Chapter 5

The base was quiet at this time of night. The ticking of the clock made no impression on Samantha Carter as she stared, unseeing, at the granite block. Her frustration at its unfathomable interior festered within her mind, but at the moment that had taken a back seat to her strange emotional state.

Daniel's departure had left her feeling out of sorts in a way that she could not put her finger on. She had not felt this way when they had been separated before, not even when he had gone under cover with the Goa'uld. There had been a haunted look in his eyes on his return from that mission that should have warned them of this crisis. But they had each of them ignored the warning signs. Daniel was resilient - they all knew that. Daniel coped with all the crap that life sent his way - they knew that too. But there was only so much one person could take, and Daniel had found his limit. She had turned out to be a poor friend when the chips were down, and that hurt. No matter that she had seen that same realisation lurking behind the colonel's carefully composed features, nor lighting Teal'c's impassive face. Between them they should have seen this coming. Daniel was out in the jungle, alone, needing them, and they weren't there.

She sighed and bent her gaze to the intractable artefact before her. The temptation to grab a sledgehammer and smash the rocky cube to smithereens was almost overwhelming, even as her scientific side pulled back in horror. And after all, it was only gut instinct that was telling her that anything was harboured by the block. Every test had come back negative. She had no idea why this lump of unremarkable rock was driving her insane with curiosity.

"Major, it's oh-two hundred hours, what are you doing here?"

O'Neill's sharp tone brought her head around. "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't know you were still here."

"And…?"

"This artefact, it's getting to me I guess."

"Right, Carter. So, time to go home, get some rest, come back at the problem when you are more alert."

She opened her mouth to argue.

"Ah! Ah, ah, ah! I can make that an order."

"Yes, sir. I'll just set it for one more scan, then I can analyse the results in the morning." As she left, Sam took one last quick glance around, then turned off the lights.

Colonel and major walked together down the deserted corridors, an uneasy silence between them. Sam wondered what had kept the colonel so late; he was usually out of the facility as soon as he could be. The answer wasn't far away. They both slowed as Daniel's locked lab came in to view.

She could guess at the hours the colonel had spent wandering around the SGC, much as she had herself, the place seeming somehow emptier without Daniel's solid presence. O'Neill seemed to tense slightly as they approached the door, though his face remained perfectly controlled.

"Do you think he's alright?"

Jack picked up the pace a little, pushing them past the unremarkable door. "Our Daniel? He has more lives than a cat. He'll be just fine, Carter. Just fine."

Back in Major Carter's lab, the machine that had so far found no results hummed to itself as it ran one test after another. A slight tick echoed around the room as it switched to another programme, one not within Carter's parameters. On the bench a faint echoing of the machine's hum emanated from the block. Deep in its depths, the metal core glowed briefly, then died away. The seemingly plain surface gleamed in the darkness, the faint shadow of a complicated design flared briefly then was gone; that brief yet rhythmic flare was to continue for the next few hours and would drive the SGC to drastic action.

***

Daniel felt dirty and uncomfortable; what he wouldn't give right now for a long hot shower, a huge mug of extra strong coffee and his own bed. But for all the aches in his back and shoulders from his hunched position by the wall, he felt remarkably content. That afternoon had been just what he needed to wipe away at least some of his doubts. From the moment he had seen the temple an almost overwhelming need to discover all he could about it had taken possession of him. Even the nightmares he and Vicky had endured the night before did little to dissuade him from trying to discover who had built the huge walls and carved the intriguing glyphs. And now, with the firelight playing across their faces, he and Vicky were deep in discussions about Ancient Egypt - what could be more perfect?

Her knowledge was extensive, surprisingly so for someone who had never felt the hot sand under her feet, nor handled the broken shards of a life long past as it saw daylight for the first time in centuries. Though her speciality was the ancient Maya, her understanding of other cultures was phenomenal.

"What was your favourite find?" Hazel eyes watched him intently across the flickering flames. Her thirst for knowledge almost matched his own, and it pleased him greatly that she was taking an interest in something that filled his own heart with such passion. He stumbled over the thought, realising that for the first time in months he was really enthused about something. And the glorious thing was that he knew it would not leave him again. He smiled broadly before answering her, letting that secret knowledge warm him.

"It's nothing special. Nothing that would make the journals sit up and take notice, but it touched me. We had been digging in a small village not far from Luxor and we came across a huge amount of shards. The sort of thing the villagers had used to scribble notes, or write letters on. It was such an intimate find, like reading someone's diary from centuries before. The daily minutia laid out for us to read. Women griping about their husbands. Men complaining about their bosses. A note to do this or that, shopping lists, recipes. It brought their lives that much closer to ours to know that they thought the same way we do, had the same petty jealousies, the same feelings of love and hate. We even found a love letter, or it could have been a poem."

"I've never seen anything like that. The university had some pieces, and they let us roam the museum at will, but the kind of thing you are talking about would have been hidden from us." Vicky sighed, resting her chin on her drawn up knees. "I envy you, Doctor Jackson, to have had the chance to see so much."

If you only knew, Daniel thought, but he kept that to himself.

"Why don't you go back and finish your studies? You could specialise in the Mayan culture. There is so much the community doesn't understand about this." His hand waved in the general direction of the temple. "The writings alone could take a lifetime to decipher; we know so little about them."

Dissatisfaction coloured his guide's voice as she replied. "But I want to see more. I want to touch history the way you have, to be there when something new is discovered. It's not possible of course. I can't afford to go back now and resume my studies. I keep up with the journals when I can, I take in lectures when one comes close to me, and there is always the Internet, but it doesn't compare with fieldwork. I wish…" She shook her head, tossing her mane of hair back from her face.

"So, Doctor, can you remember any of the poem you found?" Vicky's voice was bright as she changed subjects quickly, wrapping her arms around her knees and focussing on her companion.

He was quiet for a moment as he searched his memories, closing his eyes to aid his recall.

"It was from a woman to her lover, the man she calls brother as they did."

Vicky nodded, her eyes never wavering from his.

With his voice low and soft, suited to the mood and the night, he began.

"My brother, it is pleasant to go to the pond in order to bathe in thy presence that I might let thee see my beauty in my tunic of finest royal linen when it is wet.

Fairest one, my desire shall be that if my brother can not be with me tonight then I am like him who is in the grave.

For art thou not health and life…" Daniel's voice trailed off. He could not take his eyes off Vicky's face. Her eyes were wide with emotion, he knew his own breath was quickening at the images the poem had instigated. It was so easy to see the gorgeous woman who sat before him in the wet linen that would cling to every curve. He coughed self-consciously and dragged his eyes away, ignoring the tightening in his groin and the sudden flush through his veins.

"I, uh, I think I'll turn in. It's been a hard day."

Vicky watched him for a moment longer, something lurking in the back of her eyes that made him eager to leave his place by the fire to join her. But he would not, could not start something here. She was vulnerable, as was he right now. It would never work. Just stay on your side of the fire, he admonished himself, just go to sleep and don't dream about her.

His wish was not to be fulfilled.

This time his dream began in the full glare of the mid day sun. The temple stood fully restored with bright paint decorating the walls; the steps to the sacrificial altar were back in place piercing the air. Atop the pyre the altar gleamed under the intense heat which highlighted the dark stains that ran in rivulets down its sides. He stood at the very top of the steps, behind the slab. In the brilliant light the design on its side stood out in perfect clarity. Below him a procession was approaching the steps in ceremonial fashion. At the heart of the column of magnificently apparelled natives strode a woman, head held high, cloaked with the sacrificial mantle. As she raised her eyes to his Daniel wanted to give voice to his horror. Vicky's hazel eyes met his with no recognition and he could not open his mouth to warn her. His heart pounded in rhythm to the slow progression up the steps toward him, below the crowd stood in humble, reverent silence. Like an onlooker from within his own body, there was nothing Daniel could do to stop what he knew was about to happen. Looking down at himself he saw that he too was dressed in native costume. The kilt that hugged his hips left his legs on display, on his chest a medallion of office lay against his bare flesh, and the heavy mantle of a cloak hugged his shoulders. In his hand the knife, its hilt embedded with jade, flashed in the sunlight, the blade wickedly sharp. And then she was before him. Two ushers removed the cloak from her shoulders with great reverence even as he was disrobed. He lifted the knife to the sky, uttering words he could not translate. Then Vicky was being bent back over the altar, her breasts exposed to the gods. With a savage movement the blade flashed down, sinking deep into her chest as her screams echoed in his head. All the while he was screaming inside at the horror of his actions and his inability to stop the sacrifice happening by his hand.

He surged upward, his voice hoarse and loud in the utter stillness of the forest night. The nightmare had been so vivid that he could still feel the warmth of her blood where it had splattered across his naked chest, could feel the tremulous last beats of her heart as it pumped feebly in his cupped hands.

"No!"

Awareness came to him slowly. The touch of strong hands on his shoulders, shaking him. Soft tones calling his name, drawing him back from the abyss of madness that seemed determined to pursue him in every moment.

"Doctor Jackson… Doctor Jackson."

He heard her, faintly, but his thoughts would not settle. Visions of the gaping wound, the sound of the crowd's roared approval, muffled his senses almost to the exclusion of everything else.

"Daniel? Daniel you're scaring me. Please…"

He raised his head slowly, trying to shake away the fog that had settled in his mind. She was there in front of him, alive, breathing… alive! Her face barely visible in the moonlit night was just inches away from his. Full lips were parted as she prepared to speak again; her eyes were full of concern.

"I'm okay," he managed to mumble through suddenly parched lips. "Just give me a moment." Dragging himself up, he drew his knees to his chest and let his forehead rest on them, taking deep steadying breaths, aware of her kneeling beside him, her hand on his shoulder acting like an anchor.

"That was… unpleasant." Daniel's voice was still a little unsteady even as he tried to relax his body and bring his heart rate down.

Vicky stayed beside him, leaving her hand resting lightly on him as though reluctant to break contact. Then she let her hand trail lightly down his arm before removing it. Daniel felt the loss keenly, and some of the warmth went out of the night as she moved away from him to build up the fire.

"Tell me about the dream. Was it the same as last night?"

Running one hand over his face, Daniel tried to decide what to tell her. To hear of your own death, even in someone else's dream would not be pleasant, yet he owed her the truth. He saw the involuntary flinch as he related the nightmare, cringing inside at the pain he had inflicted. The memories of her own father's death brought back to her with his words.

"I didn't dream, Doctor Jackson."

The import of Vicky's words was all too evident.

He was insane then, or depressive, or … he couldn't think of the right term. McKenzie would surely think of something impressive to call it Daniel mused with a detachment that was chilling his soul. I've finally taken that step into the darkness, such a waste, such a waste. His gaze rested on the shadowed wall behind Vicky, not wanting her to see the madness he was sure lurked in his eyes.

Silvery blue light suddenly lit the area, a moment later and it was gone. He stared unbelieving at the edifice, his breath held in anticipation. There, it happened again.

"Uh, Vicky." He turned to his companion and pointed at the wall behind her. "Am I hallucinating as well?"

She turned, and followed his pointing finger, eyes puzzled and wary.

The pulse lit the temple again, maybe ten seconds, but long enough to outline the bas-reliefs etched into the granite. And this time Daniel noted that the light came from those stones carved with the pseudo Egyptian glyphs that were driving him crazy.

Daniel put aside his unaccustomed depressive mood to deal with the problem in front of him. Scrambling to his feet he quickly donned his heavy boots and made his way warily toward the entrance, passing through the massive stone gateway and into the pitch-black gloom beyond. Utter silence dominated the ruins, he heard his own footsteps echoing around him, could feel his pulse racing. How many times had he done this now? But this time there was no team to back him up, no one to watch his back and a civilian walking right behind him.

Glyphs that had been barely discernible that afternoon now glowed brightly with each pulse. He stared at them, noting the order, knowing that somewhere, at some time, he had seen these very same symbols. A precursor to the Egyptian hieroglyphs, maybe even the original scripts? So much had been deliberately erase from Egypt's written history. It had been puzzling the archaeological world for decades, how the written language had suddenly appeared. He knew of course that the Goa'uld had much to do with the shaping of the land and its people, and yet there were no Goa'uld writings to be found anywhere, on any continent, in any museum. When they left they had eradicated all traces, bar that which lived in the myth and legends of every culture.

Was this then some ancient Goa'uld temple? He thought not, but the reasoning behind his conclusion was misty, just a gut feeling that this place, even with its blood stained history, was not their work.

Cautiously he approached the fallen altar, aware that Vicky was right behind him, almost in his footsteps. He could only imagine what this was like for her. He turned and tried to give her his best reassuring smile, her eyes were wide with apprehension, yet she moved with purpose as they made their way to the huge block. Daniel waited for the next pulse to light the ground, his fingers searching for the stone Teal'c had given him which still lay buried in his deep pocket. He drew it forth and waited expectantly. The next pulse flared and the stone on his palm grew hot, almost too much for his flesh to take. Each glyph seemed to stand out, making each design clear and legible for those few seconds. Sure that the stone belonged in the altar Daniel moved forward and placed the artefact into the slot, hearing a loud click as the piece seemed to merge with the stone.

The night air had become heavy, as though a storm was about to erupt all around them, and yet the sky was brilliantly clear. A hint of electricity inched across his skin, making him shiver slightly. Again he checked the sky only to be greeted with panoply of stars twinkling down upon him, mocking his sudden anxiety.

The pulse stopped and became one steady light, brightening up the temple, until every corner was lit with the silvery brilliance.

"What now?" Vicky breathed from his left. "What does it mean?"

"I have no idea," he replied slowly. His eyes wandered around the lit stones again, their meaning tantalisingly close. With growing frustration he moved from one to the other, then back to the altar, muttering under his breath. "Where, where, where? Damn, I wish I had access to my notes. I know I have seen this…" He stopped in front of the altar once again, drawn back to it by Teal'c's gift. "Ernest's planet! That's it… one of the four, maybe. Or was it…damn it!"

Frustration ran riot through him. His memory was phenomenal, but there had been so much data in that meeting room, so much that he had not been able to film, and he still hadn't had time to go through all the footage he had taken, let alone transcribe any of it.

"Doctor Jackson…" Vicky's voice whispered, her hand touching his arm with a gentle insistence.

A softly glowing ball of light had appeared overhead. With a crack that shook the temple, lightning seemed to flash from the glow to sear the earth beneath in a sheet of blue. On the other side of the altar, as the phenomenon dissipated, it revealed a humanoid form dressed all in white. Tall and thin to the point of emaciation, still the figure gave off an aura of strength. At its side was the largest jaguar Daniel had ever seen. Two pairs of dark eyes watched him with curiosity. There seemed no malice in the alien's features, just a wistful sadness as he looked around the devastated temple.

"Hello." Daniel took a step forward, arms open in a universal gesture of good will. "My name is Danie…"

The brilliance of the light that surrounded Vicky and himself was blinding. The accompanying boom shook his brain until blackness claimed him. The last thing he heard was Vicky's terrified scream and his own thoughts echoing 'not again'.

***

The shrill ringing of the telephone dragged Samantha Carter up from a deep yet troubled sleep. For the last couple of days she had been finding herself waking at odd hours, aware of some unpleasant dream lurking just out of reach. She shook her head, trying to erase the unease from her mind. Still groggy, she listened in growing concern to the tinny voice at the other end of the phone line. Within minutes she was dressed and driving well over the speed limit on the race to reach the mountain facility before something unfixable happened.

O'Neill's jeep beat her to the parking lot by seconds and both headed at a fast trot to the elevator.

"Any guesses, Carter?"

"None, sir. I hadn't expected anything to happen at all. Just more negative results. O'Halloran just said the block was pulsing, no radiation detected as yet. It could be anything or nothing… I just don't know."

Suiting up, just in case, Carter and O'Neill entered her lab cautiously. The pulse of light emitting from the block ceased abruptly, plunging the room into darkness lit only by the security light.

"Did you see that? That symbol wasn't there this morning." Carter turned to the shelves, grabbing a recorder and set it up opposite the block. She was determined to catch the image on tape, just in case.

"What was that!" O'Neill took a step back as the block glowed once more then hurried to the door. "Get Teal'c here, now."

Sam hurried to her instruments, all the displays read negative, except for that of her new toy. Every number was off the scale. Energy, radiation, though the band was wholly new to her, even light wave emissions though the spectrum was so extended she didn't know where to start on analysing the results.

"Major Carter, Colonel." Hammond's voice boomed at them from the observation room. "We have more trouble. I want you both to see this."

"But sir…"Carter protested.

"It's relevant, Major, or I wouldn't take you away from this."

They hurried up to the control room where the general was watching incoming data with a heavy frown. "I asked NASA to check if anything untoward was happening elsewhere, in or outside our atmosphere. They came back with this a few moments ago."

"My god!" Carter quickly took a seat at the panels and began typing in instructions. Pulling data from her lab computer and adding it to that coming in from NASA's findings. "They are identical. The output is greater but…"

Jack leaned over her shoulder, not understanding the science but knowing that whatever it was it probably wasn't going to be fun for the SGC.

"Locations, Carter?"

"Working on it, sir." Her eyes scoured the displays as her fingers tapped quickly on the keyboard. "Just one, Central America…" her voice trailed off for a moment. "Sir, it's Belize."

Jack's eyes closed briefly as he swore softly under his breath. "General, permission to investigate."

Hammond considered the request, then, "Not just yet, Colonel. I want to know what we are dealing with before I send out a team. So far only NASA and ourselves know about this. Major, see what you can find out about the phenomenon. I need to know if it's a major threat."

She nodded and almost ran back out of the room, her mind already turning over possibilities.

"But General, Daniel's out there. Hell, he's probably right in the middle of whatever it is. He attracts this stuff like a damn magnet. If he's in trouble we have to go."

"I know, Colonel. I don't like it any better than you. Ah, Teal'c, what did you find out?"

The Jaffa's impassive face gave nothing away. "I have never seen this type of radiation before, General. However, the symbol now showing on the block in Major Carter's laboratory is familiar to me. My father gave me a stone many years ago that bears the same design, though he did not know its origin."

"And…?" Jack queried, impatient with his friend's lack of information.

"I gave the stone to Daniel Jackson."

"Oh jeez. Oh that's great, just peachy."

"Colonel?"

"I'm sorry, General, but you know Daniel. I just bet he's had a hand in this, whatever "it" is. Sir, we really have to go find him. He's probably the one person who can figure it out anyway."

"We'll wait for Major Carter's report, then I'll make my decision. In the meantime you might want to check Doctor Jackson's files, see if he has any information about this symbol Teal'c recognises."

Jack's impatience was written all over his face, but he curbed his unease. Dragging Teal'c down to Daniel's locked office they entered together.

The clutter was awesome, though both men were aware that Daniel knew where every piece of paper was and could lay his hand on any item within moments. It seemed strange to them both that he wasn't there, that the intelligence that lived within their comrade's mind was not available to them when they most needed it.

"Right, well let's get started. Teal'c, you have any idea where to start?" O'Neill gazed around the room with a hopeless look in his eyes.

"I would suggest the computer, O'Neill."

"Right. Sure. Okay, I can do that."

They flicked on the screen and waited in uncomfortable silence as files loaded on to the desktop. The folders were endless, and many were in languages that Jack had never seen before. Obviously some coding that only Daniel would understand, which was great when someone else needed his data. There was only one thing for it, with a sigh he clicked on the first icon and opened up another list of folders. "This could take a while," he murmured.

"Indeed," replied the stoic Jaffa.