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Chapter 11
Teal'c opened the chest, carefully placing a stack of books onto the table. Without a word, he situated himself across from O'Neill, watching the man. O'Neill seemed to be reading one of Daniel Jackson's journals, flipping through each page slowly and decisively.
His behavior worried Teal'c.
Since before they had entered Major Carter's lab, O'Neill's attitude had shifted, changing from one of anger and impatience, to one that was somber and quiet. Teal'c could only surmise the change was due to the appearance of Daniel Jackson, or whom they believed to be Daniel Jackson. However, Teal'c had thought the few moments they had had with their friend would have caused O'Neill to react in a more positive manner. This was not the case.
O'Neill had made it clear he did not want to discuss the matter.
"There are so many tapes," Major Carter stated, drawing Teal'c's attention to the opposite side of the lab. She was standing near the TV and VCR, shuffling through several recordings. "I figure the last tape will give us some clue as to what happened before…" Her voice trailed off and she looked down, turning away from them as she continued her search.
So, it was not only O'Neill that was feeling the pressure of the situation.
Teal'c had to admit he was growing weary himself.
"Perhaps we will find some clues within the notes of DanielJackson," he offered, gazing at O'Neill.
"Perhaps," O'Neill answered quietly, flipping another page of the book. "Or not." O'Neill frowned, his gaze lingering on the handwritten page. He cleared his throat and sighed before turning to another page. "He just talks a lot. You know, like he does when he gets excited about something. He's got pages and pages here about one phrase he found on the wall."
"What phrase does DanielJackson speak of?" Teal'c asked, grabbing the first of the books he had recovered.
"Looks like he translated it to mean something like 'the place of my honor.'"
Teal'c considered the phrase. "The Goa'uld do not have honor."
"Don't need to convince me of that, Teal'c," O'Neill said, turning to another page. "And something about the Book of Thoth. What the hell is that, anyway?"
Teal'c frowned, uncertain as to what O'Neill was asking. "The Book of Thoth would more than likely contain the writings of the Goa'uld Thoth."
O'Neill glared at him.
"What does Daniel say about the Book of Thoth?" Major Carter asked from behind him.
"Nothing," O'Neill muttered. "Just that he's all excited to try and find it in the library." He paused, flipping to another page. "But he didn't."
"Sir, we're probably not going to find anything in Daniel's journal," Major Carter stated. "Once he was taken over by Thoth—"
"Yeah, I know, Major," O'Neill muttered softly, still staring at the handwriting of Daniel Jackson.
Teal'c inhaled deeply, studying O'Neill as he brushed his fingers over the curved script in Daniel Jackson's journal.
The movement brought back a memory for Teal'c, something he had not thought on in quite some time.
Not long after Teal'c had pledged his allegiance to this world, Daniel Jackson had offered his assistance in teaching Teal'c the ways of the Tau'ri. Teal'c had been pleased with the offer, hoping his attentiveness would prove to Daniel Jackson that he could be trusted. But Daniel Jackson was unlike others he had met before him. His friend had placed his hate and resentment aside for the greater goal of defeating the Goa'uld.
Daniel Jackson was far more than a respected scholar to Teal'c.
Teal'c felt his mind continue to drift to those times so many years ago. For many hours they sat together, Daniel Jackson showing him the Tau'ri books of knowledge and their recordings of history. Patiently, and often excitedly, Daniel Jackson would speak of the different events of Earth's past. Teal'c had found their sessions fascinating, and enlightening, allowing him to connect with the home of his ancestors.
But a defining moment for Teal'c had been the day Daniel Jackson had begun to teach him to read and write the dominant form of the Tau'ri language, for this country and most of this planet.
Teal'c exhaled, holding onto the anger he felt for the one known as Thoth, hating the Goa'uld for what he had done to his friend.
He refocused his gaze, noticing that O'Neill was staring at him. He stared back. They stared at each other.
Suddenly, O'Neill cleared his throat and glanced back at Major Carter.
"You got anything yet?" O'Neill asked, quickly closing the journal.
"Almost, sir. The teams really did a thorough job in recording the site," she commented, placing another tape aside for future study. "I'm looking for the ones for the lab they discovered. Someone must have caught something…"
"Keep at it, Carter," O'Neill stated. Teal'c became aware O'Neill was watching him yet again. "Whatcha got there, Teal'c?"
He was uncertain. Daniel Jackson had retained many books from the ruins. Some of the tomes contained languages with which he was unfamiliar. Many others contained knowledge of the Goa'uld and their technologies. And then, there were others…
Teal'c frowned.
"I believe I will clarify my previous statement," Teal'c said, his frown deepening as he realized what he was holding. "Perhaps we will find clues in the writing of Thoth."
"What?" O'Neill asked, eyeing Teal'c warily.
Teal'c chose to ignore O'Neill's mood and continued. "It appears Thoth kept a journal for each one of his hosts." Teal'c scanned the pile and noticed books catalogued under several names. He began to list them as he placed them to his side. "Dejio, Nzzimizzmi, Sadji, Kemsa, Nefrekeptah, Setna Khaemwese, O'Iiti." Teal'c stopped, staring at one of the books in front of him.
"What?" O'Neill asked again.
"DanielJackson," Teal'c replied evenly, holding up the journal.
O'Neill visibly stiffened and Teal'c could feel a change to the atmosphere. Teal'c found that even he was now sitting more rigidly in his seat. Major Carter came to join them.
"Can I see it?" she asked, holding out her hand.
"Negative," O'Neill muttered acridly, before Teal'c had the opportunity to answer. "Just get the VCR running so we can get this over with."
"But, sir. There could be—"
"Teal'c, just put it on the table," O'Neill ordered, his tone becoming more severe.
Teal'c nodded, quietly placing the journal of the Goa'uld on the tabletop. He allowed himself once last look of disgust before returning his attention to the rest of his team.
Major Carter appeared to have found the tape for which she was searching, and had begun her ministrations by the VCR.
"Tell me something, Teal'c," O'Neill started, trying to sound casual. "This Thoth guy. You said he can't lie. Any Jaffa legend why?"
"Indeed there is, O'Neill," Teal'c answered. "Jaffa legend states that on the day Ra rose into the full power of the light, using his magic to rewrite the law of ma'at, he bent the truth to his will."
O'Neill just stared at him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"From that day forward, it has been told that Thoth could never lie again."
"Do you mean he would be punished if he did?" Major Carter asked, sliding the tape into the open VCR slot.
"Of this I am uncertain," Teal'c admitted. Though he knew much about the System Lords, especially the mortal enemy of Apophis, he knew very little of the mysterious Thoth. Not even the System Lords themselves could claim such knowledge.
"Did Ra do something to Thoth?" O'Neill asked. "You got anything else on this guy?"
Teal'c understood the reasoning behind O'Neill's questions. If they could find Thoth's weaknesses, they could be used against him.
"As I have stated earlier, Thoth acted as mediator to the System Lords. He could often be found at large events and summits." Teal'c paused, attempting to recall his knowledge about the false gods, taking a moment to watch as Major Carter began to fast-forward through parts of the video recording. "He was adept with his usage of words, and was fabled to arise as the victor even in situations where he appeared to have lost."
"Nice little con action he's got going there," O'Neill mumbled. "What else?"
Teal'c exhaled slowly. "I am afraid I do not have much knowledge on the subject, O'Neill." He cocked his head, his mind settling on a distant memory. "However, during my time under Apophis, I did learn that Thoth had fallen out of the favor of Ra, after Ra had destroyed his consort, Ma'at."
"Ma'at? I thought you just said that was a law?" O'Neill asked, obviously confused.
"…and the glyphs here appear to be a different variation from the ones found on the west wall. While the writing here is more like an imitation of those found in Akhetaten, or I should say el-Amarna, the writings on the western wall are unique, and cryptic, bearing little resemblance to glyphs found at the digs in el-Ashmunein. They do, however, have some similarities with the Pyramid Texts found in Saqqara. I can definitely discern a pattern, and, upon further study, I may be able to determine its origin."
Both Teal'c and O'Neill were silent, listening to Daniel's voice as the video recording continued. Major Carter smiled awkwardly, pressing down on the fast-forward button. "I'm getting there," she said.
"Law? Ma'at?" O'Neill asked again.
"Ma'at was a Goa'uld, O'Neill. One of the oldest of all Goa'uld." Teal'c paused. "A queen."
"And she was the consort of Thoth?" Major Carter asked without turning from the TV.
"That is correct."
"Then, I'm guessing that she played the whole 'I am law, hear me roar' thing,'" O'Neill said irritably.
Teal'c frowned, but nodded once. "Ra, as well as other System Lords, did not wish to be subject to any rules other than their own. However, these events took place well before my time."
"Still good to know." O'Neill tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze drifting to Thoth's journal once before settling back on Teal'c. "So, what happened after Ra 'offed' the little lady?"
"Relations between Ra and Thoth were never again the same," Teal'c informed him. "But Thoth had many allies, and could have easily sought assistance from any of them."
"Who were the allies?" Major Carter asked, slowly coming to sit down as she paused the tape.
Teal'c leaned back into his chair, suddenly realizing the implication of Thoth's relations. "Prior the time of Ma'at's death, Thoth had enjoyed good relations with all of the kindred of Ra. After Thoth fell out of Ra's favor, he rejoined older allies, such as Osiris, Isis, Seshat…" Teal'c arched his eyebrow. "And Anubis."
O'Neill swore, and shook his head.
"Then, this could have been a trap right from the start," Major Carter blurted out, her gaze jumping from one man to the other. "If Thoth is working with Anubis…"
"We're in serious trouble," O'Neill finished for her.
Teal'c solemnly agreed.
The three remained silent.
"So, what do ya got, Carter?" O'Neill finally asked, breaking the silence.
She inhaled sharply, holding up the remote as she clicked play. "Here's the lab."
"I am having difficulty observing anything of value," Teal'c stated, studying the screen.
Teal'c spoke for the three of them. The video playback was not only poor, but also engulfed in darkness. Occasionally, light from a flashlight would allow some illumination in the room, but for the most part, they had to rely on the audio playback for clues as to what was happening.
"In here, Doctor Jackson."
The camera swayed with movement, focusing sharply for a brief moment, with the aid of someone's flashlight, allowing them a glimpse at the lab. It was large, yet cluttered. Teal'c could discern the shapes of several jars lining the shelves, along with some vials and tubes that were situated on the counter tops.
He heard Major Carter suck in a deep breath.
The lab reminded him of Nirrti and her experiments.
"It looks like a lab," Teal'c heard the scholar known as David Anderson state.
The screen had become dark once again.
"Yeah…," replied Daniel Jackson. "About that. I'm thinking we should take a step back outside for a minute."
"Why?" the voice sounded as if it belonged to Captain Mueller. "Everything is bottled. There must be a light switch around here somewhere…"
"Yeah…and we probably shouldn't be touching things either. Especially with the lights out."
Teal'c arched his eyebrows at the comment, dwelling on it while he stole a glance across the table. O'Neill appeared to be both proud and sad, staring at the screen with a distinct pain in his eyes.
There was a soft rumble, and the camera darted to the side.
"What was that?" David Anderson asked nervously.
"Just me." The voice was distinctly military. Teal'c surmised it to be the voice of Major Tyrell. "I bumped into a table. God, it's dark in here. You all have your flashlights out?"
"It's the darkest place in the whole building," Captain Mueller stated. Her face was illuminated for a moment before it vanished. "It's kinda creepy."
"Hey, Jackson! There are some writings over here. If you can see past your nose, you might want to look at them."
A couple of chuckles filled the room at Lieutenant Menard's comment.
"Well, if we could find a light…" Daniel Jackson muttered.
"Fast-forward," O'Neill interrupted, shifting in his seat. "They're not doing anything constructive and we don't have oodles of time here."
Major Carter nodded, quickly pressing one of the buttons on the remote. The images wobbled at a faster pace, there was a flash of light, and then darkness once again.
Teal'c leaned forward. "Please move back, Major Carter."
"Yeah," O'Neill whispered. "I saw it, too."
Major Carter nodded again, rewinding the video recording. Stopping, she hit play, and quietly placed the remote down.
"I got it," David Anderson stated. The lights sparked, and suddenly the whole room was filled with light. Soft background noise filled the void, as the room's occupants remained silent.
"Oh my God! What are those things!"
Captain Mueller's shout caused the three viewers to sit in attention, theirs gazes locked onto the screen. Daniel Jackson had panned his camera upward, and to the right, displaying several containers. Within those containers were creatures the size of an adult human thumb, alive, and wriggling within thick colored fluids.
"There's some kind of wiring connecting all the jars," murmured David Anderson. He passed in front of the camera and then out of sight.
"What's that humming?" Daniel Jackson asked suddenly.
The camera moved from left to right, the room spinning with the movement. The camera panned over to a counter top, filled with various instruments and vials before moving back to the jars that lined the shelves.
They began to shake violently.
"Uh—"
"The humming is coming from the electrical current in the wiring!" Lieutenant Menard shouted, interrupting Daniel Jackson.
"We turned something on?" David Anderson asked, looking at the camera.
"I think we should go," Daniel Jackson said at last, the camera wobbling as he appeared to be stepping back.
"I agree," Major Tyrell stated, moving quickly out of range of the camcorder. "Let's—"
"Daniel, look out! Above you!"
Even before David Anderson had completed his warning, there was a loud crash, and the camera jerked, the picture snapping out of focus. Images and lights flashed wildly as the camera dropped to the ground, landing on its side, showing its viewers the horrors it had witnessed.
"Oh God," Major Carter muttered, holding her hand over her mouth.
The camera had landed beside Daniel Jackson, showing his limp unconscious body lying amidst broken glass and leaking fluids.
Teal'c cocked his head as he heard the screams of the others in the background. The lights were flickering on and off, the wiring sparking, the jars exploding. All these sounds filled his ears and brought to him an overwhelming sense of disgust.
A squeal that sounded distinctly like a symbiote echoed through the chamber, and Teal'c caught sight of the long serpentine, yet wormlike creature, working its way over Daniel Jackson's arm before the lights blinked out.
After that, there was nothing but silence before the tape abruptly ended.
O'Neill said nothing. Teal'c could tell that Major Carter wished to speak, but had not yet found the courage to do so. And Teal'c himself felt the anger and hatred burning within himself again.
A ring from the phone that hung on Major Carter's wall was enough to bring them out of their thoughts. O'Neill grabbed the phone, and answered, his voice revealing more than was intended.
"Yeah, General, we're fine. Thanks. We'll be right there."
O'Neill hung up the phone and glanced at them soberly.
"A change with Daniel?" Major Carter asked hopefully.
O'Neill shook his head. "No. But we need to get down to the infirmary."
"Why is that, O'Neill?"
O'Neill breathed out, his gaze hard. "Mueller's dying."