Beware the Words... pt2/2 | ||||||
Sam opened her eyes to the darkness of the tent. She held her breath a moment, trying to place what woke her from her not so restful sleep. There it was. The moaning again. The one that sounded like someone was in pain.
She sat up and listened, hoping it was just the wind in the trees. The cry came again, closer this time. She had never heard wind make that kind of noise. Just as she registered that thought, it sounded a third time. It must be just outside her tent.
Daniel! she thought, jumping to her feet. She was using Teal'c's tent while he stood watch, and Daniel's was right next to it. Was he having a nightmare, she wondered. Or maybe there was more to his injuries than mere bruises. Rushing at the thought, she stumbled over the sleeping bag and landed hard on her knees.
Cursing under her breath, she turned to disentangle her feet from the sleeping bag. The moaning stopped, to be replaced by an owl. Or a human making sounds like an owl.
Sam closed her eyes and groaned. The Colonel was doing it again. He wouldn't own up to it last night, but the who, who's were in his voice. Probably his way of trying to lighten up the mood. Just now, Sam was not impressed.
The owl' sounded again, louder, just outside the tent where the moaning had come from. Sam gave a tired snort and put her head in her hands. The moaning was probably the colonel's idea, too. If he couldn't tell campfire stories, he was going to bug them with spooky noises. Didn't the man ever grow up? Considering the strangeness of this place the noises were bad jokes, even for him.
Sam sighed. Well, if he was trying to get her to come out to investigate his noises he was going to be disappointed. She wasn't in the mood for pranks.
She finally managed to extract her ankles from the sleeping bag and straighten it out by touch. She had just gotten herself settled and her eyes closed against the dark when she heard a new noise. Scratching noises, like a dog pawing at a door. It was followed closely by rustling like leaves.
Sam lay still, listening with her eyes closed. At first she thought the colonel was making the newest noises since she had not responded to the old ones. Then she realized they weren't anywhere near her tent. They were faint, though persistent, and coming from the direction of the forest behind the tents. She had no idea what could be making the noises. There were no dogs here to paw at doors, nor were there leaves to be rustled.
With a weary sigh, Sam decided to ignore the newest spookiness. If it turned out to be a threat, Teal'c would call. If he wasn't shooting at bogeymen. Though the experience had been real to him, Sam still couldn't help but smile at the idea. With the rather pleasant thought of Teal'c banishing bogeymen, she drifted off to sleep.
Only to snap awake at a fourth noise. A scritching from just outside the tent. she muttered, turning over, I swear I'm going to shoot you.
Her hand fell on something that moved. She jerked away from the unexpected sensation. Unable to see what she had touched only inches from her eyes, Sam hesitantly reached out again. Something fuzzy and tiny squished under her fingers. And another something ran over her hand.
Sam sat up in a hurry. The scritching noise was getting louder, an insect like buzzing that sounded as if it were in the tent with her. Another feather like tickle on her other hand. She shook it off, looked blindly around for the source of the noise and the sensations.
She could just make out the edges of the tent's entrance. It looked like it was moving. She felt more feather like touches on the back of her neck, near her shoulders. It was as if her hair were tickling her. Only her hair wasn't long enough to touch that portion of her neck.
Sam brushed the spot. Now the movement was on her fingers. She wiped at it with her other hand only to be rewarded with a sharp stinging sensation.
She gave a soft cry and jumped to her feet. Bugs! Some part of her scolded her for not thinking of it earlier.
More were crawling on her feet. She stooped down to brush them off. Every time she disturbed one she got bitten, or stung, or what ever it was they were doing to cause the pain. And it felt like more were swarming over her every second.
Sam gave an inarticulate cry and rushed for the tent flaps. Every movement brought a new sting. She had to get out of here. She fumbled for the zipper and got a handful of more of the things. Oh, God, they were everywhere! And the scritching only got louder the more of them she disturbed.
What seemed like an eternity later, she got the tent open. Sam hurried out, wiggling her body and shaking her limbs, trying desperately to get the creepy crawlies off of her body. Now in the light of the fire, she could see her tiny attackers. She froze for a moment, staring wide eyed at the things crawling on her shaking hands.
They were bugs, alright. Tiny brown and white, four legged creatures with a flat rectangular body. They looked for all the universe like miniature beds. Bed bugs! Her mind balked at the sight even as the thing crawling on her finger bite her.
Major Carter?
She shook her hand. It didn't go away. Neither did the others covering her. And more were approaching in a neat ant-like line from the tent.
A bite near her eye threw her into a panic. She started brushing her body, fiercely shaking her head, dancing away from the approaching line as she jiggled, trying desperately to get them off.
Major Carter, are you well?
She swatted at a bug getting too close to her mouth. Teal'c, get them off of me! Please get them off of me!
I do not see anything.
What's going on?
More and more of them were biting her. Now she was trying to wipe them off and scratch at the same time. Oh, God. Colonel, please. Why were they just standing there?
The marching line found her feet and started up to join the army already attacking her. She yelped and jumped to the side, her feet just a fraction of an inch from the fire.
They were all over her face now. She fell to her knees, not noticing the heat from being too near the fire. She rubbed furiously at her face and hair.
They're hurting me, she sobbed, then choked as one of the bugs took that opportunity to enter her mouth.
What are? She felt firm hands on her shoulders. What are all over you?
She slapped at a particularly nasty sting on the back of her neck. Then wiped at her tightly shut eyes. she moaned, close to tears from the pain of their bites and the awful noises they were making.
Bug? What bugs? Then the grip ton her shoulders tightened. Major. Sam! Listen to me, there are no bugs!
No bugs, he commanded. Nothing there.
Suddenly, all the crawling sensations ceased. The only noise she could hear was the crackle of the fire and her own harsh breathing. The scritching had stopped.
Sam squinted an eye open, then widened both. She looked at her trembling hands, at her knees next to the fire, and the empty dirt leading toward the tent. There was nothing there.
Confused blue eyes met worried brown ones. But, the bugs
Hands still on her shoulders, the colonel leaned back a little. We didn't see any bugs.
I don't understand. They were all over me. Biting Before she could say more, she slumped forward, passed out.
L * L * L * L
Jack went back into his tent to retrieve his bag as he listened to Daniel and Carter chat around the dwindling fire.
Feeling okay? Daniel asked as Carter tried not rub her eyes with her calamine lotioned hands.
she said with a yawn. Her face and arms, and Jack suspected more, were covered with tiny red welts. It looked as if she had come down with the chicken pox over night. And a little embarrassed, she admitted sheepishly.
Daniel asked.
Bed bugs. She finished the last of her breakfast. Daniel handed her his portion. Thanks. When I was a kid and my mother said that to me, I used to think there were actually bugs that looked like beds. I was terrified of finding them in the bed.
Jack came out of his tent holding his bag. Well, kids, we don't have to worry about rationing.
Why not, Jack?
Jack turned the bag over and dumped it contents. Jack watched two sets of blue eyes widen as they followed the progress of a back pack full of MRE's hit the ground.
Where'd they come from? Daniel slowly reached over and took a few from the pile even as he spoke. He passed two over to Carter, who took them but looked at them blankly.
Jack set the bag down. In a few minutes it'll fill up again.
Daniel asked around a mouth full of food.
I have no idea, Jack snapped. I found it full of food when I woke up this morning. I dumped it out. Ten minutes later it was full again.
Carter finally managed to speak.
Wow? That's all you have to say? Wow?
Carter shook her head. I don't know what else to say. It's impossible, but
Here it is, Jack finished for her.
There is more, Teal'c said, coming out of his tent.
Carter swallowed her bite.
Teal'c handed her his canteen. It was not full last night.
So at least we won't starve or die of thirst.
Yes, but why? Or better yet, how?
Daniel just shook his head at Jack. He slowly got to his feet. Jack winced for him. Daniel hadn't complained but Jack had seen the bruises earlier. They must really be hurting now.
I'll get back to the obelisk. Daniel started bend over to get some of the MRE's, stopped with a grunt.
Jack gestured for him to stay were he was at and picked up a few for him. Don't eat too many, you'll give yourself a stomach ache.
Daniel took the food packages with quiet thanks, adding, I'm hungry.
Me too, Carter said with her mouth full.
Besides, Teal'c's had more than me, already.
Yeah, but Teal'c's got Junior to help.
Daniel gave him a half smile.
Jack sat at the dwindling fire and poured himself a cup of luke warm coffee.
I'm gaining pounds just thinking about being this hungry, Carter complained.
Teal'c gave her an appraising look, one eye brow raised.
Jack smiled over his cup. Check the pile. Maybe some come in diet.
Carter made a face at the thought. Diet MRE's. As if regular weren't bad enough.
Jack's chuckle was cut off by Daniel quietly calling his name. Jack looked up to see his legs standing just outside their shelter.
Daniel called again, louder. Sam! Teal'c! Guys?
Jack exchanged puzzled looks with Carter and Teal'c. What's wrong, Daniel?
Daniel gave a nervous laugh. Uh, I think you'd better come out here. Now.
Puzzled glances turned to concern at the tinge of fear in Daniel's voice. They ducked under the awning to join Daniel in the bright, cloudy light of day.
Holy Hannah, Carter breathed.
Jack felt his jaw drop. They were surrounded by trees. Literally. Where they had been camped by the edge of forest, part of the forest had moved to encircle them. They were in the center of a perfect ring of trees with small x's cut into them. Jack did a mental count. Every tree they had marked on their way back to the village and obelisk were now standing around them.
Maybe we're hallucinating? Daniel asked hopefully.
Do you see the x'd trees standing around us? He received quiet affirmatives to his question.
Then how can we all be hallucinating exactly the same thing?
No one answered. Jack took a deep breath. He was way beyond spooked now. This whole thing was quickly edging into insane.
Let's go. We're going back.
Back where, Jack? The Stargate's not there, remember?
Well I'm not staying here with roaming trees! Jack turned toward the tents.
What if they follow us?
Jack stopped. As crazy as is sounds, the tree had been changing positions while they were here the first time. That was why they marked the trees in the first place.
He's got a point, sir, Carter put in. she waved at the circle of trees, what ever this' is, isn't restricted here.
Another minute of silence as the team looked at each other and the unfathomable trees.
The curse, Daniel whispered. His face had eureka' written all over it.
Excuse me?
It's using our words, Jack! Everything we've been talking about. Food, bogeymen and bed bugs, he gestured to Carter. All of it. We're all tired and hungry because it's making what we say real.
Jack asked, fed up with this entire planet. And why?
Daniel sighed, then grimaced at the action. I have no idea. He stood straighter as another thought came to him.
If it makes real simple phrases and ideas, then who knows what it'll pick up on next. We're going to have to be very careful of what we say, he said warningly. At least until we can get back home.
We need to find the Stargate first, Jack reminded him.
Okay. I'll go see if I can figure out the rest of the inscription. He gave Jack a long look, waiting for his approval of the idea.
Jack sighed heavily. Go look at your rocks, he mumbled. We'll move the camp down to the streets. I don't want to be anywhere near trees tonight.
L * L * L * L
Mid morning and they were now waiting on Daniel. The tents were moved. Teal'c scouted around for more wood. There was little more they could do but wait for Daniel to finish translating.
Jack glanced back at their previous camp site. The circle of tree was still there, only now the x's were all facing outwards. Jack gulped and turned his gaze sky ward.
The two bright spots were once again positioned so that they looked like giant glowing eyes. The effect was almost as disconcerting as the moving trees. And real live bed bugs. And bogeymen. At least there was no sign that these clouds were going to attack. Except maybe in the form of rain and lightning.
Flashing caught his eyes. Jack blinked and tried to locate the source. There. Definitely lightning. If this were any normal planet, thunder would be hot on it's tail. This planet, however, was anything but normal. And the flashes were absolutely silent, despite being directly over head.
For crying out loud, he murmured.
Ow! Ow, ow, ow.
I'm okay, she said between clenched teeth. She was shaking her left hand. Foil cut. Then, What were you looking at?
Storm. And we're out in the middle of it acting like lightning rods.
They looked at each other, then around their camp, the same thought crossing their minds. They were out in the middle of nowhere, they didn't even have the trees to draw the lightning away if it struck ground. In fact, the tallest thing near them was the obelisk Daniel was studying.
But it's stone, Carter protested.
With the way this mission's been going, do you think that really matters? The lightning here might like stone. You get Daniel, I'm going to go find Teal'c.
Yes, sir.
Jack was halfway to the circle of trees when he heard the crack. It was not the sharp sound the immediately preceded the rumble of thunder. It was more like thin ice breaking. Lots of thin ice.
He rounded a building to Main Street and about had a heart attack. Carter! Daniel! They were both laying face down on the ground next to what was left of the obelisk. Three quarters of the stone structure was laying in smoking pieces around them, the base a charred snub by their feet.
Daniel? Major? Jack ran to his unmoving comrades.
Daniel started to stir when Jack arrived. He had his eyes scrunched closed and seemed to be trying not to cough.
Jack knelt beside Carter. She had a pulse, but was unconscious. He moved to her feet to remove one of the chunks of stone that was pinning her down.
Daniel moaned and turned himself over with a soft cry.
Daniel kept his eyes squeezed shut. Somehow, his glasses had survived intact and remained perched on his nose. Told you to watch what you said, he wheezed accusingly.
You don't actually Carter's soft moan interrupted him.
she mumbled, attempting to turn herself over. Ow! My leg,: she said through gritted teeth.
Easy, Major.
She blinked up at him. Did you get the number of the bus that hit me?
Jack chuckled. Only if Daniel can read it, they're not in English. He helped her to sit up.
She started rubbing the leg the stone had fallen on, taking stock of her surroundings. Daniel? You all right?
Daniel was still on his back trying to catch his breath. he mumbled.
Jack moved to his side. What hurts?
He finally opened his eyes. But I'll live, he assured Jack. Just give me hand up?
I don't ever want to come that close to lightning again, the Major declared. She stood balancing on one leg, the ankle of the other swelling rapidly.
Daniel, rubbing his chest full of aggravated bruises, frowned at the ruined obelisk. He kicked at one of the smaller chunks of stone at his feet. So much for finding answers there.
Jack eyed the flashing clouds above them and the destroyed artifact at their feet. We're going back.
No buts, Daniel. Jack put an arm around Carter to help her limp back to camp. It's not safe here and there's nothing more we can learn from that, he nodded at the remains of the obelisk. And if this planet really makes our words real then maybe the Stargate will actually be there this time.
L * L * L * L
Getting back to the clearing the Stargate had been in took even longer than before. Half the team was injured, no one was happy, and the planet was making more strange noises than before. The clouds continued to flash silently above them. The pained moaning echoed from the trees, along with the human voiced owl noises. At least no one was accusing Jack of making them this time. They passed the charred tree twice on their way up the first rise toward the cemetery.
Carter could barely stand on an ankle she insisted was merely sprained and not broken. She was using Teal'c's staff weapon as a crutch, leaning on either Teal'c or Jack when she need the extra support. Aside from clenched jaws and heavy breathing, she was mercifully silent.
Daniel, on the other hand, was anything but quiet.
He called, stumbling after them with his arm around his stomach
I don't want to hear it, Daniel, Jack said over his shoulder, not even looking back.
Can't you slow down a little?
Daniel, Carter is going faster than you are and she's on one leg.
I know, Daniel groaned. But my stomach really hurts.
I told you not to eat so much.
I was hungry! Still am. Daniel sounded surprised. Panting, he asked, Can't we just rest for a minute?
Jack muttered, rolling his eyes. This planet was grating on his nerves as it was, Daniel was on what was left of them. Quit your belly aching, will ya? Immediately regretting his snappish mood, added in a consiliatory tone, We'll rest in a little bit, ok?
Daniel paused. His voice sounded a little fainter.
What, now? At the lack of answer, Jack paused and turned around.
Daniel was standing a little ways down the hill, frowning down at himself. My stomach ache is gone.
Good, now will you come on already? Jack turned back and started toward Teal'c and Carter who had paused to wait for them.
"What? Jack asked, exasperated now. He stopped again. Daniel was still standing there, looking puzzled.
You just said
Daniel's words were drowned out by a thunderous boom that shook the ground and rattled the trees.
What the Jack looked around for the source of the noise. It seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. It was as if the lightning had saved up all the thunder to let it loose at once.
The flashing in the churning clouds increased, adding new waves to the reverberations drowning them.
What the hell is going on here? Jack shouted.
You are, Daniel said, breathing heavily. Somehow, his words were steadier than Jack's. It's not what we say, it's what you say.
No, Jack! Daniel interrupted. Listen to me. It was in the warning. I read it wrong the first time. It wasn't the first birth, it was the first borne. B- o- r- n- e, he spelled out. As in to travel or be moved by. Beware the words of the first borne through the passage of stars.. the Stargate.. and take heed, for all that is uttered shall be.' Jack, it's you. You were the first one through the Stargate. You were the one talking about grave yards and bogeymen and needing more food. It was you who told me I was going to get a stomach ache, and I did. You said to stop my belly aching' and the stomach ache went away. This curse somehow
Jack said, putting a hand up to stop the flow of words and defend himself. I didn't ask for the Stargate to disappear, or the trees to move, or for this weird weather!
Daniel shook his head. No. I think that was the curse itself. It's trying to keep us here, to keep us confused.
Oh, wonderful.
A pause, then, Do you know how to cure or reverse or what ever it is a person does to get rid of a curse. God, this sounded so crazy.
Daniel said, reluctantly.
Daniel took a deep breath, I think you are the only one who can make it go away so we can get back home.
Daniel nodded. It said that the first shall use those who follow to feed the curse, or free the cursed.'
And what's that mean?
Those that follow, Carter repeated. Us? And feed, using us, our energy. We figured that one out before.
And maybe by freeing the cursed' Jack'll make the whole thing go away.
Jack demanded.
Daniel sighed heavily. I don't know. Sam came to pull me away from the writing just as I was getting there. Now the obelisk is gone.
Jack threw up his hands. Great! Just great! So now what do we do? Wait for this curse' or what ever to get tired of us?
Daniel merely shrugged.
L * L * L * L
When no better idea was suggested, they decided to continue on to the Stargate. It had become extremely quiet again. The clouds were dark and still. A thick mist had risen, hiding their knees as well as the ground.
So, Daniel? Jack asked as they slogged past the graveyard, studiously trying to ignore it. What happened to the people who came here before, did it say?
You really want to know?
I wouldn't have asked if I didn't.
Daniel pointed to the grave yard. The tree had moved to the run down building, and Jack could barely see the tops of the head stones over the mist. I don't think they ever left the planet, he said softly. The curse is still here.
The trees, sir, she said quietly, pointing to one on their right a few paces behind them. It was marked with an x'. I think they're following us.
I don't want to hear that, Captain.
Yes, sir. She opened her mouth to say more, closed it with a frown.
Teal'c said.
What Teal'c? Jack asked tiredly.
Major Carter is no longer a captain, Teal'c reminded him.
I know that, Teal'c. Look, I'm sorry Carter.
"That's alright, sir. She looked from Jack to Teal'c and back again. But, just when did I become a Major?
Three faces turned to her in concern.
Uh, Jack? Daniel asked, giving Carter a sympathetic look. What did you just do?
What do you mean, what did I just do? Jack looked from Daniel to Carter's confused features. For crying out loud, he muttered.
Tears inexplicably welled up in her eyes. I'm sorry sir, she sobbed, her face turning red. I don't know what's come over me.
Jack put a hand on her shoulder, said very seriously, Carter, you're a Major now, and you can stop crying.
The tears evaporated as quickly as they came. Whoa, that was weird, she muttered. She frowned again. Sorry about the tears, sir, she said with some embarrassment.
The colonel shook his head and started off. Forget about it, Major.
Forget about what, sir?
Jack stopped and looked at his team. This was not good. He turned and stalked off.
I'm going on ahead, he shouted back. It was not such a good idea to be around them. Who knew what he would say next?
L * L * L * L
Daniel was in the lead, coming up behind him moments before the others.
Jack didn't move from the root he sat on. He did not trust his voice to speak.
"Jack, I.. Daniel pulled up short beside him, staring slack jawed at the plastic and metal cans littering the short path to the clearing. He slowly picked one up, turned it around in his hands, inspecting the unexpected object. Finally, he looked up at Jack with a grin.
Holy buckets, Jack?
Jack remained silent, ignoring amusement in Daniel's voice.
Where'd these come from? Ah, finally Carter and Teal'c came to join in on the fun.
Daniel answered her question with a smirk.
Carter looked at the perforated pails with an expression that said she just didn't get it. Teal'c had both brows raised so high Jack was sure they were going to migrate to the back of his head.
Well, it could be worse, Daniel said, kicking one of the buckets.
Carter still looked as if she couldn't quite believe her eyes.
Jack could have other favorite phrases. We could be walking knee high in manure. Carter's nose wrinkled. Teal'c's eyebrows went even further. Or we could be climbing over a lot of holey cows.
Ugh. Daniel!
He shrugged.
Carter blinked and shook her head as if to clear it. That's not the point.
It was Daniel's turn not to understand.
I want to know what prompted, she swept her hand out, indicating the buckets, Aha, the Major was thinking again.
Jack sighed as three pairs of eyes turned toward him. Keeping his mouth shut lest he aggravate matters more, merely pointed in the direction of the clearing. His team gave each other confused looks, then went to investigate.
Holy Hannah!
What would the curse make of those words, Jack wondered bitterly. He stood and joined his team in the clearing.
The Stargate and DHD were where he left them. Jack kicked a bucket aside to stand next to his dumbfounded team and watch the spectacle.
The Stargate was literally running across the field on legs the same color as the giant ring. The DHD was close behind it's skirt of steps, chasing it like a dog on two pair of brown, stylized legs.
Carter blinked. Somebody please wake me up, she murmured.
Jack said heavily. I've never seen anything so bizarre even while drunk.
They watched in stunned silence as the Stargate ran around in a figure eight trying to keep away from the determined DHD. Jack half expected to hear a child's laughter and a dog's barking.
Daniel almost found his voice. He swallowed and tried again. D-do you think we should, ah, go after the DHD. Or something?
They aren't running, Carter almost choked over the word. Running that fast. We could probably time it to jump into the DHD.
I don't know, Major, Jack said doubtfully. It might decide to bite. At his words, the DHD suddenly grew teeth and growled.
Jack groaned. I take it back, he shouted to the sky.
So how are we going to get home, sir?
I don't know, Carter. You have any suggestions?
You have to cure this curse, Jack. Daniel was just now looking away from the DHD chasing the Stargate.
I don't know, Daniel admitted.
Jack threw up his hands. Oh, for cryin
Their words overlapped each other in their haste to quell his muttering. He looked at three expectant and nervous faces. Jack closed his eyes. Scrubbing his face with both hands, he muttered, I wish this curse never existed in the first place.
A wave of dizziness hit Jack. He fell to his knees. When his vision cleared, he blinked up to meet another changed landscape.
The first thing he noticed was the Stargate, legless and stationary as it had been when they first arrived. The dial home device, still a little too close for comfort, was firmly sitting on the ground, no feet, no teeth, and no animal noises.
Around the Stargate were the trees, only they were now fleshed out in leaves and flowers. The scattering of deciduous tree looked healthy with full, springy, green needles and lots of cones. The forest was full of bushes and undergrowth in a riot of colors, adding to the sudden cheeriness. It was as if spring had sprung in a matter of seconds.
The sensation of moisture on his knees brought Jack's attention down. He was kneeling in what looked and smelled like fresh mown grass. The plush, weedless green went to the edges of the clearing, coming up flush against the DHD and Stargate, and extended down the path leading to the old buildings.
To his right, Teal'c was getting to his knees. The Jaffa looked both confused and drained.
Teal'c, you alright?
I am well, O'Neill. He looked a little unsteady as he got to his feet, but Jack said nothing.
Carter? Daniel?
To his left, the scientists of his team were rousing with soft groans. It looked as if everyone passed out except him.
Carter rolled to her side and opened her eyes. she muttered.
Jack grinned. Ya think?
But where'd it come from? She pushed herself up to a sitting position.
Daniel, now sitting but swaying, put a hand down to steady himself. He blinked, squinted at their surroundings. What happened?
Jack stood and looked around again. The curse is gone? he suggested hopefully.
Oh. Okay. Jack helped him to his feet, kept one hand on his elbow to keep him steady. What ever happened, Daniel seemed to be feeling it's effects more than the rest of them.
Wait a minute, Daniel said, frowning. He looked warily at Jack. What'd you say, Jack?
All I said was that I wished the curse never existed in the first place.
It was that easy? Daniel asked with a strangled laugh.
Explains this. Jack swept his free hand out, indicating the clearing, the Stargate, the full, healthy trees, everything that had changed.
Well, if it never existed, then why do we still remember it?
Good question.
And I'm still bruised and Sam still has bug bites.
Maybe we're still effected because we were the last ones, Carter suggested.
But Daniel wasn't going to leave it alone. So, what happened to the people who came before us? Are they dead? Are they still here? Did we change the whole history of
I get the point, Daniel, Jack cut him off. Okay. So it can't be that easy or someone would have thought of it before.
Would they sir?
Amazing how easy these two could loose him in a conversation.
Thought of it? Carter shrugged. It took you this long to say it. What if people who came before didn't even know there was a curse? They wouldn't be able to wish it out of existence if they didn't know it exited in the first place.
Jack looked from oneset of blue eyes to another. You two are giving me a head ache. Is it or is it not gone?
I guess we could try dialing home and see.
They heard a squeal from the sky. All heads went up to track a large bird flying over the clearing. The sky was sunset blue, even though this planet's sun was still several hours from the horizon. The star was a nice bright, warming yellow. They could have been looking at the sun from Earth. On the opposite horizon, however, was something they would never see back home. A planet, appearing as large and as bright as the sun. All they could see was the clouds, rust colored streaks on maroon, and a swirl on its equatorial regions that grew as they watched.
We must be on a moon, Carter said softly, awestruck.
Jack was no less mesmerized. He felt like he was looking at Jupiter up close and personal. This had to be one of the more spectacular displays they've seen yet.
Daniel said softly, tugging at the hand at his elbow. Jack, we're not alone.
Jack turned from his admiration of the heavens to regard the three people Daniel was pointing at. They stood just inside the clearing on the other side of the Stargate, watching SG1 watching them. They had the proper number of arms, legs, and eyes, but human similarities ended there. Their skin was faintly sky blue tinged with silver. Their eyes were too small for their heads and blinked too often. The shortest of them was a good head taller than Teal'c. And the biggest of them was narrow, it's shoulders would easily fit between Jack's. They seemed to be mostly torso, their legs and arms disproportionately short.
The tallest of them approached the team. It's steps were almost comical as short as they were. It stopped just before Jack and blinked.
Jack looked up at it and waved. He took step back so he would not hurt his neck.
Daniel? Want to say something to it?
Oh. Uh, hello.
The alien blinked.
Daniel tried again. We're explorers. We come from the Stargate. He motioned toward it.
The alien tilted its head and said something. Or rather, sung something. It's voice sounded like music.
There was an expectant pause after it stopped singing/speaking.
I have no idea.
But you could read their writing.
Only after you told me to. You never told me I could understand the language out loud.
Jack and Daniel exchanged looks. Jack raised his eye brows at the thought they shared. Daniel smiled.
Go ahead. At least we'll know if the curse is gone.
Jack took a breath. He felt silly. Daniel, you can understand what they say. That good enough?
Daniel shrugged. Won't know until they say something again.
Ah. Yes. Getting them to talk.
They looked at the alien. The alien blinked back. For a long moment nothing happened.
Jack rolled his eyes. Nothing's happening. What did you say to get it singing like that?
I said we're explorers and we came from the Stargate.
They turned back to the alien. The alien blinked.
Okay. What else?
Nothing else. I just said..Oh! I pointed at it. Daniel proceeded to do just that.
The way the alien sung at them one would think that pointing at the Stargate was a capital offense. It went on twice as long as it did the last time. Then it stopped, tilted its head, and blinked twice.
Jack turned to Daniel.
No. Pretty, but I didn't understand a word of it. If there were words.
Can we take that to mean this curse thing is broken?
God, I hope so, Daniel said fervently. His sentiments were echoed by Carter and Teal'c.
Good. So what do we do about
I still know some of the writing. If the writing belongs to it. Daniel started to bend down, stopped part way through the motion and straightened up with a groan. Dirt's not there anymore, he muttered. He glanced around. Jack, turn around.
Notebook. You have my backpack.
Daniel retrieved his notebook, flipped through a few pages, then scribbled a note. The alien looked at it and trilled.
Was that a yes or a no?
Daniel looked down at his writing. I have no idea.
What did you say to it, Daniel? Carter asked.
I asked if they were the ones who set the curse.
Jack started, if the curse never existed, how would they know if they were the ones who put it on the planet?
Daniel didn't say anything but shot him a dirty look.
Okay. Why don't you write a little note saying nice to meet you, do you mind we if go home now'?
Daniel sighed, flipped the page, wrote in the alien script and showed it their host. The alien blinked.
Here we go again, Jack muttered under his breath.
The alien blinked again. Then responded in the same trill as it did before, pointing at the Stargate.
The team glanced at each other. Teal'c raised an eye brow. Carter shrugged. Daniel looked like he was trying really hard to understand what had just been said to them.
I'm going to take that to mean you know where the door is', Jack said, edging around the narrow alien. It did nothing more than blink at him as he led the way back to the DHD.
Come on, Daniel.
Daniel gave the alien one last longing look then trailed after his team. Are we going to send someone back to try to talk to them?
No arguments, Jack noted with some wonder. Daniel must be really exhausted. If the General decides it's safe enough.
But I'm not looking forward to writing this report, Jack continued. Carter, leaning on Teal'c's staff weapon for support, dialed home. He's never going to believe curses and moving trees and planets changing in the blink of an eye.
Well, maybe we'll get lucky and no one'll be home, Daniel said wistfully, stepping up the short stairs. All I want to do is go home and sleep for a week. With that he disappeared into the shimmering blue event horizon.
We still have the MALP readings from before, Carter said. Teal'c helped her up the dais. Not to mention the bruises and bites.
Jack chuckled. Right. Evidence that we all went crazy out here.
That something went crazy, Carter agreed with a wry smile. She and Teal'c stepped through the Stargate.
Jack took the steps two at time. He turned back to the alien. The two that came with the tall one were gone. The tall one trilled once and blinked. Jack gave it a wave, then gratefully went home.
L * L * L * L The End
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| © 1999 The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-I, the Goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. Partnership. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. Thanks to my Beta, Ivanova, for catching what spell check won't see. |
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