Part 2
'Good morning Campers!' Called Jack as he crawled out of the tent he'd shared with Daniel for the previous night. He knew he had to try and be optimistic if only to help his team even though it wasn't curing his misgivings about the mission. 'His team against one whole village and a Goa'uld in a ship… just another ordinary day at the office' he thought to himself.
All remnants of the prosperous and thriving village had disappeared and what was left looked like something out of an old Western, except the deserted saloons had been replaced by the massive sandstone temple about 100 metres in front of them.
Sam was already awake and making breakfast by the time Daniel had emerged from his tent. Suddenly, she noticed the strange watery concoction in the pan over the fire was trembling. Just as she grabbed Daniel's attention Teal'c darted back into camp from one of his regular checks on the perimeter.
'I believe Castor has arrived,' Teal'c announced to O'Neill.
'Thanks T, right folks ready to kick some more snake butt?'
The team split into two groups as O'Neill and Carter headed to the left side of the landing pad of the ship whilst Daniel and Teal'c went to the right.
They were using the same tactics they had practised and used so many times before; split up, attack simultaneously, split the Jaffa between them, kill the Goa'uld and leave victorious. Simple.
Both teams took their sides of the ship relatively easily with little gunfire. It appeared Castor had not built up strong forces and this might be over quicker than first thought. They were to meet in the 'bridge' of the ship and overpower Castor before he could read the ancient scroll.
'Hey Sir, this is one of the easiest Goa'uld killing missions in a while.' Shouted Carter to O'Neill as he quickly zatted the last batch of Jaffa before the Peltac.
'I thought that too Carter, where's the catch?' he replied as they ran into the bridge and saw Teal'c and Daniel already standing there.
'He's not here Jack,' said Daniel with a confused look upon his face.
'And there's the catch?' he replied sarcastically, 'checked his private quarters?'
'He is not onboard O'Neill,' reiterated Teal'c.
'Could he have ringed out before we arrived?' Carter asked.
'There were no rings in the temple,' stated Daniel, 'although we didn't look.'
'We need to go back, Sir.'
Xxxxxxxx
After ringing themselves off the ship they found themselves in a dark room that appeared to have been used for storage at one point.
'Well I guess this is why we never found the ring transporter before,' muttered Daniel.
'Why?' Jack questioned.
'We're underground by quite a distance judging from how damp the walls are,' came the reply.
'Well let's find a way out of here, find Castor, Kill Castor, find the sarcophagus and go home.'
They walked cautiously with their guns (and staff weapon) half raised towards the stairs at the back of the room. At the top of the stairs was a bigger room that was still dark yet not as cold and damp as the one before it. After they had climbed the stairs leading out of this room they discovered a room that was lit by four flame torches. They knew they were getting close now. The room they were in had a corridor leading off it.
They followed it, all aware they were steadily climbing upwards and the fact the walls were getting narrower and narrower the higher they climbed.
'I cannot continue much further,' stated Teal'c from the back of the group.
'We are almost there,' said Daniel who for once had positioned himself at the front of the group, 'the corridor appears to be getting wider and a room is at the end.'
'Daniel,' Jack whispered, 'let me take point.' He knew Daniel was up to leading the group but Jack always felt more comfortable knowing his team were behind him and he could protect them.
As they slowly entered the room they heard chanting emanating from the furthermost corner and saw a man standing with his back to them.
'Oh crap!' Jack thought, 'it's too late!'
'Hey! Castor I believe.' Jack cried with the most sarcastic voice he could muster. 'I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill of the U.S Air Force, this is Major Carter, Daniel Jackson and Teal'c. So how's life been treating you?' he continued, without waiting for a reply to give him time to think of a plan. 'I'm fine thank you, long time no see, been to Minnesota lately?'
'Who are you and what are you doing here?' came the reply.
'One, we've already answered that and two, to kick your butt.'
Castor didn't reply but turned round and continued with what he was doing. Jack stood open mouthed and looked completely lost for words.
'Jack I believe we need to destroy the paper,' Daniel said, 'he is too concerned about that.'
'Hey Castor, What ya got in ya hands?' Jack asked.
'A scroll to live eternally and banish my brother to the sky forever, but of course you already know that, my spies in Pollux's village informed me of your arrival and your plan, you shall not succeed.' And with that he turned away and continued reading the incantation on the paper.
Jack lifted his gun and fired a warning shot past Castor.
'Please you cannot hurt me, I am your God.' Jack rolled his eyes and Daniel tutted when they heard this.
'You are a false God, and many have said that and have met their fate, as you now shall.' Teal'c replied.
Without warning a group of six Jaffa appeared behind SG-1 and lifted their staff weapons as SG-1 turned quickly around and raised their weapons.
'Like I said you shall not win.' Castor replied condescendingly.
Suddenly without warning Carter stepped forward.
'Carter? What the hell do you think you're doing?'
'I can't feel the symbiot inside them sir. I don't think they're real.' She replied as she waved her hand right through Castor's First Prime's head. The chanting stopped behind, as SG-1 turned round.
'Nice trick Castor, it appears you are going to lose.' Said Jack as they raised their weapons again.
Castor quickly pulled the ribbon device that was hiding in his long brown robes and flung Daniel through the air.
'That was nasty!' Jack said, 'do that again and I will be forced to shoot you.'
Castor ignored his words and threw Jack across the floor. Sam shot, as did Teal'c and both hit their target; it was now apparent Castor had not yet gained the technology to build personal shields. Castor sank to the floor in a pool of blood as he dropped the parchment to the floor. Jack stood up and walked over to him as his eyes glowed for one last time.
'Good call, Carter, Teal'c. Let's get that sarcophagus.'
After sending their new sarcophagus back through to Earth for further study they went back to camp to await the arrival of the new day and Pollux, to return the scroll to him and wish him and his village well with their lives.
The End.