To Schatze8210 and dpdp ... thank you for your reviews, glad you are reading this ramble.

You wanted more …. so ... it's the trip to the Devil's waterfall and what they find there.

Chapter 5

When the group got to the wooded and overgrown animal track they stopped their chatter and sorted themselves out. Teal'c carried Jack in a way he would rest and be protected, while Jon and Lou took point and cleared a path for them. Though the track was twisting and turning, covered with grass and leaf-litter, it was firm underfoot, and with no wayward tree roots running across it to trip them up, was an easier walk than the one on the other hillside. With only flickering sunlight getting through the thick canopy, and the increasing rumblings of the unseen waterfall telling them they were walking in the right direction, the atmosphere felt heavy and gloomy … threatening even.

Then after a while with the roar of the waterfall now all around them, the track suddenly opened up into a pathway that split to the left and right giving them their first view of the lake and waterfall. Blinking in the sunlight they immediately stopped and then felt the tingling sensation of awe running up and down their spines, as they realised the full size and beauty of them. Turning to their right, they watched the waterfall in full spate tumbling into the lake several feet below them, and could feel the fine mist in the air even though they were not very close to it. The start of the waterfall was still high above them, mainly hidden by the wooded hillside and rockface, with no visible path up to it. Their new pathway was now wide enough to take two vehicles side by side with ease, and ran round the large circular lake ending each side of the waterfall's rockface. There the path split in two with a narrower one continuing behind the waterfall to make the circle complete. The wider part of the path on each side of the waterfall stopped at the base of the very large boulders that jutted out from the rockface. Like the pathway they were clear of the vegetation that covered the rest of the area.

From there it was easy to see why the old small public viewing point, on the opposite side of the lake, and every access path to it was either fenced or gated with large warning notices. The sheer drop into the bubbling lake meant anyone falling in couldn't climb out and would be pulled into the steep sided gulley and rapids that fed into the many streams that ran through the area.

The group were still taking it all in, including it's edgy atmosphere that suited Jack's very brief account of the legend. - That the Devil rested on the mountainside one night, played with the water and rocks then left, leaving the waterfall, lake and rapids as a trap to catch new souls. - When Jack asked and wriggled to be let down.

Knowing he couldn't win this battle Teal'c put Jack down intoning seriously. "You must take my hand O'Neill." before adding in his normal manner. "I do not see the building that must house the batteries you thought were here. Or the markings you thought might interest DanielJackson."

Sighing Jack grudgingly took Teal'c's hand, ... he was not a child! … didn't need to have a very large Jaffa warrior between him and the lake! But being too small to argue his point, he answered Teal'c's comment, making sure no 'Ancient' words popped out, or to squeak too much showing his need to move things on. "Those rocks and markings are further down the valley and near a river that might well come from this lake now we've seen it. Knew they were Ancient and would be the incentive for him to make up the foursome so we could check the whole area. Left phone messages got nothing, so sent emails and got a short snappy one back saying he was fully occupied for the next six to nine months at least, so don't ask again. Which means he shouldn't be able to go on the trip to Atlantis I've managed to mark down for him and Hank needs to clear." and started to walk towards the waterfall knowing Teal'c would have to go with him or let go of his hand.

Keeping up and a wary eye on his charge Teal'c stated. "We must be careful as the path could be damp underfoot now we are getting closer to the waterfall." Before asking solemnly knowing what the fallout meant for his warrior brother, Jon, and himself as he'd missed a visit with them. "That is unlike DanielJackson. Did you tell him Jon would be with us?"

"Of course. I wasn't going to lie to him T." Jack answered. Then trying to keep his childlike voice relaxed and fool them all, Teal'c in particular, carried on. "I didn't mention the word Ancient, just called them very old markings on some rocks, but described two of the scribbles so he would get the idea. Also they were near the waterfall with a legend and it could link up with a visit from you so make the foursome. I needed to keep the whole thing casual and that was why I couldn't fly over and pick up you when he refused to come." Then huffed sounding very much like his adult self would have finished. "Doubt I can keep it off the books now. Certainly don't want millions of troops running around the place."

"Indeed, that would be very unfortunate." Teal'c agreed, then feeling his own disappointment in the situation again, added. "As you know we were on downtime, and DanielJackson was not busy. He also lead me to believe there had been no communication between you beforehand. I know how important he is to our family team but I have decided I need a different person as my designated officer for trips away from the Mountain, and will inform GeneralLandry when this is over. " Then glancing over his shoulder to the others he stated. "Jon, I have noted the sides of the lake are very smooth but not slippery."

"Yes T, and the path is the same rock. There is nothing that shouts a settlement here, nor in the immediate area where Jack and I found the other rocks, which are paler than these. Of course it could be buried like the rest of the rock must be. But if you are thinking alien work here, then I suppose something could have blasted the hole for some reason… possibly to water the valley even. Mine the rock and take it away or I suppose the boulders we crossed might have come from here. We would need a bit of each to test so a specialist team needs to come out on foot and look around. The woodlands would have grown up naturally over time." Jon commented as he walked behind them while studying the area and trying to ignore Teal'c and Jack's conversation knowing how much Daniel's attitude hurt them all.

Lou who'd been studying the waterfall let out a moaning comment. "Typical. And, I suppose you expect us to walk along that narrow path to the cave I'm sure is behind the waterfall. After all we've hidden a lot of stuff in a mountain."

"Good idea Lou." Jon said brightly, realising how that would make sense. And hoped the slight Ancient tickle he could feel now, wasn't shouting too much through his other self, or doing more harm than good.

Jack couldn't stop his giggle as he took advantage of Teal'c's shift of attention and grip on his hand and wriggled it free. Then quickly moving in the direction he needed to go he called back to Lou. "You can if you want. But I'm not." Before carrying on in his bouncy childlike run straight for the large boulder at the end of the wide path. Coming to it he slowed just enough so he could put his hand on it, thought 'entrance' and carried on … Knowing any hesitation would shut the door on him.

That of course stopped the others in their tracks … totally aghast at the very large solid boulder and no sign of Jack …

Teal'c was the first to come out of it, silently fuming that he'd underestimated the young boy as everyone did the man. Then with his time on Thor's ship suddenly flashing through his mind he commented. "It did not ripple like the hologram on Thor's ship when O'Neill appeared in that form." and along with Lou looked at Jon for the answer.

Jon glared back at them and exclaimed sharply. "Hey! I might be his clone but, I'm not going to plant my nose on that rock, and find out that damn Ancient gene is not strong enough. So, we wait!"

Then taking a breath and remembering a discussion he'd had with his other self a while ago, Jon smiled and added. "John Shepard reported to Jack that Mckay fell through a wall in Atlantis and found a hidden lab. He'd accidentally knocked a wall fitting that turned out to be it's hidden key for that purpose. Before that it had been a solid wall that many people had rested or put heavy things against and not fallen through. John heard his calls over the radio and rescued him as he couldn't get out, something about a stronger gene was needed to find the exit. Of course Mckay sulked for days claiming he was studying the geekythingamagigs and John misheard his words of excitement and came blundering in."

And stopped because Lou's radio buzzed for emergency attention, which the man immediately acknowledged.

After a moment of silence and concentrated listening Lou said into it. "No, we are fine. But Jack's just disappeared into a boulder which could be the entrance to a cave that's behind the waterfall… Yes, walked into it. …. He slipped Teal'c's hand. … No not his fault, we all know what Jack's like. … No Jon can't go in after him, we don't know how strong his gene is. … No it's a lake for the waterfall ... huge but several feet below the path we are standing on ... sheer sides and the path overhangs a couple of inches. … You sure this lot is not being recorded and you can't see it. …. Okay, …. that could be Jack. I'll let you know when he reappears. Out."

Then with a shake of his head and a sigh explained to the others."As you can gather he's not very pleased. They were calling because they had weird readings as we entered the animal track and signal was a bit iffy, then as they got us lost one of our readings completely. As we were talking got a large energy spike. We know Ancient power reacts to Jack so that could be it. They are adjusting their equipment and taking more readings.

They also said looking down at this area, you've got the Mountain range then the hills and we are the head of a valley that provides a natural fly in area. Thought we might find a landing area amongst the trees rather than a very large lake. They can't get clear pictures here because of the same interference that meant I had to use our video link earlier. So, do we let them have our video link and show them what we see or not? Reynolds says it will not be kept in their system, just his eyes only. Though we all know it will mean his technician or team as well. Not sure if that covers any of their instrument readings."

Jon pondered the points, against Jack's memories, their talks together and his own intuition then commented quietly. "Not yet, they can't get a whiff of Jack actually going Ancient, this lot of actions could be put down to being shrunk or just his gene. Teal'c do you think there could have been a forcefield over the area similar to the one where the battery for the lost City was. That could explain the barrier of boulders we had to cross, they wouldn't have wanted this area to fill up as the land moved as well as the fuzzy readings if it's still active."

"Battery must be flat as it hasn't chucked us out." Lou muttered.

"Indeed" Teal'c intoned with great respect for Jon's conclusion, and failed to stop his mind adding "yet" on to the end of Lou's comment. Since he'd nearly lost his warrior brother to the Ancient influences on three... four occasions if they considered this one.

Then they all stop ... because Jack walked out of the boulder.

Seeing the smile of pure delight on the child general's face Jon asked. "Pot of gold?"

Jack giggled and managed to get out. "Watch, but don't get too close." and pointed towards the lake area, then stopped closer to Jon rather than Teal'c as he needed freedom of movement.

As they all turned to look, Jon gave a brief account of Reynold's and Lou's conversation, expecting a comment.

But Jack stayed quiet as his and everyone's attention was drawn to the lake, which was starting to bubble even more making the level rise and then a dome shape broke the surface, and the water ran off it back into the lake rather than overflowing onto the path they were standing on. As the dome structure carried on rising they realised it would cover the whole lake but couldn't see inside as it was opaque.

When the bottom of the dome was level with the path they could hear it humming and then a flicker of coloured light ran round the outside of it, making them all step back to the other edge of the path. As they did so the sides seemed to lock into and just over the edge of the path, and the rest of the pathway became part of the whole thing. Glancing over at the waterfall which should have been pouring down on top of the dome structure they realised the water was feeding into gullies of some kind that must have been part of the structure, or had come out of the rockface as the dome had came up. And the opaque covering had disappeared in seconds in a rippling movement that suggested a forcefield rather than a solid material. They could now see there were buildings and waist height barriers with entrance and exit points round the area, except for the part in front of the cave that had been hidden by the waterfall, that was total free from any barrier and level with the platform.

As the rest gasped noticing the delicate futuristic buildings etc, Jack laughed and answered Jon's question. "That's a platform and our way into Aladdin's Cave. You can call upstairs for eyes only no permanent or instrumental record. This place will need guarding if word got to the wrong people. Pick up area will be on this path."

"So it is all behind the waterfall." Lou muttered softly as he keyed in connection to upstairs to give Reynolds the update and orders.

"The part we need is. The rest was so you didn't get wet as I wasn't sure just holding my hand or Jon's would work." Jack answered.

"Or you could just have left the side door open for us." Jon put in with a smile.

"Where's the fun in that." Jack huffed and looking up at Teal'c added. "It is safe. There is a forcefield underneath it so it will not dump us in the water now it's locked in place."

"You've checked?" Teal'c intoned looking back at him his serious expression matching his tone.

Jack smiled knowing his true answer of 'she told me it was' would throw up way too many questions and answered seriously. "Indeed." before running onto the platform via the break in the barrier nearest them and anyone could stop him.

As he did so the barriers glowed red with strips of green, and the rest of the team glanced at each other before cautiously following in his footsteps. Nothing happened to them and no one saw, felt or noticed the pulse of data that shot up out into space from one of the buildings Jack had passed. That is till Lou who'd been walking slower and reporting to Reynolds was informed that a burst of data had just passed through their ship no damage seemed to be done and no record of contents was left on their instruments or records so they couldn't find out any more details about it or where it was going. So it might not be a local call...

Lou immediately yelled out the brief version to Jack who stopped and thought hard, telling whatever it was they were friendly and stop the message. The last thing they needed was to wake up an enemy or have lots of 'old' spaceships heading their way because it was a recall message of some kind.

Knowing whatever it was had been closed down but not what it was, Jack walked on quickly knowing the others would catch up, and Jon would give them any information he could. He also took stock of what was obviously a landing pad for spaceships. Markings in the middle had given off a gentle glow … but stopped now… was it something for pilots to either aim for, land on, might even connect with the ship's equipment and guide them in. And wondered if Atlantis had come from here, used it as a pit-stop, he didn't have her dimensions but if you took away the all trees around them and the buildings on the landing pad didn't get in the way or even the landing pad wasn't need because of her size he reckoned she could do it… so the pad was for the smaller craft.

He could feel this whole area was giving him the same vibes she'd done on his visit there, only twice as strong this time. Or perhaps he hadn't noticed the intensity back then because he like the others had been fighting for their survival rather than a casual stay for an inspection. Or perhaps it was his size that was making the difference. Looking down he noticed the platform was a fine metal grid rather than a solid slab of one material, and the buildings by the barriers were two stories high so could be offices or bunkhouses rather than family dwellings and had the same alien elegance and colour Atlantis had.

Then he stopped at the entrance of the cave in real childlike awe … everything looked gigantic … but as the others joined him with their gasps of amazement, his General mind clicked into place along with the Ancient whispers that had consolidated into thoughts since he'd walked into the boulder ... side entrance of the cave. … garage… store, he wasn't sure what to call it.

And, he started to check out the space jumper that was in front of him, them and had taken his breath away. They were the same chunky outlines of the puddle jumper he'd used on Atlantis but looked bigger, smoother, a new version perhaps. He instinctively knew she was capable of going through space gates when needed so could be longer rather than wider. Doubted he could get her in the mountain and through that gate so she would have to be hidden here or in the valley, and could feel the ship deep inside of him. Knew she was his.

Walking further into the cave he could feel the place respond to him … the gentle background hum and all the lights switching on revealing all her secrets to them. The cave really was huge even if he wasn't tall enough to see it all. Ignoring the others' gasps and comments, Jack silently stopped the itch to wander around and stood still to take stock of what he could see. The walls of the cave were smooth reminding him of the crystal tunnels the Tok'ra made their homes in, only this was done with the rock. So were they blasted out using the same idea or something different. And the area was fitted out with elegant 'Ancient' crafted shelves, cupboards, tables and equipment, all ready for the workers to come back and deal with the 'space jumper' in front of them … and knew she was not flyable... He couldn't feel her heart as he had in the other craft even when they'd been powered down.

The atmosphere in the cave felt creepy but not threatening... that had gone long ago with those who worked here and knew there had been two forcefields ... one for the landing pad and one for the whole area that could have covered the area just when it was in danger or perhaps left in place to protect it from landslides and any movement that mother nature could throw at it when it was empty of Ancients. Would let lifeforms, plants and weather in so it would blend in with it's surroundings till the occupants returned. And couldn't help wondering if they had flown away in the Atlantis city Sam was in at the moment or something else, a fleet of smaller or larger ships … a slow or rushed evacuation. He needed Daniel to read the signs and tell him… and knew the outer forcefield required a new battery so all of this could be safely hidden from the outside world again.

Knowing they needed to move quickly Jack spun round and looking at the group called over to Lou knowing that Reynolds would hear. "We'll call you when we need pick up. Turn the camera off. Officially you are waiting for us to contact you and we are fine."

With a nod Lou complied then turned both the camera and radio off added. "Reynolds has clear pictures of the outside, signals became clearer once the dome disappeared but fuzzy now we are inside."

Jack nodded then turned to Jon saying seriously. "She is ours and no one else's, though we might need a team from Atlantis to help her fly. You can watch over the area if they do." then finished with a smile. "Shall we?"

Grinning Jon joined him and they walked over to the Space Jumper.

Getting right up to it Jack sighed then trying to keep the obvious huff out of his voice called back to Teal'c. "I need a pick up."

"Indeed." Teal'c intoned gravely and quickly joined them.

"Stop giggling Teal'c!" Jack snapped as he glanced back at him then added. "It doesn't become a warrior of your standing."

Lou couldn't help laughing at the whole scene, especially as Teal'c silently solemnly bowed to Jack, then scooped the 'child' General up so he was level with the panel that would open the door.

Then at the same time Jack and Jon put their right hands on the panel and the whole Space Jumper suddenly glowed white then returned to it's original colour, after that the panel under their hands glowed green and to door opened to let them in.

"That tingled." Jon commented as they walked in, then stopped because it was obvious she wasn't going anywhere … panels and equipment was everywhere.

And Teal'c put Jack down.

"Thank you." Jack huffed with disappointment. He couldn't see or reach things he wanted ... and was going to have to ask Teal'c again … And that was going to earn payback in looks from the Jaffa on asking and later on when he got back to General size no doubt. So decided to delegate and added in his best child General tone. "Jon try the cupboards at the back. Those middle ones are beds/seats Teal'c, as she's larger than ...

And was interrupted by Lou's whining plea from the doorway "Oh come Jack! let me in!" He'd tried to get in and hit the invisible forcefield.

"You laughed." Jack huffed back at him, his child voice add extra tone to it, that made Jon smile and Teal'c slightly tilt his head but kept his serious expression. They both knew Jack was in his element at the moment...

"Sorry Jack." Lou said, trying to mean it, but the look and Jack's tone nearly creased him up again so had to take a breath before adding seriously. "We need to move." He could see Jack was looking tired and this close to all this Ancient stuff must be doing something to him.

"Okay, you can come in now." Jack said, then to include the others added. "We need 7, one for the forcefield which is dangerously low and the whole thing will be exposed."

As Lou cautiously walked in, Jack hadn't moved to switch the thing off and muttered in awe. "You can do that by thinking!"

Jack smiled evilly at his friend, and Lou immediately put his hands up in surrender, then smiled and asked. "So how do we carry these batteries … in our pockets?" wondering how large they were he'd not read much about Atlantis or Ancients ...

"With difficulty and will take many journeys till we can beam them out ..." Teal'c intoned with feeling, remembering how heavy the one he had carried was, and knew he would end up doing it again … seven times over.

From a cargo area he'd found Jon interrupted Teal'c by calling out. "Only two in here and no idea if they are new ones or old ones, so we should try outside. You've got any clue Jack?"

"Okay, try left hand wall, large cupboards next to the bench with the computer things on. They seem to be big enough." Jack said as he turned to make his way out of the Jumper and felt Teal'c beside him.

Picking Jack up Teal'c said quietly. "She told you."

Jack huffed knowing nothing really got past Teal'c and admitted. "Yes she did. Don't tell anyone else or I will never get to Atlantis and grow up again. And you will not have to carry them. They come with their own forcefield hoverthingy that is set up for beaming up."

Teal'c nodded as the Space Jumper's door closed behind them on Jack's silent order.

As the other two had beaten them to the cupboards it wasn't long before they found one that had several rows of ZPMs sitting on their own platforms as Jack had told Teal'c. With Teal'c still holding him at the right level Jack sorted through a box of gizzmos on the side and finding what he was looking for glanced over to Jon and holding one out to him added. "After I've done one, think of moving one and do it slowly so it does not fly off the shelf."

Jack pointed his machine at one ... thought the order ... and they all saw the container glow, then the whole thing rose and gently hoovered off the shelf then lowed to the floor in front of Teal'c and Jack then powered down. Jon did the next one and between them they got out the seven batteries. When the last one landed in front of them Jack picked up another gizzmo, clicked a button on it then handing it over to Lou asking. "You want to try it?"

Lou looked back at him wondering if this was a trick considering what Jack had done earlier.

"Click the yellow button, watch the screen, flat is straight on, tilt left or right for direction, click yellow again to park." Jack said, trying make his voice less childlike more authoritative...

Lou sighed and did it, then watched as three containers lit up and seemed to link together as one while the others stayed dark. Not wanting a crash he tried tilting the handset and gradually moved them away from the rest. Then bringing them to a stop he said slowly. "So non Ancients can work things."

Smiling Jack said. "Looks like it." to which Lou looked slightly agog and then chuffed realising Jack had been experimenting, and let him carry on talking. "The forcefield carrier will be useful in the Mountain once the battery is in store, they can be made to lay flat as well as the shaped of the thing needed to be moved. You have to program in weight and size using the keyboard. Those are yours for now." Then he turned his attention to the others adding. "Jon, take the last one over to the doorway and take the old one out. The area will light up yellow to show you where it is. Be quick on the change over as the back up reserve is very low. Teal'c we'll drive these three outside but I want to take a couple of other things back with us I spotted on the table."

Seeing Jon glance towards the back of the cave Jack added. "You can check out that glider next time we come up." They'd both spotted the single seater beautiful space fighter parked at the back of the cave. She was different from the Jumpers, small and delicate but by definition had to be strong, and could be a prototype as he'd not heard they had found one, bits or references to this type of fighter on Atlantis.

To speed things up they used the side door/boulder rather than taking everything across the landing pad. As Jack left, still being carried by Teal'c, he silently gave the order to power down, lock up and go in protective mode after they'd beamed out. In the short walk to their pick up point they watched the dome close up and gently sink back into the bubbling lake and the waterfall come back in full spate leaving everything to settle and look as though nothing had happened.

At Jack's nod Lou clicked his radio on and when Reynolds answered, asked. "Have you got a clear signal for beaming … … A battery has been changed so it's secure … Jack wants the batteries up first to the cargo hold…. They have their own forcefield for protection so are fine for travelling." and then listened.

Then looking at Jack, confirmed. "The spike has gone and it's all clear to beam everything up. They have two sets of signatures and we need to move away from the batteries to make extra sure. They will take them on the count of three after the ping on my radio."

As Jack nodded his okay, Lou confirmed and they started to move away from the batteries with their forcefields flickering green and no sign of the hoover carrying part. That would not be needed till they all got to SGC so Jack had decided not to say anything about it.

Knowing he couldn't be heard 'upstairs' Jack said as forcefully as he could. "Teal'c! Put me down now!" He was not going to be carried on to the spaceship or into Stargate Command. He would stand tall as every healthy General should … just hoped he could stop himself talking Ancient, or yawning and blamed that on Teal'c for being safe and comfortable.

Before releasing his charge Teal'c intoned seriously. "No tricks O'Neill. And you will rest against me if needs be."

They all heard the ping on Lou's radio, and silently counting three Jack said. "No tricks, but if I'm not on my feet they will keep me in an infirmary and I can't have that." and saw the batteries disappear.

"Indeed." Teal'c acknowledged, and letting the boy down added. "If needs be I will make them understand the situation and carry you into Atlantis."

As he steadied himself, Jack tried to ignore that particular picture growing in his mind, and then concentrated on being a strong wide awake general in a child's body, as he heard Lou call out. "Received and safe. On the count of three our turn."

And on the count of three ... they all felt the tingle ripple through them and disappeared from sight.

oxoxoxo

Thank you for taking the time and reading this ramble … reviews welcome.

As real life is taking over again at speed and my muse has things to sort out ... I can not say when the next up date will be ... only it will come.