Chapter 12 – Written in Stone
Daniel took the proffered tablet from Jack's hands and studied it carefully, turning it this way and that in contemplation. It was about 12 by 18 inches big, several inches thick, and a light type of stone that Daniel had never seen before.
"Well?" Jack asked with an edge of impatience to his voice. He wasn't exactly upset with Daniel, it's just that he was expecting something a little more…remarkable…than a slab of stone; especially after all they had gone through to retrieve the stupid thing!
"I don't believe it," Daniel muttered to himself before looking up into the expectant faces of his friends. "This tablet contains all of the symbols from the panels upstairs; except that they are arranged in groups of seven." At Jack's blank look, he clarified, "Gate addresses."
Jack's eyebrows shot upward. "Sweet! Anyplace you recognize on there?"
"That's just it, Jack. I don't recognize any of these…the addresses nor a few of the symbols. As I researched more closely upstairs, I discovered that most of the symbols were chevrons familiar to us, but with something added to them, like those 5 rays for instance." He indicated the now familiar symbol at the top of the panel. "And some of the symbols are different altogether."
He frowned as he looked down at the slab. "Let me study this for a bit," he added absently before going over to where Sam was sleeping. Daniel sat against the wall, the slab in his lap and a furrow of concentration on his face.
Jack shrugged his shoulders at Teal'c and followed the younger man over to the wall. He settled into the space on the other side of Sam and waited, no longer worried that they had to leave this room quickly. His eyes alighted on the sleeping figure of his 2IC and he smiled as he took in the lump on her head. Not that her injury was funny…but he had to admit, the manner in which she had received that little souvenir was a bit humorous. In addition, Jack just knew he'd have ammunition for the future, when she gave him a hard time about one of his injuries. Absently, he brushed a lock of hair away from the bump, glancing now at the dark bruising around the area. Maybe he wouldn't give her hard time after all, he thought with a frown.
Teal'c took up a position of relaxed guard in front of his group of seated team mates and waited for Daniel Jackson to reveal his knowledge of the stone tablet.
Several minutes later, Daniel's "Oh my God," pulled Jack's eyes away from Sam and to the archeologist, who had a look of revelation about him. Daniel met Jack's eyes, the dawning light of understanding shining in their blue depths. "Jack! This is unbelievable!"
At the raised voice, Sam began to stir on her make shift bed and slowly opened her eyes, blinking in confusion at the three faces swimming in her vision. "Daniel?" she breathed out softly.
Daniel let the stone tablet rest in his lap as he reached out a hand and placed it gently on her shoulder. "Sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to wake you up. I just got a bit excited at what we found behind those panels on the wall."
Sam rubbed a hand across her face then started to push herself up, her mind clearing and curiosity beginning to grab a hold of her. "Hey," strong arms stopped her progress. "You shouldn't be sitting up just yet," Jack admonished lightly.
"Please, Sir? I want to see what Daniel's found," Sam requested, her eyes pleading with those of her commanding officer. "The pain killers have kicked in; I'm feeling better… honest," she added for good measure.
Jack looked at her doubtfully, sighed, and helped her into a seated position between him and Daniel, not minding in the least that she leaned slightly against him in the process. She gave him a soft smile accompanied by an equally soft, "Thank you sir."
Jack nodded at her, then looked across her to Daniel. "OK Danny, you've got our undivided attention now. What's so all-fired important about this rock?"
Daniel tilted the slab so that the rest of them could see it easily. "As I told Jack a bit ago, these symbols here," he pointed to the rows of symbols engraved in the stone, "Appear to be gate addresses. Unfortunately, none of them are recognizable. But this," here he pointed to an inscription at the bottom of the tablet, "Is the same symbol that was found on the tablet on Abydos; the one Jonas found that refers to the Lost City." Daniel's eyes flicked among the three of them, waiting for their reactions.
"The one we found when we were looking for the Eye of Ra?" Sam questioned.
"Exactly," came the eager reply.
Teal'c's eyebrow shot up in inquiry. "What does this mean Daniel Jackson?"
Daniel took a deep breath. "Well, I'm not exactly certain Teal'c. But I think it could be a list of gate addresses from the Lost City of Atlantis. This symbol – the one that opened the hidden doors down here – looks to be a direct reference to Atlantis…I think it could be its point of origin At least I'm pretty sure it refers somehow to a hidden place of great importance…I just don't know for sure until I get it back for further study. But I really think this is a significant find, Jack. One that truly will bring us more knowledge and understanding of other races and cultures that are out there somewhere."
Teal'c cocked an eyebrow. "Perhaps this is the reason we found a Goa'uld within this chamber, O'Neill. Any number of the system lords would be most eager to possess such an important piece of writing."
"You're right, T. And the sooner we get it back to Earth, the better," Jack amended.
"This is amazing Daniel," Sam offered as she lightly brushed her fingers across the tablet held in Daniel's lap. "If we ever find Atlantis, we'll have a reference to take us to other worlds from there!" A grin quirked her lips. "Maybe my tumbling down that ramp was meant to be."
Jack looked at her in surprise, recalling again Grace's words; "Sometimes we are led to do things we don't understand." He smiled crookedly at Sam. "Maybe so; but next time, try not to injure yourself in the process, Ok Carter?"
"Yes sir," Sam smiled back, glad that this particular part of her little adventure had had a happy ending.
"Ok, Danny, wrap up your little rock there and put it in your pack. I want us out of this room. Frankly, the headless skeleton in the corner is starting to freak me out a bit." Jack shuddered in an exaggerated fashion before he got to his feet. "Teal'c, you start packing this stuff up OK?" After a nod of assent from Teal'c, Jack looked down at Sam in concern. "You going to be able to get up the steps, Carter?"
"Yes, sir. I won't be winning any races, but I should be able to get up them just fine," she assured him. She bent her legs in an attempt to get herself to her feet.
Jack leaned over to help her. "Come on, Major, up you go," Jack said as he reached under her arms and hauled her effortlessly to her feet. The moment she was upright, Sam closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness engulfed her. Without thought, she reached out and clutched the front of Jack's jacket, her fists whitening at her tight grip.
For his part, Jack just brought her closer, letting his arms move to her shoulders where he held her tightly in support. His eyes were full of concern as he took in her pale features; maybe she wasn't going to be able to climb those stairs as easily as she thought. "You OK?" Jack asked quietly once her grip on him relaxed.
Sam looked at him a bit sheepishly. "Yeah. Sorry about that, Sir. I just got a bit dizzy."
"I would be pleased to assist you up the stairs, Major Carter," Teal'c stated from just behind Jack. He had observed her unsteadiness and was concerned about her ability to navigate the long flight of steps as well.
"Uh, that's OK. Teal'c. I'll be fine. Thanks," she hastily assured all of them before moving out of Jack's arms. "One of you will have to lead the way; I did take a different route down here after all!"
"Yeah, I still don't get that. Why would one passage be a stairwell and the other be a ramp that ends short of the floor…and obviously designed to do some major damage to the fallee?" Jack asked the group at large.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure," Daniel replied, "But remember, the inscriptions mentioned only those who are worthy being allowed entrance. Maybe the ramp was a way of keeping the less desirable people away…by actually landing inside of the secret room without going through the door, they would never be able to uncover the hidden panel in the first place, much less figure out the combination. Uh, not that I'd ever label you as undesirable, Sam," Daniel hastily added, then flushed at both the double meaning of his words and the shocked look Jack sent his way.
Sam just laughed, "Don't worry about it, Daniel. So, are we ready? I may not last too long on my feet here."
At her words, Jack moved to her side, determined to help her up the stairs whether she liked it or not. "OK, Danny, you lead the way. Carter and I will follow; Teal'c, you take up the rear." The group of four fell into place and left the room, Sam throwing back one final glance as if looking for something she might have left behind. Jack's gaze followed hers, wondering what she was looking for within the gloomy room.
As they walked out the door, Sam tripped in the depression that had been caused by the laser. Jack's arm was instantly around her waist, steadying her and helping her to move on. He heard her quiet gasp of pain at the stumble and tightened his arm reassuringly for a moment before releasing her.
When they came to the narrow corridor, Jack eased her in front of him but stayed within an arm's reach, in case she should falter again. Daniel led the way, his flashlight illuminating the darkness. After a brief walk, which they took very slowly for Sam's benefit, they came to the base of the stone stairs. Sam bit back a groan as she looked up; this was going to be harder than she thought, but she was determined to make it on her own. Well, at least on her own two feet, she amended…she might need someone to hold onto seeing as there was no railing present.
Jack noticed the momentary pause to her steps. "One step at a time, Carter. We'll take it slow and rest as often as you need to, OK?"
Sam looked back at him. Noting the understanding look in his eyes, she nodded gratefully, then turned back to the stairs. Taking as deep of a breath as she could, Sam began the slow, steady climb to the top.
It seemed to take forever. Sam had to stop often to catch her breath, her hand frequently straying to her side in an attempt to hold in the pain, but she was determined to do this on her own. For his part, Jack just wanted to pick her up and carry her the rest of the way; or better yet, have Teal'c carry her, he thought as his own knees offered a protest at the notion. But he admired Sam's dogged determination and was going to allow her to do this her way, no matter how long it took. Never-the-less, he kept a tight grasp on her upper arm and helped propel her upward.
They were about 15 steps from the top when Sam stopped again, leaning heavily against the wall as she fought to catch her breath. "O'Neill?" Teal'c asked, not needing to verbalize his question.
"Let's just give her a minute, T," Jack replied, even as he closed the already small distance between him and Sam. Her eyes were closed against the sharp edges of pain and in a concentrated effort to get her breathing under control. "Carter? T and I can get you the rest of the way up. There's no need for you to prove anything, you know," he stated quietly.
Sam opened her eyes and looked at him. "I can do this, Colonel. I want to do this. I know I don't need to prove anything to any of you; but I do need to prove it to myself." Their eyes stayed locked in silent communication for several seconds before Jack nodded his head, a look of understanding and empathy crossing his face before he was drawn away from a question from above him.
"Everything Ok down there?" Daniel called from the top of the steps. He had reached the portal a few minutes ago and was becoming concerned about the delay in seeing the rest of his team mates.
"Just fine, Danny. We'll be up there in a minute or two. Can you stack a few of the sleeping bags? Carter's going to need someplace soft to lie down once we get up there," Jack declared.
"Sure thing, Jack," Daniel replied before turning and heading back to the main room.
Jack looked back at Sam. "Ready?" he asked quietly. She nodded her assent, took one more deep breath, then steadfastly resumed her climb. By the time they reached the top, Sam was not only pale and breathing hard, but also sweating profusely. With one look at Jack, Teal'c stepped forward and picked her up in his arms, ignoring her weak protests. In all honesty, once she had reached the top, Sam didn't think she could move another step, and so hadn't really minded the free ride being offered by her somewhat friendly Jaffa transport.
Teal'c carried her quickly down the corridor and placed her gently on the spread out sleeping bags that Daniel had hastily arranged. He covered her lightly with the third and stepped back, allowing Jack to come closer. Sam groaned and rolled to her uninjured side, closing her eyes against the waves of nausea that were billowing over her. She was beginning to regret her stubbornness at taking the stairs on her own.
Jack knelt next to and raised her head, offering her some water, before gently laying her back down. Daniel knelt next to him and wiped her sweaty brow, his eyes full of worry. She fell into an exhausted sleep within minutes. Both men sat back on their heels, sighing deeply. "She going to be OK?" Daniel asked with quiet concern.
"Major Carter is a fierce warrior, Daniel Jackson. She will not allow her injuries to hamper her for long," Teal'c stated with quiet pride.
"Yeah, she's one stubborn woman," Jack admitted with more than a little pride himself. "But it's going to take her a while to recover from this" He got to his feet, running a hand tiredly through his hair. "I'd like to head back to the gate, but Carter's in no position to make that walk. Looks like we stay put for a while at least, boys."
Daniel and Teal'c nodded their agreement, then began to set up a more established residence than they had secured last night. Hopefully, they would not need to stay long – they had something of great importance to return to the SGC and wanted to ensure they did just that…before anyone else showed up looking for the tablet.
Well, I am back to teacher workshops so updates won't be as frequent...sorry. I am hoping to have the writing portion done by Labor Day weekend and the postings soon after that. I think I have about 3 - 4 more chapters. And yes, Grace will reappear at least once! Hope the description of the tablet wasn't too confusing but I wanted to leave it a bit vague as, at this point in the series, they didn't know much about the Lost City. Please review...I'd love to hear your thoughts!