A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! Tirtreaton, I hope I've answered your question; I have a few revisions planned for earlier chapters to clear up confusion in future releases… Oh, by the way, does anyone have any ideas how to keep a seven-month overgrown kitten off the stove? I've tried shouting at him and spraying him with water, but all that's taught him is to not get caught because he runs away when he hears you coming!

"Well, we're off to see the wizard," said Jack cheerfully, starting off down the shaft towards the patch of light, the others falling into step behind him.

Chapter 8: Nothing Here But Air

Their footsteps echoed eerily in the vast space of the ventilation ducts. At least it seemed vast at their present height. But then again, reflected Jack privately, everything seemed enormous when you were only about an inch tall. Although their steps sounded loud in their ears they were probably at least as quiet as a mouse, and Jack seriously doubted that anyone outside the air vent would hear them. They headed towards the patch of light in the distance, and a faint breeze ruffled their hair and clothing. Something niggled at the back of Jack's mind, the slightest stirring of unease. Behind him, Carter and Daniel were talking, causing Jack to lose the thought when he focused on their words.

"It makes me wonder what purpose the artifact had, I mean why would anyone want to be shrunk down so small?" Jack couldn't see Carter's face in the dim light, but her question spiked his curiosity, and he couldn't help but voice his own thoughts. "Yeah, why would anyone want to do that?" As soon as he spoke, he could practically hear the wheels turning in Daniel's head and inwardly cringed, hoping he hadn't unwittingly sparked lecture mode.

Daniel however, seemed to be just as curious. "I don't know, maybe they just wanted a new perspective on their world."

"Or maybe," Sam answered, warming to the subject, "It was, I don't know, so they could get into tight spaces, so they could repair things." She could think of several things she wouldn't mind being able to fit inside of, to get a look at the inner workings.

"Perhaps it was intended for use in war." Teal'c surprised them by joining in the debate; usually he remained silent when the two scientists started a debate, unless he had something to contribute from his own personal knowledge. Jack was curious about the logic Teal'c used to come to his conclusion, and raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" he asked. "How so?"

Carter was curious too. "You mean like spies maybe? Talk about the proverbial fly on the wall!"

Teal'c paused a moment before replying, inclining his head slightly at the comment. "Perhaps. Or the device might have been used on a larger scale. It might be possible for a single individual to transport a number of persons covertly across enemy lines using this device."

Daniel remained silent, mulling over the suggestion, but Jack latched on right away. "You mean they could shrink an army and one guy could sneak them in and once in position, whammo!"

"Like a Trojan horse!" Daniel finally caught onto the idea, and was fascinated by the possibility.

"I am unfamiliar with your reference Daniel Jackson," replied Teal'c, frowning. Despite the many years with the Tauri, he was still confused by the plethora of slang and literary references.

Daniel grinned, quickly warming to the subject. He loved explaining history. "The story of the end of the Trojan war is told in Homer's Iliad. More than three thousand years ago, the goddess Aphrodite promised the most beautiful woman in the world to Paris, the Prince of Troy, after he chose her as the most beautiful of three goddesses. Unfortunately, that woman was Helen of Sparta, who was married to Menelaus the king. Paris stole Helen, taking her back with him to Troy. It is said that Helen is the face that launched a thousand ships, as the Spartans set sail with a thousand ships to avenge the king. The Greeks laid siege to Troy for ten years, finally resorting to treachery to capture the city. They built an enormous wooden horse, and hid soldiers inside of it, while the rest of the army sailed away, making the Trojans think the Greeks had finally given up. Along with the horse, the Greeks had left behind a spy who persuaded the people of Troy that the horse was a tribute to Athena, the goddess of war. He convinced the Trojans that he was a deserter and to take the horse inside the city. That night, the soldiers inside the horse were able to sneak out while the Trojans celebrated, and open the gates for the Greeks."

"Then you are indeed correct Daniel Jackson, the device may have been used as a 'Trojan Horse.' I shall have to read this Iliad you speak of, it sounds most intriguing." Daniel opened his mouth to reply, when Jack interrupted.

"As much as I hate to interrupt this fascinating lesson in what really sounds like a bunch of Goa'uld plots, I really need to know if it's just me, or if the breeze in here getting stronger?" The almost pleasant flow of air from earlier was steadily becoming a stiff wind.

"Sir!" Carter cried in growing alarm, immediately recognizing the problem, "The air handlers must be kicking up to the high speed!"

The nagging sense of worry that nearly forgotten suddenly started screaming for attention. He was already thinking the action that Teal'c vocalized before he could summon the words. "I believe we should attempt to secure our current position O'Neill." The Jaffa had to nearly shout his words to be heard over the growing roar.

Wasting no time, they located handholds, Carter and Daniel grabbing onto a protruding screw used to fasten the duct, while Teal'c and O'Neill managed to hold onto a ridge made by the joining of two sections of the shaft not far ahead of them. They had all turned to face they way they had come, to face the direction the air was traveling. It felt like they were inside of a monstrous vacuum. The airflow continued to increase, the rush of air soon drowning out every other sound. Desperately, they clung to their precarious handholds, flattening their bodies against the smooth metal of the duct.

Squinting against the force that threatened to rip him away, O'Neill tried to make out his team in the dim light. He was relieved to see them all still clinging on. His relief was short lived however, when in front of him, Carter was suddenly torn free from her hold. Despite Daniel's valiant attempt to grab her, nearly losing his own grip, she slipped free, tumbling head over heels with no way to stop herself. Jack watched in horror as Carter was tossed about like a rag doll, at the not so tender mercy of the wind.