The Road to Cardion

A. Rhea King

Chapter 1

The double doors were ornate, made of rich, dark wood. Blue light sparkled across it and around the walls of the building, casting shadows and disappearing behind objects or completely blacked out in larger sections.

There was a click, quickly swallowed by the vastness of the building. Both doors opened, and six figures were silhouetted against bright sunlight. Throughout the room, lights came on, exposing the figures as SG-1 and two alien-looking humanoids. SG-1 entered the room, stunned by the sheer massiveness of it.

"Wow," Daniel gasped.

In his head, Frank cried, 'Sweet Mother of Joseph!'

Carter nodded. "No kidding."

"And this is the library these Ancients you speak of left behind," one of the humanoids said, walking in with them.

He was Ambassador Havet, a slightly burlesque alien with egg shaped eye. His skin, like all Jakisau, radiated with a glowing golden color that sparkled in natural light and gleamed with rainbow hues under artificial light. Long, thin, stiff whiskers jutted from his bottom lip. He sniffed, making his flat nose flaring a little.

Quietly he added, "And thankfully they also left them shielded.

Daniel and Carter didn't hear the comment. The books and Ancient devices scattered around the library, and for once being freely shared, bedazzled the two.

Teal'c and Mitchell, however, did hear it and both turned to the alien. Mitchell glanced at the second one. His name was Kedrek and he was Havet's Chief Advisor. Ever since SG-1 had met him, he had been very cool toward them. Mitchell wondered what Kedrek, and perhaps even Havet, was hiding from them. He was also suspicious because they'd only requested food, water, and medical supplies in exchange for freely sharing Ancient knowledge with SG-1.

"And why is it thankful that this building is shielded?" Mitchell asked.

"You saw the area when we came in," Havet motioned outs the doors. "The place is in ruins. Only the buildings with shielding have survived the test of time."

Mitchell waited. His gut told him that wasn't the truth – or at least not the whole truth. He looked back at Daniel and Carter, considering ordering them to leave. However, getting them to leave this planet now would mean he'd have to listen to their reasoning (a.k.a. whining). Perhaps it would be better to get the supplies Havet had requested and leave the two with the library. So far the aliens had kept all promises they made and had treated them all graciously.

"Teal'c and I need to get back and put your supplies together. Mind if these two stay and poke around... Or research. They need to research."

Kedrek leaned forward, whispering in Havet's ear. Havet released a sigh, hinting impatience with Kedrek.

"That a problem?" Mitchell asked.

"No." Havet shot Kedrek a sharp look of disdain when he leaned in again. Kedrek moved back.

Havet smiled at Mitchell and Teal'c. "That is no problem."

"Alright. Let me go tell them we're leaving."

"We'll meet you outside."

Mitchell nodded, watching the two leave. Teal'c leaned close to Mitchell.

"They are not telling us something, Colonel Mitchell."

"I know, but you saw the people he wants to feed. They need the supplies and we're getting full access to Ancient knowledge." Mitchell turned, walking toward Daniel and Carter.

Outside the library broken marble stairs led to a plaza and further down to an amphitheatre. Most of the buildings in the area had been destroyed, save the three that had shielding. Havet stopped at the plaza, looking back at the library.

"I am relieved, Kedrek," he told the Jakisau. "We will finally have food and water for the victims. And to think, they only wanted access to these worthless buildings." Havet's smile faded. "At least someone will get use out of them."

"They cannot stay, Your Honor!" Kedrek hissed. "Not even for a night!"

Havet sighed, looking into the jungle surrounding them. Not far from where they stood, six soldiers stood at posts, watching the jungle for any movement.

Patiently he explained, "I need to feed my people and the refugees coming into my jurisdiction, Kedrek. Doshal has cut us off all the trade routes and since we have that device in the center of our city, we may as well get some use from it." Havet looked at him, his eyes watering. "Maybe we should ask them how to send some of our people through that device and save some of our race."

Kedrek held Havet's tired stare. "Your people would never leave you, Ambassador."

Havet frowned. "Stubborn loyalty to the ambassador is that it?"

"No. It's because you treat them well, better than any of your predecessors did. You protect them with everything you have, even at the risk of loosing everything yourself." Kedrek nodded at the soldiers, adding, "Lariz's troops are loosing ground, Your Honor. Doshal's troops will take his capital by the end of the day. Even with our reinforcements."

Havet closed his eyes, shaking his head. "Lariz was a good man. He was always honest in his business with me."

"Your Honor, it is time to reconsider bringing in the Gartian. My people can help you end this fighting once and for all. Our numbers are far greater than any Ambassador's army."

Amused Havet smiled at him, "You talk like my son, Kedrek."

"Your son sees the Gartian's strength and so should you. The Gartian want this warring to stop too."

Havet frowned at him, shaking his head. "The Gartian have their hands full burying the mounds of corpses left behind. Besides, your kind is more interested in fighting everyone."

"My people fight the soldiers because all ambassadors use cleaning tactics and they are trying to stop the senseless slaughter! You don't understand them!"

"With a few exceptions such as yourself, the Gartian are rebels and I will never join forces with them!"

They both looked back when the doors of the library opened. Mitchell and Teal'c trotted down the stairs toward them.

"Are you sure you can trust them to bring the supplies?"

"They are leaving two of their own to study this library. I am certain I can."

The two stopped talking and Havet smiled when he caught Mitchell's eye.

"Are you ready to return?" he asked.

"Yeah. Daniel and Colonel Carter said they'd be content for a few days in there. Are you sure you don't mind her poking at those devices?"

"Not at the least. It's about time someone tried to figure out what they are and what they do."

"She appreciates that. Let's get back to the gate."

"This way," Havet told them and led them to the path leading back to the city.

Kedrek met Havet's eyes, but didn't speak again.