Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1, nor it's characters. While technically I don't really own Thoth or Ma'at either, I own the characterization of them in this story... I think...but if you wanna use them, go for it. Just tell me so I can read THAT story!
Neutral Ground
Chapter One
"Teal'c, do you know where Carter and Daniel are?" Colonel Jack O'Neill asked, his fingers drumming on the stock of his P-90. The Colonel and tall Jaffa stood near the base of the embarkation ramp ready to step through the soon to be activated Stargate.
Assuming the rest of SG-1 would show up. The large blast doors opened, and the two Doctors entered, holding an animated discussion over a device in Daniels hands.
"Carter! Daniel! You're late!" Jack barked. He wasn't really all that upset and the team knew it, but he was the leader. Such things were expected.
"Sorry, sir." The blond haired woman replied, absently.
A just as absent "Sorry Jack." Came from Doctor Daniel Jackson.
Jack O'Neill rolled his eyes. "Would you two mind telling me what you're doing with a price scanner?"
"Price scann... OH! No, Jack, this is a translation device Sam and I have been working on."
Carter, aka Major and Doctor Samantha Carter, picked up the explanation. "It's a full function computer with a Database of all known written Earth and Alien languages in an easy to reference format. It also has a phonetic lexicon of important phrases in those languages."
"So, what you are saying is that you put Daniels brain in a big box with a pistol grip."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "That is highly doubtful, O'Neill."
"I don't know. This is Carter we are talking about here."
"SG-1, are you ready, or is there a problem?" General Hammonds voice came over the gate rooms speakers.
"We're ready. Sorry sir." O'Neill waved.
"Preparing for Stargate Activation."
"Carter continued to speak over the noise of the Stargates spinning. "It's a database of languages, sir, but only the known ones. As often as we run into variants or new languages it's a tool, but hardly a match for Daniel."
"True." O'Neill nodded amiably. "But the 'Danny-box' there won't set off many traps."
"Chevron One engaged."
"Hey!" Daniel objected.
"Or have aliens fall in love with it." O'Neill continued to tease.
"Chevron Two Engaged."
"Like that only ever happens to me!" The linguist muttered.
"Chevron Three Engaged."
Samantha grinned, getting into the act. "The 'Danny-box' also won't use as many tissues."
"Chevron Four Engaged."
"Oh don't you start Sam!" Daniel groaned.
"Chevron Five Engaged."
"I believe they are merely 'teasing', Daniel Jackson."
"Chevron Six Engaged."
"Thank you, Teal'c!"
"Chevron Seven Locked! Wormhole established!"
SG-1 strode towards the rippling 'pool' of the event horizon, Teal'c spoke again. "They also neglected to mention that the device would be much easier to carry when wounded, Daniel Jackson."
The rest of SG-1 paused in shock, as the lightly smiling Teal'c stepped through the gate. "Did he just tease me?" Daniel asked, then stepped through the gate after the Jaffa.
Carter just grinned, following the beseeched doctor.
Jack shook his head. "Teal'c told a joke. Now I know this should be an interesting mission." He stepped up to the gate "although it was MY turn to go first!"
The Colonel stepped through, and seconds later the wormhole vanished.
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Jack stumbled as he landed on the other side. "Kinda a rough...landing...Carter." He Froze.
Ten Jaffa stood around them, Zat'NikTal's pointed at the team. The two people, a Man and woman, standing behind the Jaffa worried him more though. Especially when one spoke.
"I insist you all drop your weapons." The reverberating voice of a Gould grated on O'Neill's ears. "I, Thoth, command it."
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"I swear, I'm going to shoot some technicians when we get back!" The Colonel raged. Pacing around the holding cell SG-1 had been placed in."
"Jack, sit down. You getting angry isn't going to help anything."
The gray haired soldier grumbled, but stopped yelling. "Now, is it just me, or is there something weird going on here?"
Teal'c, Sam, and O'Neill all looked at Daniel. "What do you mean." Sam asked.
"Half those Jaffa were women, and had a different symbol on their heads then the males."
"They are the Jaffa of Ma'at, as the men were of Thoth."
"You know those guys?" O'Neill looked at the dark skinned warrior.
"Indeed. I passed through Thoth's home world to join with Apophis after my father's death."
"What can you tell us about them?" Sam asked.
"They are both System Lords, and known to be Mates. Thoth and Ma'at rule one system each, independently, and a third together. However, for some reason, they are not permitted to go to another Gould's world without permission."
"Sounds like the other Gould fear them." Daniel said.
"It is said that Thoth has powerful Magic above that of other Gould, and that Ma'at is said to know everything. Most Jaffa pray to them in time of war."
"Why?" Daniel asked. "In earths myths they were scholars and Thoth was a very powerful Magician as well as a god, but they were not known as war gods."
"As they are not considered by the Jaffa. The Jaffa armies call them the "Peacebringers". They are the mediators of Gould treaties."
"Great. Gould lawyers."
The team choose to ignore Jack O'Neill.
Teal'c nodded, absently however. "They are known to react badly to betrayal. A minor System Lord once breached a cease-fire, and very nearly destroyed Ma'at while killing his opponent. Thoth, it is said, appeared on the Gould's command ships bridge in spite of his shields, and choked him to death while the System Lords First Prime tried to stop him.
"Have to respect a guy who loves his wife."
The rest of SG-1 had to agree.
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"What is it you have discovered beloved?"
Ma'at looked up from the 'Danny-box' on her ornate desk, her black eyes meeting the sapphire blue of her husbands.
"These people are the Tau'ri."
"We had suspected as much from their robot."
"Yes. Well it seems these Tau'ri are far more then Chronos or any other has given them credit for being."
"Please explain, though I am not surprised." The tall Gould sat down in a chair across from the female's desk.
"This is a computer, and while it is not as advanced as the Gould standard, it is quite advanced and flexible. What's more, they have literally hundreds of languages in its memory, including Gould, Asgard, and a fairly comprehensive one. I, in fact, was able to translate a plaque I have owned for hundreds of years without understanding thanks to this device. It is apparently in a language called 'Nox'."
"Interesting. What was on the Plaque?"
"A love poem. Quite good, if a bit to lighthearted for me."
"Hmm." Thoth looked at the 'Danny-box' in consideration. "Why did they come here?"
"They are explorers as well as warriors seeking allies. The one named Dr. Jackson wrote a letter for 'Any who should find this computer.' An unusual action, but very peaceful."
"I somehow expected the Tau'ri to be more war like. Perhaps we should talk to them."
"I suggest inviting them now."
"You always were more trusting then I, beloved." Thoth chuckled.
AN: Sorry this took so long. And Yes, if you haven't guessed Thoth and Ma'at aren't the bad guys... The bad guy is going to be much worse then a pair of Gould. Trust me.