The Explanation: Introductions

PhDelicious

Disclaimer: Still not mine, at least not the ones you've heard of before.

As the group recovered from their surprise they followed Gabriel down a steep set of stairs and onto a narrow walkway over a deep chasm and into the city.

"Let us adjourn to the council chambers. There all your questions can be answered."

Daniel, and the members of SG3, gapped in wonder at their surroundings. They seemed to have entered at the top of a cavern that was over 100 feet deep and several hundred yards wide, with a large stone mesa in the center. Several levels of walkways connected by winding staircases ringed both the inner and outer walls. The bridge the group was currently traversing was one of several that connected the cavern wall to the central tower. The soft glow from the cavern walls combined with the light from the torches lining the walkways and bridges to illuminate doors cut into the rock at regular intervals and small dwellings barely visible on the cavern floor. All around them people bustled about their business as if there was nothing unusual about the group of oddly dressed travelers in their midst. Being completely ignored was a novel experience for the travelers.

"This is a most elaborate facility," commented Teal'c. "Even during my time with Apophis it was unusual to find people living below the ground."

"Generally societies do not flourish underground because of the difficulty of producing adequate quantities of food with limited space and light. …I wonder where that tunnel goes."

Daniel pointed out across the cavern to an area where several walkways converged on a large hole in the wall.

"Perhaps this is not the entirety of the settlements here."

The group reached the central pillar and headed for a large round building at its center. Gabriel stopped at a door and turned to the group. Gesturing to a cluster of benches a few feet from the building's entrance, he spoke:

"SG3, if you will please remain here refreshments will be brought out for you. Daniel, Teal'c, please join me inside. The others should already be awaiting our arrival."

The door opened into a large semi-circular room where Daniel could just make out several tiers of seating with a long table facing them. A door in the back of the room led into a small lighted antechamber off of which there were six more rooms.

"These are the private offices of the Councilors. And this is our deliberation chamber."

Gabriel swept open the first door to his left and gestured for Teal'c and Daniel to precede him into the room. Two women and another man were stood from where they had been sitting at a round table as they entered. The man was older, with grey hair and well deepened laugh lines around his eyes. One of the women seemed to approach him in age while the other woman, a petite brunette, was significantly younger, like Gabriel. She remained standing as the other councilors sat. When she spoke, her voice was soft and melodic.

"Daniel Jackson and Teal'c, welcome to Refuge, the capital city of Judea. I am Miriam, the Seer. On my left is are the Healer, Suzannah, and on my right is Simon, the Judge. You are already familiar with the last member of our council, Gabriel. Please sit, you must be tired from your travels."

Daniel and Teal'c took seats next to each other and across the conference table from the councilors.

"Would you care for refreshments before we begin?" Simon's voice was low and gravelly. "Food? Drink?"

"I require nothing at the moment, except information on O'Neill and Colonel Carter."

Suzannah responded to Teal'c, in a firm tone, "Samantha and Jonathan have recovered well from their injuries. They will be able to return with you when you leave Judea."

"We thank you for your aid."

"Could you tell us how they got injured? They were fine the last time I saw them. Gabriel said something about a fall and a rockslide…"

"Jonathan's injuries were less severe than Samantha's, mostly small cuts and scrapes. However, one of his knees was twisted and his back was strained, most likely from carrying Samantha."

"Carrying Sam? Why was he carrying…"

Miriam answered as Daniel's thought trailed off.

"Jack and Sam were found near the entrance to Refuge which you used today, collapsed against the canyon wall. Sam was sprawled across Jack's lap and they were both unconscious. Their trail was traced in an attempt to discover where they had come from. According to the trackers it seemed that one of the pair had tripped over the edge of the canyon dragging the other along. This caused a rockslide which carried them to the bottom. Jack seemed to have carried Sam from their landing site to the place where we found them."

Suzannah resumed her medical report, "Samantha's injuries were harder to heal. Her right arm was broken, but it was the rapidly swelling lump on her head that had me more concerned. Jonathan regained consciousness while I was treating Samantha. He became extremely agitated and tried to stop me. One of my assistants had to restrain and then sedate him."

Again Daniel interjected, "Sedate him? Couldn't you just have explained what was going on?"

"He would not have understood us," supplied Simon.

"I do not understand why O'Neill would have had such a difficulty. I find you quite easy to comprehend."

"At that time we did not speak English. I must say that your speech patterns are difficult to master in a week."

"You've learned English well enough to speak it fluently in the past ten days!"

"The collective makes it very easy to share knowledge."

Daniel and Teal'c turned to focus their attention on Gabriel.

"Explain."

"To do so completely would require more time than is available. I shall try to answer some of your questions, but certain things will be easier to explain with visuals. We should begin the next step of our journey before I tell this tale."

"Journey?"

"As I said, there are some things here on Judea that you should see before you are reunited with your teammates. Also our long term medical facility is not located here in Refuge. We could have brought Sam and Jack back here to meet you, but this method will help you to more completely understand the things that have happened here. Suzannah will be accompanying us, while Simon and Miriam see to SG3."

Gabriel and the other councilors rose, with Daniel and Teal'c quickly following. They walked back through the council chamber to the benches where SG3 had been left. A small table full of food and drink had been placed between the benches that the team was currently occupying.

"Colonel Reynolds, report back to the SGC. Inform General Hammond that Daniel Jackson and I are going to collect O'Neill and Colonel Carter. We will return as quickly as possible."

Reynolds nodded and motioned his team to action. Simon and Miriam moved to join them.

"We will accompany you to the surface, and direct you to the Stargate if necessary."

Reynolds turned to acknowledge the lovely young Seer with a smile. Introductions were made and three more Judeans joined the group bringing bags for the councilors, and lunch for those who had not yet eaten. A short time later, goodbyes were said and the two groups headed out in different directions.

A/N: Yes, I know…this is a very short chapter, even relative to how I write. I just thought the story of the next chapter was too long to include here and shouldn't be broken up. Look for it within the next few days, though if it is not up by Friday it won't be up until Monday at the earliest, as I am in two weddings this weekend. Enjoy.