As the door opened, Jack O'Neill braced himself for what could be his last moment. Looking into the faces of his team, he had never been prouder. Teal'c's solemn and immovable expression, Carter's clear and undaunted gaze, and Daniel's fearless countenance showed anyone exactly why SG1 always beat the odds. Facing the door now, head high, he awaited whatever fate had in store for them, be it death, or worse, they'd go together.
The tickle of light became a glaring sun, despite his best intentions; he blinked rapidly, trying to obtain a clear view. What the heck was that? Were they going to be knocked out again? What would be the point? To his surprise, the light…didn't dim exactly, rather it became more compact, reforming itself to became a shape, a person shaped star, and gradually the glare faded leaving the team rubbing their eyes in an attempt to regain normal vision.
"Oh my god" He heard Carter exclaim softly, blinking he looked up.
The light was gone, replaced by a young woman maybe early twenties, with long brown hair and a grey formless dress. She looked almost human, save for her eyes…
They were white to the point of gleaming, with pupils so black they could hold a chasm behind them. She either had no irises, or they matched the glimmering whites so perfectly they were not visible. Her expression was void of any emotion, and she stood less than 5ft away, staring at them blankly.
Clearing his throat, Jack snapped out of his astonishment and stepped forward, "Hello…" He began, not sure what to say to their unexpected visitor.
He was stopped short as she turned her gaze towards him, her features suddenly contorted in disgust.
"How dare you approach me," a cold voice spoke, "How could a creature as low as you even think of it." Her eyes flickered over the rest of SG1, "How dare you live without my permission."
Turning, Jack asked slowly, "Daniel, want to revise your 'not a goa'uld' theory?"
"I'm not sensing a symbiote Sir."
"Nor am I O'Neill"
Exasperation overriding his apprehension, he looked back at the…woman. "Well if your not a Goa'uld, what the heck are you? And why'd you lock us up down here? All we did was take a look round!"
The girl regarded him coolly, "I am of a race so far beyond you, our very name is far above your comprehension. I merely assumed this form so we can communicate via your primitive vocal method."
Looking round, Jack mouthed at Daniel, "Primitive?" the linguist shrugged slightly. Raising an eyebrow, he asked pointedly, "Well no offence, but what do you want? Only there's an appointment I have with my TV that I'd just hate to miss. So if this is all we'll just be leaving-"
"No"
Jack's eyebrows nearly hit his hairline, "No?"
"You cannot leave until you have been judged?"
"What do you mean judged?"
"To see if you are worthy of living."
Jack closed his eyes for a minute then opened them. "And let me guess, your going to judge us?"
"Your natures will judge you, as basic and violent as they are. We will see if you are capable of the highest quality your species can portray."
"And what would that be?"
"Truth. A universal constant, at least in this reality."
Jack shuddered slightly, "You want to judge me, fine. But leave my team alone, they were following my orders."
The woman, creature, whatever she was stared straight into his eyes like a welding flame. Her features, oddly lit by the flickering torches looked pale and strangely old. Her voice forestalled the protests of his teammates.
"That is impossible, you shall all be judged by what you appear to value the most, each other."
Next chapter coming right up, more action hopefully in this one!