Explorers

Medran slowly rounded the hill, automatically avoiding tree roots and fallen branches. At the edge of the forest, he hesitated. His face was impassive, but his mind was filled with images and thoughts that bore no relation to the 33 years that he had lived in the peace and tranquillity of the village below.

In the grassy clearing, the stone structure of the temple stood indifferent to the consolation of sunlight as the salty ache in Medran's chest. He walked down the last few metres of the path and entered the dark ruin. He didn't call out, but went straight to the laboratory. Daniel Jackson stood frowning over a small pile of paper sheaves, trying to read the small handwriting in the light of his torch.

Medran waited. He waited to feel, something, anything, at the sight of the man who he knew only through the pain he had caused Ellen, but his heart remained numb. "Major Carter not been able to detect a trace of the Ouster ship. Their energy signature may have dissipated too far," Medran said tonelessly.

Daniel flicked off the torch, his face in shadow.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Are you?"

They looked at each other in the dim light. Medran picked up a data crystal, his slender fingers caressing the edges of the disc. He spoke without looking at the other man.

"I have often wondered why something that is a source of constant support to our people brought Ellen and you such misery. I can only believe that it was because neither of you were prepared. Prepared to truly see another human being, the beauty and the wonder, and the imperfections of another soul." He gestured vaguely towards the village. "Our children grow up with the voices of many around them. We don't doubt our destiny or the love we are given. We can hear the truth in the words spoken by the heart. Your people are different." He shrugged and raised his eyes. "As Ellen is different from anything I have ever seen."

Daniel pushed up his glasses. "We will find her. Sam will figure something out…"

Medran's chin jerked up in a flash of anger, but at the sound of footsteps from the passage, he bowed his head, hands folded in the sleeves of the tunic.

Jack ducked into the room. He saw the Escuvaran and suppressed an inward sigh.

"Medran told you," Jack said.

Daniel didn't meet his eyes. "Yes, he did."

"Carter hasn't been able to do much with that energy signature yet, and… Medran, is there anything else you can tell us, anything that might help?"

"I have told you all we know."

"What about their home world, they must have a base somewhere?"

The tall man shook his head.

"If they do, we would never be able to find it." He pointed helplessly at the gadgetry around them. "This is not how we live our lives. We are not explorers."

He fell silent, his gaze fixed on a spot on the ground.

"So this is it? You're letting them go?" O'Neill asked.

He looked at the Escuvaran, willing him to come up with a sudden recollection of a folk tale or children's story dredged up out of their collective memories, anything that would give them a fighting chance to find the raiders. But the alien remained stubbornly silent.

"I… I'm not sure, but I might be able to do something," Daniel said.

"Did you find something?" Jack waved one hand at the papers strewn across the work surfaces around them. The archaeologist followed his gaze, colouring a little.

"Uh, no. Actually, I meant Ellen."

Jack started to protest, but Daniel went on quickly: "If I could make contact with her, we might be able to establish where they are and…"

"No way. We'll get them back some other way. I don't care if we have to scour the entire galaxy to find them, but you're not doing that… that mind thing again!"

"How?" Daniel asked quietly. "How are you going to get them back?"

They argued about it all the way back to the village.

"Carter, tell me you have found something!"

O'Neill could tell the answer from her face, though her eyes lit up when Daniel explained his insane plan to her.

"That might actually work, Sir."

"I was hoping you might have a better idea," O'Neill said acidly.

She had disassembled the 'scope and slammed the lid shut on its carry case.

"Nope. Have you?"

The Colonel opened his mouth to speak, and shut it again.

"I think we're out of options, Jack." Daniel said.

O'Neill glowered at the younger man, but he seemed determined.

"Oh for crying out loud! Alright, you have a go. One attempt." He held up one finger in Daniel's face for emphasis. "One! Carter, you work out something else. Quickly. I'll call Hammond and let him know what's going on."

He marched out of the clearing. Medran had followed the exchange, his blue eyes gleaming.

"You do not wish to do this," he said softly.

Daniel buried his hands in his pockets.

"Honestly, I don't know what I'm doing. I just don't see that have a choice."

"I can assure of the gratitude of all my people. But perhaps it would be equally true to say how well it pleases me to be always surprised by your kind." He bowed with a small smile. "Escuvar will be happy to provide any assistance you might require."

TBC…