Part 6
Disclaimers can be found in Part 0
***
When it was over, Jack was surprised that it had been as easy as it had been. Goa'uld arrogance had worked in their favor.
The village was in a clearing, but there were several of the tipis that were set rather close to the tree line. Jack had Carter and Teal'c set up a diversion on the far side of the village. It had drawn away three of the Jaffa leaving only one to guard the villagers.
Jack had then used the cover of the tipis to get as close to the center of the village as he could. Since all the villagers were kneeling or sitting on the ground, it had left the lone Jaffa a perfect target. Three shots later and he was on the ground, dead. The villagers had sat stunned at the suddenness of the attack which was fine with Jack. That way they wouldn't interfere with his and Daniel's trailing after the other three Jaffa who had engaged Carter and Teal'c. By the time that Jack and Daniel had reached the skirmish, the three Jaffa were down.
Tatapesaah had been the first to find SG1. He had walked slowly around the fallen Jaffa and then had looked at O'Neill and nodded. Then he had walked slowly back to his people.
***
A couple of hours had passed since the surprise visit by Heru'ur's Jaffa. SG1 was still reeling not from the attack, but from what they had seen Tatapesaah and his men do to the bodies. All four Jaffa had been dragged from the village and then dismembered - their bodies left in the sun to rot. Jack had started to protest when it became obvious what the Lacotia were going to do, but Daniel had grabbed him and held him back.
"They believe that the body is transferred to the afterlife as is when they die. By dismembering them, they are handicapping them. They won't be able to fight if they have no arms or legs. The Sioux did this to all of Custer's men, except him. Him they left whole - out of respect," Daniel explained.
While examining his rifle and checking his ammunition supply Jack asked, "What are our options? Carter?"
"Well sir, we could relocate Tatapesaah and his people. We've found several worlds where they would be safe from the Goa'uld," answered Carter.
"That's one. Any others?"
"Jack."
"Yes, Daniel?"
"Teal'c said that we probably have a couple of days before Heru'ur begins to miss these guys right?" he asked.
"Teal'c is guessing that we might have a couple of days. We don't know what their orders were. Maybe they were supposed to report back to him in a couple of hours," replied Jack.
"We would be worried if one of our teams missed a report time, but would the Goa'uld? We know that they don't value human life much."
"True. What's your point?"
"I think we should dig out that cave. See what's in there. You said yourself that the cave wasn't man-made. If there is something in there that can help fight the Goa'uld, shouldn't we look for it?"
"Daniel, there is absolutely no evidence that there is some sort of Goa'uld killing device in that cave."
"The dreams, Jack. And all the other stuff."
"What other stuff?"
"The legends. Jack we've been on enough worlds to realize that all of these legends usually contain some truth to them. Look at Crimmeria for example. There was Thor's Hammer and The Hall of Might. The Asgard aren't the only race we've encountered that have protected others from the Goa'uld. There were the Spirits on Tonani's world and . . ."
"I agree with you. I think we should find out what's in that cave."
"And there were the . . . what did you say?"
"I said I agree with you. We need to find out what is in that cave."
"Jack, are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, Daniel. I'm feeling fine for the first time since we started this mission. Look, we can't go around relocating everyone we find who is being threatened by the Goa'uld. It wouldn't work. We'd soon have so many different people on different worlds that the Goa'uld would have a field day if they ever found them. We have to help these people fight for themselves and if that is through some sort of device that some ancient race has left behind, well then, we'll just have to fix it."
***
The rest of the day was spent in explaining to Tatapesaah about the cave and what needed to be done. He accepted SG-1's advice and promised that he would ask his people to help clear the mouth of the cave, but they had to wait until the morning. Tonight they were to do a Ghost Dance.
O'Neill watched with as much patience as he could muster the people preparing for the Ghost Dance. Of course, Daniel was in his element wandering around the different tipis and examining everything that the Lacotia did. Tatapesaah's people seemed to have no objection to explaining to the young archaeologist just what they were doing and how it related to the ceremony that they were going to do that night. There had been only one problem as the preparations continued and that had been O'Neill.
"No, Daniel. I am not changing my clothes," said Jack.
"Jack it's very important ... it's a very important part in this ceremony. Everyone has to be wearing the clothing that the Ghost Dance requires. If you don't, well, you won't be saved," explained Daniel.
"Daniel," said Jack drawing out the name, "this is a legend - a story, remember? Nothing is going to happen."
"Sir," interrupted Carter.
"Yes Carter."
"Remember back when we were first starting to explore through the Gate? Remember P3X593. I had to get dressed up in that blue dress...?"
"Yeah," said Jack smiling wistfully at her, "I remember." Suddenly he shook his head and the smile disappeared. "What's good for the goose?"
"Is good for the gander." finished Daniel with a big grin on his face.
"All right. I'll wear the stuff, but my god it smells like ..."
"A dead animal?" asked Teal'c.
"Yes, exactly. A dead animal," said Jack using two fingers to pick up the brightly colored, leather shirt that Tatapesaah had given to him to wear for the dance. "And it's probably full of vermin."
"Geez Jack, I thought you Special Ops guys were tough ... used to this stuff ... going out on your own for who knows how long ... eating snakes and rats," quipped Daniel.
Jack looked at Daniel with eyes full of innocence as he pulled Tatapesaah's shirt over his head and over his BDUs. "Daniel, I'll have you know I have never eaten a rat." Straightening out the shirt, he then slung his MP-9 over the his head. "Well, how do I look?" he asked.
"Uh, great. Now the pants," said Carter handing him a pair of leather leggings.
Jack rolled his eyes heavenward. "Oh yeah, can't forget these little beauties, can we?" he said taking them from Carter. As he lifted his right leg preparatory to pulling on the pants over what he was already wearing, he stopped and looked at the rest of his team. "Well, aren't you guys going to get ready?"
The rest of his team smiled and began their dressing, doing the same thing as their commander and pulling the garments that Tatapesaah had given them over the top of their uniforms. When they were finished, they looked at each other and suddenly all Jack, Sam, and Daniel burst out laughing at the sight of themselves wearing the brightly colored leathers while Teal'c looked on. Slowly the laughter died down as the seriousness of their situation took hold on their minds. As one they all turned and walked back into the village to join the other's in the Ghost Dance ceremony.
***
One, extremely large, extremely hot fire burned in the center of village. Several women were tending to the fire while four, young men brought out small drums covered with the same symbols that SG-1 could spot on their clothing. Tatapesaah, upon seeing SG-1 approach, favored them with a smile and a nod which was returned by Teal'c.
"You honor us with your participation," said Tatapesaah solemnly.
"It is us that is honored, Tatapesaah, for being asked to join in your ceremony," responded Daniel. Waving his hand to indicate his team mates, he added, "I've explained what we're going to be doing here tonight to my friends."
Tatapesaah nodded his approval and glanced at Jack who looked slightly uncomfortable in his new getup. Noticing that Tatapesaah was looking at him, he raised a questioning hand to his chest.
"Ah, yes. We're ready whenever you are," he said.
"Good," said Tatapesaah. "We will begin shortly. Everyone dances together - even the women must dance. Do not feel it is necessary to join in the singing. We all know that our ways are not your ways and you are not familiar with the songs."
"Oh I'm sure we'll catch on real quick, Tater..." began Jack looking quickly at Daniel for help.
"Ta-t(upside down e)-pe-saw," whispered Daniel.
"Tatapesaah. We'll do our best not to embarrass your people," said Jack adding sotto voice, "or ourselves."
Witashaun approached and whispered something to Tatapesaah who then nodded. As she was walking away he said, "Witashaun has just told me that all is in readiness. Please," he held out a hand pointing to his people who now formed a circle around the large, bonfire, "join us."
SG-1 followed Tatapesaah and they joined in the circle of people. The four, young men holding onto the ceremonial drums softly began to beat out a slow rhythm and the people began shuffling around the fire in a lazy circle. Jack and Teal'c simply walked, but Daniel and Carter tried to imitate the steps that the Lacotia people were taking.
Ever so slowly the rhythm being beat out on the drums increased, the movement of the people matching it. Softly at first, voices began to raise in song - a discordant sound to the four members of SG-1, but somehow enticing. Enticing enough so that Jack found himself, along with the rest of his team, chanting along with Tatapesaah's people.
As the dance continued and the rhythm got faster, Jack began to lose himself in the primal mood that was being set. What had started out as a slow walk, now became a bounce as one foot left the ground, knee high in the air, to be replaced by the other one as soon as that foot hit the ground. He seemed to lose all track of time as they progressed in their journey around the fire.
***
Sam Carter smiled to herself as she watched Colonel O'Neill at first just walk slowly around the circle then begin to actually seem to feel the rhythm and begin dancing and chanting with everyone else. She looked over at Teal'c who was also becoming involved with the dance and noted that it seemed almost natural to him. Looking towards Daniel, she wasn't surprised to see him reveling in the what was happening - joining in the guttural sounding song and bouncing around just like Tatapesaah's people.
Circuit after circuit was made and she surprised herself as well, when she began to pick up the rhythm and start singing. As she continued, she could feel the heat from the fire on her face and hands. Quite surprisingly she found that the beat of the drums seemed to match the beat of her heart, yet as they continued around in their circle and the beat of the drums grew faster her heart beat seemed to slow. On and on through the evening they danced and soon she lost all track of time and, she thought to herself, space. Her vision began to blur at the edges as though from lack of oxygen and for just a moment she panicked. She was able to quell the sudden urge to stop and sit and found herself once more totally involved in the dance.
She couldn't see the Colonel, Daniel, or Teal'c any longer and found that it didn't bother her. Slowly and softly, she began to hear a humming sound from the distance and as it got closer it grew in volume until it was all she could hear. There was another small finger of panic, quickly quashed as she felt her feet leaving the ground. Releasing her conscious mind and letting whatever was going to happen, happen she felt herself slowly floating up and away from the circle of people on the ground. Then, quite suddenly, with incredible force and speed she was hurled towards the mountain where they had found the cave.
Watching, feeling herself a part of the journey but at the same time - an observer, she saw herself entering the cave and melding through the fallen rock that plugged the cave's entrance. As she moved through the rock, she felt herself slowing until she was moving at no more than a casual, walking pace. Finally the obstruction came to an end and she stopped, feet on the ground of the cave floor. The humming that had been continuous throughout her journey and seemed to surround her, had not changed and she tilted her head noticing that now the noise was coming from in front of her. Taking a few experimental steps in the direction of the sound, she found that her legs worked as they normally did. With more certainty and quite a bit of curiosity, she walked forward down the tunnel. After what she calculated was a hundred yards, she could see a soft, golden glow from up ahead and the humming noise that she followed suddenly stopped. So did she.
***
Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c were all beginning to tire. Looking at his watch, Jack noticed that two hours had passed and yet Tatapesaah's people showed no signs of stopping. Not wanting to insult the Chief, he continued in his seemingly endless trek around the fire. Catching Daniel's eye, he motioned to his wrist and the watch and saw Daniel shrug his shoulders in answer.
~~Okay we keep going, but I'm going to need some Dr. Scholl's when this is done.~~
Jack glanced across the flames of the fire to where Carter marched. Concern for her began in his mind when he noticed the blank look in her eyes and the slackness of her face muscles. As he watched, she suddenly slumped to the ground. Jack left his place in the circle and rushed to her, kneeling down and checking quickly for a pulse. The first thing he noticed was how hot and dry her skin was. Daniel and Teal'c had also rushed to her side, both kneeling down next to Jack.
"She's burning up," said Jack as he lifted her to take her away from the heat of the fire. As he did, he noticed that several other of the women had fallen to the ground and yet, the men of the tribe seemed unconcerned as they kept up their dance. Daniel rushed to get a bowl of water while Jack set Carter down when he could no longer feel the heat of the fire on his back. Teal'c followed concern for the Captain evident in his face. Daniel came back with the bowl and a rag which, after dipping it in the water, he began to brush across Carter's face.
"Daniel?" asked Jack.
"I don't know, Jack." Daniel looked back towards the fire and Jack followed his gaze. From what he could tell every woman in the tribe was now lying on the ground, motionless and still the men danced on.
"It's got to be a part of the dance," said Daniel. "It wasn't unusual for some of the people to fall into a trance. That was really the whole purpose of the dance to put you in a trance. The Indians believed that once there you could see things - visions and that those visions always had some meaning. A purpose."
"What kind of purpose?" asked Jack checking Carter's pulse once more.
"Usually something about yourself or an answer to a problem or a question. They're always couched in symbols. It's up to you and to the shaman to translate the symbols," explained Daniel.
"Her pulse is really slow, Daniel and so is her breathing. What do we do?"
Daniel continued to try to cool Carter with the water. "I don't know, Jack. I think it's best that we let her come out of it on her own. Who knows? Maybe she'll see something that can help."
"You really believe this stuff? You honestly think that Carter is going to have some sort of vision that is going to solve this thing?" asked Jack.
"Jack I just don't know. Look. Don't you think it's strange that all the men have had this dream of foreboding - of annihilation of the people here and none of the women had it. Now," began Daniel waving an arm around him, "only the women seem to be affected here. Only the women have passed out. None of the men."
"How long do we wait? I can't really justify not taking Carter back to the Gate and the SGC for very long."
"Give it a little more time Jack. These dances can go on for hours before they stop. I'd almost guess now that the women seem to have dropped that the men are going to be stopping soon. I would bet that they'll feel they've accomplished something and wait for the women to wake up."
"Alright Daniel," said Jack rocking back on his heels. "A little more time but if she doesn't come to soon and if you can't get her cooled down, we take her back."
***
Continued in Part 7
Disclaimers can be found in Part 0
***
When it was over, Jack was surprised that it had been as easy as it had been. Goa'uld arrogance had worked in their favor.
The village was in a clearing, but there were several of the tipis that were set rather close to the tree line. Jack had Carter and Teal'c set up a diversion on the far side of the village. It had drawn away three of the Jaffa leaving only one to guard the villagers.
Jack had then used the cover of the tipis to get as close to the center of the village as he could. Since all the villagers were kneeling or sitting on the ground, it had left the lone Jaffa a perfect target. Three shots later and he was on the ground, dead. The villagers had sat stunned at the suddenness of the attack which was fine with Jack. That way they wouldn't interfere with his and Daniel's trailing after the other three Jaffa who had engaged Carter and Teal'c. By the time that Jack and Daniel had reached the skirmish, the three Jaffa were down.
Tatapesaah had been the first to find SG1. He had walked slowly around the fallen Jaffa and then had looked at O'Neill and nodded. Then he had walked slowly back to his people.
***
A couple of hours had passed since the surprise visit by Heru'ur's Jaffa. SG1 was still reeling not from the attack, but from what they had seen Tatapesaah and his men do to the bodies. All four Jaffa had been dragged from the village and then dismembered - their bodies left in the sun to rot. Jack had started to protest when it became obvious what the Lacotia were going to do, but Daniel had grabbed him and held him back.
"They believe that the body is transferred to the afterlife as is when they die. By dismembering them, they are handicapping them. They won't be able to fight if they have no arms or legs. The Sioux did this to all of Custer's men, except him. Him they left whole - out of respect," Daniel explained.
While examining his rifle and checking his ammunition supply Jack asked, "What are our options? Carter?"
"Well sir, we could relocate Tatapesaah and his people. We've found several worlds where they would be safe from the Goa'uld," answered Carter.
"That's one. Any others?"
"Jack."
"Yes, Daniel?"
"Teal'c said that we probably have a couple of days before Heru'ur begins to miss these guys right?" he asked.
"Teal'c is guessing that we might have a couple of days. We don't know what their orders were. Maybe they were supposed to report back to him in a couple of hours," replied Jack.
"We would be worried if one of our teams missed a report time, but would the Goa'uld? We know that they don't value human life much."
"True. What's your point?"
"I think we should dig out that cave. See what's in there. You said yourself that the cave wasn't man-made. If there is something in there that can help fight the Goa'uld, shouldn't we look for it?"
"Daniel, there is absolutely no evidence that there is some sort of Goa'uld killing device in that cave."
"The dreams, Jack. And all the other stuff."
"What other stuff?"
"The legends. Jack we've been on enough worlds to realize that all of these legends usually contain some truth to them. Look at Crimmeria for example. There was Thor's Hammer and The Hall of Might. The Asgard aren't the only race we've encountered that have protected others from the Goa'uld. There were the Spirits on Tonani's world and . . ."
"I agree with you. I think we should find out what's in that cave."
"And there were the . . . what did you say?"
"I said I agree with you. We need to find out what is in that cave."
"Jack, are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, Daniel. I'm feeling fine for the first time since we started this mission. Look, we can't go around relocating everyone we find who is being threatened by the Goa'uld. It wouldn't work. We'd soon have so many different people on different worlds that the Goa'uld would have a field day if they ever found them. We have to help these people fight for themselves and if that is through some sort of device that some ancient race has left behind, well then, we'll just have to fix it."
***
The rest of the day was spent in explaining to Tatapesaah about the cave and what needed to be done. He accepted SG-1's advice and promised that he would ask his people to help clear the mouth of the cave, but they had to wait until the morning. Tonight they were to do a Ghost Dance.
O'Neill watched with as much patience as he could muster the people preparing for the Ghost Dance. Of course, Daniel was in his element wandering around the different tipis and examining everything that the Lacotia did. Tatapesaah's people seemed to have no objection to explaining to the young archaeologist just what they were doing and how it related to the ceremony that they were going to do that night. There had been only one problem as the preparations continued and that had been O'Neill.
"No, Daniel. I am not changing my clothes," said Jack.
"Jack it's very important ... it's a very important part in this ceremony. Everyone has to be wearing the clothing that the Ghost Dance requires. If you don't, well, you won't be saved," explained Daniel.
"Daniel," said Jack drawing out the name, "this is a legend - a story, remember? Nothing is going to happen."
"Sir," interrupted Carter.
"Yes Carter."
"Remember back when we were first starting to explore through the Gate? Remember P3X593. I had to get dressed up in that blue dress...?"
"Yeah," said Jack smiling wistfully at her, "I remember." Suddenly he shook his head and the smile disappeared. "What's good for the goose?"
"Is good for the gander." finished Daniel with a big grin on his face.
"All right. I'll wear the stuff, but my god it smells like ..."
"A dead animal?" asked Teal'c.
"Yes, exactly. A dead animal," said Jack using two fingers to pick up the brightly colored, leather shirt that Tatapesaah had given to him to wear for the dance. "And it's probably full of vermin."
"Geez Jack, I thought you Special Ops guys were tough ... used to this stuff ... going out on your own for who knows how long ... eating snakes and rats," quipped Daniel.
Jack looked at Daniel with eyes full of innocence as he pulled Tatapesaah's shirt over his head and over his BDUs. "Daniel, I'll have you know I have never eaten a rat." Straightening out the shirt, he then slung his MP-9 over the his head. "Well, how do I look?" he asked.
"Uh, great. Now the pants," said Carter handing him a pair of leather leggings.
Jack rolled his eyes heavenward. "Oh yeah, can't forget these little beauties, can we?" he said taking them from Carter. As he lifted his right leg preparatory to pulling on the pants over what he was already wearing, he stopped and looked at the rest of his team. "Well, aren't you guys going to get ready?"
The rest of his team smiled and began their dressing, doing the same thing as their commander and pulling the garments that Tatapesaah had given them over the top of their uniforms. When they were finished, they looked at each other and suddenly all Jack, Sam, and Daniel burst out laughing at the sight of themselves wearing the brightly colored leathers while Teal'c looked on. Slowly the laughter died down as the seriousness of their situation took hold on their minds. As one they all turned and walked back into the village to join the other's in the Ghost Dance ceremony.
***
One, extremely large, extremely hot fire burned in the center of village. Several women were tending to the fire while four, young men brought out small drums covered with the same symbols that SG-1 could spot on their clothing. Tatapesaah, upon seeing SG-1 approach, favored them with a smile and a nod which was returned by Teal'c.
"You honor us with your participation," said Tatapesaah solemnly.
"It is us that is honored, Tatapesaah, for being asked to join in your ceremony," responded Daniel. Waving his hand to indicate his team mates, he added, "I've explained what we're going to be doing here tonight to my friends."
Tatapesaah nodded his approval and glanced at Jack who looked slightly uncomfortable in his new getup. Noticing that Tatapesaah was looking at him, he raised a questioning hand to his chest.
"Ah, yes. We're ready whenever you are," he said.
"Good," said Tatapesaah. "We will begin shortly. Everyone dances together - even the women must dance. Do not feel it is necessary to join in the singing. We all know that our ways are not your ways and you are not familiar with the songs."
"Oh I'm sure we'll catch on real quick, Tater..." began Jack looking quickly at Daniel for help.
"Ta-t(upside down e)-pe-saw," whispered Daniel.
"Tatapesaah. We'll do our best not to embarrass your people," said Jack adding sotto voice, "or ourselves."
Witashaun approached and whispered something to Tatapesaah who then nodded. As she was walking away he said, "Witashaun has just told me that all is in readiness. Please," he held out a hand pointing to his people who now formed a circle around the large, bonfire, "join us."
SG-1 followed Tatapesaah and they joined in the circle of people. The four, young men holding onto the ceremonial drums softly began to beat out a slow rhythm and the people began shuffling around the fire in a lazy circle. Jack and Teal'c simply walked, but Daniel and Carter tried to imitate the steps that the Lacotia people were taking.
Ever so slowly the rhythm being beat out on the drums increased, the movement of the people matching it. Softly at first, voices began to raise in song - a discordant sound to the four members of SG-1, but somehow enticing. Enticing enough so that Jack found himself, along with the rest of his team, chanting along with Tatapesaah's people.
As the dance continued and the rhythm got faster, Jack began to lose himself in the primal mood that was being set. What had started out as a slow walk, now became a bounce as one foot left the ground, knee high in the air, to be replaced by the other one as soon as that foot hit the ground. He seemed to lose all track of time as they progressed in their journey around the fire.
***
Sam Carter smiled to herself as she watched Colonel O'Neill at first just walk slowly around the circle then begin to actually seem to feel the rhythm and begin dancing and chanting with everyone else. She looked over at Teal'c who was also becoming involved with the dance and noted that it seemed almost natural to him. Looking towards Daniel, she wasn't surprised to see him reveling in the what was happening - joining in the guttural sounding song and bouncing around just like Tatapesaah's people.
Circuit after circuit was made and she surprised herself as well, when she began to pick up the rhythm and start singing. As she continued, she could feel the heat from the fire on her face and hands. Quite surprisingly she found that the beat of the drums seemed to match the beat of her heart, yet as they continued around in their circle and the beat of the drums grew faster her heart beat seemed to slow. On and on through the evening they danced and soon she lost all track of time and, she thought to herself, space. Her vision began to blur at the edges as though from lack of oxygen and for just a moment she panicked. She was able to quell the sudden urge to stop and sit and found herself once more totally involved in the dance.
She couldn't see the Colonel, Daniel, or Teal'c any longer and found that it didn't bother her. Slowly and softly, she began to hear a humming sound from the distance and as it got closer it grew in volume until it was all she could hear. There was another small finger of panic, quickly quashed as she felt her feet leaving the ground. Releasing her conscious mind and letting whatever was going to happen, happen she felt herself slowly floating up and away from the circle of people on the ground. Then, quite suddenly, with incredible force and speed she was hurled towards the mountain where they had found the cave.
Watching, feeling herself a part of the journey but at the same time - an observer, she saw herself entering the cave and melding through the fallen rock that plugged the cave's entrance. As she moved through the rock, she felt herself slowing until she was moving at no more than a casual, walking pace. Finally the obstruction came to an end and she stopped, feet on the ground of the cave floor. The humming that had been continuous throughout her journey and seemed to surround her, had not changed and she tilted her head noticing that now the noise was coming from in front of her. Taking a few experimental steps in the direction of the sound, she found that her legs worked as they normally did. With more certainty and quite a bit of curiosity, she walked forward down the tunnel. After what she calculated was a hundred yards, she could see a soft, golden glow from up ahead and the humming noise that she followed suddenly stopped. So did she.
***
Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c were all beginning to tire. Looking at his watch, Jack noticed that two hours had passed and yet Tatapesaah's people showed no signs of stopping. Not wanting to insult the Chief, he continued in his seemingly endless trek around the fire. Catching Daniel's eye, he motioned to his wrist and the watch and saw Daniel shrug his shoulders in answer.
~~Okay we keep going, but I'm going to need some Dr. Scholl's when this is done.~~
Jack glanced across the flames of the fire to where Carter marched. Concern for her began in his mind when he noticed the blank look in her eyes and the slackness of her face muscles. As he watched, she suddenly slumped to the ground. Jack left his place in the circle and rushed to her, kneeling down and checking quickly for a pulse. The first thing he noticed was how hot and dry her skin was. Daniel and Teal'c had also rushed to her side, both kneeling down next to Jack.
"She's burning up," said Jack as he lifted her to take her away from the heat of the fire. As he did, he noticed that several other of the women had fallen to the ground and yet, the men of the tribe seemed unconcerned as they kept up their dance. Daniel rushed to get a bowl of water while Jack set Carter down when he could no longer feel the heat of the fire on his back. Teal'c followed concern for the Captain evident in his face. Daniel came back with the bowl and a rag which, after dipping it in the water, he began to brush across Carter's face.
"Daniel?" asked Jack.
"I don't know, Jack." Daniel looked back towards the fire and Jack followed his gaze. From what he could tell every woman in the tribe was now lying on the ground, motionless and still the men danced on.
"It's got to be a part of the dance," said Daniel. "It wasn't unusual for some of the people to fall into a trance. That was really the whole purpose of the dance to put you in a trance. The Indians believed that once there you could see things - visions and that those visions always had some meaning. A purpose."
"What kind of purpose?" asked Jack checking Carter's pulse once more.
"Usually something about yourself or an answer to a problem or a question. They're always couched in symbols. It's up to you and to the shaman to translate the symbols," explained Daniel.
"Her pulse is really slow, Daniel and so is her breathing. What do we do?"
Daniel continued to try to cool Carter with the water. "I don't know, Jack. I think it's best that we let her come out of it on her own. Who knows? Maybe she'll see something that can help."
"You really believe this stuff? You honestly think that Carter is going to have some sort of vision that is going to solve this thing?" asked Jack.
"Jack I just don't know. Look. Don't you think it's strange that all the men have had this dream of foreboding - of annihilation of the people here and none of the women had it. Now," began Daniel waving an arm around him, "only the women seem to be affected here. Only the women have passed out. None of the men."
"How long do we wait? I can't really justify not taking Carter back to the Gate and the SGC for very long."
"Give it a little more time Jack. These dances can go on for hours before they stop. I'd almost guess now that the women seem to have dropped that the men are going to be stopping soon. I would bet that they'll feel they've accomplished something and wait for the women to wake up."
"Alright Daniel," said Jack rocking back on his heels. "A little more time but if she doesn't come to soon and if you can't get her cooled down, we take her back."
***
Continued in Part 7