Thank you for all your response's. I know you you all want to have quick updates, life has got unexpectedly busy. I'll try and update as often as I can. Hope you enjoy.

The solid weighty doors sprang into life. The intricate gold inlay set deeply into the crystal clear planks of glass that formed the door like a traditional heavy wooden door. The light bounced off the doors as it creaks open, like a haunted mansion but with fewer creepy-crawlies.

"Could this get any-more creepier?" Mitchell whispered.

Shmuel waved his hand over the grandeur of his theatrics as though it was something that was to be revered. He looked over the strange visitors of his land and his heart sank. They didn't look shocked or in awe over the sheer power that he possessed, no surprise was shown in his visitor's eyes – it caught him of guard. He was expecting more of a reaction than unchanged faces.

"The megaloprepis hall waits to converse our union." Shmuel mustered.

Shmuel fiercely pulled his robe as if it was an object that steers him, he marched forward at a mild pace running over the thoughts in his head. He couldn't believe the sheer lack of astonishment on the strange visitors face. Unlike the first ones that stumbled in shock. But not SG-1, no, they looked bored and rather dissatisfied with whole show.

Walking through the lavishly, long, elegant hallways filled with a bounty of paintings from Shmuel's lineage. It was more like a statement of a long line of power than what it was as a remembrance to past rulers. The portraits looked odd; they all looked the same – as in the same person. The features were all rather distinctive to Shmuel's apart from only subtle differences, like the colour of the eyes, the hair and neck. Each portrait stood framed in light. These were not physical portraits but holographic representations; they seemed to be alive in a way. The holograms eyes were alive. They moved along with you as though they followed you, scrutinising the passersby. Below each frame stood a plaque with numbers on it, it didn't appear to be a date though each one was unique from the other.

Daniel stopped to look at one of the portraits to study it; the resemblance to Shmuel is quite uncanny. His train of thought was interrupted by Shmuel's voice.

"Come, come Dr Jackson you must seat by my side." Shmuel gestured hastily, urging Daniel to be quick.

Daniel being the gracious guest that he is, he respected Shmuel's urgency and practically jogged the small distance between them. Daniel turned around the corner to see past the now opened doors to be greeted with a long line of strange metallic chairs, he couldn't see anything that resembled a great hall, nor a hall at all.

"I beg your pardon. But where is this hall you speak of?" Daniel quizzed turning back to see Vala's bemused look as well.

"We first must travel through passage." Shmuel couldn't understand what the problem was no one had asked this before.

"Passage?" Vala spoke up before Daniel had a chance to open his mouth.

"The passage is for those that are worthy of being blessed by Asherah. No harm shall come to those that are worthy." He smiled.

"And of those that are not worthy." Teal'c queried.

"Will be forbidden! Come, be seated." Shmuel confirmed sitting in the chair.

He gestured for Daniel to take the chair beside him and the others to sit. Once SG-1 sat an immediate humming began. It was coming from the chair itself, it grew louder and louder. Shmuel seemed un-alarmed of this noise, which gave Teal'c no reason something bad would happen. Suddenly a flash of light appeared out of thin air. It took some time for their eyes to adjust.

The haze over their eyes started to phase the room before them had changed. They had been transported. Transported to a room with no doors or windows, where there was no pictures or grandeur; just a simple room with a simple table and chairs.

"What is this place, where are we." Mitchell said relived that all his team were beside him.

No matter how many times something like this happened, it was always comforting to know that you're not alone.

"This is the great hall, the hall that celebrates only blessed life and you are all blessed. You all are deemed worthy. We can now confer our union." Shmuel cheered in delight.

Teal'c looked to Daniel baring a confused look; this had been a first for him. He travelled to a new planet where he wasn't held for the atrocities' he once caused being blinded by his once False God.

Daniel shared his bewilderment with Teal'c it had been something even he was worried for him for a second.

"You must tell me Dr Jackson of how you achieved ascension?" Shmuel asked straight to the point.

"You know of the Ancients?" Vala shouted.

"We discovered scrolls of a life before our blessed creation. The scrolls inscribe a path that life passes into a spiritual form after death, allowing to be all knowing and wise. The scroll entitles this ascension." Shmuel looked towards Vala and spoke "I know not of the Ancients. What are the Ancients?"

"They are a race of beings that have become the first to achieve enlightenment." Daniel answered.

"You are one of these Ancients?" Shmuel asked Daniel.

"No, I am no longer ascended."

"This is not possible, once you are expired. There is no life."

"That is right, I didn't ascend on my own, I died, er expired, saving a planet a long time ago an Ancient named Oma helped me to ascend. I re-took my physical form." Daniel huffed.

"You became live once more. How?"

"Erm, I do not know. Once I took human form, I lost my memories of the time I was ascended." Daniel puffed, he really didn't want to go into this.

"I see. This is not what I had anticipated when I learned there was an ascended Tauri."

"I'm sorry I can't help with what you seek." Daniel could see the look of disappointment on Shmuel's face. "However, if our people were to have a union with the Asherah, we could offer many benefits that could help your people." Daniel reiterated.

He had read the report from the negotiation teams thoroughly the technology that the Asherah had being an advanced race would be beneficial to any future protection of earth. After all allies will always be better than adversaries; something Daniel knew all too well.

The reports suggested that the Asherah are a peaceful race that is significantly more advanced than our own. And from what Daniel has seen so far he could agree that they are indeed advanced.

"Yes, yes you are of blessed life, are you not?" Shmuel asked sincerely.

"Of course we are, we are here in this hall talking to you." Cam spoke up.

"Yes you are." Shmuel sighed. "You are worthy, we would be honoured to call you friend." He added bowing is head in acceptance.

"That is excellent news." Cameron clapped.

"Your excellence, if I may?" Daniel paused awaiting for Shmuel's approval to continue. "What is it you hope to gain from our friendship?"

"Ahh yes, we have yet been able to travel amongst the stars, our only travel being through the great gate, we have only discovered one other world, we thought the great gate was only to travel to us. We have much to present, medicine, technology, customs, and sustenance." Shmuel stopped and smiled.

"Yes of course you have offered us a great bountiful of knowledge. But what is it you would want from us." Daniel paused a moment to gather his words making sure Shmuel was still following. "What do you want in return for your offerings?"

"Good question." Vala concluded.

Daniel glared at Vala for that comment.

"We would like your assistance to travel amongst the stars, to see and learn what you have learned, to learn of ascension. That is all we seek." Shmuel smiled like a Cheshire cat. "Anything you wish from us is yours, all we seek is wisdom."

"You want to build space ships?" Mitchell queried?

"We have not been consumed with finding what is beyond. Now we seek to explore as you have done, to learn new wisdoms. We would like to learn of the use of the Great Gate." Shmuel sighed.

"And what would you do if you were to meet new civilisations?" Daniel asked.

"We would like to learn from others, that is blessed life. To gain knowledge... Manthanó." Shmuel smiled pleasantly.

"What is manthanó?" Teal'c asked.

"It means to gain wisdom."

"You mean to learn or teach?" Daniel enquired.

"Yes. how else would we learn of the wisdom... Ultimate wisdom allows you to move past the physical form."

"I don't understand with all the technology you have. Why didn't you seek to build ships of your own?" Vala pondered.

"We didn't think other worlds could offer us the knowledge we seek, we had teachings from our past creation, whom you call the ancients, scrolls left to bless us. We knew of only two worlds, we sent travellers long ago. But they never returned. Since we feared we were too young at mind to learn of its wisdom, we then sought only to be blessed."

"Our team said that you travelled to your moon. How?" Mitchell asked.

"We have a vessel, but it cannot do as what we have learned from your own vessels. It is to harvest our food and prepare the ground for planting. It is not for travelling great distances. It took us many a moon to learn how to make such a vessel. We have only a few."

"You only wish to seek technology to help you ascend. That is your goal?" Teal'c added.

"Yes that is the only path for the blessed." Shmuel started to grow frustrated.

He wanted to learn how to become blessed and ascend, once he heard of Dr Daniel Jackson he hoped his prayers were to be answered he would gain the knowledge that he seeks. He will become blessed. Instead of finding answers for himself and his people he was left with being questioned by them. Something that anyone that sat in the chairs were forbidden to ask, these warriors had strong minds, Dr Jackson most of all as he sat in the only chair that sought the ultimate truth and only give answers to which Shmuel sought. SG-1 were unaffected by the blessed chairs. They were immune to Shmuel's power. How this was possible he didn't know, but he wanted to find out how this could be. No matter the cost.

"Okay, I think we have everything we need. Jackson?" Mitchell spoke.

"Er, yes I think so." Daniel agreed.

SG-1 doesn't handle alliances any more, they only attend such diplomatic missions on request of a meet. The more diplomatic teams were the ones that gathered the information needed and followed through with research into the new alliance; or if one was possible. The process was thorough and had worked for years. SG-1 had no reason to suspect that this would be any different.

"It is settled then. The blessed hall has served its purposes it's time for us to depart in good spirit." Shmuel clapped his hands and the familiar hum of the chairs began once more. Blackness surrounded them.

Within moments they appeared back overlooking the halls of Shmuel's lineage.

They were escorted back to the entrance by a beady eyed man, much alike to Shmuel he is dressed in robes that spoke of royalty, it was clear he is a man of power. His hair stood on its ends like it had been electrocuted a few dozen times - thick and wild. He watched SG-1 carefully with heightened alert, scrutinising every move they made. He never introduced himself, Shmuel made it clear that they were to be escorted back to the place grounds as he had urgent business to attend.

SG-1 and this stranger walked silently back towards the entrance. Neither spoke until the doors closed behind them.

"Blessed passings, I am Methro. I am to escort you to Colonel Rhodes and to the Great Gate." He said harshly.

Cameron looked at the man before him squaring him up. He didn't know why the sudden change in attitude towards them, this man seemed hostile.

"Are we not welcome?" Teal'c asked.

"You have passed the pleased passage, you are now blessed. Our business today has ran its course." Methro answered curtly.

"Business has run its course?" Mitchell said angrily, this wasn't making much sense. "What does that mean?"

"I mean no Ill greetings. You have entered the blessed passage, you have what you seek." Methro bowed his head in apologies. His tone of voice turned placid. "Do you not wish to return through the Great Gate?"

"I beg your pardon, but we were invited here. Normally these visits last... well, longer." Jackson admitted. "I apologise but, why are we being escorted? Is there a problem?"

"No quandary has taken place. I thought only to be gracious hosts with escorting you back to your world. Is it not Colonel Rhodes to conclude our union?" Methro enquired plainly.

"Yes he is..."

"Daniel the man is just being nice, we have done what was asked. Let's just go back home, we are not needed here, Colonel Rhodes has everything under control – I'm sure." Vala whispered.

Jackson nodded. Vala was right SG-1 wasn't the flagship team for negotiations. There had been plenty throughout the years that they haven't even stepped on the planet or met the people living on that particular planet. SG-1 was semi retired now. It wasn't unusual in the slightest that they had long bouts of not going off world. Their days were more paperwork than field work.

"Of course, lead the way." Daniel settled.

"I do not understand the blessed hall had no effect on them." Shmuel shouted.

"Calm yourself brother, we will find a way to achieve ascension."

"Calm, keep calm!" Shmuel threw a metal object across the room in anger. "They are un-blessed, their minds did not open freely to us."

"I do not know the reason they cannot be persuaded. The others of that world opened freely."

"Fernus, do not test me. They threaten our blessed life!" Shmuel spat.

"I swear I no not the reason why, the device failed." Fernus coward.

"Fix it! We cannot risk our Blessed lands to be tarnished, we have come far." Shmuel slumped his un-natural body, shaping the confines of his chair. "We came much to far." He muttered barely recognisable.

Fernus backed away quickly to set off on his task. He is the master of all things with the blessed device, he was trained on the upkeep of the device his entire life. He was the expert after all. If he couldn't fix it, no one can.

After spending the whole day checking and double checking the diagnostics, Fernus conclusions were conclusive. There is nothing wrong with the device. It is working how it should be. He couldn't understand it. How the device is working perfectly fine but its powers never worked on SG-1? The scans at the entrance of the palace revealed they are indeed human. I didn't make any sense. Worse of all Fernus had to explain to Shmuel that there is nothing wrong with the device. Something else is at play here!

"So, that was kinda weird – don't ya' think?" Mitchell asked no one in particular as he walked through the busy streets leaving some distance between him and Methro.

"I thought it went rather well." Vala answered.

"Indeed. The negotiations team has bode us well." Teal'c confirmed.

"Yeah a little bit, we've encountered weird before." Daniel shrugged, brushing past a citizen in white robes.

"That we have." Teal'c looked towards Vala.

"Hey watch it muscles, there's nothing weird with me."

Teal'c stopped mid-stride looking back at a Vala raising his eyebrow inclining his head.

"Teal'c's gotta' point there." Mitchell laughed.

It wasn't long until they reached the Stargate and Colonel Rhodes team. Mitchell gave him a silent signal to dial the gate back home.

It had been a while since SG-1 was off world and a good few years since the negotiations teams took on a more pivotal role. There wasn't any need to doubt the checks and pre-screening process that had been proven successful in other negotiations. It wasn't unusual for SG-1 to be requested to talk with the new civilisation leaders whenever an alliance was on the table. SG-1 is legendary across the galaxy for defeating the Goa'uld and the Ori. At nearly every new planet they have explored news had spread about SG-1; the only exception being those like the Asherah that have been secluded from these events and not yet knowing what the Stargate even is. The negotiation team's, tell stories of their heroism in the hopes that they can persuade and help the unknown inhabitants know that the Tauri are a formidable, peaceful, and strong race that would make a allegiance worthwhile.

"Report?" General Ferretti ordered, as SG-1 and SG-28 walked down the ramp in the SGC.

"Everything went fine sir." Mitchell said straight to the point.

"Ahh – Actually it was a little weird." Jackson sighed.

"Weird? What do you mean by weird?" Ferretti asked anxiously.

This was the first alliance he had been responsible for as the newly appointed leader of the SGC. He wanted everything to run smoothly. Everything had to run smoothly. He had big shoes to fill.

"They have been informed that I had ascended..." Daniel paused to gauge Ferretti's response. "I thought that part was not to be mentioned during the negotiations?"

"It was. However, if the teams thought it deemed necessary they had orders to do so under the strictest confidence. But only if it was relevant." Ferretti confirmed.

"I see... Well despite their theatrics and the profile Colonel Rhodes has put forth. They seem genuine." Jackson concluded.

Cameron moved closer to general Ferretti breaking through his personal bubble.

"In future could you perhaps give us a heads up about the whole ascension thing?" Mitchell requested.

"Er-erm-uh, of course, yes, absolutely." Ferretti stuttered. "Right, back in thirty for debrief, I'd like your input before the final arrangements of the alliance are made. General O'Neill would like all the information presented before he and General Carter are to finalise everything."

"Of course Sir." Mitchell confirmed almost sarcastically before heading out to the infirmary for post mission checks.

"You know he is trying here, Cam." Daniel said once they're walking through the corridors.

"I know." Mitchell replied.

"You could cut him some slack, He's not Sam."

"I know and that's precisely why I don't like the guy." Cam stopped pulling Daniel aside. "Look, I'm just making sure he can handle it."

"I'm sure Jack wouldn't appoint him if he couldn't."Daniel said sympathetically.

"Yes, he told me why he was appointed. But still, He's no General Landry, he's no Carter, He's no General O'Neill." Cam sighed rubbing his tired eyes. "Look Jackson, It's just gunna' take some getting used to. I promise my dislike for the guy has nothing to do with me not commanding the SGC."

Daniel nodded in understanding he squeezed Cam's shoulder and walked off to catch the rest of his team.

Too be continued.

Spoiler *********

Chapter 8 Goes back into the past with SG-1.