A/N: welcome back to the cesspool that is my mind BWAHAHAHAHA
Thanx to all my reviewers – I decided to update early because of your reviews ::I think you all get the hint::
Chapter 3 – Aliens
Dr. Stanton and Dr. Jackson talked excitably about their research, leaving their less enthusiastic comrades to trail behind. They never noticed when the two headed off to the cafeteria while the archaeologists walked towards Daniel's office. In fact, it would be hours before they were aware of the outside world. And then, it would be a painful awakening.
Jack and Liam sat at a table, both loaded up with red jello. To the naked eye, it would appear the two were making idle conversation; when in reality they were discussing matters that could result in their death.
"How much do you remember?" Jack asked.
"Everything. It's quite unusual, never before have a I had such an awakening. In previous lifetimes my awakenings have been gradual; I wonder what has made this lifetime different?" Liam pondered, his voice becoming older than his twelve years.
Jack sighed.
"Yeah, well, since the whole 'killing you' thing didn't work out exactly the way the brass planned – they're a little nervous. You know, with the whole reincarnation and remembering who ordered your assassination."
"Forcryingoutloud," the twelve-year old groaned, eliciting a smile from the colonel.
"What about the Shiriti'ai? Since I've reawakened they should be attempting to find me."
"That could be a problem. They've been denied access to the States; the government is claiming they're a terrorist group. Daniel Jackson has been doing his best, but neither of our contacts have been able to make any headway. I've contacted the Shiriti'ai and instructed them to return to Sanctuary until, well, I located you."
Jack paused.
"Liam, is the Sanctuary alien technology?"
Liam grew quiet – regarding his friend intently. None of the Shiriti'ai knew the origin of Sanctuary – even though they suspected that humans did not construct it. For Jack to ask that question meant that the colonel's work was not what his father had said it was.
"If I tell you, my friend, I will have to know what inspired that question."
Jack fell silent himself. He was under orders to not reveal knowledge about the Stargate program, but… he was also under orders to tell the truth regarding the Puranas. It's not like there wasn't a precedent for him defying orders.
"Come with me."
The two headed out of the cafeteria. Liam was curious where they were headed – realizing Jack would need someplace private and unlikely for their talk to be interrupted. So it was with great amusement when O'Neill led them to his office.
"Your office?" Liam asked with a smile.
"No one would ever think to look for me here," Jack said with a shrug. Jack sat down with his back to the camera, and Liam mimicked his action.
"Okay, on this base there is this big round circle – and somehow using physics stuff I don't understand, I go through it to other worlds."
"Ah, the Chapa'ai," Liam said with dawning comprehension. Jack stared stupefied.
"How the hell did you know that?"
"Jack, you asked if the Sanctuary was created by aliens. Several millennia ago an alien race visited Earth. They were curious about the developing sentient life on this planet, and our potential. They took several 'specimens' to their ships to teach them – I was one of those. I spent much of my first life aboard an alien vessel, learning. They determined that the human race had the potential to become powerful – for either good or evil. So they took their children – as we were called – and their families and transported them to another planet so they may develop uncorrupted."
PX3124, Jack thought.
"I remained, however, in the hopes of guiding humanity. I'm afraid I haven't done the greatest job – though many of my followers have had more impact."
"Followers?"
"Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad, Zorathestra, and others. The pendent I gave to you is also a communication device. If at anytime I become…tired of my duty, I can ask to be taken home."
"Who exactly are these aliens?"
"They called themselves the Furlings."
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"Matthew, have you been able to translate this yet?" Daniel asked, looking at particular paragraph in the text Matthew had brought.
"Only in part, I haven't been able to figure out what shamai no tramen means."
"I think it means 'guide of those left behind'. If I understand this right, it says that the gods of the first race left behind a guide to instruct the second race after the first was taken to paradise. I think the guide is a reference to the Puranas, the spiritual leader of the Shiriti'ai."
Matthew looked up from his work.
"The sect that has been trying to get into the States for the past few months?"
"Exactly. If I'm right, and the Puranas really does have memories from earlier lifetimes, then he could tell us who these gods were."
"Daniel, you're talking as if gods were real. I thought you had given up on your theory that aliens had built the pyramids," Matthew asked, a little disdainfully.
"Right, of course, because that's completely idiotic with no bearing in reality," Daniel said distractively.
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"How do you even know the Furlings are still out there? Last time I checked, no one had heard from them in a very long time. And this was from people who lived for thousands of years."
"Because I talk to them," Liam answered calmly.
"Of course, I should have guessed. You talk to long lost aliens because in your first life you were considered one of their children and remained behind to guide the rest of humanity towards some great destiny. You know, I remember when a statement like that would have been a joke."
Liam laughed.
"I really have missed you, my friend. It has been many centuries since I met someone I trusted to carry the name of Sruti."
"What does it mean to be the Sruti, now that you're – um, back?"
"Once a Sruti is chosen, it's for life. The primary duty of the Sruti is to protect the Shiriti'ai from enemies inside and out. In some generations it's a spiritual leader, in others a political advisor. Or a warrior."
Liam frowned in concentration, trying to remember everything he had learned from the Furlings.
"If you've gone through the Chapa'ai – that means you've met the Goa'uld, haven't you," Liam stated, rather than asked.
"Yeah, we're holding our own right now, but that's mainly due to the Asguard. My buddy Thor pops in every now and then, I'll introduce you if you want. Good news, Ra and Apophis is dead. Bad news, now we got Apophis – an Ancient wanna-be that didn't quite get kicked out of the club."
Liam opened his mouth to say something when the alarms began to ring.
"Forcryingoutloud! Can't I have one emergency going on at a time, is that too much to ask?"
Jack turned to Liam and ordered, "Liam, stay here. No matter what happens."
With that Jack left.
Alone in the room, Liam held the pendent in his hand. A small hum could be heard, and he began to glow.
Quietly, he left the room.
TBC
A/N: Have no idea if I spelt 'Chapa'ai' right but I really didn't feel like searching around for the actual spelling. Tell me what you think!