Sop'du
"Those who shall come after you (Lord Ra) from the East shall be doomed to Sop'du, Lord of the East, and they shall be driven off with his knives in them." liberally taken from the Coffin Texts, Spell 313
Chapter 1
As the MALP disappeared through the wormhole on its way back to the SGC, O'Neill said "A lovely nippy morning on Planet...What planet is this?"
"PX5-394 Sir" Carter responded. She didn't mention it was overcast and damp, far from a lovely morning.
"Not missioned as a meet and greet, no ruins? Tell me again why are we here."
Again Sam Carter filled in her commanding officer with the information he most certainly already knew. "The UVA reported some evidence of primitive societies and possible traces of essential minerals. We are primarily looking for naquadah, trinium and rare earths."
"I'll never understand that rare earths are on PX5-394...hmmm."
"Essential minerals we need. Among other things they are used to make permanent magnets." Sam said with a grin.
"Ahh, Magnet you say!" O'Neill was quick to respond.
As he walked down the Stargate platform the Colonel toed the remains of a bunch of desiccated flowers that had been run over by the MALP.
"Traces of primitive society?"
There was a wide path before them that narrowed as it wound its way through a wooded area of mostly shaggy conifers. The path was lower than the surrounding forest, evidence of centuries of wear yet it had a thick cover of grass. They were all sure the next thing they would hear was O'Neill muttering about trees.
The team started out at a brisk pace, Teal'c and O'Neill both slowed and became wary as the path narrowed. An early morning ground mist hadn't yet burnt off, hanging in wisps in the underbrush in the surrounding thick woods.
Usually Jaffa made a racket, clanking in their armor as they marched. O'Neill knew from his friend Teal'c that they could indeed be stealthy. The team advanced with caution which in time seemed needless. Birds sang, insects chirped, the woods appeared without threat. Overhead the piercing screech of a large bird of prey grabbed their attention. The moment their guard relaxed and their attention diverted they were surrounded by a troop of Jaffa. They were all zatted into unconsciousness before they could get a shot off.
Coming to, they struggled to stand finding their hands bound behind their backs and stripped of their tac vests. They had been disarmed of automatic weapons, side arms, zats and knives.
"Traces of a primitive society." O'Neill muttered.
Sam let out a breath of exasperation. He was testy having twisted his bad knee in his fall. As he was prodded to move he tried and failed to hide a slight limp. He hated to show any sign of weakness, especially before the enemy.
SG-1 was marched off a click or two to a Tel'tak. After a half hour of transport they were ringed into an interior room with a ring platform. There was no way of knowing if they were within a building or in a larger ship. From there they were marched off to a Goa'uld's audience room. Judging by the spacious hall ways and crowd of various groups of people O'Neill surmised they were in a structure on the planet. And since the UVA had not observed the structure it must have been outside of its range. Heads turned in curiosity and consternation when this group of strangers were marched in.
Teal'c recognized the tattoo on the Jaffa's forehead as the sign of a minor toady of the former System Lord and deceased Goa'uld, Ra.
Almost under his breath Teal'c said "Sop'du."
The Jaffa guarding them took notice.
Daniel recognized the name.
O'Neill said "Gesundheit."
Carter looked at her boots and bit her lip.
The assorted groups milling around the room ranged from well dressed burgers with chests of tribute, poor farmers with paltry baskets of produce, a contingent of elegantly attired priests and what looked like hard working tradesmen. The throne room was also guarded by a dozen well armed Jaffa in glittering armor.
While the priests intoned a hymn of praise, another lit pots of incense. Slowly, elegant young women in shimmering gauzy dresses with elaborate coiffure hair and dazzling jewels processed as if floating. Following them was the God himself, more elegant, more dazzling and more commanding in presence. Everyone fell to their knees as the Goa'uld took his throne. SG-1 needed a little encouragement to show the required respect to the deity. The burgers and farmers presented their gifts, the god Sop'du looked upon them with an air of superiority and mild disdain. The subjects as well as the gifts were deemed acceptable. Then the God rose from his throne, with a wave of his hand dismissed them all and swanned out, followed by his entourage.
Once the Goa'uld was out of sight the dismay of many was evident by their loud conversations and complaints. They had come to present their needs and desires to their lord and he barely acknowledged their existence.
The team was led out and down to a broad stairway that narrowed as they descended to the deepest level of the structure. There was a seemingly endless row of dank and dark, barred enclosures and they were forced into a cell. Daniel was the last of the team to be herded toward the cell. A Jaffa brought his staff weapon up in front of Daniel's chest causing him to stop in his tracks.
"Why have you come to our world?" The Jaffa asked. It was the first question they had been asked.
"We are peaceful explorers…"
The Jaffa poked the tip of the staff weapon hard into Daniel's chest.
"Don't lie to me." The Jaffa roared.
"Hey. Hey. I'm the leader here." O'Neill shouted "Talk to me."
"I will," the Jaffa said, "as will my master."
Daniel was flung into the cell and the door was slammed shut.
The Jaffa marched off and a man, possibly a guard, motioned them forward and motioned them to turn around. He wrenched their bound hand through the bars and cut the leather tie, freeing their hands. He left without a word.
The limestone blocks of the walls of the cell were massive and scored with marks of the previous occupants. These stone foundation blocks formed a bench or shelf along one wall long enough for two of them to stretch out on and Teal'c to sit to meditate.
"What the hell happened out there?" O'Neill angrily asked but didn't expect an answer. He knew he had been too damned careless.
As soon as the Jaffa were long out of sight O'Neill said "Carter do your thing." as he gestured toward the cell door.
"It's mechanical, Sir. I'd have to pick the lock."
"Okay"
"With what...Sir" She was a tad exasperated.
O'Neill turned to Teal'c and asked "Who is this guy?"
"Sop'du, a minor Goa'uld, an underling of Ra."
"Soap do? What kind of name is that?"
"Sop'du, Jack. He's a god of the sky and guardian of borders. He protects borders, the frontiers." Daniel said.
"We are in the extreme limits of what was once thought of as Ra's territory." Carter added.
"Do they know?" O'Neill asked.
"About Ra?" Daniel thought this information would have been rapidly disseminated.
"Perhaps not. Either Sop'du and his Jaffa do not know Ra is no more. Or the Goa'uld knows and has kept it to himself to retain the faith of the Jaffa in the power and divinity of the Goa'uld." Teal'c replied.
"Should we tell them?" O'Neill was thinking aloud.
"I fear that would put us into jeopardy." Teal'c said.
Looking around the cell O'Neill said "Worse than this."
"They wouldn't believe us." Daniel said "And probably kill us for blasphemy. "
The rest of the evening was spent with O'Neill griping, Daniel trying to figure out a peaceful solution, Carter trying to jimmy the lock and Teal'c with brute strength attempting to force the cell door. No one got much sleep that first night.
