Her sentence was left unfinished as her arm, the one that cradled JJ, was painfully grabbed from behind. Her eyes rested on the red face of Beroni, who sneered at her. "Oh, but you will cooperate, Samantha. You will." With that, he pressed a metal cylinder to her neck that sent an electric shock coursing through her body, much like that of a Zat charge. She felt JJ being taken from her arms and tried to reach out to him, but her body wouldn't obey. The last thing she heard was the terrified scream of her little boy as she sank into oblivion.
Chapter 14 – The Writing on the Wall
"Beroni, you fool! What have you done?" the High Chancellor yelled as he knelt beside the unconscious form of Sam. "I promised she would not be injured," he reminded the scientist, glaring angrily up at him.
Beroni, who struggled to hold the squirming child, retorted, "She needed to be shown who is in charge here, Chancellor. You did not appear to be having success."
"I am in charge! Not you! You're little show of power has made us lose precious time! You know the writings say that by the middle of the 52nd cycle, if the child is not found, all will be lost! We are one day away from that as it stands!" The High Chancellor stood abruptly. "Give the child to me!" He reached over and took the still screaming baby from Beroni's arms, not trusting the other man with this precious child. "Bring the Colonel to her bed. Carefully!"
Beroni picked Sam up gently in his arms and transferred her to the bed. He was beginning to regret his hasty actions, for the High Chancellor was still glaring at him angrily. He looked at the screaming little boy, wincing at the high pitch of his cries.
"How long will she be out? We must make our way to the secret chamber," the High Chancellor stated with a hint of panic in his voice. He attempted to quiet JJ by bouncing him slightly while he walked, but JJ would have none of it. He just kept screaming and bending forward at the waist, trying to reach his mother.
The scientist pulled out a different metal cylinder and held it up to the High Chancellor. "I will be able to revive her quite quickly with this, High Chancellor. The initial dose acts as a sedative of sorts, causing the body to cease its movement. This will revive her momentarily," he assured the High Chancellor.
"Then get on with it, Beroni, we don't have much time to spare."
Beroni put the cylinder to Sam's neck and pushed. She twitched twice, then remained still. Beroni cast a worried look over at his leader. "It should be just a moment, your Eminence," he stated in as reassuring tone of voice as possible. When it became apparent that Sam was not going to wake up as quickly as he thought, Beroni took a step back and tried to offer an explanation. "She should have awakened by now, High Chancellor. I do not understand it."
"Beroni, do you not remember what we have learned? Her make-up is much different than ours; even from that of her own people. We have no idea how her body will react to the substance you gave her!" The High Chancellor pushed Beroni aside and sat at the edge of the bed, placing JJ gently next to Sam's prone form. JJ quickly crawled up to her face and began patting her cheeks, wailing a plaintive cry of "Mama!" when she didn't respond.
The High Chancellor leaned over and shook her shoulder rather roughly, his fear causing him to be much less gentle than he normally would. "Come on Colonel Carter, you must wake up. Your son needs you," he implored the still form before him. His panic eased slightly as he saw her eyelashes begin to flutter.
Sam's limbs felt heavy and her head was buzzing with odd noises. One noise that she heard clearly was the crying of a baby; her baby. She couldn't understand why Jack didn't get up and go to JJ – wasn't it his turn? Sam struggled to open her eyes and frowned as she felt wetness on her face, followed by the feeling of someone patting her cheeks. The hands that touched her were small and soft…JJ?
Images flashed to her mind in quick succession: a dark room, the High Chancellor, Beroni's sneer, JJ being taken from her arms. Sam's eyes flew open and she let out a loud gasp. Seeing JJ's tear streaked face in front of her, Sam sat up quickly and drew him into her arms, ignoring the spinning of the room at her abrupt movement. She faintly heard someone next to her whisper, "Thank heavens."
Now that his mother finally responded, JJ quieted down quickly, his sobs turning to hiccups as he cuddled into her warm embrace. His little body still trembled with fear and Sam's trembled as well in shared anxiety and not a little bit of guilt; perhaps if she hadn't been so antagonistic, this wouldn't have happened. Sam rocked JJ slightly as she sat in the bed, whispering words only he could hear; words of apology for what he had been through, words of love and comfort, and assurances that he would soon see his daddy.
The High Chancellor stood from the bed, rather uncomfortable watching this emotional scene between mother and child. Perhaps he had made a mistake. Doubts began to seep into his mind, but he quickly thrust them away. No, he needed this child, if only for a little while. But he would make certain nothing like this happened again. Turning to Beroni, he grabbed his arm and ushered him out the door and practically threw him against the wall.
"You will wait out here until we are ready, then you will lead us to the secret chamber. You will not talk to, look at, or touch either Colonel Carter or her son. Do I make myself clear?" At Beroni's small nod of acquiescence, the High Chancellor continued. "If you do not follow my directives Beroni, you will be removed from your post as leading scientist of the Makesh. I do not completely understand your motives for what occurred, but I assure you, this will not happen again." With that, he turned back and entered the room, leaving a reprimanded, by not completely repentant Beroni, out in the hallway.
Sam looked up when the High Chancellor reentered the room. She had not missed the raised voices in the corridor and felt some relief that Beroni would not be the one she had to deal with. Although, if given the chance, she would make him pay dearly for what he had done!
The High Chancellor took in the wary gaze directed his way and sighed. "I apologize, Colonel Carter. I never intended anything of this sort to happen. Are you all right? Can you stand?"
"I'll be fine," she replied shortly, not willing to accept his apologies.
"Then we must leave, for we have much to do in a short time." He held up his hand to stave off her protest. "Please, I will explain all when we get to the secret chamber. You have my assurance, Colonel Carter. By this time tomorrow, you and your son will be back with the rest of your people."
Sam stood up slowly and faced the man. "How can I believe anything you tell me? You've lied since we met you, you can't control your associates," she indicated Beroni in the hallway, "And you've terrified my son."
Realizing that she would not leave without some sort of explanation, the High Chancellor pulled out one of the chairs and sat down. Sam followed suit, sitting on the bed and waiting quietly for him to continue, all the while keeping a careful eye on him. She was determined to get out of this, but she would do nothing to jeopardize her son again.
Taking a deep breath, he began. "A few cycles ago, this temple was discovered by some of our scientists. In that time, we have also uncovered several areas of transcription both inside and outside of the temple. Upon closer examination, many of these writings appeared to be prophecies. Most significant was the prophesy alluding to another race, something which translates as the evil ones, who would one day come to Moval and attempt to assimilate us into their culture… by force. Another pillar referred to a benevolent race of beings that would offer us a means to protect ourselves; thus our alliance with the Asgard."
When Sam nodded that she was following along, he continued, editing what he was about to tell her. He would undoubtedly have to tell her all very soon, but for now, only wished to tell her enough to get her to come with him. "Once inside the temple, we uncovered a tablet built into the wall that mentions a child who would one day prove to save the people of Moval, should we be able to find him before the end of the 52nd cycle. That time is tomorrow, Colonel Carter, and we believe JJ is that child," he finished quietly, letting his gaze take in the little boy who rested against his mother, his thumb tucked securely in his mouth.
Sam, too, looked down at JJ, a frown of concentration on her face. "What makes you think JJ is this child that the transcriptions refer to? And how, for that matter, do you know these so called prophecies are true?"
"The prophecies mention the child will have the knowledge of three. JJ genetically carries the genes, or knowledge, of three races, does he not?"
Sam's eyes flew to the High Chancellor. "How did you know that?" she whispered.
"We took a scan of your husband when he first met with us. We originally thought it might be him, as the Asgard believed him to be the answer to their future at one time. Even though he is not a child, your race is young, according to the Asgard. But alas, his scans showed only traces of two races. When we came to your SGC, I had the opportunity to scan JJ. He has traces of three races in his genetic code," he explained matter-of-factly.
Sam's anger began to boil at the thought that her baby had unknowingly been scanned by these people. The High Chancellor saw her anger and held up a placating hand, "He was in no danger of injury from the scan, I assure you. But now," he rose to his feet, "We must go to the secret chamber and determine once and for all if JJ is the child we seek. Will you accompany me?" he asked in a gentle tone, no threat implied in his tone.
"If JJ is not the one you think he is?" Sam questioned, not moving from her seat on the bed.
"Then you will be free to go and I undoubtedly will be groveling for forgiveness at your husband's feet," he replied with a slight smile.
Sam knew there would be a lot more than groveling going on, but kept that thought to herself. "And if he is the one?" she asked, standing to meet him face to face.
"Then we will enter the secret chamber together and see what needs to be done to save my people, Colonel. Should it entail anything that might cause JJ any harm, we will leave things as they are and you will still return safely to your people."
Sam studied him closely. She had no reason to trust this man, but she also knew that she had a much better chance of escaping, or of Jack finding them, if she went further into the temple. And so Sam made a decision she hoped she would not come to regret later. "We will come with you, but on two conditions: First, Beroni is not allowed near either one of us, and second, no one but me holds JJ."
The High Chancellor bowed respectfully to her. "It will be as you say, Colonel. Come, we have wasted much time this morning and must make haste."
They left the room, following the quiet form of Beroni down the dimly lit hallways. Sam was sandwiched between the two men; it seems as if they didn't completely trust her either.
Jack and Teal'c made quick work of the two guards outside the temple. Daniel tied them to one of the pillars before all five members of the rescue group, plus Malem, entered the cool, dank interior of the temple. Once their eyes adjusted to the dark, the group looked around curiously.
The temple itself was not large, approximately 30 feet by 30 feet. But it was tall and contained several pillars similar in style to the ones found outside. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, just enough details given off by the lit scones located every few feet around the walls to cause an increase in Daniel's nature desire to explore such a place.
Not seeing anything remotely looking like writing, Jack interrupted everyone's quiet perusal of the room. "Ok, let's not forget what we came for people. Daniel, lead the way to the writings." Moving after the archaeologist, he muttered under his breath, "I hope to God we find something useful!"
The group slowly made their way to the southwest corner of the temple, where Malem had indicated they would find something of importance.
On the walk over to the temple from the house, Jacob had listened intently to Jack's explanations of what had occurred while he was with Thor. He had then carried on an internal conversation with Selmac, discussing the possible meanings behind the few phrases that Malem had provided them with. Jacob was beginning to get a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach, but wasn't quite ready to share with Jack his and Selmac's thoughts.
Jacob looked back at the young Makesh man who was following them through the dimly lit temple. Though his first instinct had been to string Malem up from the tallest tree, Jacob now had to give the young man credit; it took quite a bit of courage to disavow your leader and do what you knew was right. He just hoped to God they found Sam and JJ soon, before any of these 'prophecies' could be tested.
Jacob was brought out of his thoughts by Daniel's soft exclamation. "I think this is it." He held up his flashlight as the others gathered around him. Teal'c and Janet added their lights as well, and they all looked intently up at the wall.
A large section, about 5 feet across and 7 feet tall, had been carved in this area of the temple. Telltale signs of recent activity around the wall were evident by the piles of loose dirt on the floor surrounding their feet. Within the rectangular section on the wall were inscriptions that appeared to be Ancient writing, interspersed with some pictures carved in the crumbling stone. Jacob stepped closer, examining the inscriptions along with Daniel.
After several minutes of studied silence, Jack lost his patience. "Well? What does it say?"
Daniel and Jacob shared a glance before the younger man turned to Jack. "It appears to be another prophecy, Jack. This," he pointed to a phrase in the third line of the inscription, "Tells of a race that will invade Moval and assimilate its people, by force."
"Goa'uld?" Janet asked, a touch of fear in her voice. While most of that race no longer posed a threat to the humans of Earth, they all knew there were still several out there. And, as Jack always said, a Goa'uld never changed its spots.
"No," Daniel replied. "Something else that I can't quite make out. But this line tells of a child whose destiny it is to save the Makesh. A child of three," he added with a look to Jacob.
Jack huffed impatiently. "And what the hell exactly does that mean? And what does it have to do with the disappearance of Sam and JJ?"
Jacob nodded to Daniel and took over. "Jack, I think Selmac might be able to offer an explanation." He bowed his head briefly, then looked Jack straight in the eye as he began to clarify things in the deep voice of his symbiote.
"Ambassador O'Neill, I believe the inscriptions 'a child of three' refers to the genetic make-up of the one who is sought. A genetic code containing the DNA of three different races would be unique to very few individuals; therefore, this prophecy could only pertain to a select few. I believe whoever is behind the disappearance of JJ knows about his background."
At Jack's penetrating look, he continued. "JJ has the genetic make-up of the Tauri, the Tok'ra, and the Ancient. Thus, he is a 'child of three'."
Jack paled at the thought; his child was taken from him because of something he had no hand in? He was innocent in all this! "What about Sam? Does it mention anything about the mother?"
Daniel once more took the reins. "No Jack. My guess is, she was probably taken just to care for JJ. He's still so young..." He dropped off in silence, sending Jack a look of apology before going on. "Apparently, whatever is going to happen, needs to happen soon. The prophecy indicates that if the child isn't located and brought to the temple by the end of the 52nd cycle, the evil ones will eventually prevail."
Malem, who had stayed near the back of the group in trepidation when Selmac began to speak, now stepped forward into the dim circle of light. "The end of the 52nd cycle would be tomorrow," he informed them soberly.
"Then we must locate Samantha and Jonathon Jacob today," Teal'c informed the group, his tone clipped, revealing his anxiety to locate the missing members of what he considered his family as well. As Teal'c had listened to the explanation of the prophecies, his face has grown darker and darker. He would find his Godson, he vowed silently, and whoever had taken him and his mother would pay dearly!
"But where are they?" Jack asked, his throat beginning to constrict as his mind made up all sorts of dire outcomes. Prophecies of this sort never turned out for the good!
"According to this," Daniel pointed to the last few lines of the inscription, "There is a secret chamber hidden within the temple, where the 'innocent protector' must be brought. My guess is that's where Sam and JJ have been taken."
Jack shook his dark thoughts to the corner of his mind and moved to the front of the group, turning his back on the wall. "Then we spread out and look for anything that could be a passageway to a hidden chamber. It shouldn't take long; this place isn't very big."
He turned to Jacob and handed him a small communication device. "Jacob, you're with me. We'll stay in contact with Thor. If you notice any change in the energy readings," he indicated the scanner in Jacob's left hand, "Let Thor know right away. Maybe he'll be able to scan through them and find Sam and JJ." Turning to Daniel, he said, "You stay here and finish translating. Let me know if you find anything helpful."
Daniel nodded his understanding of his role and turned back to the inscriptions.
"Janet, you and Malem head over that way," Jack pointed to the opposite side of the temple. "Teal'c, you go toward the north. Jacob and I will head to the south. Everyone keep in contact. I don't need to remind you what's at stake here."
They all nodded and turned to search for the hidden chamber. Each person present was holding onto the hope that they would find Sam and JJ soon, before any harm came to them. No one wanted to even consider the thought they might already be too late.