Title: Nabu

Author: P.L.S.

Rating: PG /PG-13

Warning: Alternate Universe, Exploitation of a Minor,

Summery: AU- Project Nabu was created by a stroke of luck on the NID's part but luck runs out and sometimes fate won't let you wander off your path.

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 tv series, and are copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. In other words, I don't own it, I'm not making money off of it, so please don't sue.

Author's Notes: Sorry this took so long. School, playing with Photoshop, and a plot bunny all at once are my excuses.

ooOooOoo

Chapter 5- Bridging to Divide

Daniel rubbed his eyes as he tried to find some kind of common language with the tall woman and the boy that stood just behind her. If it weren't for his training and the fact that he needed to be more of a grown-up than the soldiers who were there just to get a tiny bit of respect, he'd cry in frustration.

Modern languages didn't work and he had no real idea just how everyday speech sounded in the ancient languages he knew how to read with ease. Both people looked to be Middle Eastern in descent, but Daniel knew realistically that no language could not evolve after at least several thousand years or more of use. Akkadian, Sumerian, Egyptian; all were scripts that he could think in if he had to do a quick translation, but none had evolved, or at least had evolved to such an extent that they were only theorised to be the parts of the roots of languages now spoken in everyday life around the world. To make it worse no one had any clue what they sounded like.

He tried pictograms, but he knew his skill in drawing in sand while the wind was blowing was laughable. He really couldn't dig out his paper and art supplies, which he had stupidly put at the bottom of his pack. Well, he could dig them out, but that would put him at risk if the nice people were only a distraction for an ambush.

Nothing was going his way at all.
---

Skaara looked at the boy who seemed only a few seasons older than him. He was odd enough with his light skin, sky coloured eyes, and the odd words he kept trying to use to communicate with. But the clothes he wore were down right strange! So many thick layers and pouches sewn into the short outer robes that closed with odd metal looking teeth and buttons. It all seemed to protect like robes did, but they looked too hot to wear. The men behind the boy wore even more odd things like black eye coverings and big heavy head covers that seemed to weigh a ton. At least the boy was sensible and wore a head cloth like a normal person.

"Ahct! Let's see if you know the eye of the sun!" said his mom with an impatient huff. She stooped down and drew the wedjat. Both mother and son saw the look of understanding flash across the foreign boy's face. The boy babbled a bit with his strange words but then stooped down and drew a common cartouche with what his mother said was an odd name- Danyer. Then the boy pointed to himself as if to say it was his name.

"Is he a secret keeper like you, mom?" asked Skaara.

"I think so. The men seem to be clueless, but this Danyer knows the old writing." she then drew what Skaara knew was her own name with the symbols of her right and the boy tried to sound it out. It was odd, but luckily his mom knew what was wrong and sounded out each symbol as she pointed to them. Danyer mimicked her the started writing other signs and trying to say them as Skaara's mom corrected him.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the boy finally could talk right, "We came from what you call Ra's mountain. Inside is a doorway from our world to yours."

"Only the gods and spirits travel from the Other World." said his mom. The boy shook his head.

"No, not the Land of the Dead." The boy bit his lip, "Think of how many stars there are, how far they are from your reach."

"Yes?"

"Now, each star is a sun, a solar disk for another land like this, with people who live as we live, breathing, and from their lands the solar disks of this land look like stars to them."

"I see. So, your land, your solar disks, are stars from our land, but through this doorway in the mountain you are able to travel the distance?" asked Skaara. The boy grinned.

"You understand! Yes, we were curious about what lay beyond the doorway and are exploring, and will return to our world to tell our leaders and scholars of all we learn. said Danyer excitedly.

So that's your excuse for the funny clothing? asked Skaara with a smile. Danyer laughed.

I know this is so ridiculous. The men are soldiers and in my world this is how soldiers dress. I'd kill for a good set of robes. Skaara's mom laughed.

I see boys are the same no matter what solar disk they live under. she said, Come to our home. Skaara can lend you a set of his robes or we will find his father's old robes for you if those don't fit. Kasuf is short for our people, but I think you might be a bit dwarfed in his clothing. Danyer smiled and chattered at the men in his odd words again. One of them snapped at him.

Is there a problem, Danyer? asked Skaara's mom. Danyer sighed.

Not if they would just trust me. Would you mind if they followed?No. As long as they are polite and you don't mind translating my words to them. she said and Danyer nodded.

---

Harry looked around as he followed the two boys who were now chattering away like old friends. It was amazing to watch, but in just one morning that boy had picked up an alien language and now was settling in with the natives.

The native woman had given them food and water while Nabu had followed the boy up a ladder and come down dressed in thin brown robes and a bundle of USAF issue gear that was dropped as if it were trash. Nabu translated most of everything and even gave them a rundown of the social structure of the Nagadian people.

So far Nabu learned that there was a five clan structure, each clan with representatives on the city's governing council. Every clan had specialities, different family structures, and duties. They were going to be the guests of the Pathar Agg clan, and the boy's father was one of the representatives to the council as well as a well liked figure in the clan. The clan was known for risk takers, soldiers, and strong willed rebels, which meant that no one would give them a second thought among this group. Nabu was already being adopted and talked about how lucky it was to meet the woman they did. Apparently, writing was forbidden by their god to all but her and she thought that Nabu was like her, a secret keeper or something. As near as Harry could figure it meant she was a historian or librarian with a divine blessing.

All the people worshipped a sun god called Ray or Rah, but instead of this god just being mythological, offerings were made to him to his face. Rah commanded that a certain amount of some rock be mined and given over for each month, and once a year Rah chose ten young people and left with them. Rah always came down from the sky at night, causing a sandstorm, and in the morning great silver birds that could spit fire would fly over the city.

According to Nabu, Rah left ten days ago and wouldn't return for quite a while. Harry would keep an eye out, no matter what everyone said. The last thing he needed was some alien god snatching his golden ticket.

Harry looked up at the giant gold thing he could see just under the red hangings. Nabu said something about it earlier, but it sounded like scientific babble. Now he kind of wished he had listened.

Looking down the nearly empty street, Harry cursed. Nabu and the boy had just given him the slip.

Damned kids.