observation, though. You remember what happened?"
"Not really. All I know is, we were being chased by direwolves, away from Huy-Braesealis. You stumbled, and I-" She frowns in thought. "After that it's kind of a blur. What did I do, exactly?"
"Stood up to the whole pack, is what," Jack informs her with a note of pride in his voice. "Sent 'em running off with their tails between their legs. Gotta admit I was impressed."
"But how?"
"You got the city to emit pulses of infrasound somehow," Mac explains, "which we couldn't hear but really bothered the wolves. Gave Sam an idea for a nonlethal perimeter defense of the settlement, though."
Becky blinks, thoroughly and genuinely bewildered. Unbelievable. Why is it she can never remember doing stuff like that? She winces, rubbing her head.
"Headache, huh? Like a whole lot of stuff got dumped into your brain?" Jack asks, sympathetically.
"Yeah. That's it exactly. How'd you know?"
"Been there, done that. Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on you." He shares a significant look with Daniel, who nods agreement.
Janet frowns. "If that's the case we'll get those scans done first thing tomorrow. Right now you need to rest, Becky. You too, Mac."
He grins. "Come by later with some of your special TLC, doc?"
"Just try and stop me. Don't think I haven't forgotten about that rain check."
"Looking forward to it." They gaze at each other happily enough. Downright adorable.
Jack rolls his eyes. "Oh for crying out loud, you two. Get a room, willya?"
Becky can't help giggling. "They've got one already. You're standing in it!"
He chuckles, bending to kiss her cheek. "I'll go see if I can pry Carter away from her inventions for the night. Coming, Danny?"
"Later, Jack. Can't you see I'm busy right now?"
"Yeah. Don't keep her up too late, okay? See you guys later." A cheeky wink as he leaves.
Daniel leans close to her, his expression tender as he strokes her cheek. "Is there anything I can do for you, colibrì?"
"Can I lean back against you for a while?"
"Sure." He scoots up behind her on the bed. A soft kiss to the top of her head, gentle, slow caresses down her body. Perfection.
Tears come to her eyes at the sweetness of it all. There's no way she can live without her gorgeous, clever, loving archaeologist. Not anymore.
He might get into trouble someday, with no way to save him. Jack and the others might, too. She's never gonna completely stop worrying about that, every time they go on a mission.
But it's no different than being a teenager, worrying about Mac on his Phoenix assignments. Isn't it?
Anything can happen to them, at any time. Even to her.
Best thing to do is live in the present, and deal with things as they happen. Bless Harry's memory for his sound advice.
Time to take a chance.
"Daniel?"
"Hmm?"
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes, I'll move in with you."
He looks down at her in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah. I'm so sorry for the way I treated you earlier. Guess I panicked, a little bit."
"You did," he admits, eyes twinkling with good humor. "But it's okay, I understand. I'm the one who should be sorry. You know you mean everything to me. I didn't mean to spook you like that."
"You mean everything to me too. I want our relationship to move forward, I really do." She reaches up to caress his cheek. "That is, if you're still willing?"
His smile is so warm and genuine- and seen much more often, these days. "Oh, Becky. I was hoping you'd say that. I'm so glad."
"Me too." They share a kiss, slow and sweet yet full of passion. She sighs in contentment, drawing strength from his solid, comforting presence and steady heartbeat.
Slips easily into a relaxed, receptive state.
Something stirs within her mind, but she's not afraid.
Somehow a portion of the city's AI had gotten transferred before the chair released her, tucking itself within a distant corner.
A portion of Huy-Braesealis, the City of Earth.
One of four cities, apparently. Legacies of the Ancients, just waiting to be discovered.
Are you well?
~Yes, Domina.~
You know how to conceal yourself from scans?
~Yes, Domina.~
Well. They want answers, right? Might as well start at the source.
And there was something she wanted to know about, now that the city's recalled it for her.
We have much to discuss soon, starting with the Astria sto pro Oculo- the Star in the Eye. I need to know how I can defend my people.
~I am at your service whenever you need me.~
Good. Sleep now.
~Yes, Domina.~ The portion goes dormant.
Daniel sighs happily, pulling her closer against his chest. "Ti amo, colibrì," he whispers.
"Ti amo anch'io, corvo. " She snuggles against him, secure in the knowledge she's no longer alone.
Inside or out.
Notes: This chapter brought to you by Google Translate, the Bing search engine, The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (guess which scene for bonus points!) and The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey.
Brief references to S2 E16 "The Fifth Race" and S2 E1 of classic MacGyver, "The Human Factor". Also to Family Resemblance Part II, in my Domestic Adventures 'verse.
For translations, see my latest addition to the series posted on A03, A Linguist's Guide to New Earth.