Chapter 4

SG-1 was suited up and ready to go, when the General entered the 'gate room wanting a word with his 2IC.

"Jack."

"Yessir."

"Son, I know this has been hard on you. Just remember that the Asguard are our allies." The General cautioned.

"Sir?"

The general rocked back on his heels. "Try not to step on too many toes. They may or may not have something to do with this, Jack Be careful and bring everyone home."

Deadly intent in his eyes Jack replied. "I will bring them home, sir. All of them." He gave Hammond a salute and walked up the ramp.

"Godspeed, SG-1."

Jack stepped from the wormhole onto the planet where he would hopefully be able to find a way to contact the Asguard or find some clues about the disappearances. The first thing he couldn't help but notice was that the sky was a weird purple color and that the gravity was heavier than Earth.

"Wadda ya know campers, more trees!" Jack was trying to lighten his mood and his team's but it apparently flopped. Sam just looked at him worriedly, Daniel looked at him like he lost his mind, and Teal'c well Teal'c just surveyed the clearing for danger.

Jack rolled his eyes. "Danny do your thing. Carter, you and Teal'c check the perimeter."

"Yes, sir." Carter and Teal'c moved off, while Daniel started examining the two monoliths at the base of the Stargate.

Jack sat down on the steps to the Stargate and waited, hoping for the best.

Carter returned about 20 minutes later, with good news. "Sir, we found what looks like a footpath through the woods. It appears to have seen traffic within the last few days."

Jack stood up and grabbed Daniel. "Come on, let's go check this out. You can come back later and commune with your ruins."

Daniel sighed. "They are monoliths, Jack."

"Whatever."

The three of them gathered up their supplies and followed Teal'c.

Brenna paced the metal room, like a tiger trapped in a cage. She and the lieutenant had searched the room to no avail when suddenly several bright lights appeared, leaving behind a large group of people unconscious on the floor. They all appeared to be of different ages and races and several were wearing military or other uniforms. What in the world is going on around here? Brenna and Michael checked each person and except for being unconscious, they appeared to be uninjured.

The first person to wake up was a young woman of about seventeen. "What happened?"

Brenna crouched down next to her and helped her to sit. "I don't know. What do you remember?"

Her green eyes clouded over. "I was at school, when I suddenly found myself in a metal room. Then I must have blacked out because now I am here with all of you."

"Ms. O'Neill?" Michael called.

"What is it lieutenant?"

"Some of the others are awake, but they appear, uh catatonic."

She turned to look. The kid was right. Several people were sitting up, but their faces were blank. They stared into space, and did not respond to questions.

The young woman whispered. "What happened to them?"

SG-1 followed the footpath for about an hour when they suddenly entered a clearing. Small mud thatched buildings were built in a circle around a central building. A balding man of about forty approached SG-1. He was wearing rough homespun clothing but moved with a forceful bearing, convincing Jack that this was the head honcho.

The man stopped in front of Jack, correctly guessing that he was the leader. "Welcome, travelers! I am Liam. Do you bring word from Mighty Odin?"

Jack's eyes narrowed. "Ah, no. We come from Earth."

"You are from the first world! It is my pleasure to meet you." Liam bowed deeply.

"Welcome to our village. We have many people from your world here. Mighty Odin was kind enough to leave them here for care."

Carter moved forward to ask, "What kind of care do they require Liam?"

"When they were sent to us, they were not well. But as the years passed, many of them have improved and are able to speak again."

Jack looked puzzled. "OK let's start from the beginning."

"Of course, would you like to come inside?" Liam gestured towards the central building.

Daniel stepped forward. "Yes, we would like that very much."

3

Odin's Children