The Star Gate Program (Hetalia/Stargate SG1 X-Over)

Author: Ashynarr

Summary: It was the discovery of the century. A device older than human civilization, capable of transporting people across the galaxy in an instant. But things have a way of quickly becoming complicated, pushing America and others to their limits as they find themselves embroiled in galactic politics and intrigue throughout the stars.

Disclaimer: Hetalia's not mine. Stargate isn't mine.

Warning: Alterations of the Stargate timeline/canon and Hetalia canon

[Inspired by Stargate Reopened; I recommend reading it if you have the time.]

[Chapter 16]

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Despite the howling of the sandstorm outside the city, Abigail found herself rather relaxed. The natives had thrown together a neat little party in the central courtyard, complete with food and music, and it'd done some wonders for the small group that'd been abruptly cut off from all contact with Command.

Daniel seemed to be enjoying it the most out of all of them, which wasn't too surprising; even she could tell these folk - direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians! - were the living examples of his life's studies. Not that she wasn't taking notes as well, but as she wasn't quite as versed in the language orally, she was content to watch him interact with the natives and stay to the side.

Her gaze slipped to the far side of the fire, where Colonel Jones was attempting - poorly - to speak to the leader. The fact that he knew a dead language at all was surprising, but then again he had been spending some time with Daniel - maybe he'd gotten in a few lessons?

It was a shame none of them were allowed to eat the food here; it smelled rather appetizing, especially after a week of rations and dried fruit. Heck, it was probably even safe if these people were able to eat it, but they just couldn't afford someone getting sick right now, especially with no way to get back to the outpost safely.

The colonel's gaze slipped back to her - no, wait, over her shoulder? Abigail turned in time to see another of the natives approaching, the chief silencing as well as he noticed her approach. Huh, she must be important - his wife, maybe? The others didn't seem to be paying too much attention to her; in fact, they almost glazed over her…

The woman bent over to whisper in the chief's ear, his gaze sharp as he looked from her to the colonel and back before nodding sharply. The colonel started to get to his feet as well, and Abby felt obligated to at least know what he was planning before disappearing. "Colonel?"

"Hm?" His gaze locked to hers, looking way too old for a second before they returned to normal. "Their, ah, oracle wants to talk for a bit; I'm not going too far, and it shouldn't take too long. Make sure Daniel doesn't charm too many of the locals, alright?"

She nodded, grinning at the last order; the archaeologist in question had been chatting rather animatedly with one of the local women for the past few minutes. "Will do, Colonel. Don't let yourself get seduced, no matter how pretty the women."

He sputtered and laughed, waving it off before letting himself be led away from the crowd and into the darkness outside the firelight. The other two soldiers exchanged looks, but didn't move to follow, though the one on the left seemed tempted.

Abigail settled back in her seat, humming to herself as she watched the chief turn to Daniel, gesturing in the direction the duo just went. The archaeologist briefly glanced down the street before answering, the chief seeming to attempt the answer as he turned back to the feast.

Interesting…

She had no time to think on it further, the crowd suddenly going tense and breaking out in a widening ring of hushed conversation when Daniel pulled out a necklace he had apparently been hiding in his jacket until then.

~0~0~

Alfred took the chance, once they were far enough away from the crowds, to look over the alien (of a sort) Nation. She looked a lot like the Egypt he knew - same nose, same eyes, similar build - but with wrinkles and weathered lines he hadn't seen even in the likes of China or Denmark or Turkey.

Was this the grandmother he'd mentioned once, long ago?

She was taking the chance to look him over as well, reminding him that he was still wearing his headgear. Carefully, he pulled his hood back so he could remove the goggles and facemask, allowing her to actually see his face. Neither of them were likely to get sick on their own, and with neither of their groups nearby, there was little risk of something spreading to the other side.

"Alfred F. Jones," He introduced, waving a hand to himself.

She caught on fast. "Soona."

They bowed their heads to each other, his a bit deeper than hers. "It's nice to meet you," He greeted as well as he could, pulling on everything Daniel was picking up and hoping he didn't sound too dumb. He'd take the time to learn it properly later, but right now he just wanted to avoid playing a game of charades.

Her lips twitched up. "It is nice to meet you as well."

Alfred bounced a bit on his heels, his desire to ask question after question only hampered by his own grasp of the language. "What land is this called?"

Soona smiled. "Abydos. You?"

"Me? Ah, The United States of America."

"America…" She frowned, trying the name. "I do not know it."

"It's, ah, only two hundred years."

"Two hundred?" She looked him over. "You are young."

"Why does everyone say that?" Alfred grumbled under his breath, ignoring the soft laugh he got in reply.

"How is your land?" She eventually asked.

"I- hrm…" Alfred thought hard on how to reply, eventually coming up with "Free. Happy. More- advanced."

"...and Ra?" Soona hesitated, looking hopeful.

"Ra?" He frowned. "What about him?"

"I-" They both turned at the sudden commotion from where they'd just left, her face creasing into a frown as she looked past the buildings to whatever was going on. Her gaze snapped back to his, much more serious. "Do you serve Ra?"

"What? No, no, I'm Protes- I mean, I have different faith."

"Your land?"

Alfred wondered at the questions. "Hundreds of different faiths, none of them Ra. Why?"

She exhaled, sagging into herself a bit. "I feared-"

"Feared?"

Soona looked back up to him, looking older than before. "You should all leave, before he comes."

"Before who comes?" Alfred asked, suddenly concerned.

"Ra," She replied shortly, dark skin paling. "He is powerful, and if he finds us, he will kill all of your people, and take us away."

Alfred paled. "He's real?"

She let her head hang. "He will come soon; It is almost time for the offering."

The younger Nation shook his head. "We can't leave. We don't know the way back."

"Through the chappa'ai?" She asked; he guessed that was the Stargate.

"I know that, but- the symbols," He gestured helplessly. "We don't know the symbols for home."

"The symbols?" She frowned. "...I can help. Follow me."

She turned and started marching away, Alfred following right on her heels. He had a sinking feeling that things were about to go horribly wrong around here.

~0~0~

"Keep Command in the loop; we'll be back in contact as soon as the storm's passed over, over."

"Copy that, Colonel. Don't get in trouble with the natives, over."

"We'll try our best not to, over."

Private Alex Danson rubbed at his eyes, waiting for the next check-in scheduled in just a few minutes so that he could trade off command duty to one of the others and get some sleep. Everyone was cooped up inside because of the storm, and though the facemasks kept them from breathing in the sand filtering into the pyramid around them, it still left a few of the team on edge.

They had no way of knowing if someone was approaching the pyramid; heck, an entire squadron could be on top of them before they knew it without the advanced warning, but there was no way he was gonna risk anyone out in the sandstorm itself when it was local night anyways.

Tomorrow morning he'd consider sending out a few people to do a fast sweep if things had calmed down. Maybe if he were lucky, the sand would have cleared out enough to get back in touch with the colonel before-

The pyramid shook, sending him and many others to their knees. 'Earthquake?' He wondered, holding his gun close anyways. He could feel the hair on the back of his neck rise; Alex shared glances with the others, who were also holding their guns close as the shaking continued.

He really, really hoped it was just a long earthquake.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

AN: Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? I actually had to sit down with my notes and the movie again just to remind myself of what I was planning on doing for the rest of the Abydos arc! Thankfully, though, I am now back in the swing of things and am more than eager to continue this neverending journey into the unknown.

For the Daniel / Sha're shippers, here's your bone for now. I might focus on them a bit more later on, but I do want some more time with Soona and Alfred (and also Abby and Alex and Matthew and-)

Reminder: The Abydonians are very, very, very much black in my 'verse. I refuse to whitewash just because the producers did, and if you don't like a black!Sha're, then begone with you. (Though if you want to make fanart to that end, I would absolutely adore you, no question.)

Finally, in response to a few reviews I've been thinking over: Yes, I'll consider that with the General (though it'll piss Al off to no end I'm sure), possibly for the Tollan, and yes Sha're will survive… for now. :) Send in more questions though, it makes me think more about the smaller details I tend to miss and ends up helping out in some cases.

Next time: Alfred's bad feeling pans out, and Alex somehow has to alert Command to the hostile beings attacking their outpost before it's too late.