Part 4
Disclaimers can be found in Part 0
***
SG-1 had spent what was left of the day walking the village with Witashaun who turned out to be a fountain of knowledge for Daniel. However, when quizzed on creation tales, she told them that Tatapesaah had promised to relate the tale after dinner. She did not want to ruin it for them.
As dusk fell, Witashaun led SG-1 back towards the center of the village where the evening meal was being set up. Jack and the others took seats around the central fire next to Tatapesaah who then clapped his hands together twice. Young women materialized in the flickering light of the campfire and began handing wooden plates filled to heaping with food to everyone. Daniel was the first to try the steaming chunks of meat on his plate.
"This is good. Really good," he told his friends.
Jack picked up a piece of meat and sniffed it before popping it in his mouth. The meat was succulent with juices which threatened to dribble out through his closed lips. Covering his mouth, he nodded at Daniel.
"I am pleased you enjoy the meal," Tatapesaah said to Daniel. "This is from the first hunt of the season."
After the remains of the meal had been cleared away, Tatapesaah called for all the members of his tribe to be seated.
"Our history is told from man to child and over again so that none will ever forget. This is our past and our future.
"In the beginning, before the earth was born the gods lived in a plane far above us. We lived in a world that had no culture, no past. Takushkanshkan was Chief among the gods. The Sun was the husband of the Moon and they have one daughter who is named Wohpe. Also among the gods are Old Woman and Old Man whose one daughter is Ite and she is married to the Wind. They have four sons which are named The Four Winds.
The trickster, Inktomi conspired with Old Man and Old Woman to raise their daughter's status by arranging an affair between the Sun and Ite. When this affair is discovered by The Moon, Takushkanshkan gives the Moon her own domain and by separating her from the Sun begins night and day.
Old Man and Old Woman along with Ite are sent to earth as punishment. Ite is separated from the Wind, her husband, and he along with the Four Winds and a fifth wind that was the result of the affair become space. Wohpe also falls to earth and joins with the South Wind. These two adopt the fifth wind who is now called Wamniomni.
Alone on the newly formed earth, the gods become bored and Ite asks that Inktomi find her people, the Buffalo Nation. Taking the form of the wolf, Inktomi travels to the center of the world where he finds our people. He convinces one man, Tokahe, to come with him to the surface. When they arrive, Tokahe is stunned by the beauty of the grass and the blue sky. Inktomi then introduces Tokahe to buffalo meat and soup. He shows him tipis and clothing and hunting tools. Tokahe returns to his people and gets six other families to join him on the surface, but when they arrive they discover that Inktomi has deceived them. The wondrous buffalo are scarce, the weather is bad. They find themselves starving. They are unable to return. The only way they survive is their new found knowledge of the world. They become the founders of the Seven Fireplaces."
***
"So. Do you think this Inktomi was a Goa'uld?" Jack asked.
After the telling of the story Tatapesaah had offered SG1 the hospitality of his tipi, but Jack had thanked him and declined. He had told them that they had their own tipis and would set them up, with Tatapesaah's consent, in the clearing just outside of the village. Tatapesaah had not been offended or had he objected. He went with them to the clearing and watched as SG1 had set up camp. He had been amazed at the ease with which SG1 had been able to assemble their tents. When the encampment had been completed, Tatapesaah had gone back to his own tipi after bidding SG1 a good night. Now SG1 was seated around a small fire discussing what they had found out so far.
"I have never heard of a System Lord with this name," answered Teal'c.
"It does sound reasonable though that he was," mused Daniel.
"How so?"
"Well, their story goes that they were all someplace else and brought here by one of their gods. This Inktomi must have brought them here through the Stargate."
"Then he just leaves them to their own defenses?" asked Carter.
"Okay, if he brought them here as a storehouse for human hosts or slaves, what better way? He would be able to ensure that only the strongest and fittest were left."
"Survival of the fittest?"
"Sure. Those that survived would be the hardiest. The best of the humans for use as hosts or slaves."
"But there's no indication in their story that this god ever came back," objected Carter.
"It was not unusual for the System Lords to arrange for a world to be populated and then forget about them. Apophis had several worlds under his domain that no one ever visited again once a Tau'ri population had been introduced," commented Teal'c.
Jack stood. "Well, I guess we can assume they were brought here from someplace else, by whom or what, is unknown. Daniel, you and Carter can quiz them some more about their gods tomorrow. I think it's time we all turn in for now. I'll take first watch. Teal'c, I'll wake you for second."
Teal'c nodded and Carter went to the tent that had been set up. Daniel stayed behind. "Jack, what about our dreams?"
"What?"
"Our dream, Jack. What about that ... thing that happens?"
Jack looked up at the moon shining high about their heads. "Daniel, in my dream it's a full moon."
"Same in mine."
"Well, look up. What do you see?"
Daniel glanced up at a three quarter moon. "Okay Jack. I get it. We've got some time." Looking back at Jack he added, "Let's just hope that the days and nights here are like they are back on earth and we've got several days before whatever is going to happen, happens."
***
Jack had kept watch for four hours and had then wakened Teal'c who stood watch for the rest of the night. After relaying information to Teal'c that he had not heard or seen anything threatening, he went to sleep and was rewarded with a night without dreams -- at least none that he could remember upon waking up. Which was fine with him. He arose to the smell of coffee brewing and after shaking his head to get rid of the last vestiges of sleep, he crawled out of his sleeping bag and joined his companions around the small campfire that had been built. Carter handed him a cup of coffee.
"Thanks."
The rest of his team had already started on breakfast. Tatapesaah had sent over some cornbread and more of the meat that they had had for dinner the night before.
"I didn't have a dream last night," Daniel stated.
"Neither did I Daniel Jackson."
"I wish I knew if that was good or bad," Daniel said.
"Do you feel rested and refreshed?" asked Jack.
"Well, yeah. I guess I do," answered Daniel.
"Then that's good."
Jack finished his meal and added his bowl to the pile already on the ground. "Daniel, why don't you see if you can find out from Tatapesaah about anything they might know about these dreams and the rest of us will look around some more. I'd like to do some exploring in those hills in back of the village."
Daniel gave Jack a quizzical look to which Jack responded, "Just a hunch, Danny boy. Nothing else."
"You didn't have a dream last night?"
"Nope, nothing I remember anyway."
"Okay. I noticed something while Witashaun was showing us around yesterday and I'd like to ask about it anyway."
"Anything we should know about?" asked Jack.
"Just a hunch, Jack," Daniel answered smiling at Jack.
Jack smiled back and shoot his head. "Alright, we'll meet you back here at noon. And Daniel..."
"Yes Jack."
"Try not to get into any trouble."
Making a face at Jack, Daniel picked up their empty breakfast bowls and headed off to the village. Jack rose and gathered up his things. "Well kids, shall we?"
***
"Hunch, sir?"
Jack, Carter, and Teal'c had been walking for an hour wandering around the foot hills that bordered the village. The way had been fairly easy because of the many trails that they had managed to find ... made by man and animal.
"Carter, you've heard about those dreams we've been having."
"Yes sir."
"I'm willing to believe that there is some form of coincidence going on here and that we're having those dreams for a reason."
Carter hid the smile that came over her face from Jack by looking in the other direction.
"But I'm not quite ready to believe that there is some malevolent entity out there that is going to destroy us and that village back there. So, if that is the case then there is a rational explanation for what 'might' happen and we need to find it before it does happen. Agreed?"
"Agreed, sir."
"I concur, O'Neill."
"Thank you. Now my thought is that if the Goa'uld did bring these people here for whatever reason, they may have left behind some other kind of technology that we haven't run into before. Something that is the basis for what we've seen happening in these dreams."
Jack had been pushing aside bushes all the time he was talking. One group of bushes seemed to be holding his attention and Carter walked over to join him. Jack bent down. Moving one of the bushes to the side he found a small opening in the side of the hill.
"A cave, sir?"
Jack turned to look at Carter. "Ya think?" Rocking back on his heels he added, "Somewhere to hide something?"
Carter bent down to look as well and when she did, she could feel the air current that was coming from the opening. "Well, it's too small for any of us to crawl into, but considering this breeze that's coming from it, it might be some sort of vent." She stood. "We need to see if we can find a bigger opening somewhere else."
Jack also stood up. "My thoughts exactly Captain."
***
Continued in Part 5
Disclaimers can be found in Part 0
***
SG-1 had spent what was left of the day walking the village with Witashaun who turned out to be a fountain of knowledge for Daniel. However, when quizzed on creation tales, she told them that Tatapesaah had promised to relate the tale after dinner. She did not want to ruin it for them.
As dusk fell, Witashaun led SG-1 back towards the center of the village where the evening meal was being set up. Jack and the others took seats around the central fire next to Tatapesaah who then clapped his hands together twice. Young women materialized in the flickering light of the campfire and began handing wooden plates filled to heaping with food to everyone. Daniel was the first to try the steaming chunks of meat on his plate.
"This is good. Really good," he told his friends.
Jack picked up a piece of meat and sniffed it before popping it in his mouth. The meat was succulent with juices which threatened to dribble out through his closed lips. Covering his mouth, he nodded at Daniel.
"I am pleased you enjoy the meal," Tatapesaah said to Daniel. "This is from the first hunt of the season."
After the remains of the meal had been cleared away, Tatapesaah called for all the members of his tribe to be seated.
"Our history is told from man to child and over again so that none will ever forget. This is our past and our future.
"In the beginning, before the earth was born the gods lived in a plane far above us. We lived in a world that had no culture, no past. Takushkanshkan was Chief among the gods. The Sun was the husband of the Moon and they have one daughter who is named Wohpe. Also among the gods are Old Woman and Old Man whose one daughter is Ite and she is married to the Wind. They have four sons which are named The Four Winds.
The trickster, Inktomi conspired with Old Man and Old Woman to raise their daughter's status by arranging an affair between the Sun and Ite. When this affair is discovered by The Moon, Takushkanshkan gives the Moon her own domain and by separating her from the Sun begins night and day.
Old Man and Old Woman along with Ite are sent to earth as punishment. Ite is separated from the Wind, her husband, and he along with the Four Winds and a fifth wind that was the result of the affair become space. Wohpe also falls to earth and joins with the South Wind. These two adopt the fifth wind who is now called Wamniomni.
Alone on the newly formed earth, the gods become bored and Ite asks that Inktomi find her people, the Buffalo Nation. Taking the form of the wolf, Inktomi travels to the center of the world where he finds our people. He convinces one man, Tokahe, to come with him to the surface. When they arrive, Tokahe is stunned by the beauty of the grass and the blue sky. Inktomi then introduces Tokahe to buffalo meat and soup. He shows him tipis and clothing and hunting tools. Tokahe returns to his people and gets six other families to join him on the surface, but when they arrive they discover that Inktomi has deceived them. The wondrous buffalo are scarce, the weather is bad. They find themselves starving. They are unable to return. The only way they survive is their new found knowledge of the world. They become the founders of the Seven Fireplaces."
***
"So. Do you think this Inktomi was a Goa'uld?" Jack asked.
After the telling of the story Tatapesaah had offered SG1 the hospitality of his tipi, but Jack had thanked him and declined. He had told them that they had their own tipis and would set them up, with Tatapesaah's consent, in the clearing just outside of the village. Tatapesaah had not been offended or had he objected. He went with them to the clearing and watched as SG1 had set up camp. He had been amazed at the ease with which SG1 had been able to assemble their tents. When the encampment had been completed, Tatapesaah had gone back to his own tipi after bidding SG1 a good night. Now SG1 was seated around a small fire discussing what they had found out so far.
"I have never heard of a System Lord with this name," answered Teal'c.
"It does sound reasonable though that he was," mused Daniel.
"How so?"
"Well, their story goes that they were all someplace else and brought here by one of their gods. This Inktomi must have brought them here through the Stargate."
"Then he just leaves them to their own defenses?" asked Carter.
"Okay, if he brought them here as a storehouse for human hosts or slaves, what better way? He would be able to ensure that only the strongest and fittest were left."
"Survival of the fittest?"
"Sure. Those that survived would be the hardiest. The best of the humans for use as hosts or slaves."
"But there's no indication in their story that this god ever came back," objected Carter.
"It was not unusual for the System Lords to arrange for a world to be populated and then forget about them. Apophis had several worlds under his domain that no one ever visited again once a Tau'ri population had been introduced," commented Teal'c.
Jack stood. "Well, I guess we can assume they were brought here from someplace else, by whom or what, is unknown. Daniel, you and Carter can quiz them some more about their gods tomorrow. I think it's time we all turn in for now. I'll take first watch. Teal'c, I'll wake you for second."
Teal'c nodded and Carter went to the tent that had been set up. Daniel stayed behind. "Jack, what about our dreams?"
"What?"
"Our dream, Jack. What about that ... thing that happens?"
Jack looked up at the moon shining high about their heads. "Daniel, in my dream it's a full moon."
"Same in mine."
"Well, look up. What do you see?"
Daniel glanced up at a three quarter moon. "Okay Jack. I get it. We've got some time." Looking back at Jack he added, "Let's just hope that the days and nights here are like they are back on earth and we've got several days before whatever is going to happen, happens."
***
Jack had kept watch for four hours and had then wakened Teal'c who stood watch for the rest of the night. After relaying information to Teal'c that he had not heard or seen anything threatening, he went to sleep and was rewarded with a night without dreams -- at least none that he could remember upon waking up. Which was fine with him. He arose to the smell of coffee brewing and after shaking his head to get rid of the last vestiges of sleep, he crawled out of his sleeping bag and joined his companions around the small campfire that had been built. Carter handed him a cup of coffee.
"Thanks."
The rest of his team had already started on breakfast. Tatapesaah had sent over some cornbread and more of the meat that they had had for dinner the night before.
"I didn't have a dream last night," Daniel stated.
"Neither did I Daniel Jackson."
"I wish I knew if that was good or bad," Daniel said.
"Do you feel rested and refreshed?" asked Jack.
"Well, yeah. I guess I do," answered Daniel.
"Then that's good."
Jack finished his meal and added his bowl to the pile already on the ground. "Daniel, why don't you see if you can find out from Tatapesaah about anything they might know about these dreams and the rest of us will look around some more. I'd like to do some exploring in those hills in back of the village."
Daniel gave Jack a quizzical look to which Jack responded, "Just a hunch, Danny boy. Nothing else."
"You didn't have a dream last night?"
"Nope, nothing I remember anyway."
"Okay. I noticed something while Witashaun was showing us around yesterday and I'd like to ask about it anyway."
"Anything we should know about?" asked Jack.
"Just a hunch, Jack," Daniel answered smiling at Jack.
Jack smiled back and shoot his head. "Alright, we'll meet you back here at noon. And Daniel..."
"Yes Jack."
"Try not to get into any trouble."
Making a face at Jack, Daniel picked up their empty breakfast bowls and headed off to the village. Jack rose and gathered up his things. "Well kids, shall we?"
***
"Hunch, sir?"
Jack, Carter, and Teal'c had been walking for an hour wandering around the foot hills that bordered the village. The way had been fairly easy because of the many trails that they had managed to find ... made by man and animal.
"Carter, you've heard about those dreams we've been having."
"Yes sir."
"I'm willing to believe that there is some form of coincidence going on here and that we're having those dreams for a reason."
Carter hid the smile that came over her face from Jack by looking in the other direction.
"But I'm not quite ready to believe that there is some malevolent entity out there that is going to destroy us and that village back there. So, if that is the case then there is a rational explanation for what 'might' happen and we need to find it before it does happen. Agreed?"
"Agreed, sir."
"I concur, O'Neill."
"Thank you. Now my thought is that if the Goa'uld did bring these people here for whatever reason, they may have left behind some other kind of technology that we haven't run into before. Something that is the basis for what we've seen happening in these dreams."
Jack had been pushing aside bushes all the time he was talking. One group of bushes seemed to be holding his attention and Carter walked over to join him. Jack bent down. Moving one of the bushes to the side he found a small opening in the side of the hill.
"A cave, sir?"
Jack turned to look at Carter. "Ya think?" Rocking back on his heels he added, "Somewhere to hide something?"
Carter bent down to look as well and when she did, she could feel the air current that was coming from the opening. "Well, it's too small for any of us to crawl into, but considering this breeze that's coming from it, it might be some sort of vent." She stood. "We need to see if we can find a bigger opening somewhere else."
Jack also stood up. "My thoughts exactly Captain."
***
Continued in Part 5