The planet known as P3X - 489 late afternoon
The gate swirled and SG-1 walked through and were hit hard by a suffercating heat. Jack was taking lead down to the dial home device closely followed by Sam and Teal'c. Daniel was falling a little behind. He stood at the top and took in the scenery. Not that it was anything to write home about.
"Alright...let's establish a perimenter". Jack commanded.
They took a close look at their surroundings. The sky was so bright that they had to use their sunglasses. The planet had two suns and the vegatation was not green but yellow and dry. The ground was sandy with small trees now and there. Jack stepped closer to a tree and tried to touch a leaf but it fell apart in his hands.
"Whoa...this is one sick looking planet".
"Sir, i think it has something to do with the suns. One sun alone can be devastating to a planet all accordingly to how far it is from the planet in question and this planet has two of them. At least one of these suns is closer to this planet than our sun is to Earth so it is likely that it is only going to get warmer. It is also very likely that they have destroyed lifesupport and therefore the people on this planet...it is only because the planets rotation around each sun is different, only allowing both suns to be in the sky a limited amount of time each day that we can survive being here for a longer period of time."
"Well...right now we are the only people on it...gotta love that", Jack said with a smile.
"That depends Sir". She had taken out something from her vest.
"You don't think there's still life here do you? I mean...look around...and the MALP showed no lifesigns?", Daniel asked.
"I'm not sure...i'm picking up some strange readings here. The scanner is behaving erractic detecting objects where there shouldn't be anything and i don't think it's the suns radiation that are complicating the readings."
Nobody said anything and Jack just looked a little annoyed.
"I don't believe in ghosts Carter".
Teal'c raised an eyebrow as he observed his team members.
"Sir?"
"Jack?"
"What?"
"But Sir?"
"What Carter?"
"Jack?"
"One at a time...i can't think strait in this heat".
Daniel gave up and turned to Sam.
"What does it mean Sam?"
"Well...it's diffucult to say..."
"Come on Carter...either we are alone og we have company...which one is it?"
"Well...then i think we have company Sir".
"Now...wasn't that easier to say?" Jack didn't look worried yet.
"Well yes Sir...but.."
"Jack!" Daniel was loosing patience and pointing to some ruins near by.
Teal'c raised the other eyebrow and had that "wierd tau'ri" expression again.
"Yeah yeah alright...lets move out kids. And be alert".
They reached the ruins of a temple quickly without interruptions. It was a lot bigger than it looked like from a distance. Jack had taken a seat in the shadow of the temple and was observing his team. They seemed to fit kind of nicely together after all. Daniel was excited. He was walking around translating text mumbling to himself and Carter was setting research thingies up all over the place. Teal'c was standing near Daniel following him around like a guard dog. Guess he senced that Daniel was the most likely to get hurt and he was right. Bad luck followed the young man around everywhere...first on Earth with the death of his parents and all the fosterhomes...and even on Abydos he couldn't escape it. There he had lost his wife and brother in law. Jack smiled a sad smile at the thought of Skaara, the brother of Shau'ri. The kid had followed him around everywhere and reminded him so much of his own son who had died. Like Charlie Skaara had been to curious for his own good. Daniel was just as bad or maybe he just saw Charlie in everyone because he missed him so much. He was suddenly hit by a strong feeling of sadness. Yeah...Charlie had been careless...and he had learned it from his father...so careless that it had cost him his life and Jack would never stop feeling guilty. He let go of the memory of that terrible day. He could never forgive himself but sometimes he could forget. Damn...it's hot, he thought. He had already stripped down as much as possible.
"Feeling hot Sir?".
He looked up at Carter. She had taken off her jacket and revealed the top of her body in a tight green military shirt. She looked really good. More feminine. She had a bottle of water she handed to him and he accepted.
"Yeah...i just can't seem to avoid hotter than hell sand planets." He took a sip. It was warm but it was better than nothing.
"Well...Chulak wasn't that sandy".
"But it was hot".
"Well...it all comes down to how you look at it Sir. Look at Daniel...he doesn't seem to have problems with the heat".
"He grew up in Egybt and has just spent a year on Abydos. He doesn't count Carter."
She smiled.
"Your are not envious at Daniel...are you Sir?"
"Why? Because i'm suffering here and he isn't? Of course not Carter...that would be...".
"Childish Sir? She finished his sentence.
"Immature Carter".
"Right Sir". She smiled big. He was losing this discussion and they both knew it.
"Don't you have some readings to read or something?"
"Yes Sir".
She went back to a science looking thingie on the ground and he took a walk. He didn't get far before Teal'c joined him.
"It is not wise to wander off alone O'niell", he said.
"I'll be alright Teal'c...don't worry".
"You do not know that O'niell".
"Yes i do".
"It is impossible for you to know...".
"No it isn't..."
"Have you had a vision?"
"Ehhh no".
"Then explain."
"Well...its more a kind of feeling than an exactly prediction."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow again and look confused.
"I do not understand".
"Ohh right...you guys aren't in touch with your feelings are ya?"
"In touch?"
"Yeah...with your gut if ya will".
"Gut?"
"Yeah...". He thought it over. "Wait...bad joke...didn't mean to refer to junior down there". He pointed to Teal'c's abdomen.
Teal'c looked down at his pouch and then up at O'niell again.
"I think you better come with me O'niell".
"No, i'm fine Teal'c".
"You are not...you are making no sence".
"Look...i'm not going back before i feel like it Teal'c...so stop your...aaargh".
Suddenly Jack found himself dangling with his head down from Teal'c's back.
"What the hell are ya doing Teal'c?"
"I'm taking you back to Captain Carter O'niell".
"No you are not!".
"It is for your own safety".
Jack started struggling to get down but it was in vain. Teal'c was to strong and had both his arms in a firm grip.
"Put me down Teal'c...NOW! It's an order!"
Damn...that was two times the same day he had pulled that freaking rank.
"Orders do not apply anymore O'niell".
"TEAL'C!"
He gave up.
"Ya know Teal'c...you are kind a tall".
They soon reached the temple and he could hear Daniel and Carter come running towards them.
"What happened Teal'c?" Sam sounded really worried and Daniel had just as much concern in his eyes.
"Is he alright Teal'c?".
"I'm fine for cryin out loud...tell him to put me down!".
"He is not fine...he was talking nonsence".
"Was not!"
"What was he saying Teal'c?"
"DANIEL!"
"We just wanna be sure Sir".
"He sure sounds like himself".
He could hear in Daniel voice that he was on the break of laugher.
"Daniel...i'm warning you...".
Teal'c gave them a short recap of his conversation with Jack. Sam was now also on the break of laughter.
"Alright...Teal'c...put him down".
"Are you sure Captain Carter?".
"Yeah...he's fine Teal'c."
Teal'c sat Jack back down onto his feet.
"See...fine...told ya".
"Your behavior was erratic O'niell...you word could not be trusted".
"If someone is erratic it's you Teal'c".
"I do not understand".
"Of course you don't".
Sam and Daniel was sitting on the floor laughing, trying to hide it and not succeding.
"Having fun are ya!".
"Sorry Sir".
"Sorry Jack...it's just..."
"Shut up Daniel".
Again Daniel found himself in on of those situations with Jack. Had he just met Jack he would have been insulted by being talked to in that manner. But he knew the man now. He knew Jack didn't mean it like that. He just always let his mouth run without thinking. Actually...that was how he handled most things. Sometimes he admired Jack his nature, his way of trusting your, in lack of a better word, gut. Not to say he wanted to be like that, he surely didn't. But it took curage to be the way Jack was. How did you define someone like Jack? He was the heart and soul military man, but he didn't always follow orders if he thought he knew better. And that was almost always. He really was quite intelligent but didn't wanted to appear that way. He hated scientists and yet he was friends with at least two, him and Sam. He would give his life for people he didn't even like, but hid that fact behind the military hero image. He loved people, he had loved people, not many, but when he did he would never admit to it or show it directly. Jack had a tendency to open up when he drank and after a little to much of the native drink on Abydos Daniel had heard many tales from Jack's past. Some of them nice. Others horrible. And nomatter how Jack portrayed it he did have problems with feelings. It hadn't taking Daniel long to figure out the hole Sam/Jack situation. He knew they liked eachother. It was so clear, at least to him but he was not going to get in the middle of that. The truth was that Jack was an enigma. A riddle put together wrong somehow. But not nessecerely in a negative way. Now he was standing there cursing at Teal'c and kicking a tree that already looked ready to crack like a child who had been wronged...it was such a contridiction to the military Jack and that was exactly what made him so unpredictible. Now he was moving towards the temple and...wait...the temple...ohh no...i think not JACK!
Jack moved towards the spot he had seen Daniel work on earlier and he could hear his younger companion come running behind him. Sam was trying to explain to Teal'c exactly where the communication between him and Jack had went awall. He reached a dusted pillar with ugly carvings on it and was just about the lean on it when Daniel got in the way. He almost stumpled into him but managed to find his balance again. Daniel was standing in front of him with crossed arms and then Jack realised what was going on.
"For cryin out loud Daniel...i'm not gonna break ya precious rock".
"Right...like you didn't break the plate?".
"Thought we were over that...".
"I'm just saying..."
"What?"
"Could have fooled me..."
"I see...and you are such an easy guy to fool right!"
"Jack..."
"No Daniel." For cryin of loud the antropologist were anooing the crap out of him right now.
"But Jack".
He lifted a "ah ah" finger and layed down and closed his eyes. Daniel sighed but got the point and changed the subject as Sam and Teal'c joined them. Teal'c still looked confused. Sam was looking at Jack but shifted to Daniel. She was feeling hot. They all were. Her sweat was running down her forehead and annoyed her. Jack and Teal'c were soaked eventhough they were wearing only pants and a undershirt and even Daniel was beginning to crack under the warm sun...or suns if you may. He had taking off his jacket and was now in a white t-shirt. But is was beginning to get soaked. His long hair had to be bothering him right now. The bangs stuck to his head and he had to constantly brush them away. That lenght also made him look much younger than he was. Younger that her she noticed and wasn't that lenght againt protocol anyway? Guess it didn't matter if you were not a part of the military, she thought. Then Daniel spoke.
"Hi guys...i found something...come take a look".
He sounded excited but for how long? She would remember to enjoy the "sparkle Daniel" every chance she got.
They all followed him into the temple to a giant room covered in a glowing rock material devided in different colours. It was to dark to see how big the room was but it had to be big cause their voices sounded hollow and they couldn't see the wall on the other side. Only more glowing lights far away in the distance. Sam took out the scanner again and went closer to the the wall. She scanned the material. Teal'c was standing looking strait into the dark with at concerned look while Jacks attention was on Sam. Daniel was walking further into the room. His voice eccoed.
"I haven't had time to investigate it much yet but i think it is greek architecture. Look at these carvings". He pointed to the floor in the door opening. The floor was white and smooth like marble. He kneled down and touched them gently like they were one of his most treasured items. "It's typical greek style. Isn't it stunning?"
"Yeah...it's..big." Jack didn't sound particular impressed. "Don't touch anything. That means you Daniel. Carter...what ya got?"
"It's just quarts Sir"
Daniel continued mostly to himself.
"There must be writings somewhere...maybe if i..."
Daniel was walking closer to the wall and reached out to touch it but Teal'c stopped him.
"Daniel Jackson...O'niell said not to touch anything".
The sound of his voice were enough to make Daniel stop and look at him. He looked even more concerned than he sounded. Then the Jaffa turned to Jack.
"O'niell".
Jack was still covering Sam.
"Yeah Teal'c".
Daniel moved closer to the wall again.
"We are not alone. My larva has become uneasy."
"What is it?"
"I am unsure O'niell..."
In that instant Daniel touched one of the yellow quarts and suddenly a light came on. It was so bright that they were blinded and had to cover their eyes. The room was completely emty and really really big just like it had appeared to be. Just like the floor the walls and sealing were a perfect shade of white and made out of the same material. But what was really strange was the fact that it was cold in there. The atmosphere was being controlled.
"Son of a bitch!" Jack scratched his eyes and looked like he was in pain. He must had been looking strait into the light when it came on.
"Did i do that?" Daniel asked.
"What part of don't touch anything was unclear to you?"
Daniel just gave him a "i don't know" shrug. Jack sighed and turned to the others.
"Hey...has anybody else noticed that it's hotter that hell out there and cold in here?" He pointed to the outside and then into the room.
"Sir...i think this is some kind of machine...it must be constantly montoring the temperature".
"Well...that's just cool." Jack smirked at his wordgame and Carter smiled back. "Could use a couple of these things in the mens locker room."
"Sir...i think these quarts controls it...look...".
She touched the same quarts Daniel had touched and the light went off. Then she touched it again slowly applying little pressure to the rock and the light came on in a controlled manner. She set it on a more comfortable setting and turned to the team.
"They yellow ones must control the light...it's really interesting...".
Suddenly Daniel touched a green quarts and they heard a rumbling sound.
"DANIEL!"
"Come on Jack...it's not like i touched the red one.".
The floor shook and a panel was shoved up through the floor and they all went closer. There were crystals in a wide range of colours. Same kind of crystal the goa'ulds used.
"Sir...i have to find the system core and figure out how it works...".
"It's goa'uld tecnology Carter..."
"It might be valuable to Earth Sir".
"Right..." Jack sounded a little doubtful.
"Okay Carter...we..."
"Ehh Jack..."
"Not now Daniel...so...Carter...we can't stay here much longer...how long do you think it will take to..."
"Guys...I really think you should..."
"What is it Daniel..."
Both Sam and Jack turned around to face Daniel and was not at all prepared for the sight that awaited them. In front of them several beings had revealed themselves hovering above the floor. They had human form but iluminated vage blue colours in different shades. Beautiful colours. Two of them looked female and the other four male. They had a ghostly appearence and they didn't look solid. More like partly see through smoke. Right now they were observing SG-1 with a watchful eye and they didn't look happy. Jack reached for his weapon and Sam and Teal'c followed his lead. Daniel didn't. Their colours shifted to an orange shade. Jack took a step closer. He looked a little stunned.
"Howdy fellers".
They didn't answer but their colours became stronger and warmer.
"Is that a good sign?" Jack turned around and looked at his team. They all looked amazed. Nobody answered.
"What do we do Sir?".
He looked at Sam and then at Daniel.
"Alright Daniel...you're on...talk to them".
"Me?"
"Yeah...you ARE the only linguist in this room unless they know something we don't." He pointed to the beings.
"Well...maybe you should put down those Jack" He pointed to their weapons.
"I don't think so Daniel".
"Look...their colours became orange about the same time you pulled your guns on them...and by the way...no...i don't think that was a good sign...they look angry Jack...sure you wanna take the chance?".
"Daniel...not...gonna...happen". Jack said in a very firm tone.
"I'm with the Colonel here Daniel", Sam said and Teal'c joined in.
"As am i".
"Alright...quess i'm outnumbered then." He shook his head a little. Military protocol. Yes...let's pull our guns on a new alien civilisation we know nothing about. That is a really good signal to send. A really friendly gesture.
"Here goes nothing...". He whispered to calm himself.
Daniel turned to the beings.
"Hello there". He lifted his hand to say hi. No responce.
"I could have done that", Jack interupted. "In fact...i did do that".
"Jack please..."
"Yeah yeah...do your thing".
Daniel continued.
"My name is Daniel Jackson. We are peaceful explorers and mean you no harm."
Their colours keept getting stronger but they still didn't respond. Before they were orange. Now they were almost red. He turned to Jack.
"I really don't think this is a good idea Jack...". He whispered out of closed lips. Jack answered in the same manner.
"What do you mean? Wasn't it YOU who were all for making contact with new civilisations?".
"Well yes...but look at them...i think i'm pissing them off and i don't even know if they understand me".
"How could you be pissing then off by talking?" Jack suddenly got a knowing expression. "Ohh right...nevermind". Daniel sent him a hurt look as he continued and Jack felt a little bad inside.
"I don't know Jack. But red generally means stop what you are doing in most cultures".
"So...you are going on a colour here?"
"No...i'm mostly going on instinct...".
"Ahh...first instinct...then colour?"
"Yes".
"Well...the instinct aside...couldn't it also mean love?"
"Yeah maybe...i quess...but we don't even know if they know what love is". Now it was Daniels turn to look doubtful.
"Only one way to find out Daniel".
"Yeah...i thought you would say something like that".
"Be careful Daniel", Sam said.
He nodded to reasure her and then turned to the beings once again. He took a deep breath. Here goes nothing, he thought once again.
"We have come in seach of friendship and would like to exchange knowledge and tecno...".
That was as far as he got before he was hit by an energy beam coming from one of the beings. It knocked him out and lifted him up in some kind of energy field. Just high enough that none of his teammembers could reach him. Jack reacted in a split second. He lifted his gun and ran closer followed by Sam and Teal'c.
"PUT HIM DOWN...NOW".
Still no responce and he shifted his attention from the beings to Daniel.
"Daniel...are you ok?" Jack yelled but the antrophologist didn't respond.
The red male being who had caught Daniel turned to him.
"Stop your actions on this planet. The goa'uld are not welcome here".
"We are not goa'ulds for cryin out loud...we are from a planet called Earth." Jack snorted.
The being turned to Teal'c.
"He is Jaffa...therefore you are goa'uld".
"I do nolonger serve the goa'uld", Teal'c replyed.
"LIAR".
In that instance Daniel awoke and let out a sound of someone in pain.
"Owww..."
"Daniel...are you ok". Sam asked in his direction but she didn't take her eyes of the beings. Daniel took his time to answer.
"Got a...um...headache...bad bad headache...but other than that i think i'm ok...what happened?"
"Our new alien friends here got a little tricker happy". He pointed in the direction of the blue beings.
It was Jack's voice. He recognised it but where were his glasses?
"I see...well...no...actually i don't...everything is a little blurry".
He tried to turn around but could only move his head. He turned it in the direction of the voices and saw Jack beneath him.
"Hey Jack".
"Hey Daniel...how is the floating?" Jack was relieved. Daniel sounded alright.
"Floathing? Daniel looked confused.
Then he turned to the right a realised what was happening. The beings had returned to the observing state again but they didn't show any sign of letting him go.
"Ohh...this is not good...wonder what i said wrong...i'm kind of in pain here Jack."
"I know Spacemonkey".
Spacemonkey? Was his foggy mind playing tricks on him or had Jack just called him Spacemonkey?
Jack turned to the beings.
"Put our man down...now...it's your last chance!" Then he turned to Teal'c. "Get ready T".
T? What the hell was going on with Jack, Daniel thought. What would be next...would he call Carter Sam?
"Carter...you know what to do".
Okay...that answered his question. Guess Jack hadn't gone completely out the deep end yet.
The male beings colour flamed up once again as he spoke. There was only resentment in his voice.
"You still think you have power here goa'uld...i think an demonstration is in order".
Daniel looked in his direction. The being turned to his companions who all gave their consent by crossing their beams with his.
"Goa'ulds? No wait...we are not goa'ul...".
Then they closed their eyes and Daniel screamed out in pain. He started twitching as there appeared burns and cuts on his skin. He felt like he was being stabbed again and again and the burns...he felt like he was on fire. The pain was too much.
"JAAK! EEELP ME!!". That was all he managed to let out before darkness overwhelmed him.
"Stop it!" Sam screamed. You're are hurting him!"
"Open fire!" Jack commanded.
They started shouting but the bullets went straint through the beings and even the staff weapon had not effect. Daniel had stopped screaming and looked unconcious. His body was limp and had stopped twitching. But now there were drops of blood dripped down on the white floor. Daniels blood. Jack felt a burning fury he had never felt before.
"Leave now...or you will never leave again. Your kind are not welcome here".
Then the beings let go of Daniel who fell to the floor. Sam was quickly by his side. Jack sent daggers after the beings who dissapeared just as suddenly as they had appeared. Teal'c stood with his staff weapon looking down at Daniel. His eyes were blank like he was about to cry but he didn't.
"Sir...he is hurt bad...we have to get him back to the SGC". Her face was covered in tears.
"Alright...let's go".
Teal'c didn't move.
"Come on T...".
"This is my fault O'niell".
"Don't even think about any guilt trip now TEAL'C. You are not responsible for cryin out loud...help me carry him".
Slowly Teal'c moved to Daniels side and lifted him up. He didn't let Jack help. Then they left the room. But just as Teal'c and Sam were out of the room Jack hesitated and looked around.
"This is not finished" he said to the emty room and then he followed his team.
Daniel really was badly hurt. His body was covered in red burnmarks and cuts and he was bleeding from a head wound. He must had gotten that when he fell to the floor. Jack felt responsible. Daniel had warned him about the the way the beings had reacted to their weapons. Maybe if he had listened this situation would never have gone this far. But right now all that mattered was to get Daniel the medical attention he so badly needed. He turned to Carter as they ran across the sandy ground. She was getting the GDO code in order while tears ran down her face. She cared about Daniel. No doubt about that. He was not surprised they had hit it off. They were both brainiacs. He felt a sting of jealousy. Wondered if she cared abot him the same way. Teal'c was concentrating on carrying Daniel. The young man was no trouble for the big Jaffa. They reached the gate and Sam dialed home. Almost before the wave had settled and the GDO code had been sent Teal'c had already entered and they followed closely behind. The trip through the wormhole seemed a lot longer this time. Why was that? It swirled and a few seconds later they were in the gateroom.