Daniel walked through first and walked down the pathway they had gone last time, Jack and Sam weren't too concerned nothing had happened last time, but a lot could change in a year, they both knew. When they arrived at the edge of the village, no one took too much notice of them, but a man Greali who recognized them before, welcomed the group.
Daniel quickly reintroduced Sam, Jack, and Teal'c and introduced Robert and Michelle. Daniel was honest a little too open about them coming back to the planet in Jack's opinion because Greali seemed to be wary of why they came back. Jack stopped Daniel.
"We would just like to see how it affects us, that's all," Jack claimed.
"We didn't exactly ask, how long people on your planet live for," Jack claimed.
"I know you said your planet is much different than our own, but I figure you Colonel must be 105 by now," Greali stated.
Sam couldn't hide her smile, and Robert snickered.
"I am not that old, I am pushing 46, but where I come from 105 is a rare feat. I assumed you to be no more than 40," Jack claimed.
"Oh, you do not have a long life at all. Our oldest village member is 265 years old. The oldest record we have is 285." Greali explained.
"Yes, we believe you, the ritual you shared with us last time may have something to do with that," Daniel claimed.
"Mmm, well, the ritual has been passed down for several generations, there was a time before when our kind had short lives, but we were shown the virtues and rituals and have lived long lives since," Greali stated.
"So you believe its combination virtues and rituals," Daniel claimed.
"Oh yes, the drinking ritual is the most important, but other rituals help with our physical health, and others with our mind," Greali explained.
"We were hoping you could tell us more," Daniel claimed.
"I will let Leader Shunal know you're here and see what we can do," Greali stated.
"Thanks!" Daniel claimed.
Jack and Sam were pointing out things to Michelle and Robert.
A little girl ran around the group, playing with a little boy.
"Come now, children, don't bother the outers." The man claimed.
Jack had forgotten that's what they called people who came through the gate. It seemed like it wasn't a regular occurrence the Gou'ald hadn't been by in some time; another group had traveled back and forth through the gate. Apparently, the people on this planet got it to dial out, but only to one planet similar to Earth and Abydos. The group of people on the other planet were just slightly advanced than this one. They traded goods, so when SG-1 came through last year, they weren't considered a threat. The village had been forewarned and claimed that some bad guys could come through the gate, but they were willing to take the risk. Apparently, another year has gone without issue.
The kids were running and giggling, and The group of 6 smiled as they headed toward the village.
Shunal was happy to have the guests learn of their culture. Daniel admitted that they were hoping to learn their ways, to see if people of Earth would have any benefit and learn the history of there people. Although Shunal wished they were learning it for more wholesome reasons, he felt if they knew the ways, at least people of Earth would have a chance to follow their belief.
They were allowed to stay at the village inn, an inn, for travelers. From what Daniel could gather, the planet had several other villages throughout the land. They would often travel to other parts of the world. They had creatures similar to horses that had stouter bodies and slightly shorter legs and necks. The people used this animal for transportation and help with crops.
The group of 6 had left the heavier items at the inn, took needed supplies, and walked out to the village, seeing what people would tell them, see what they were to expect, and meet back.
Sam and Robert went one direction. Michelle and Teal'c the other and Daniel and Jack yet another agreeing to meet before mealtime to go over the information they received.
Sam had to admit even though they'd been through the gate on-off, she still hadn't really gotten to know Robert. With Jack's injuries as of late and all SG-11 spending time in their labs, it didn't seem as though she really got to see the man.
"Robert, I know we really haven't had time to mingle, is SG-1 treating you okay?" Sam asked.
Robert looked at her, confused.
"I mean, General Hammond was right, Teal'c, Daniel and the Colonel we don't mean too, but we seem to have silent conversations, and we know each other plans. We're in tune with each other, I was hoping they were letting you in." Sam claimed.
Robert nodded.
"I really think Jack is trying too; Teal'c is pretty quiet, though," Robert explained.
"That's what he is used too, just talk to him, he'll open up," Sam claimed.
Robert nodded.
"If I may ask, is everything okay between you and Colonel O'Neill?" Robert asked.
It was Sam's turn to give a confused look.
"Well, when we spent those days waiting to get back to the gate, Jack seemed pretty weary without out you, and it's hard not to overhear things, he was talking a lot with Jacob," Robert claimed.
"Yeah, we're okay." Sam smiled.
"So, have you done a mission like this before?" Sam asked.
"Not really, with SG-2, we seemed to find our self trying to escape, not trying to be welcomed in," Robert claimed.
Sam smiled.
"Well, that was our case too, but every once in a while we have to charm someone," Sam explained.
The pairs went off, interviewing villagers of all ages, and met back. The inn they stayed at had 2 rooms available but had ample space for three and three; the gathering place to the house there meeting with all 6 was a bit tight, but they squeezed in, sat down, and discussed what they had found out.
What they had found out was that the virtues seemed to be: Do no harm to others. Care for one another. Try to do better daily. Learn from the elders, and make the planet better than you found it.
The rituals included the drinking ritual, every month, or when something of a significant celebration occurred. The village would drink from the pitcher that Daniel had been studying the pictures of the villagers claimed that water is life, and drinking from the pitcher promotes vitality. Every 2 months, there was a ritual regarding burning herbs similar to a sage burn meant to clean the mind and spirit. The third ritual was a meditation done when someone was looking for guidance, there was no specific time for this ritual, and everyone did it as they needed. The fourth ritual was only at harvest, where they would give the first picked vegetables to the animals for their health and well being, to show how the people needed the animals just as much as everything else. There were other rituals regarding birth and death and coming of age as almost all cultures had, and they ruled them out as being the ones they would need to see, but they all agreed they were will to attend them if the chance arose.
Dinner came, and they were called to the inns dining table similar to a bed and breakfast with a massive table in the middle. The 6 of them, along with 4 other people, were there, and a vegetable stew and bread were on the table and butter and some type of jam. Sam remembered the food being good and no stomach issues. She was hoping that would be the case again and grabbed a bowl.
Greali had come by the inn as they were finishing their meal and told them that they would attend the first ritual tomorrow, which was already planned and was the herb burning that occurred at dusk.
SG-1 and 11 collected some various samples and helped the villagers with their work and talked to them about Earth culture when asked. The days were much longer on this planet than on Earth, it seemed to have a 32-hour cycle, and people were awake for 22 and asleep for 10. The group was used to long nights, and it hadn't felt too bad when dusk finally came.
They followed all the villagers to the prominent gathering place like a town square. Greali met them and explained the ritual and gave them herbs. Daniel immediately sneezed, and Sam knew this may not end well for him.
Sam had never been to a sage burning before, Daniel and Robert were the only ones who had been, and the smoke was clean. Sam was expecting cough with all the burning herbs, but it was a pleasant smell and calming. Michelle brought up the fact it smelled like lavender, spearmint, and some other spice she couldn't figure out.
"Anise," Jack said.
They were all whispering, as the villagers chanted.
Greali explained that the words were an ancient language that had died out, and only a few elders know and pass down. It roughly translated, "let the healing smoke clear my body, mind ."
"This will last for several minutes," Greali stated and then proceeded to chant with the rest of the group.
Daniel mentioned it sounded like a dialect of ancient Romans. So tomorrow, he would see if there were any books or anything to give more detail.
After the ritual, the group all agreed that they felt cleaner and refreshed lighter than they had in a while. Sam took a blood sample as did the group of 6 and sent it back through the gate with radio transmission of the ritual.
They went back and settled at the inn, SG-11, in one room Sg-1 in the other. Daniel had told Sam he was surprised she didn't bunk with Jack, but Sam said she didn't feel it appropriate and dropped the subject.
The next few days went on, and they observed some people meditating. Greali met with Daniel and showed him a text, some he could decipher most he could not. He took pictures of passages that Greaki said were "lost to time." Greali explained what he could.
Sam looked at the star aliment and helped Michelle with various plant collections, water collection, anything that looked like it could be helpful. They took pictures of animals, and someone allowed them to take a blood sample of the horse-like creatures. Sam asked about medicines and collected samples of that as well.
Jack Teal'c and Robert surveyed the area looked for out of the ordinary caves, mountains, temples, shrines, anything physical that could explain the longevity of the people. After talking to some more villagers, it was only when they came of age that a villager could participate in the water ritual. It seemed if young children took part, they stayed a child for too long, and their brains didn't develop correctly. Jack gave this critical piece of information to Sam and Michelle when they met up that night.
The group had been comfortable with little safety concern, so after their third night, Jack asked Sam to take a walk with him. She quickly agreed, and when they walked away from the village, he reached for her hand.
"I like it a lot more when we're in this together," Jack told her.
"Me too," Sam stated.
"I know it's not always going to be like this," Jack stated.
"Well, pink moonlit walks around the river doesn't sound like a regular outing," Sam stated.
They looked up at the stars.
"It's beautiful," Jack said.
"It's because of the atmosphere," Sam claimed.
Jack nodded.
"I know you guys have a lot more work, and SG-1 is going to be out in the field a lot more than you guys are, there is a lot of work to be done," Jack claimed.
"I know that too," Sam claimed.
"Jack, if this isn't what you want any more," Sam claimed.
"I want you, Sam, I want this, but I don't want to be doing it without you. Don't get me wrong, Robert is great. I am so glad I got to know him, and he's slowly warming up ." Jack claimed.
"You know it can't be both. Why don't you give it time? I'm not going anywhere. If, after a few months, it's still not what you want, then we'll cross that bridge. I don't want you to change because of me." Sam claimed.
"Sam, I wasn't even supposed to be here. I'd just lost Charlie, I'd lost Sarah, I was on my suicide mission, Sam I wasn't coming back." Jack claimed.
Sam knew this, she had never heard him say the words out loud, but she knew why the group of them went.
"Jack, please," Sam begged. They stopped at the edge of the water.
"Damn it, Sam, I was supposed to die, and instead I get a best friend, a family I never had, and now a wonderful woman by my side, how is that even fair?" Jack asked.
"Fair?" Sam asked.
"Yeah!" Jack claimed.
"So, you're angry that you're happy?" Sam asked.
"Is that crazy?" Jack asked.
Sam looked at his sad eyes.
"No," Sam answered because there had been several points in her life because she felt terrible for feeling happy after her mom died. She felt like she didn't deserve the way she felt. That good things weren't supposed to happen to her.
Sam pulled Jack in for a hug, and the two of them stood there for a really long time. Sam wasn't sure how long they were gone and had tried as quietly as possible to walk in, but Michelle and Daniel were still awake.
Daniel noticed Sam's facial expression.
"Do you want to talk?" Daniel asked.
"Just a lot on my mind, but everything is okay," Sam assured her friend.
"Why aren't you two asleep?" Sam asked.
"Probably the same reason you aren't, its been an odd few days," Michelle claimed.
Sam agreed.
The three talked about their final day tomorrow at sunrise is the water ritual, only 8 hours away. Daniel and Sam describe it as best as they can remember to Michelle. The group had decided that Daniel and Sam would both forgo drinking it, keeping their water for sampling. Everyone else would drink, and Jack would try to take as much as possible. Janet would see if the water was the answer.
The ritual was early in the morning, and sleepy villagers came because it was a celebration ritual; it was not expected for everyone to arrive, but Jack guessed about 75% of the villagers were there. Once again, the ceremony was explained to them, and the pitcher passed around to drink from. Same got her sample cup as well as Daniel being quick to pour and seal the water, slipping it in the pocket. The rest drank from the pitcher and chanted what was roughly translated "Water gives life to all."
Several villagers seemed happy to talk to SG-1 and 11 throughout the morning, knowing they were headed back to Earth. They got to know a few villagers pretty well, and they were invited to come back whenever they could. The group headed back to the gate, promising to return.
Janet quickly drew blood and compared it. She did every test she could think of even if it wasn't medical related. The teams had a few days downtime after the return, but there was already a mission for the 2 teams to come the following week. Sam was glad they would be together once again.
After two weeks, Janet had come back with the answers they were looking for. The water from the ritual was a mix of water, a high mineral content, and unidentified plant species. The mixture slowed the aging of cells throughout their body. Janet had been giving them all regular blood tests, and she could quickly tell Daniel and Sam had not drunk the water. The rest of the group had cells that weren't aging while Sam and Daniel were. Janet had guessed by drinking the water, the rest of the group had added about 1 month to their life span. She thought that with the rituals, there could be a building up in their system, giving years onto their life. Jack drinking more than everyone, didn't do anything different. Michelle's mission was to figure out if any of the samples she brought back matched the plant in the water, and if so, they would mix it with the plain water sample brought back and see if it had the same effect.
Ultimately it was found that the pitcher must activate something or something in the air because once they figured out what plant it was, it couldn't be recreated just like Teal'c said. The reports purposely left a lot out because they all knew that Washington would be chomping at the bit for longer life spans.
