Daniel intently searched the manuals, scrolls and other material that seemed likely would have the symbols he sought. He hunched over the pages, intently yet reverently turning them, his eyes focused, his mouth pursed.

Rhonda Moorehouse, trained xenoarchaeologist, one of Earth's first ever, looked through her pile of information, and occasionally, back at Daniel. She had the traditional academic background in archaeology as well, with PHDs in several cultural backgrounds. She spoke four dead languages and six living ones. Passion had driven her to the top in her field. Then, the military had shown up with an offer she found she couldn't refuse.

Her fangirl fantasies were now a reality. And here was the man who had made such a thing possible. He wasn't only brilliant, he was cuter in person, up close, than he had ever been in pictures, and seen at a distance, giving a speech. Though he had been irresistible even then. Her head tilted, and her unruly red hair sort of did it's own thing. She thought about putting her hat back on, hiding her defiant russet mane. But no, she wanted to be herself in front of the man she considered a hero.

No...Not star struck. She was here, she had a mission. And she wasn't going to give fodder to that butthead Colonel Jack O'Neil to give her team an even harder time than he already had done.

She regarded Daniel. He didn't have that brainy geek breeziness she had always associated with him. He seemed focused. Intense. The world around him was shut out. He was focused on his task. It was understandable, as she knew why they were there. And what they were looking for was essential to thwart this Gua'uld, Tanith from completing his mission. But what had happened to bring about this particular personality shift in Dr. Daniel Jackson at this juncture?

"Dr. Jackson?", she ventured.

He continued pouring through his material.

"Doctor?", she said again, taking a step toward him.

Daniel's head whirled around, his eyes sharply taking her in. He then relaxed, and even smiled a little bit.

She smiled in return.

"Just call me Daniel, ok..?"

"Rhonda."

"Rhonda? Rhonda Moorehouse?," his eyes went cloudy for a second as he focused inwardly, then he focused on her, "The whiz kid. First archaeologist to ever specialize in extraterrestrial archaeology."

Daniel nodded, and then said, "Well, here it all is. You're elbow deep in it now. Is it what you wanted?"

Rhonda smiled nervously and said, "I haven't been doing it long enough to really be sure, Doc...Daniel. But...wow...here, in alien ruins, looking over alien records...with y...all these extraordinary people. Hell YA! I wanted it."

Daniel nodded and yawned, shaking his head. "It is a bit of a kick, I'll admit. But things do happen that make it hard sometimes. But I hear your team is staying here after it's all over. You're going to be establishing a base camp for long-term exploration of this civilization. Congratulations!"

"I would have though SG-1, or at least you would have gotten the detail, Daniel."

"Well, we don't stay in one place long enough to really allow that," Daniel said wryly.

"Do you regret that?", Rhonda asked him, her eyes on his.

Daniel looked down a second, pursed his lips, then looked back at her, "No, no really. SG-1 is a great gig. But not the best place for academics, it's true. But I do lead a full life. Docking around from planet to planet, seeing, experiencing. But planting roots every now and then, REALLY doing this work...I envy you, Rhonda."

Rhonda smiled, "Well, maybe Colonel O'Neil will let you come visit."

"Jack? Yeah...maybe. After laughing at me for my choice of leave."

He turned his attention back to the manuals.

"Wait a take a look at this..."

A set of glyphs in a part of a manual that dealt with the Stargate stared back at him. This particular chapter dealt with the eighth and ninth chevrons, and some of it was in some kind of code. Daniel had managed to work the code, as it had been in the technical specs that Samantha had given him.

There it was. The Blackgate. And a clear warning to not activate it. Another name for it translated to "Universe Drain".

Daniel and Rhonda looked at each other, grabbed the manual, and ran to find Jack O'Neil.

Samantha Carter, Captain Killian and her crew had set up the controls and monitoring systems to the air defense sensor package. And though they were looking, it still surprised them to see a boogey appearing after just three hours.

Jack O'Neil got on his radio and said, "People, it's party time. Assume those positions."

Something had penetrated the atmosphere of this world near this city.

It seemed they were no longer alone here.