Without another word, Teal'c started his climb, Carter and Daniel making sure he had enough slack on the 'rope'. Jack watched, fervently hoping that the lonely climb Teal'c made would be uneventful.

Chapter 5: Computer Troubles

Teal'c made slow but sure progress up the cable, and so far no mishaps, despite the thickness of the cable that made climbing awkward. He moved cautiously, being careful not to risk a fall. At this point in his climb, not even Junior, as O'Neill dubbed his symbiote, would be able to help him if he fell. Far below now, his teammates seemed even smaller. Teal'c looked back up at his goal. He thought he'd make it up to the top in the next several minutes. His new perspective on things was a bit disconcerting, and Teal'c had to force himself not to dwell on O'Neill's offhand comment about being squashed like a bug. After a brief rest, he resumed his climb with the end now near.

Far below from the floor, Jack kept busy by fashioning harnesses for the three of them, using Carter's small knife to cut the thread. After fashioning three harnesses, he started exploring the nearby area for anything else that might be useful, although at the time he really couldn't think of any alternative use for the scattered objects. His attention turned back to Teal'c just in time to watch the now tiny figure disappear over the edge of the table. Jack held his breath unconsciously, waiting for some sign from Teal'c that he was ready.

On the table, Teal'c quickly pulled the sewing needle out of the thread sling he's made for it. Using both hands, Teal'c raised the needle above his head and with a grunt, plunged it into the wooden surface of the desk. Teal'c next set his weight against the needle, trying to dislodge it. Making a satisfied noise, he set about removing his harness and threading the end their makeshift rope through the eye of the needle. Tying it securely, Teal'c now tested his weight against the line. Pleased with the results, Teal'c leaned over the edge of the table and waved to his companions. His sharp eyes picked out O'Neill waving back, and his ears picked up the faint sound of a shout.

After getting the ok from Teal'c, Jack ordered Carter to go first, deciding that of all of them, Daniel would have the most trouble and it might be best to have her topside helping Teal'c, while Jack steadied the rope from below. Accustomed to following orders Sam just nodded, allowing the Colonel to check out her harness and secure it to the line. Her blue eyes briefly studied the set up before grabbing hold and wordlessly making her way up to join Teal'c.

It seemed to take forever, but Jack was finally able to breathe easier when Carter made it to the top, Teal'c assisting her over the edge. A moment later and Jack could make her out, waving the all-clear signal from the top.

Daniel went next, and fortunately had no problems. Jack permitted himself to let out a sigh of relief, before securing his own harness and starting up. Not having anyone to steady the line made it a bit more awkward at first, but Jack managed. Nearly to the top of the long climb, when Jack was looking forward to being on solid ground again, or at least the flat horizontal surface of the table, his hand slipped.

In a brief moment of panic, Jack slid along the line before he managed to stop himself. Wincing over his stinging palms, he wished he'd been carrying his gloves when that alien thingy had zapped him.

"Sir!" came the shout from overhead, and Jack looked up into the concerned faces of his teammates. Not wanting to let go with even one hand, he swallowed, trying to moisten his suddenly dry throat.

"I'm okay!" he managed to call, before pulling his attention back to the rope, being doubly careful the rest of the way. Soon, strong hands gripped him and he found himself on the tabletop, Carter already disconnecting him from the line.

Jack took a moment to survey his surrounding. Carter's usually neat worktop was strewn with papers, pens and pencils, tools, and doohickeys. Up close, the computer was larger than life. Jack wondered how his two scientists, who were already heading towards the monstrosity with their necks craned at the machine in awe, intended to go about operating it given their present size.

Casting a sideways glance at Teal'c before starting after Daniel and Carter, Jack commented, "I've never really been comfortable with computers, but at least I was always bigger than they were." Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow wordlessly, before falling into step beside him.

By the time they reached their teammates, Carter had already climbed up onto the keyboard. Before Jack had a chance to ask what her plan was, she had leapt into the air, landing on one of the keys causing it tosink down. Her weight wasn't enough to hold the key down however, and it popped back up making her cast her arms out to her sides to steady herself. Instantly, the monitor came to life, and Sam shot a triumphant grin over her shoulder at the rest of the team.

Returning Sam's smile, Daniel moved over to the mouse, which fortunately was still on the table. His muscles straining, he tried to budge the thing. Despite his best efforts, it barely moved. Seeing his struggles, Teal'c went to Daniel's side, and added his own significant strength. With only the slightest effort showing, Teal'c moved the mouse. Watching the screen, Daniel called out directions. Once the cursor was in position, Teal'c was able to reach up and depress the mouse button.

"Ok, now we need to search for information on the ancient Greek language."

Carter nodded, and moved to type out a query, jumping on each key, but the keyboard was large and it was taking time for her to move back and forth to get the individual keys that were needed. Seeing something he could help with, the colonel joined her on the keyboard, taking over half the keys. Sam smiled briefly in gratitude, asking for this or that key to be pressed.

With the two of them working it only took a short time for them to find a page that looked promising. Moving the mouse again, Teal'c clicked the link. Daniel squinted up at the screen frowning in concentration. Half the screen was in foreign characters, and Jack frowned too.

"I think this is what we're looking for." Daniel announced, still peering at the screen.

"It's all Greek to me." Jack's comment earned him a glare from Daniel. "What?" Jack looked innocent.

Ignoring the colonel, Daniel frowned at the screen. "Sam, can we make the text smaller?" It was difficult to read the words when it was a lot like reading a billboard.

Sam thought for a moment, her brow creased. "Sir," she called, "Can you come over here please? I might need a hand with this."

Curious, Jack picked his way over the keys, careful not press any down. She was standing on the shift key and eyeing the ctrl key, a speculative look on her face. Jack glanced appraisingly at the key, which was only slightly larger than the letter keys, and back to Carter. He cleared his throat. "Carter?"

As if just noticing his presence, she looked up and met his eye, reading the question in them. "Sir, we need to be able to hold down the ctrl key to make the text smaller," she said by way of explanation.

Jack looked back at the key and back to his second. The key looked even smaller now.

"I think we can do it. Sir." Sam spoke hesitantly, interrupting his thoughts.

Making a decision he hoped he wouldn't regret, he agreed. "Let's do it."

Moving to join her on the shift key, Sam motioned for him to face her, and to step closer. Aware that he was suddenly in his Major's personal space, Jack shifted uncomfortably. "On my count," she said. At Jack's nod, she continued. "One… two… three!"

On three, they both jumped sideways onto the ctrl key. The key sank quickly under their combined weight, and stayed down. In front of him, Carter wobbled slightly, on the verge of losing her balance. Reflexively, Jack's hands shot out, gripping her upper arms and steadying her. Her head shot up and their eyes locked, causing Jack to take a deep breath. He could smell the light scent of the soap that she used.

Carter wet her lips, the tension of their close proximity nearly palpable. "Thank you sir."

"Uh, no problem. Just keeping it under control." Jack quipped, dropping his arms quickly and crossing them over his chest as if to make a barrier. He wondered why it always had to be so difficult. Sensing the mood change, Carter balanced on her tiptoes, and peered over Jack's shoulder.

"Teal'c," she called, "Scroll the mouse wheel."

Jack glanced over his shoulder to see the Jaffa already stretched up turning the wheel. On the screen, the text was now smaller, and Daniel called out to stop. Jack and Sam stepped off the ctrl key carefully, and moved apart, stepping off the keyboard to stand near Daniel. Both of them had their professional masks back in place, although Jack couldn't help a sideways peek at the major. If either of the others noticed, neither said anything. Teal'c remained by the mouse in case he needed to advance the page.

"Neat trick." Sam smiled at her CO's compliment, before turning away, taking in her surroundings.

Daniel continued to read the information on the screen, occasionally mumbling to himself, or comparing the notes he'd taken on the characters from the device to what he read on the screen. Sometimes he'd jot something down on the notepad. Finally, he sighed, and closed the notepad, rubbing his forehead.

"Daniel?" The man's sigh caught Jack's attention.

"You aren't going to like this," he replied.

Everyone moved in closer. "What is it? Just tell me." Jack crossed his arms again, waiting expectantly.

Daniel took a deep breath. "The way to reverse the machine is on the bottom of the device, the one side we can't get to."