The planet had reminded Daniel a bit of Abydos with its dryness, and the blazing sun. The bare landscape stretched to the horizon and beyond with few mounds to stop the flow of sight. His dark shades did little to block the vicious rays. His skin already felt parched. Abydos had been much the same, yet inviting, harkening back to yet another stop on his travels long ago. But this place felt void, just . . . nothing. The Stargate had a layer of dust along its upper rim, and it rained off as the gate shook and the event horizon vanished. And there he was, with a map, several canteens, several more bandanas, his pack, and no idea where to go from here.

When he was first sought out to explore the ancient ruins of Belinrathe, he had been too busy to give the proposal due consideration. Any other time the prospect of helping a culture find its roots would have him through the gate before the event horizon had fully formed, not that it was a good idea. But things had happened.

He got busy.

People did that. He hadn't even realized the offer had been made several more times until a rather nasty email from one of his staff told him, in no uncertain terms, to for god sake's check his inbox because he was tired of passing along the same message over and over. And there would be a copy of the request, per General Hammond for Daniel's own record keeping, but each time it was worded a bit differently, and with growing alarm. Almost as if they were desperate. But once he accepted the assignment, the enthusiasm shown had carried not the slightest tinge of panic or relief, just a happy curiosity that Daniel could relate to. And so here he was, finally. Of course he had expected the search to take place on the Tekani home world and not a different one, but no matter. The SGC had the address. There were three planets within their system. Never mind that this one was practically abandoned. He fought past the feeling that something just wasn't right, and went to work.

When the first crew of helpers arrived, they found Daniel covered to his elbows in dust and cleaning off a tablet in obvious excitement. Hours later five such tablets had been unburied, as well as a possible underground chamber. More crews were sent in along with some odd machinery that cleared away the dusty lands like a leaf blower. Sixteen hours later they were looking at a doorway and a partial hall. The walls were wrinkled with age. Old beams that looked none too steady held back the loose sands. They continued to dig. Daniel checked back with Hammond and requested an extension, which was granted. Three days later they unearthed a city.

The odd thing was, as diligent as the work crews were, Daniel couldn't be certain that they were excited about the discovery. The more they uncovered, the more sullen the group became, and the constant clicks and chatters of work fell into a subdued mechanical drone. The looks became serious.

It came to a head when Daniel translated one of the tablets. The representative of the Tekani government was there, his small presence heightened by his sense of purpose. His attitude put Daniel in mind of one of those politicians that kissed the baby then proclaimed infants as nothing but carriers for germ warfare. His squeal was more annoying than most. "Do you have something?"

Daniel turned and glanced at the odd translation device attached to the alien's throat. He held out the tablet. "Maybe. Does this have any significance?" He watched carefully as the alien analyzed the tablet, turning it over in appendages too large for such a small body. Daniel looked for the same signs of discontent he'd found among the workers. The Tekani representative finally handed the tablet to his aide.

"Nothing. But we will search further." And with that the representative left.

Daniel chewed the inside of his cheek and looked back at the workers who returned to their various jobs in a flurry. He planted his hands firmly on his hips and watched, then bowed his head and exhaled in frustration before returning to work himself.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"General, at this point I don't even know what we are looking for." General Hammond sat in his chair as the small screen before him flickered. Daniel's face was filthy and tired. "Part of me wants to ask for one more extension, but the rest of me wonders what the hell I'm doing here."

Hammond nodded. "I understand your frustration, Dr. Jackson. You mean the Tekani hasn't given you a clue as to the object of your search?"

"Well, we found the temple. The thing is, I thought everyone here would be happy, or as happy as these creatures get anyway. It proves that the Tekani did originate on these worlds and weren't transferred from the Quadran sector as they had feared. Their ancestors are the Rianah, and they are the ones that built the temple." He gave a steady nod. "They do have rights to this world."

"Then what's the problem?"

Daniel shook his head, and even with the bad reception his confusion was obvious. "I can't say. They aren't satisfied, if anything they seem disturbed by the news. They keep ordering more searches, they want more proof, but . . . " he glanced behind him and his voice faded slightly, "it seems they want to disprove what I've just proven, if that makes sense."

"Only in context." Hammond frowned, and threaded his hands together. His forehead creased. "You're telling me they wanted you to find proof that the ruins existed, thus establishing their claim to the planet, and now that you've done that and then some, they want you to retract everything?"

"It's like they've changed their minds or something." Daniel's voice was troubled. "I don't mind telling you. I'm stumped. I don't know if I should help out or run off."

"Should I call you back to the station?"

Daniel shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Not yet. I just wanted to make you aware of the situation, and hope there was a way out of this if need be."

Hammond leaned toward the screen. "Dr. Jackson, is there something you're not telling me?"

The screen flickered. "Just that the ruling Dumante party is very anxious to see the results, and everyone around here is getting nervous." Daniel's face was grim. "I think the answers we are bringing is the exact opposite from what they expected."

"Are you in any immediate danger?"

Daniel's eyes widened as the question surprised him. "Danger? No, I wouldn't say that. But I honestly don't know where this is going. All that said, it'll take me two more days just to clear the section of the temple where the altar is supposedly located. Then we'll know."

"I want constant updates. If anything feels wrong, you let me know immediately, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. For all I know they could just be nervous about the effects this cooperation may have on the treaty. The Dumante party wasn't happy about my arrival."

"All the more reason to check in."

"Yes sir. Just . . . remember their ways, General. It doesn't take much to set them off."

"I'm aware of the stipulations set by the treaty, Doctor Jackson. Having you check in doesn't constitute a threat of knowledge exchange."

"I just hope they see it that way." Daniel glanced behind him one last time. "They won't come in to make sure that I'm not leaking information, but they sit and watch me like I'm about to steal something and go through the gate with it."

"They must have very valuable technology."

"They have some interesting things here, but nothing to write home about. I mean I've seen more interesting artifacts at a rummage sale." His voice was laced with irony.

Hammond chuckled. "Either way, keep in touch. And keep your eyes open."

"Hard to see with 'em closed." Daniel flashed a grin and leaned in to turn off the screen. That was the last they heard from him.

It was a rather precarious situation, and all to do with land rights, or in this case, planetary rights. The Belinrathe ruins were on a planet called Telanos, and for some reason both the Tekani and the Rianah wanted possession of the wasteland, each determined to claim it as their own. The ruling party of the Tekani, called the Dumante party, was convinced that the Belinrathe ruins held the key, and their claim to the planet. Enter Daniel Jackson, excavator of worlds.

Knowing something important was out there, just within reach, was enough to set off tempers like a flare. But knowledge that something had been found in such a high stakes game was enough to put even the most genteel soul on a razor's edge.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You always were one to get yourself into trouble.

Daniel winced and glanced over to his side. "You again?"

You were expecting someone else?

"Could I be that lucky?"

Daniel, you are one of the luckiest people alive. You're like a cat. You should be dead five times over by now.

"Yeah well, this time the gods may get their wish."

The Jack image leaned in, his imaginary elbows propped on his imaginary knees. You don't let them. Don't you dare let them. They have something here, something valuable, something they've tapped into. They're afraid.

Daniel tried to remember, tried to force his mind back. "Can't imagine what. This is their world," he winced again, "their . . . I can't think. Head hurts."

You're bleeding.

"Ya think? God. . . I'm sounding like you."

This is a bad thing?

"In a word, yes."

Why?

"Oh come on. You have the social skills of a leper."

And yet people love me.

"Yeah, well. . . yeah. I suppose there's something about your erroneous repartee that people generally find amusing."

You must be feeling better. Your sentences are getting longer.

"I figure if I'm going to die I may as well get my words in."

You linguist, you. Jack leaned back and smiled. What on earth made you pick up languages anyway?

"What? I don't know. I was already bilingual. I just didn't stop."

Ever the over-achiever.

"I prefer to think of it as keeping busy."

After your parents died.

"Well, its no secret that I buried myself in books after their death. Why are we talking about this?"

Your parents?

"Yeah. I mean you don't talk about Charlie."

You never ask.

"I know better." Daniel tried to shift, and gasped. "Look, I'd rather be unconscious for a while, okay?"

You already are. Why do you think I'm here?

"Great. Wonderful. So much for escaping hell."

I may have to take offense at that.

"I'm offering."

Why are you pissed at me?

Daniel tried his hardest to shift, and got nowhere. "Cause you're in my head! Cause you're not here digging me out, cause the last person I'm going to talk to is you!" He gasped and winced at the pain in his head, throwing his good hand up to brace it. "Why-why you, anyway? Why not Teal'c? Why are you in my head, of all people?"

You trust Teal'c more than me?

"No. . .maybe. . . it just seems that for this kind of thing Teal'c would pop into my head. You're not exactly known for comfort."

"And just what am I known for?"

Daniel groaned. "God, just get me out of this conversation now."

What am I known for?

"For being an ass! For making things so damn complicated! For having your hand stuck up your . . . you know what? I'll tell you. One minute you treat me like I have something to say, then you treat me like what I say doesn't matter. You act like having a moralistic outlook, as you call it, is a bad thing. I get sick of it, okay? Your constant debate and rants and blocking my every move. I wasn't needed on field assignments, I was needed in the office!"

You're wrong and you know it. You just still carry the resentment for a rough time.

"I'm carrying a headache! I can't feel half of my body! I'm bleeding, delirious, and you're here to criticize me more. Just let me die in peace, will ya?"

Not your style. You never do anything quietly.

Everything was spinning. "I'm not waking up. Go away."

They're looking for you.

Daniel couldn't concentrate. He blinked lazily. "What?"

They're here. They're looking for you. The stick appeared in Daniel's hand once again. Now dig.

"No."

Dig!

"I can't."

Jack's face suddenly lurched at him, overly large and frightening. You will! Now DIG!

And in his sleep, Daniel yelled out.