Jaffa were trained to avoid such things and once again Teal'c found his instincts warring with the actions of the Tau'ri.
It was forbidden for Jaffa to enter into the underground catacombs of the gods. Here, as he stood on the steps that led into the chambers, Teal'c saw the adornments that signaled this place was sacred to Chibchachum.
Stiffening, though not enough for O'Neill to notice, Teal'c studied the chambers with great care. He could see the patterns that represented Chibchachum in his high days of glory. There were pictures of laborers and miners, and those that had given their lives to the service of the mountain. But also, Teal'c recognized a distinct dialect of Goa'uld emblazoned on the walls of the chamber.
Daniel Jackson had informed him that on Earth, the god Chibchachum was one of suffering. He had been forced into exile by his fellow gods, and had become the man of many earthquakes. It was a tale similar to one that he had heard many times as a child.
Beware of the shakers, for the ground may swallow you.
To this day, those words haunted Teal'c. As did tales of the Shadow Walkers.
"Teal'c?"
Upon hearing O'Neill's voice, Teal'c relaxed his shoulders, though did not waiver in his attentiveness.
"I believe this to be the resting place of Chibchachum," Teal'c told O'Neill, forcing his way down the stairs. "According to DanielJackson, he was a mythical being of great importance to your South America."
There was a pause. "Goa'uld?"
Teal'c inclined his head. "Indeed."
"Sweet."
Though Teal'c did not understand how this information could be sweet, he allowed for O'Neill to continue his assessment. As they took out their instruments of light, or as O'Neill had instructed him "flashlights," they could not fail to take notice of offerings left for Chibchachum. There were many goods resting here that Teal'c believed would have caused Daniel Jackson to become highly excitable.
Stepping over the gifts of gold and turquoise, the two of them pushed farther into the mountain tomb, only to find piles of bone and wood, burials, which Teal'c assumed were made in honor of their god. It did not take a warrior to note the place held the stench of death.
Teal'c was about to inform O'Neill about the evilness of this place, when he felt the ground shake beneath him. Holding onto the wall for support, he turned to face his fellow warrior.
"We cannot remain. This place does not wish us here."
O'Neill did not flinch, nor did he question him. Instead, he moved past Teal'c, continuing into the darkness. "I don't wish us here, either. So, as soon as we find Carter and—"
"Jack?"
Teal'c raised his eyebrow, certain that he heard the voice of Daniel Jackson. Charging forward, he passed O'Neill, only to find his suspicions were true. His friend lay on the ground, his legs out before him, as his eyes stared into the blackness.
Teal'c was certain his eyes were not as they should be.
"Right here," O'Neill responded. "Damn, what did you do?"
As Teal'c stepped closer, he could see the depth of the injury. His friend's ankle was clearly damaged, possibly from the shakers, and he appeared to be in great pain. On guard, Teal'c remained steady as O'Neill cared for him.
"Daniel, stay with me," O'Neill instructed. "What happened?"
"We were running from the bat people."
Daniel Jackson's comment caused Teal'c to turn, curious as to what his friend meant by those words. Yet, before he was able to question him, he heard O'Neill mutter one of his favorite "swears" as he pressed his hand to Daniel Jackson's head.
"You have a concussion." He sighed. "Perfect."
Daniel Jackson blinked at him. "Huh?"
"Nevermind." He turned, swatting Teal'c's flashlight from his vision. "Teal'c? You got a medkit in your pack?"
"I do."
O'Neill motioned quickly, urging Teal'c to provide for him the kit. "Open it up, will you?"
"Sam pushed me out of the way of the bat people," Daniel Jackson murmured, shaking his head from side to side. "They were coming—coming to protect Chibchachum."
"Of course they were," O'Neill commented off-handedly.
Daniel Jackson licked his lips. "I tried to communicate with them…Did you know Chichachum was punished down here? I think he lives in the ground. Bochia put him here."
"Bochica," Teal'c repeated. "This name holds some familiarity for me."
O'Neill paused, glancing at Teal'c as he wrapped Daniel Jackson's ankle. "You know this guy?"
"Sam said he was a Tok'ra," said Daniel Jackson before he swallowed hard, blinking a few times to keep his eyes open. "Sam…they were at war and Chibchachum was exiled. The bat people are everywhere, Jack. Hiding and watching." He winced. "They're waiting for us. Where's Sam?"
Teal'c remained firm. "We have not yet located Captain Carter."
"Sam?" Daniel Jackson called, struggling to rise. "Sam!"
"Easy there, fella," O'Neill told him, keeping their friend in place. "Sit here and be quiet. We'll scout around for Carter."
"Watch out for the bat people," Daniel Jackson warned them. "I'll watch your back."
O'Neill exchanged a nervous glance with Teal'c, before inching closer to him. "Keep checking on Daniel. I think he got knocked in the head good. As soon as we find Carter, we are packing up and then we're out of here."
"That is a wise decision, O'Neill. I do not believe we should remain in this place."
O'Neill stared at him. "Bat people?"
Teal'c did not need to speak for O'Neill to understand what he was thinking.
To their benefit, it did not take them long to find Captain Carter. She was indeed not far from them, but had been caught in one of the crumbling corners of the tomb. However, their relief did not last long.
Captain Carter was unconscious.
"Dammit," O'Neill muttered. "Why can't, for once, just once, we go on a mission were nothing bad happens?"
"Did you not say earlier that you were bored with this mission?"
"Yeah, well." O'Neill grunted, pushing some debris to the side to reach Captain Carter. "I take it back. Whoa." He paused, sitting back on his heals, holding the back of his hand to his nose. "I don't know what the hell that is but it sticks." Grunting, he shoved aside the shimmering heap and shook his head. "Daniel," he called. "Stay put. We're leaving in a few minutes and we'll break for the Gate. Teal'c, I need you out of warrior mode for a sec, and need for you to play medic."
"This is not a time for play, O'Neill."
"Oh for Pete's sake, Teal'c," O'Neill rubbed his face, as he often did when he was nervous. "Just come here."
Teal'c obliged, leaving the side of Daniel Jackson to stand behind O'Neill. By his judgment, Captain Carter needed medical attention for her wounds. The medical supplies they carried with them through the Stargate would not be enough to help her.
"Look," O'Neill told him as the two of them pushed aside another large stone. "She's torn up pretty bad on her stomach. I need for you to put pressure on the wound and stop the bleeding while I fish through this pack." He sighed. "It's a shame Carter's not here to save herself."
Teal'c agreed. Usually, on missions when they encountered danger, it was Captain Carter's experience as a field medic that assisted them when their wounds proved too great. Now, Teal'c found himself in her position, one that was of little use to a warrior of his class.
"I have applied pressure to the wound," Teal'c announced after several minutes. "I believe that we can now bandage her until she can be seen by Doctor Fraiser."
"Great." O'Neill clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I'll go check up on batboy while you finish."
Teal'c stared at him, but did not inquire about this new term given to Daniel Jackson by O'Neill. He was beginning to wonder if this was not some secret code that they shared.
Watching them go, Teal'c remained close by Captain Carter's side. After a few more minutes had passed, he was certain he would be instructed to carry her from this place, and they would make it back to the Stargate for assistance.
However, something had changed for Teal'c this day. Though he remained true to his warrior heritage, his heart believed it had found the path which he was destined to follow.