SG-1 had learned quite a bit since joining the odd cast band of adventurers. They had learned about Sephiroth, Shinra, Mako, and the giant comet in the sky that seemed to be heading towards the planet. They discovered that it was Sephiroth's doing and if he was killed, then the planet would be saved. Now the time was passed individually. Sam spent hers talking to Red XIII about science and about how physically his tail could keep burning. She also talked with Cait Sith quite a bit do try and discover how exactly it was possible that cat could talk and think rationally and what exactly the large animal it rode on was (she discovered it was called a Mog). Daniel spent almost all of his time talking to Aeris about the past of the planet, how they evolved, and about the Ancients and what they were. Every once and a while, Cloud would glance over to make sure they weren't talking about something; what he couldn't figure out. Teal'c spent some of his time talking to Barret (they had resolved some of their differences), and the other time trying to avoid Yuffie, who found him fascinating as most young girls do. When she was around he constantly wore his arched eyebrow stare. Jack found some relief with Cloud and Cid, people he could relate to. Cloud and him shared soldier stories and scars while he joked with Cid who seemed to share his sarcastic sense of humor. Tifa stayed pretty close to Cloud or Barret wherever she went, and Vincent never really talked unless directly asked a question. Few were prone to, considering the chill that runs through them when they look directly into his red eyes. The group was getting along nicely. Sam trotted up to Jack.

"Colonel, you won't believe it, but I actually think Red XIII is smarter than me."

"Major Samantha Carter admitting someone is smarter than her? No less a wolf? No. Hell must have frozen over."

"I'm serious, Colonel. That animal is brilliant. And he isn't a wolf; I don't know what he is. He let me take a sample of his blood and I analyzed it last time we stopped, it's nothing I've seen before."

"What about the little white thing with wings?"

"I don't know. It's obviously nothing we've seen before on Earth, but it won't let me get close to it. It just kind of bounces around erratically."

"So what do you think, Sam? From what you've heard about this Mako stuff, do you think we might be able to use it?"

"I don't know. I think so. I would have to look at it. From what they say, it has been used in humans forever with no real ill effect. But I am worried about them letting us take some. They say it hurts the planet if it is taken which is why they are against Shinra; they were draining from the planet."

"Well, keep thinking and working on it." Yuffie ran up to Jack and pulled on his sleeve.

"Can I look at your gun?" Jack's skin went cold. His son had died from playing with guns; he had always been hesitant since.

"You're too young."

"I'm sixteen and was trained at the Wutai Temple. I can handle my own."

"Fine." He lent over his gun cautiously. She took it and looked down the barrel. She then aimed at a falling leaf to their right ten yards away and fired. The leaf spun with the impact. Jack and Sam's mouths were open.

"All right!" she giggled. She handed him his gun and turned and skipped over to Teal'c to pester him again.

Meanwhile, Daniel and Aeris were walking through the woods behind the group somewhat, chatting.

"So the Sephiroth is an Ancient and they built the ring we came from?" asked Daniel.

"Yes, very good."

"See, that doesn't make any sense. We've been to lot of Stargates now, and they were all built by the Asgard. What also perplexes me is that most of all the planets we've visited have some connection to ancient civilizations from Earth, where we're from. But this place has no connection I can see."

"Maybe you're thinking about it too hard, Daniel." He loved when she said his name. What was he thinking?! "I have been around you all long enough to know you mean no harm and just want to help. I can sense that about people. So I guess I should tell you that besides Sephiroth, I am the only surviving Ancient. Cloud doesn't want me to tell anyone since it's gotten us into trouble before, but I trust you." Before Daniel could say anything, Jack called over to him.

"Hey, Daniel, Cloud's gonna show us something!" Daniel and Aeris jogged over to Cloud, who was standing with his sword and a red rock.

"Jack tells me you all know nothing of Materia," he said.

"Materia?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. It is a stone that basically enhances anything you equip it to. So if I put a fire Materia on my sword..." he place the red rock in a small notch at the hilt of the sword, "Then it will be enhanced with fire." He swung around and struck a tree in the middle of the trunk. He severed the tree clear in two, setting the top of the stump on fire. "Now you try." Cloud handed the red stone to Jack. It was warm in his hands. He fitted it beneath the scope of his gun and took aim at a small boulder about thirty feet away. He fired. A small burst of light shot out of the gun, as if the bullets were on fire. He looked, and the rock exploded into a hundred pieces. Jack's eyes were wide.

"Sweet."