PX3-578 looked very much like Earth, at least like the southwestern US. The land was dry and dusty, with scrub like plants dotting the landscape. The gate was located on a plateau. Not to far to the east they could see a mountainous area. On the west, they could see a valley stretching as far as the eye could see. The dual suns shone brightly overhead. Nothing seemed out of place. There was no sign of danger, nothing to cause concern.

"Well, I guess this is where we split up. Daniel, you and Teal'c head out for the temple. Captain, you and I will head towards the hills over there and locate the mine. Daniel, be careful. Don't touch anything!" Sam grinned when she realized how much she sounded like the Colonel.

Daniel glared at her. "How am I supposed to do my job if I can't touch anything. Touching is part of what I do."

"OK," Sam allowed with a grin. " Just be careful WHAT you touch." She turned to Teal'c. "Keep a close eye on him. You know how he gets when he is all excited! Report in every two hours."

Daniel continued to frown at Sam, but gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "You be careful too. This really feels strange without Jack…but you will be a great leader, Sam."

She smiled at him. "Let's go, Kempson." She turned to the east and started out at a brisk pace. Kempson shook himself and hurried to catch up with her.

They had walked for a few minutes when Sam started a conversation with Kempson.

"Larry, what do you think so far?"

"Well, Major, it certainly was a wild ride!"

Sam stopped walking and looked at him. "If we're going to be working together, we need to set some rules, Rule number one - it's Sam. Not Major. You can call me Major in front of the General, but when it's just the team, Sam will do fine. Just as long as you follow my orders!" She gave him a smile to soften her words. Kempson just stared. He seemed lost in her smile. She continued.

"Second, I DO NOT cook, so you've been assigned all cooking duties while we're offworld this trip. Rank does have it's privileges!" She grinned at him, which he returned.

They hiked along in silence for a while before Sam started the conversation again. "Where are you from, Larry?"

Well, ma'am, I'm an Air Force brat. My dad was stationed all over. Germany, California, East Coast. You name it, I've probably been there. I graduated from the Academy and then was stationed in Washington."

"Really? I was at the Academy," Sam told him.

"I know," he said softly. "You're quite a legend there. Everyone has heard of you. You're like the smartest person who ever attended there! Ma'am!" He added belatedly with a deep flush on his cheeks. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so…..

Sam blushed and, feeling sorry for him and embarrassed at his praise, quickly changing the subject. "What is your field?"

"Geology, ma'am. I've been studying your notes on naquadah for the last several months and was only hoping to get to meet you someday. This is like a dream come true." Now it was his turn to blush as he fell silent. They walked along engaging in small talk for a good part of the afternoon.

"Well, I think that's the place up above us about half a mile," Sam said, pointing. They noticed a darkened opening and started up towards it. The ground was a loose, shale-like material and it made for slow going. They would take two steps forward and slide back one. Eventually, they reached the opening.

"Feels like we've gone back in time. This looks just like the mines on the old western movies," Larry said, catching his breath.

Sam looked at the opening again and had to agree. The top was shored up by a massive timber, being held up on either side by other large timbers. The entrance yawned black and uninviting.

"Break out the flashlights," Sam instructed, lowering her pack to the ground and reaching inside. Larry followed suit. Shining her light into the opening, she noticed that the beams were weathered, but seemed sturdy.

"Let's be careful going in. I don't know how long ago this mine was in operation, but we don't want to take any chances. We'll go in one at a time and stay a little apart so if something starts to go, at least one of us will hopefully get out ok."

Larry nodded in agreement and started to move inside.

"I'll go in first," Sam said sharply, grabbing his arm.

He started to protest, but silently nodded and stepped back. Sam proceeded slowly into the darkness. Her flashlight illuminated only a little way in front of her. She motioned for him to stay at the entrance while she looked around. The mine started to angle downward just inside the door. She stopped to pick up several small rocks that had obviously fallen from the ceiling.

"I think we have a winner here!" She called back to Kempson. "This looks like Naquadah to me. We'll need to test it out, but it looks pretty pure. I think we're safe coming on in and looking around. Seems to be stable."

Larry moved into the opening and flashed his light around. "I think you're right. This looks like the samples I've seen." He began to get excited at the find.

"Hold on," she cautioned. There may not be much left. Remember, this mine was abandoned. There has to be a reason they left!"

"Oh, yeah," he sobered, still inspecting the area inside the entrance.

"Cheer up! We're here. It's a nice day. We've had a nice walk. The company is good." He looked startled and blushed. "Maybe we should spend the night in here. We don't have but about another hour of daylight, so let's set up camp just inside. We won't need a tent since we have cover. We do have our sleeping bags. I bet we need them after the sun goes down!"

Sam stepped outside the mine to radio Teal'c and Daniel while Kempson started a fire near the entrance of the mine to prepare dinner.

"Daniel, Teal'c. Come in."

"We read you, Major Carter. Is everything well?" Teal'c answered immediately.

"We're at the mine and I think we were right. Looks like naquadah, and pretty pure. We're setting up for the night inside the mine and will try to go deeper in tomorrow. How are the ruins – and how's Daniel?"

"You know DanielJackson. He is unaware of anything other than the pillars. I am trying to get him to assist with preparing camp. Perhaps you can help?"

"Give him the radio, Teal'c" Sam laughed. Upon hearing his voice, she turned into commander mode. "Daniel, get busy with camp. Those pillars will be there tomorrow morning and you need to get settled before dark. The temperature will drop considerably after the suns go down. Now, Daniel!"

"OK, Sam," he enthused. "It's just so fascinating! The hieroglyphics tell…"

Sam cut him off. "NOW, Daniel!"

"Yes, sir!" He muttered.

Sam grinned. "Report in at 0800 or before if you need anything." She told them. "Carter out."

She turned to Kempson. "So what's for dinner?"