Once on the planet the group quickly spread out but found nothing save a well tended road heading into an incredibly dense almost impenetrable forest.
"SG10 stay here guard the gate and establish a perimeter. General Hammond will send a MALP through in two hours. We'll check in every two hours, if you don't hear from us after three tell Hammond and wait for reinforcements before coming after us." O'Neill ordered.
Major Hillman nodded his head and started giving orders, while Jack walked over to the others who were gathered near the narrow road which appeared to be the only path through the woods.
"Oh Teal'c wear this." Jack ordered handing him a bandana "No need to provoke the crazies until we have too."
Teal'c bowed his head and wrapped the bandana around his brand. The soldiers headed into the woods. Bird song and footsteps were the only sounds as they headed up into the mountains. Everyone kept a shark lookout but only a few rays of sunlight was glimpsed between the tall trees. After two hours of walking Jack called a halt to radio to SG10. After a five minute break they resumed their hike.
"Uh Sam didn't we have six Tokra?" Jack asked in a hushed voice
"Yes Sir." Sam answered in the same hushed tone.
Jack turned to Jacob and signaled him to come forward.
"So Jacob where have Anise and uh …. Gone?" Jack asked
"Anise and Melouk are preparing a retreat if we need to leave in a hurry." Jacob said
"I don't suppose you plan on telling me what you guys have in mind?" Jack asked
Jacob shook his head and Jack sighed resignedly. Another hour of walking brought them to the village surrounded by a few small fields. There were no signs of life though the fields were clearly tended with rows of half grown plants. Jack halted the party on the thresholds of the field and signaled for them to get out their weapons and be on the lookout for an ambush. Pushing forward they soon reached the village a small collection of long houses ringing a clearing which held a church and a meeting house. The streets were deserted as were the houses whose doors all hung open. The church doors without warning swung open causing everyone to whirl around and train their weapons. An old man wearing a long green robe and tunic came down the church steps leaning heavily on a wooden staff. Ignoring the weapons trained on him the man came slowly over to Jack.
"Welcome Colonel Jack O'Neill to Veridous Xylo." The man said bowing.
"Thank you." Jack said awkwardly.
"My name is priest Calif, I am very pleased to meet you."
"How do you know who he is?" Sam interjected
"SG1 is well known across the galaxy and are venerated in many places as God Slayers, Samantha Carter." Calif said and sketched her a slight bow.
"God Slayers?" Jack asked with a raised eyebrow
"Yes, O'Neill we are honored by your visit."
"We have not come to honor you, we have come on behalf of our friend who had kidnapped and brainwashed." Teal'c said heatedly
"Daniel Jackson, yes we thought he might betray us to General Hammond. Actually many of the priests hoped he would so, an alliance with the Tauri would greatly help our fight against the False Gods." Calif said
"They will never help you." One of the Tokra broke in and cursed at Calif.
"And who are you?" Calif said unfased by the man's anger.
The man refused to answer and glared at Calif clearly wishing his death. Sam quickly placed herself between the two men but the Tokra stepped past her. Before he could strike Calif the clearing was suddenly full of men and women brandishing swords, bows, and axes. The Tauri and Tokra raised their weapons but were encircled on all sides.
"Please lower your weapons, while you have superior firepower you are greatly outnumbered and we have no fear of death." Calif said
Jack looked around the circle at their attackers and saw no fear only determination and cold resolve. Reluctantly Jack lowered his gun and at Calif's command unstrapped it and handed it to a man holding an axe. The others quickly followed swift even the Tokra. Once they were all disarmed the priest straightened his body, lifted his staff and brought it down hard on Molin the Tokra who had challenged him. That was the signal to the rest of his men who quickly restrained them and tied their hands behind them. Once they were all secured the priest led signaled to ten of the men who proceeded to push and drag them through the circle through the town and onto the road leading further into the mountains. Jack protested this treatment as did Sam and Jacob but it did no good.
"At least let us check on our friend." Sam asked spying Molin who slung over a giant bearded man's shoulder
"We have healers, once we arrive your friend will be well looked after." Calif said
"You know this is a pretty shitty way to treat heroes." Jack said
Calif didn't answer and when Jack continued to mouth off a young woman hit him across the back with the flat of her sword. Jack subsided and turned his attention to his surroundings. The trees were starting to thin out as they climbed higher replaced by sparse grass and rock. Sunlight was more prevalent but the air became thinner and the temperature dropped. They walked for what seemed like hours occasionally stumbling as the road changed from dirt to rock. They were halted before a narrow cavern and despite the sun being low in the sky were blindfolded even Molin who had yet to regain consciousness. They were led two at a time through the cavern then guided over rocks, more caves and even waded through what seemed to be two rivers. They halted once more and a low grinding sound was heard as though a door was being opened. They were pushed and shoved into a large cavern their boots echoing out. Once safely inside the door was closed and their blindfolds were removed. Looking around they saw they were in a large cave with three tunnels in front of them. The cavern was formed naturally but it had been enlarged and refined with paintings and writings on the walls and torches on the walls lighting the chamber. Before they could fully appreciate their surroundings they were again shoved forward to the tunnels.
"Calif God's greetings we were not expecting you." A black haired man said emerging from one of the tunnels holding a staff and dressed identically to Calif.
"I know, but…" Before Jack could hear anymore Calif put a light hand on the priest and led him off.
The procession halted until the two men returned then SG1 was pulled away from the rest of the group and led into the left most tunnel. Struggling against their captors Sam, Jack, and Teal'c saw their comrades being dragged down a dark tunnel before losing sight of them as they were forced into left passageway. The tunnel proceeded straight for a long time then started twisting and turning. They were guided only by the light of a single torch from the man leading them who SG1 saw was not one of their original guards. Unable to use their hands it was their captors who steadied them on the stairs, prevented them from falling on the three narrow bridges they crossed, and helped them in the uneven ground. Finally they halted in front of a wooden door, quickly untying their hands the guards opened the door and shoved the three inside quickly slamming it shut behind them.
Please Review I love reviews they greatly improve my writing. Any questions, speculation or confusion I will clarify, or just let me your interested by following/ Favoriting.