Ah, another chapter
:o)
===========================
Jonas awoke, his eyes focusing, for a moment, on the perforated light of the stars through the canvass of the tent. He breathed deeply and sat up, letting his surroundings comfort him as the awareness returned to his mind, pushing the residue murmur of the vision into the night.
He felt drained, his body numb but there seemed no time for rest. He took a drink from the canteen at his bedside and unzipped the sleeping bag, switching on the battery-operated lamp that fizzled in the darkness. He unscrewed the top of a bottle of tablets and popped one into his mouth, swallowing it with another mouthful of water. Rubbing his eyes, Jonas pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead, hoping to smooth away the ache that was pulsating through his head.
Again he breathed in, his sense of smell now absorbing the vivid aroma coming from the barbeque, that the Colonel had brought with the supplies, making his stomach turn with hunger.
He reached for his padded jacket as the coolness of the night bit into the exposed skin on his arms and put on his boots, remembering to firmly tap the sole, first, to expel any unwanted critters.
He stretched his leg out and massaged around knee, feeling the sharp twinge that had accompanied him ever since his fight with Ragnarok. He tried to stand but his weight sent claw like tremors around his kneecap causing him to sit back down. He stayed there, a while, working the joint with his hand and mind, trying to exorcize the parasite of pain into a dull ache.
It was always worse after a vision.
======
He saw a light on in the 'command' tent and steadily walked towards it finding only Doctor Jackson there, bent over a laptop in concentration. Daniel looked up, "hey," he said with friendly eyes, "how ya feeling?"
The Kelownan's lips twitched slightly as he slouched into a chair, "rough," he said holding his head at an angle.
Daniel looked into the younger man's blood shot eyes and smiled reaching for a coffee pot that was nestled on a warmer. "All the comforts of home," he remarked, offering Jonas a chipped green mug.
The alien took it gratefully, embracing the mug in his hands more for comfort than warmth. He took a large sip, his body and mind welcoming the rush of caffeine as he eyed up the pyramid of doughnuts next to the Egyptologist.
"Hungry?" Daniel asked, pushing the plate his way.
"Yeah," Jonas responded taking a sizeable bite of one, which left him with sugar-coated lips.
"I, I, had another vision," he said calmly, battling with the jam that was oozing from the dough, "have you ever heard of a Goa'uld called," he thought about the pronunciation, "wee-tsee-loh-poch'-tlee."
"Huitzilopochtli?" Daniel repeated, shaking his head, "no, nothing on a Goa'uld using that name. I've only ever come across him in the Aztec texts," he tapped the screen, "he was their god of war and of the sun."
He looked at Jonas with knotted eyebrows, "is that who took the Egyptians from Earth and brought them here?"
Jonas nodded and began to describe his vision. Daniel listened patiently, nodding now and again whilst taking illegible notes. When he had finished Jonas swallowed the last remnants of the doughnut and licked the crystallised sweetness from each finger before promptly taking another.
Daniel leant back for a moment, fingertips 'churched' together in thought, eyes wide, looking at nothing in particular. Jonas sensed him lay all the pieces of information together, trying to understand how each link fitted in the scheme of what they knew as fact. His attention went to the laptop again as he navigated the keys to display what he need.
Jonas pulled his chair closer to the screen and both men strained to see the faint text in the dim, artificial light.
Daniel skimmed the content, his words falling quickly, "The name Huitzilopochtli comes from the words huitzilin, 'hummingbird' and opochtli, 'left', meaning, 'Humming-bird to the left.' The reason for this is that the god wore the feathers of the humming-bird, or colibri, on his left leg."
Jonas nodded, "the symbol on the Jaffa's forehead and, and on the shield was that of a humming bird."
Daniel scribbled something on his notepad and began to read again. "The explanation of Huitzilopochtli's origin is a little deeper than this," he frowned, placing his index finger to the screen as if feeling for enlightenment. "Among the, um, American tribes, especially those of the northern continent, the serpent is regarded with the deepest veneration as the symbol of wisdom and magic and from these comes a success in battle. A serpent also typifies the lightning, the symbol of the divine spear and the apotheosis of warlike might. So the images of Huitzilopochtli also depict him surrounded by serpents, with a snake sceptre and a great drum made of serpent-skin."
They both looked at each other, "there were serpents all around the base of the idol," Jonas began, thinking back to the vision, "and, and one held in his hand, elevated outward and above the rest as if it were far more superior."
"Now that sounds like a Goa'uld," Daniel offered with a flick of his forehead.
"Yeah," the Kelownan agreed finishing his second doughnut.
Daniel smiled and continued, skipping a few paragraphs, "um, for the Aztecs, warfare had a much different goal than for most of their counterparts. The goal of the battles was not to destroy the enemy and ransack the village but to capture the community and integrate them into the Aztec society, thus providing a much more productive and expanding kingdom."
"As was done here," Jonas voiced.
Daniel nodded, "the temples of these cities were burned and the worship of Huitzilopochtli installed. Warfare was also used to capture victims for ceremonial use. Prisoners of war were sacrificed on huge alters in front of large crowds. The heart of the victim was cut out, symbolically offered to the gods, and the lifeless body rolled down the long stairs, staining the steps with blood. Um nice," he commented, adjusting his glasses.
"As the sun god," Jonas continued, reading from the screen, "Huitzilopochtli was thought to require human hearts and blood for nourishment on his journey through the sky."
Both men fell silent, thinking back to the river of blood that had surge from the chamber hidden in the foundations of the temple.
"Did, did you enter the chamber?" Jonas asked, a chill stroking his bones.
Daniel nodded.
"And?" The Kelownan asked, his eyes not leaving the screen.
"It, it was just a basic room with no writings or symbols you'd usually associate with a Goa'uld."
"Could it of been trashed like the rest of the site?"
"No," Daniel sighed, "there was no evidence of that. The room still contained a brazier and, and a stone slab..."
"An alter?" Jonas asked.
Jackson nodded, "both were still intact," he looked away.
Jonas' eyes narrowed as if trying to burrow into his mind, "there's something else?" He perceived.
Daniel looked at him, "there were also handprints covering the walls and the ceiling."
"Handprints?"
"Each one seems to be different. I've sent a sample back to the lab, to confirm, but I'm sure they are..."
"Blood," Jonas finished off.
"Yeah."
Both men sat in silence, again, listening to the hum of the laptop. Jonas turned to Daniel, "I have to go down there," he said.
"I know," Daniel agreed, gently, "but not tonight, tomorrow and, and only for a short time."
Jonas nodded and Daniel stood up, "we need to ask Teal'c if he's heard of this Goa'uld first," he offered with a smile, which the alien returned.
Jonas popped another doughnut into his pocket and topped up his coffee before following Daniel out into the gloved night.
=====
O'Neill was coveting his barbeque, arranging the meat that was angrily spitting back at him, "hi kids," he said as they approached.
"Hey Jack," Daniel answered, "where's Teal'c?"
"Oh, just doing the rounds, should be back soon, though." He looked at Jonas, "how ya feeling Junior?"
Jonas indicated he was okay and reached into his pocket for the doughnut. Jack eyed him suspiciously and Daniel saw a glimmer of concern cross the Colonel's face. "He's fine Jack, a little rough around the edges, maybe, after this morning, but he seems okay."
O'Neill watched the Kelownan out of the corner of his eye whilst turning a piece of steak. "Hey Junior wanna try an O'Neill hotdog?"
Jonas put the half eaten cake back into his pocket and limped dutifully across to where the Colonel was standing, wiping his hands, self- consciously, on his jacket.
Jack handed him the dog, "how's the old war wound, there?" Jack inquired, pointing to the alien's leg with a pair of tongs.
"A, a little stiff," Jonas concurred, tapping his thigh in emphasis while giving the Colonel a broad smile.
"It's these cold nights," Jack agreed, seeing passed the grin.
Jonas nodded, spooning a thick layer of onions onto his food from a dish, "yes," he said quietly.
"There's ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise over here," Daniel said, cutting through their conversation.
Jonas went over to the portable picnic table and began to coat his hotdog with all three sauces.
Jack made a face, "Jeez, no wonder you have visions," he muttered, looking toward Daniel as Jonas bit, hungrily, into it.
The Egyptologist smiled and sat down close to where O'Neill was standing, "what da ya want Teal'c for?" The Colonel asked.
"We think we may know the name of the Goa'uld who occupied this planet," Daniel answered, taking a canteen of water from a cool box, "Jonas had another vision."
"No kidding?" The Colonel ventured, watching the Kelownan devour the last piece of his hotdog, "want another?" He invited.
Jonas nodded, "so what's our boy's name?" Jack enquired, shovelling the last two 'dogs into a bun before giving it to the Kelownan.
"Huitzilopochtli," Jonas answered trying to cram as many onions as he could into the left over space.
"Now that's a mouthful," Jack replied, placing the piece of steak on a plate and sitting down.
"What is O'Neill?" Teal'c asked, joining them.
"Ah T, how are the natives?"
Teal'c raised a disapproving eyebrow, his face showing an endurance, "they are archaeologists," he said with a slight growl, "no offence Daniel Jackson."
"None taken," Daniel acknowledged, holding up a hand.
"They are playing some sort of game that requires copious amounts of alcohol and a fluffy duck," the Jaffa continued.
"That's fuzzy," Jack countered, eating, then looking at the confused faces around him, "you know, fuzzy duck, ducky fuzz."
"I, I don't get it," Jonas responded looking, hopefully, at the Colonel.
Jack grimaced, changing the conversation quickly, "so T every heard of a snakehead called..." he looked towards Daniel.
"Huitzilopochtli," the Egyptologist finished.
The Jaffa placed his staff weapon against an empty chair and sat down, watching Jonas plaster the various sauces onto his food again. "Indeed I have," he replied, engrossed.
"And?"
Teal'c turned towards O'Neill and made a dismayed face, to which the Colonel gestured an understanding, "he was defeated by Apophis many centuries ago and has not been heard from since."
"Oh," Jack acknowledged, looking at the others, "we were sorta hoping for the longer version, there, T."
Teal'c bowed his head, "many of the System Lords believed him to be barbaric," he added.
"Barbaric, really, a Goa'uld?" Jack looked towards Daniel.
"Yes," Teal'c continued, "it is said that he ate the hearts of those he defeated in battle, to gain their strength."
"Tonalli," Jonas whispered into the night.
Daniel looked at him and then asked the Jaffa, "you said Apophis defeated him but he didn't kill him?"
"That is correct, Huitzilopochtli escaped Apophis' attack by changing his host and then fleeing with a handful of his followers."
"He swapped bodies?" Jack posed, looking slightly confused.
Teal'c nodded, "he used this ploy to give himself time to escape for it was thought, at first, when the original host's body was found, that he had been slain with his Jaffa."
"Clever," the Colonel added.
The Jaffa acknowledged this, "most Goa'ulds have an escape plan formulated for times of trouble," he informed them.
"So he would have already had this planet in mind?"
Teal'c nodded, "that is correct Daniel Jackson and he would have placed supplies here in readiness."
"And picked up whatever else he need back on Earth," Jonas injected, finishing his hotdog and cupping his hands around the mug of coffee.
"It would seem so," the Jaffa concluded.
"But that still doesn't answer the question of what happen here," Daniel reflected, swirling the water in his canteen around.
"Maybe we'll find out tomorrow," the young alien added, taking the half eaten doughnut from his pocket.
"Tomorrow?" Jack asked, puzzled.
The Kelownan looked towards Daniel for guidance, "Jonas and myself are going down into the chamber."
"Do you guys really think that's a good idea after what happen this morning?" O'Neill countered.
"Jack..."
"Hell Daniel, even in this half light and without a medical degree I can tell ol' Jonas there is completely fried."
Jonas felt all eyes on him, "Colonel..." He began.
Jack shook his head, "I think it's too soon."
"But we leave the day after tomorrow," Jonas argued, beginning to rise. Teal'c rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Then we come back, Jonas, another day."
"Jack," Daniel reasoned, "I, I don't think we have a choice. Jonas is somehow linked to this site. I think whatever happened this morning would continue to happen, here or at the SGC, until we get to the bottom of this connection."
Jack stood up, his back towards the group, deliberating. "Colonel," Jonas began, "at least this way I would have some control," he chewed his lip.
O'Neill looked back towards Daniel and reluctantly nodded.
============
;o)
===========================
Jonas awoke, his eyes focusing, for a moment, on the perforated light of the stars through the canvass of the tent. He breathed deeply and sat up, letting his surroundings comfort him as the awareness returned to his mind, pushing the residue murmur of the vision into the night.
He felt drained, his body numb but there seemed no time for rest. He took a drink from the canteen at his bedside and unzipped the sleeping bag, switching on the battery-operated lamp that fizzled in the darkness. He unscrewed the top of a bottle of tablets and popped one into his mouth, swallowing it with another mouthful of water. Rubbing his eyes, Jonas pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead, hoping to smooth away the ache that was pulsating through his head.
Again he breathed in, his sense of smell now absorbing the vivid aroma coming from the barbeque, that the Colonel had brought with the supplies, making his stomach turn with hunger.
He reached for his padded jacket as the coolness of the night bit into the exposed skin on his arms and put on his boots, remembering to firmly tap the sole, first, to expel any unwanted critters.
He stretched his leg out and massaged around knee, feeling the sharp twinge that had accompanied him ever since his fight with Ragnarok. He tried to stand but his weight sent claw like tremors around his kneecap causing him to sit back down. He stayed there, a while, working the joint with his hand and mind, trying to exorcize the parasite of pain into a dull ache.
It was always worse after a vision.
======
He saw a light on in the 'command' tent and steadily walked towards it finding only Doctor Jackson there, bent over a laptop in concentration. Daniel looked up, "hey," he said with friendly eyes, "how ya feeling?"
The Kelownan's lips twitched slightly as he slouched into a chair, "rough," he said holding his head at an angle.
Daniel looked into the younger man's blood shot eyes and smiled reaching for a coffee pot that was nestled on a warmer. "All the comforts of home," he remarked, offering Jonas a chipped green mug.
The alien took it gratefully, embracing the mug in his hands more for comfort than warmth. He took a large sip, his body and mind welcoming the rush of caffeine as he eyed up the pyramid of doughnuts next to the Egyptologist.
"Hungry?" Daniel asked, pushing the plate his way.
"Yeah," Jonas responded taking a sizeable bite of one, which left him with sugar-coated lips.
"I, I, had another vision," he said calmly, battling with the jam that was oozing from the dough, "have you ever heard of a Goa'uld called," he thought about the pronunciation, "wee-tsee-loh-poch'-tlee."
"Huitzilopochtli?" Daniel repeated, shaking his head, "no, nothing on a Goa'uld using that name. I've only ever come across him in the Aztec texts," he tapped the screen, "he was their god of war and of the sun."
He looked at Jonas with knotted eyebrows, "is that who took the Egyptians from Earth and brought them here?"
Jonas nodded and began to describe his vision. Daniel listened patiently, nodding now and again whilst taking illegible notes. When he had finished Jonas swallowed the last remnants of the doughnut and licked the crystallised sweetness from each finger before promptly taking another.
Daniel leant back for a moment, fingertips 'churched' together in thought, eyes wide, looking at nothing in particular. Jonas sensed him lay all the pieces of information together, trying to understand how each link fitted in the scheme of what they knew as fact. His attention went to the laptop again as he navigated the keys to display what he need.
Jonas pulled his chair closer to the screen and both men strained to see the faint text in the dim, artificial light.
Daniel skimmed the content, his words falling quickly, "The name Huitzilopochtli comes from the words huitzilin, 'hummingbird' and opochtli, 'left', meaning, 'Humming-bird to the left.' The reason for this is that the god wore the feathers of the humming-bird, or colibri, on his left leg."
Jonas nodded, "the symbol on the Jaffa's forehead and, and on the shield was that of a humming bird."
Daniel scribbled something on his notepad and began to read again. "The explanation of Huitzilopochtli's origin is a little deeper than this," he frowned, placing his index finger to the screen as if feeling for enlightenment. "Among the, um, American tribes, especially those of the northern continent, the serpent is regarded with the deepest veneration as the symbol of wisdom and magic and from these comes a success in battle. A serpent also typifies the lightning, the symbol of the divine spear and the apotheosis of warlike might. So the images of Huitzilopochtli also depict him surrounded by serpents, with a snake sceptre and a great drum made of serpent-skin."
They both looked at each other, "there were serpents all around the base of the idol," Jonas began, thinking back to the vision, "and, and one held in his hand, elevated outward and above the rest as if it were far more superior."
"Now that sounds like a Goa'uld," Daniel offered with a flick of his forehead.
"Yeah," the Kelownan agreed finishing his second doughnut.
Daniel smiled and continued, skipping a few paragraphs, "um, for the Aztecs, warfare had a much different goal than for most of their counterparts. The goal of the battles was not to destroy the enemy and ransack the village but to capture the community and integrate them into the Aztec society, thus providing a much more productive and expanding kingdom."
"As was done here," Jonas voiced.
Daniel nodded, "the temples of these cities were burned and the worship of Huitzilopochtli installed. Warfare was also used to capture victims for ceremonial use. Prisoners of war were sacrificed on huge alters in front of large crowds. The heart of the victim was cut out, symbolically offered to the gods, and the lifeless body rolled down the long stairs, staining the steps with blood. Um nice," he commented, adjusting his glasses.
"As the sun god," Jonas continued, reading from the screen, "Huitzilopochtli was thought to require human hearts and blood for nourishment on his journey through the sky."
Both men fell silent, thinking back to the river of blood that had surge from the chamber hidden in the foundations of the temple.
"Did, did you enter the chamber?" Jonas asked, a chill stroking his bones.
Daniel nodded.
"And?" The Kelownan asked, his eyes not leaving the screen.
"It, it was just a basic room with no writings or symbols you'd usually associate with a Goa'uld."
"Could it of been trashed like the rest of the site?"
"No," Daniel sighed, "there was no evidence of that. The room still contained a brazier and, and a stone slab..."
"An alter?" Jonas asked.
Jackson nodded, "both were still intact," he looked away.
Jonas' eyes narrowed as if trying to burrow into his mind, "there's something else?" He perceived.
Daniel looked at him, "there were also handprints covering the walls and the ceiling."
"Handprints?"
"Each one seems to be different. I've sent a sample back to the lab, to confirm, but I'm sure they are..."
"Blood," Jonas finished off.
"Yeah."
Both men sat in silence, again, listening to the hum of the laptop. Jonas turned to Daniel, "I have to go down there," he said.
"I know," Daniel agreed, gently, "but not tonight, tomorrow and, and only for a short time."
Jonas nodded and Daniel stood up, "we need to ask Teal'c if he's heard of this Goa'uld first," he offered with a smile, which the alien returned.
Jonas popped another doughnut into his pocket and topped up his coffee before following Daniel out into the gloved night.
=====
O'Neill was coveting his barbeque, arranging the meat that was angrily spitting back at him, "hi kids," he said as they approached.
"Hey Jack," Daniel answered, "where's Teal'c?"
"Oh, just doing the rounds, should be back soon, though." He looked at Jonas, "how ya feeling Junior?"
Jonas indicated he was okay and reached into his pocket for the doughnut. Jack eyed him suspiciously and Daniel saw a glimmer of concern cross the Colonel's face. "He's fine Jack, a little rough around the edges, maybe, after this morning, but he seems okay."
O'Neill watched the Kelownan out of the corner of his eye whilst turning a piece of steak. "Hey Junior wanna try an O'Neill hotdog?"
Jonas put the half eaten cake back into his pocket and limped dutifully across to where the Colonel was standing, wiping his hands, self- consciously, on his jacket.
Jack handed him the dog, "how's the old war wound, there?" Jack inquired, pointing to the alien's leg with a pair of tongs.
"A, a little stiff," Jonas concurred, tapping his thigh in emphasis while giving the Colonel a broad smile.
"It's these cold nights," Jack agreed, seeing passed the grin.
Jonas nodded, spooning a thick layer of onions onto his food from a dish, "yes," he said quietly.
"There's ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise over here," Daniel said, cutting through their conversation.
Jonas went over to the portable picnic table and began to coat his hotdog with all three sauces.
Jack made a face, "Jeez, no wonder you have visions," he muttered, looking toward Daniel as Jonas bit, hungrily, into it.
The Egyptologist smiled and sat down close to where O'Neill was standing, "what da ya want Teal'c for?" The Colonel asked.
"We think we may know the name of the Goa'uld who occupied this planet," Daniel answered, taking a canteen of water from a cool box, "Jonas had another vision."
"No kidding?" The Colonel ventured, watching the Kelownan devour the last piece of his hotdog, "want another?" He invited.
Jonas nodded, "so what's our boy's name?" Jack enquired, shovelling the last two 'dogs into a bun before giving it to the Kelownan.
"Huitzilopochtli," Jonas answered trying to cram as many onions as he could into the left over space.
"Now that's a mouthful," Jack replied, placing the piece of steak on a plate and sitting down.
"What is O'Neill?" Teal'c asked, joining them.
"Ah T, how are the natives?"
Teal'c raised a disapproving eyebrow, his face showing an endurance, "they are archaeologists," he said with a slight growl, "no offence Daniel Jackson."
"None taken," Daniel acknowledged, holding up a hand.
"They are playing some sort of game that requires copious amounts of alcohol and a fluffy duck," the Jaffa continued.
"That's fuzzy," Jack countered, eating, then looking at the confused faces around him, "you know, fuzzy duck, ducky fuzz."
"I, I don't get it," Jonas responded looking, hopefully, at the Colonel.
Jack grimaced, changing the conversation quickly, "so T every heard of a snakehead called..." he looked towards Daniel.
"Huitzilopochtli," the Egyptologist finished.
The Jaffa placed his staff weapon against an empty chair and sat down, watching Jonas plaster the various sauces onto his food again. "Indeed I have," he replied, engrossed.
"And?"
Teal'c turned towards O'Neill and made a dismayed face, to which the Colonel gestured an understanding, "he was defeated by Apophis many centuries ago and has not been heard from since."
"Oh," Jack acknowledged, looking at the others, "we were sorta hoping for the longer version, there, T."
Teal'c bowed his head, "many of the System Lords believed him to be barbaric," he added.
"Barbaric, really, a Goa'uld?" Jack looked towards Daniel.
"Yes," Teal'c continued, "it is said that he ate the hearts of those he defeated in battle, to gain their strength."
"Tonalli," Jonas whispered into the night.
Daniel looked at him and then asked the Jaffa, "you said Apophis defeated him but he didn't kill him?"
"That is correct, Huitzilopochtli escaped Apophis' attack by changing his host and then fleeing with a handful of his followers."
"He swapped bodies?" Jack posed, looking slightly confused.
Teal'c nodded, "he used this ploy to give himself time to escape for it was thought, at first, when the original host's body was found, that he had been slain with his Jaffa."
"Clever," the Colonel added.
The Jaffa acknowledged this, "most Goa'ulds have an escape plan formulated for times of trouble," he informed them.
"So he would have already had this planet in mind?"
Teal'c nodded, "that is correct Daniel Jackson and he would have placed supplies here in readiness."
"And picked up whatever else he need back on Earth," Jonas injected, finishing his hotdog and cupping his hands around the mug of coffee.
"It would seem so," the Jaffa concluded.
"But that still doesn't answer the question of what happen here," Daniel reflected, swirling the water in his canteen around.
"Maybe we'll find out tomorrow," the young alien added, taking the half eaten doughnut from his pocket.
"Tomorrow?" Jack asked, puzzled.
The Kelownan looked towards Daniel for guidance, "Jonas and myself are going down into the chamber."
"Do you guys really think that's a good idea after what happen this morning?" O'Neill countered.
"Jack..."
"Hell Daniel, even in this half light and without a medical degree I can tell ol' Jonas there is completely fried."
Jonas felt all eyes on him, "Colonel..." He began.
Jack shook his head, "I think it's too soon."
"But we leave the day after tomorrow," Jonas argued, beginning to rise. Teal'c rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Then we come back, Jonas, another day."
"Jack," Daniel reasoned, "I, I don't think we have a choice. Jonas is somehow linked to this site. I think whatever happened this morning would continue to happen, here or at the SGC, until we get to the bottom of this connection."
Jack stood up, his back towards the group, deliberating. "Colonel," Jonas began, "at least this way I would have some control," he chewed his lip.
O'Neill looked back towards Daniel and reluctantly nodded.
============
;o)