Part 8
Disclaimers can be found in Part 0
***
"Sir, it can't be much further now," said Carter as she watched more rock being hauled out by Tatapesaah's warriors and the men of her team.
Jack had just come out with a load of rock and had dumped it onto the ever growing pile off to the side of the cave mouth. He dropped to the ground where he stood and pulled out his canteen. He poured some of the water over his head and then drank what was left.
"God I hope so, Carter." He watched Teal'c emerge from the mouth of the cave with another load of rock, a sheen of perspiration covering his head and running in rivulets down his smooth face. "I'm not as young as I was and my back is starting to complain," he said rubbing at the offending spot.
A shout from Daniel from inside the cave brought Jack to his feet as fast as his complaining muscles would let him.
"Well, looks like you were right, Captain," said Jack taking the lead back into the cave.
Once inside Jack could see Daniel's flashlight bouncing off the wall of stone they had been working on, but there was something new - a small space where the light didn't bounce back but was swallowed up instead as it entered a hole that had finally appeared indicating that they were almost through.
"Jack!" yelled Daniel as soon as he spotted SG-1's leader enter the cave. "We've gone through. It's open on the other side. Come look."
Jack walked forward turning on his own flashlight. Aiming it's beam in the spot Daniel's flash light was still illuminating, he looked through.
"Daniel turn off your flashlight," ordered Jack as he also turned off his. He continued to peer through the hole in the rock wall after the lights had been extinguishes. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the dark and he could barely make out the tunnel on the other side disappearing into darkness. Turning back to his crew, he said, "Well Carter, no light on the other side."
"Sir I walked for a hundred yards or so before I spotted the light," she reminded.
"Yeah, so you said. Okay," he said rubbing his hands together. "Let's take it easy here. We still need to get some of the rock out of here, but we're close to being able to just push some of it in to clear enough space to get through."
He backed up out of the way to let those stronger and younger take over while he and Carter watched. Another couple of trips outside with a load of rocks and Teal'c satisfied that they wouldn't bring more rock crashing down on their heads, pushed what was left inward. The rock tumbled out, front and back of the slide sending up plumes of long, accumulated dust and dirt. Everyone covered their mouths and eyes until it settled. Daniel, as usual, was the first to scramble over the onto the other side.
"Daniel!" called Jack almost tripping in his haste to catch up to the young archaeologist. "Stop where you are. RIGHT NOW!"
"But Jack," objected Daniel turning to the voice.
"No buts, Daniel," said Jack grabbing the young man's arm. "We do this by the book. You are still basically a non-combatant and we don't know what we're going to find down there. Not for sure. So you will follow Teal'c and I. Is that understood?"
"Yeah Jack, you're right of course," said an apologetic Daniel.
"Good," said Jack. He turned to the men who had helped clear the way. "One of you needs to go back and tell Tata-whatever that we've punched through to the other side. Ah, you," he said pointing to the tallest of the bunch. "And you five." He picked out the five standing farthest away from him, "you guys stay here. Wait for ah, you know. When he gets here, one of you bring him after us. The other four stay here, just in case we need some help. You four," he said indicating the rest, " you come with us. Teal'c and I will lead, then Carter, then Daniel. You guys bring up the rear. Okay?"
Nods from all around and the departure of the one Jack had singled out to go and get the tribal leader, told Jack that everyone understood. "Well," he said looking over at Teal'c who now stood with his Staff Weapon, " shall we?"
Four flashlights bobbed down the tunnel as they walked, Teal'c a few feet ahead of Jack and to the left. After about a hundred yards, Teal'c slowed his forward motion.
"O'Neill."
"I see it, Teal'c."
The soft, golden glow that Carter had seen in her vision was starting to make itself known. Jack turned off his flashlight and when the other three saw him do it, they followed suit. The four warriors who were at the back of the profession started to whisper nervously to each other which worried Jack a bit. He didn't want anyone to start having the heebie-jeebies from what they might find that light illuminating. Turning to the four men he asked, "Are you guys all right with this? Do you want to wait here?"
The four men took turns looking at each other, then as a group they squared their shoulders and nodded. "We are warriors, O'Neill. Our people are in danger. We have no choice but to follow. Do not worry about us," the smallest man of the four answered.
Jack smiled at them. "Good, I knew I could count on you guys." He turned back to Teal'c. "Well, it's now or never."
Teal'c nodded. Another ten yards and they were all standing just inside one of the largest caverns that Jack had ever seen.
***
"My God," whispered Jack. "This has got to be the entire inside of this mountain."
"Sir, this is almost exactly what I saw in my vision - exactly except for the size. It's even bigger," said Carter.
"This is incredible, I mean, it's fantastic. Jack do you know what this is? It's absolutely unbelievable." Daniel was bouncing up and down, one hand on top of his head as he ran from the mouth of the cave to the first mural. "Jack - Sam - Teal'c. I can't believe this. It's phenomenal."
"Calm down, Daniel. And breathe. We don't need you passing out on us right now," cautioned Jack. Deciding he needed to gauge how the four Indians with them were taking this, he casually glanced in their direction.
To him they seemed frozen in shock: mouth's open and eyes wide. But at least, he thought, they hadn't run in fear. He walked to them and pointedly looked into their eyes. Blinking rapidly, one finally noticed that Jack was standing in front of them. He nodded and Jack took it as an indication that they would be able to handle this discovery.
"Jack!"
Jack closed his eyes and sighed. "Yes Daniel."
"This place."
"I know Daniel, it's incredible."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look at it. The size of this place and these murals they're all in perfect condition."
"Teal'c seen anything like this before," asked Jack turning in a slow circle to take in the murals.
"No O'Neill. I have not."
"Okay, Carter. There seems to be something missing - something from your vision."
"I know, Sir. The obelisk. Everything else is here though. The murals, the light crystals, and the maze," she said.
"Yup."
"Sir maybe that's the problem. Maybe we have to do something to get the obelisk to appear," suggested Carter.
"Well right off the top of my head I'd have to agree with you," said Jack. "But how?"
"Well, it's probably in here somewhere," said Daniel swinging his arms to indicate the murals.
"I'll buy that. Stuff usually is where we're concerned. All right," said Jack, "here's what we're going to do. Since I'm the leader of this group, I can do this. Daniel, you start on these picture things and see if they give us any answers. You four stand guard at the door here. Make sure nothing sneaks up on us. Carter you help Daniel. Teal'c and I are going to traverse this maze here and see if anything happens." He looked at each as he gave out his orders and saw nods as each indicated that he understood. Satisfied he looked back at Teal'c. "Shall we?"
"As you wish, O'Neill."
Jack looked around once more to see that everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing. Daniel and Carter were conversing over by the start of the first mural. The four warriors seemed to be on alert for any signs of danger either from inside the cavern or coming up the tunnel behind them. Feeling satisfied, he stepped towards the opening in the maze and came up short.
"Is there a problem, O'Neill?" asked Teal'c who was only a step behind.
"Uh, yeah," he answered rubbing his nose. "There seems to be some sort of force field here."
"I see nothing."
"Yeah, I know. Neither do I," said Jack. He stopped the rubbing of his nose and put out his hand which met resistance when he tried to reach in past the entrance to the maze. "Yeah, definitely some sort of force field."
Teal'c walked up to Jack's side and tried also. When Jack saw that Teal'c's hand was also meeting the same resistance he said to Daniel and Carter, "Ah, kids."
"Yeah, Jack," answered Daniel.
"We seem to have a small problem here."
"What sort of problem?" asked Carter as she walked to where Jack and Teal'c were standing.
"There's something stopping us from entering the maze," answered Jack. He tried again and this time moved over one of the waist high walls. "It seems to be all around the thing, not just the entrance."
"Let me try, Sir," said Carter moving in to take Teal'c's place. She put up a hand and pulled it back. "Same with me, Sir." Looking over at the four natives she said, "Let me try something. Obatoc could you please come here?" she asked.
The man named Obatoc looked first to his friends and then slowly walked to where Carter was standing.
"Yes, Major Carter," he said.
"Obatoc, would you please put your hand up here," she said showing him what she wanted him to do.
He held back and Jack could tell the man was nervous or scared. Either one was preventing him from complying to Carter's request.
"It won't hurt," said Jack. "I promise." He smiled and tried to push through with his hand again to show the young warrior that he was telling the truth.
Obatoc watched and then slowly raised his hand. Inch by inch it got closer to the spot where SG1's hands were stopped. By this time, Daniel had joined the group around the entrance to the maze and he crossed his arms and watched silently. As soon as Obatoc's hand came into contact with the obstruction, he pulled it back quickly. Then as though he realized that it hadn't caused him any damage, he tried again with the same result.
"Well I guess that answers that question," said Jack. "Okay. Teal'c you go that way," he continued pointing towards the left. "And I'll go this way. We'll see if this thing does go all the way around. Daniel, I suppose you and Carter better get a start on those pictures. We need answers and PDQ."
"PDQ, O'Neill?"
"PDQ, Teal'c. Pretty damned quick."
"I see."
"Oh and Daniel?"
"Yes Jack."
"When TaterTot gets here, could you and Carter bring him up to speed?" asked Jack.
"Sure Jack. No problem."
Tatapesaah arrived when Jack and Teal'c were only a quarter each around the maze. So far neither man had found anywhere the force field wasn't blocking their path. As Jack searched he watched Tatapesaah and his men conferring excitedly before he made his way to where Daniel and Carter were standing discussing the mural. He continued to scan the surface of the force field while watching Daniel and Tatapesaah talk. Even though he couldn't hear exactly what they were saying, their body language was enough to let him know that the tribal leader was excited as well as a bit nervous about this discovery. He saw Daniel point to the maze and to both Jack and Teal'c. Then he took Tatapesaah's arm and led him to the entrance to the maze. Jack could see Tatapesaah's shoulder's rise and fall as he took a deep breathe and then reach out a hand to touch the force field. His hand also stopped short of the entrance and he pulled his hand back and cast a puzzled look at Daniel. Apparently more explanations from Daniel ended with both men going back to the wall where Carter waited. Then all three looked at the wall. Occasionally someone would point at something and a head would nod or shake depending on whether the person agreed with whatever was being said, assumed Jack. Quickly tiring of watching, he looked to see that Teal'c had made as much progress around the maze as he which wasn't much further than when Tatapesaah had arrived. It was going to be a long afternoon.
***
Continued in Part 9
Disclaimers can be found in Part 0
***
"Sir, it can't be much further now," said Carter as she watched more rock being hauled out by Tatapesaah's warriors and the men of her team.
Jack had just come out with a load of rock and had dumped it onto the ever growing pile off to the side of the cave mouth. He dropped to the ground where he stood and pulled out his canteen. He poured some of the water over his head and then drank what was left.
"God I hope so, Carter." He watched Teal'c emerge from the mouth of the cave with another load of rock, a sheen of perspiration covering his head and running in rivulets down his smooth face. "I'm not as young as I was and my back is starting to complain," he said rubbing at the offending spot.
A shout from Daniel from inside the cave brought Jack to his feet as fast as his complaining muscles would let him.
"Well, looks like you were right, Captain," said Jack taking the lead back into the cave.
Once inside Jack could see Daniel's flashlight bouncing off the wall of stone they had been working on, but there was something new - a small space where the light didn't bounce back but was swallowed up instead as it entered a hole that had finally appeared indicating that they were almost through.
"Jack!" yelled Daniel as soon as he spotted SG-1's leader enter the cave. "We've gone through. It's open on the other side. Come look."
Jack walked forward turning on his own flashlight. Aiming it's beam in the spot Daniel's flash light was still illuminating, he looked through.
"Daniel turn off your flashlight," ordered Jack as he also turned off his. He continued to peer through the hole in the rock wall after the lights had been extinguishes. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the dark and he could barely make out the tunnel on the other side disappearing into darkness. Turning back to his crew, he said, "Well Carter, no light on the other side."
"Sir I walked for a hundred yards or so before I spotted the light," she reminded.
"Yeah, so you said. Okay," he said rubbing his hands together. "Let's take it easy here. We still need to get some of the rock out of here, but we're close to being able to just push some of it in to clear enough space to get through."
He backed up out of the way to let those stronger and younger take over while he and Carter watched. Another couple of trips outside with a load of rocks and Teal'c satisfied that they wouldn't bring more rock crashing down on their heads, pushed what was left inward. The rock tumbled out, front and back of the slide sending up plumes of long, accumulated dust and dirt. Everyone covered their mouths and eyes until it settled. Daniel, as usual, was the first to scramble over the onto the other side.
"Daniel!" called Jack almost tripping in his haste to catch up to the young archaeologist. "Stop where you are. RIGHT NOW!"
"But Jack," objected Daniel turning to the voice.
"No buts, Daniel," said Jack grabbing the young man's arm. "We do this by the book. You are still basically a non-combatant and we don't know what we're going to find down there. Not for sure. So you will follow Teal'c and I. Is that understood?"
"Yeah Jack, you're right of course," said an apologetic Daniel.
"Good," said Jack. He turned to the men who had helped clear the way. "One of you needs to go back and tell Tata-whatever that we've punched through to the other side. Ah, you," he said pointing to the tallest of the bunch. "And you five." He picked out the five standing farthest away from him, "you guys stay here. Wait for ah, you know. When he gets here, one of you bring him after us. The other four stay here, just in case we need some help. You four," he said indicating the rest, " you come with us. Teal'c and I will lead, then Carter, then Daniel. You guys bring up the rear. Okay?"
Nods from all around and the departure of the one Jack had singled out to go and get the tribal leader, told Jack that everyone understood. "Well," he said looking over at Teal'c who now stood with his Staff Weapon, " shall we?"
Four flashlights bobbed down the tunnel as they walked, Teal'c a few feet ahead of Jack and to the left. After about a hundred yards, Teal'c slowed his forward motion.
"O'Neill."
"I see it, Teal'c."
The soft, golden glow that Carter had seen in her vision was starting to make itself known. Jack turned off his flashlight and when the other three saw him do it, they followed suit. The four warriors who were at the back of the profession started to whisper nervously to each other which worried Jack a bit. He didn't want anyone to start having the heebie-jeebies from what they might find that light illuminating. Turning to the four men he asked, "Are you guys all right with this? Do you want to wait here?"
The four men took turns looking at each other, then as a group they squared their shoulders and nodded. "We are warriors, O'Neill. Our people are in danger. We have no choice but to follow. Do not worry about us," the smallest man of the four answered.
Jack smiled at them. "Good, I knew I could count on you guys." He turned back to Teal'c. "Well, it's now or never."
Teal'c nodded. Another ten yards and they were all standing just inside one of the largest caverns that Jack had ever seen.
***
"My God," whispered Jack. "This has got to be the entire inside of this mountain."
"Sir, this is almost exactly what I saw in my vision - exactly except for the size. It's even bigger," said Carter.
"This is incredible, I mean, it's fantastic. Jack do you know what this is? It's absolutely unbelievable." Daniel was bouncing up and down, one hand on top of his head as he ran from the mouth of the cave to the first mural. "Jack - Sam - Teal'c. I can't believe this. It's phenomenal."
"Calm down, Daniel. And breathe. We don't need you passing out on us right now," cautioned Jack. Deciding he needed to gauge how the four Indians with them were taking this, he casually glanced in their direction.
To him they seemed frozen in shock: mouth's open and eyes wide. But at least, he thought, they hadn't run in fear. He walked to them and pointedly looked into their eyes. Blinking rapidly, one finally noticed that Jack was standing in front of them. He nodded and Jack took it as an indication that they would be able to handle this discovery.
"Jack!"
Jack closed his eyes and sighed. "Yes Daniel."
"This place."
"I know Daniel, it's incredible."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look at it. The size of this place and these murals they're all in perfect condition."
"Teal'c seen anything like this before," asked Jack turning in a slow circle to take in the murals.
"No O'Neill. I have not."
"Okay, Carter. There seems to be something missing - something from your vision."
"I know, Sir. The obelisk. Everything else is here though. The murals, the light crystals, and the maze," she said.
"Yup."
"Sir maybe that's the problem. Maybe we have to do something to get the obelisk to appear," suggested Carter.
"Well right off the top of my head I'd have to agree with you," said Jack. "But how?"
"Well, it's probably in here somewhere," said Daniel swinging his arms to indicate the murals.
"I'll buy that. Stuff usually is where we're concerned. All right," said Jack, "here's what we're going to do. Since I'm the leader of this group, I can do this. Daniel, you start on these picture things and see if they give us any answers. You four stand guard at the door here. Make sure nothing sneaks up on us. Carter you help Daniel. Teal'c and I are going to traverse this maze here and see if anything happens." He looked at each as he gave out his orders and saw nods as each indicated that he understood. Satisfied he looked back at Teal'c. "Shall we?"
"As you wish, O'Neill."
Jack looked around once more to see that everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing. Daniel and Carter were conversing over by the start of the first mural. The four warriors seemed to be on alert for any signs of danger either from inside the cavern or coming up the tunnel behind them. Feeling satisfied, he stepped towards the opening in the maze and came up short.
"Is there a problem, O'Neill?" asked Teal'c who was only a step behind.
"Uh, yeah," he answered rubbing his nose. "There seems to be some sort of force field here."
"I see nothing."
"Yeah, I know. Neither do I," said Jack. He stopped the rubbing of his nose and put out his hand which met resistance when he tried to reach in past the entrance to the maze. "Yeah, definitely some sort of force field."
Teal'c walked up to Jack's side and tried also. When Jack saw that Teal'c's hand was also meeting the same resistance he said to Daniel and Carter, "Ah, kids."
"Yeah, Jack," answered Daniel.
"We seem to have a small problem here."
"What sort of problem?" asked Carter as she walked to where Jack and Teal'c were standing.
"There's something stopping us from entering the maze," answered Jack. He tried again and this time moved over one of the waist high walls. "It seems to be all around the thing, not just the entrance."
"Let me try, Sir," said Carter moving in to take Teal'c's place. She put up a hand and pulled it back. "Same with me, Sir." Looking over at the four natives she said, "Let me try something. Obatoc could you please come here?" she asked.
The man named Obatoc looked first to his friends and then slowly walked to where Carter was standing.
"Yes, Major Carter," he said.
"Obatoc, would you please put your hand up here," she said showing him what she wanted him to do.
He held back and Jack could tell the man was nervous or scared. Either one was preventing him from complying to Carter's request.
"It won't hurt," said Jack. "I promise." He smiled and tried to push through with his hand again to show the young warrior that he was telling the truth.
Obatoc watched and then slowly raised his hand. Inch by inch it got closer to the spot where SG1's hands were stopped. By this time, Daniel had joined the group around the entrance to the maze and he crossed his arms and watched silently. As soon as Obatoc's hand came into contact with the obstruction, he pulled it back quickly. Then as though he realized that it hadn't caused him any damage, he tried again with the same result.
"Well I guess that answers that question," said Jack. "Okay. Teal'c you go that way," he continued pointing towards the left. "And I'll go this way. We'll see if this thing does go all the way around. Daniel, I suppose you and Carter better get a start on those pictures. We need answers and PDQ."
"PDQ, O'Neill?"
"PDQ, Teal'c. Pretty damned quick."
"I see."
"Oh and Daniel?"
"Yes Jack."
"When TaterTot gets here, could you and Carter bring him up to speed?" asked Jack.
"Sure Jack. No problem."
Tatapesaah arrived when Jack and Teal'c were only a quarter each around the maze. So far neither man had found anywhere the force field wasn't blocking their path. As Jack searched he watched Tatapesaah and his men conferring excitedly before he made his way to where Daniel and Carter were standing discussing the mural. He continued to scan the surface of the force field while watching Daniel and Tatapesaah talk. Even though he couldn't hear exactly what they were saying, their body language was enough to let him know that the tribal leader was excited as well as a bit nervous about this discovery. He saw Daniel point to the maze and to both Jack and Teal'c. Then he took Tatapesaah's arm and led him to the entrance to the maze. Jack could see Tatapesaah's shoulder's rise and fall as he took a deep breathe and then reach out a hand to touch the force field. His hand also stopped short of the entrance and he pulled his hand back and cast a puzzled look at Daniel. Apparently more explanations from Daniel ended with both men going back to the wall where Carter waited. Then all three looked at the wall. Occasionally someone would point at something and a head would nod or shake depending on whether the person agreed with whatever was being said, assumed Jack. Quickly tiring of watching, he looked to see that Teal'c had made as much progress around the maze as he which wasn't much further than when Tatapesaah had arrived. It was going to be a long afternoon.
***
Continued in Part 9