Title: Not in This Lifetime Part 10

Archive: FITR-site

Previously:

Sam and Teal'c are now in front as Jack let Daniel read the map, and they got lost...

When Jack and Daniel finally arrived at their first task for the second leg of the race, there were 3 other teams at the dig site, including Bastet and Kali who had arrived just seconds in front of them. Even as they got out of their buggy, Rak'nor and Nev'ak found one of the buried urns, and departed in search of the next clue.

"Ok, so what are we doing here again Daniel?" Jack asked his teammate, slight tension still in his voice after their mishap with the map.

"Digging Jack. We're digging." Daniel replied tightly as they hurried towards the flagged area. "A simple task that I'm sure even we can cope with. Oh good, it's been divided into sections properly, come on, this one over here looks good."

"Ah yes," Jack replied, "All right then, start digging Danny boy."

Daniel glared at Jack, happily wishing that eyes really could shoot daggers at the hapless colonel.

Jack stared back, wide eyed and innocent. "What? You are my resident digging expert, aren't you?"

Daniel ignored Jack's comment as he picked a spot and started digging.

Jonas watched the tall green hills go by as he and Lianna drove back towards the city of Pangar. So far they hadn't had any problems, and it was easy to relax and enjoy the view. Up ahead the city slowly came into view, and he settled back into interpreting the map. The Museum they were looking for was on the opposite side of the city from both the Stargate, and the archaeological dig site they had just left, however there was also another museum devoted to more recent history in another area of the city. Jonas studied the map very carefully for a minute before directing Lianna in the direction of the right museum.

Bra'tac stood with Ry'ac at the line, waiting their turn to leave. As soon as they were given the signal they ripped open their clue, and headed towards the dig site. Several minutes later the remaining Qantasian team followed them, and the last team, Sevann and Noor, in turn pursued them.

Sam and Teal'c arrived at the museum, where they could see a buggy already parked haphazardly in the area reserved for the racers. They jumped out, and raced into the imposing building, searching for directions to their next clue.

"Teal'c can you see a directory anywhere?" Sam asked. "There's got to be a list or map here somewhere." They entered a large room that contained the map and directory they were looking for, a large fountain, a help desk, and a pair of elevators at either end.

"Major Carter, do you know where we are supposed to go? Teal'c enquired as he looked at the map.

"I'm not sure," Sam replied, her eyes searching the directory, "but we know it's got to do with ancient temples so... OK! Here, on the third floor, that looks promising. There's a display on religious artefacts and writings. Lets go!"

Sam and Teal'c exited the elevator at the third floor, and followed the signs to the display they were looking for. As they wandered through the large display of statues, urns, frescos and other relics it became apparent that they were looking in the wrong place.

"It would appear that we have come to the wrong place Major Carter." Teal'c commented as they turned a corner into yet another room full of ancient vases and religious relics. "May I suggest we return to the entrance and search the map again."

Sam sighed and turned around. "Good idea Teal'c, I guess I must have missed something. Who's that?" Sam turned as Jonas and Lianna came around the corner and entered the room they were in from the other end. "Hey, hi Jonas, having any luck?"

Jonas shook his head, "No, I think we must be in the wrong place."

"When we looked at the map, I noticed there was another exhibit on temples, "Lianna added, "but I'm not sure if it was the second floor or the fifth floor."

The two teams looked at each other... they could either return to the entrance and double check the map, or take a chance by going straight to one of the other floors.

"At last!" Daniel pulled the urn out of the ground, and handed it to Jack. It seemed like he had been digging for hours, and he was hot, sweaty and grumpy. It seemed like every other team had managed to find their jar almost straight away, but it had taken him ages to find his. Jack smashed open the jar, and pulled out the next clue.

"Well?" Daniel asked as he grabbed a drink.

Jack read out the clue as they hurried back to the buggy. As they reached the buggy, instead of hopping back into the drivers seat, Jack grabbed the map, and settled himself into the passenger seat.

"This time, I'm reading the map." He said decisively, "You're driving. Now lets get a move on!"

Daniel sighed and rolled his eyes, then climbed into the buggy, and they drove off towards the city.

Bra'tac watched Jack and Daniel leave with their clue as he and Ry'ac chose a site to dig in. They found an urn almost immediately, and were only a short distance behind Jack and Daniel. Bra'tac drive the buggy as Ry'ac gave him directions to the museum. Although only a short way behind, the winding of the road, and the increase in traffic as they got closer to the city meant that they soon lost sight of Jack and Daniel. When they arrived at the museum a while later there were four buggies parked in the car park, but no way of knowing who was in front of them, and if any of the other teams had already finished this challenge.

The two Jaffa quickly found the main entrance with the map and directory, and after careful observation, took the elevator to the temple display on the fifth floor.

TBC...