Aelix, sensing the uncertainty, makes the image of the spinning disc larger, filling the space above the table. 'If I may suggest a possible solution; you and Horogia could accompany Daniel and Teal'c back to Celestia to remove the ship safely from the planet while Kyna and I stay and guard Theia. Once you have returned safely, with the mothership, we will leave and you can seal the gate, you have the ship so you will not need the gate as well. Theia will remain exiled and we cannot reach you once the gate pool is sealed.'

Horogia and Lapyx mull over Aelix's suggestion, quietly talking it through together while the team wait for their answer. After a heated exchange between the two, Lapyx finally answers.

'Very well, Aelix and Kyna can stay and guard the gate for Theia while we are on Celestia. If what you are saying is true about the mothership Chariot, then time is not on our side. We must hurry. As for whether we return alone or with you as our prisoners remains to be seen once the ship is free.'

'The name of the ship is Chariot?' Daniel asks. Theia nods and thumps the table again. 'Chariot! It means battleship in the language of Giants!'

'You have a language? Maybe I should stay instead of Kyna, so I can learn more about this language?' Daniel asks Lapyx but Lapyx shakes his head. 'No, Kyna is a warrior, you, Daniel, are no match for a Giantess!'

The journey from the gate pool to SG:UK HQ is uneventful and, within a few hours of returning to Earth, Daniel, Teal'c, Horogia and Lapyx arrive at the Lion Gate site via military helicopter after a fast trip on a military jet across Europe. Lapyx and Horogia are as much in shock by the extraordinary advances made by the Celestians since their last visit to the planet as the Celestians they meet are shocked by their appearance. Professor Peter Cromwell, awed by these two new creatures, calls Daniel to one side before they depart, to ask whether they are giants.

'No, not giants, just Guardians of the giant, Theia, the giant is much bigger than they are. Horogia is the Timekeeper and Lapyx the Winged Breeze. What that means, I don't know but, they have been keeping the giant's homeworld a secret for thousands of years.' Daniel grins at Peter's bemused look.

Peter shakes his head and watches as the group heads off to their waiting military escort from the HQ, past the tightly secured silver discs, wrapped in silversilk, suspended under a Chinook in the old quarry, waiting to travel to the Lion Gate site. 'The 4WD will take you to a secret airbase near the coast, from there it is only a short hop for the jet to mainland Greece. Then from there to basecamp at the UFO site where the rest of the team are waiting…' But his words are lost as the helicopter blades start whirring. 'And try not to be noticed by anyone, this is all top, top secret!' But he is talking to himself and their journey is underway.

For a moment or two, Gail stares at group emerging from the dust thrown up by the blades of a helicopter. The site of Horogia and Lapyx are breath taking. More extra-terrestrials! But she composes herself enough to bring Daniel, Teal'c, Lapyx and Horogia up to speed on their plans.

'So, this scan shows the size of the UFO and we decided it was best to bring the two discs to the site here rather than risk catastrophic events in the UK should the discs have broken free. The silversilk that Spinner provided has helped to stabilise them for transport, they should arrive soon. The evacuation of this area is almost complete, but we are at a loss as to what to do next.'

Horogia leans over Gail and lifts the shade awning over the table out of her way with her scythe so she can see the GPR scan and traces the shape of the ship with a finger. 'Do not worry Celestian, Lapyx and I will unlock Chariot from its prison and, if the two engines are constrained in silversilk, then we can reunite them with the ship before leaving here for ever.'

Gail nods, entranced by Horogia's shifting appearance, watching her hair falling like curtains of stars as time counts back and forth across her face.

'Where is everybody else?' Daniel asks, noting Jack, Agnes and Knotty are not at the temporary buildings with Gail and the away teams.

'They are at the Lion Gate, Knotty thinks the symbol is a type of chevron, they are looking for a possible Star Gate.'

Teal'c nods, 'Then I suggest we join them. The sooner Lapyx and Horogia start the extraction of Chariot from Earth, the better.'