A/N1: Well, here it is the next chapter. It is not as long as the previous but it is still flowing nicely. Our heroes have arrived at an odd place where they will get some things cleared up and will gain some knowledge that will be useful for them later on. But I will let you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM. The characters of Farscape belong to Jim Henson Productions.

Chapter 11

Memorial

Huddled among misty silver nebulas, almost to the center of the Pegasus, laid a solar system all inhabitants of the galaxy knew as Memorial. It was the only place in the entirety of the Pegasus where peace presided; a place considered sacred grounds. Its peace was respected by all species (whether they were friends or enemies – it was sacred to all).

Over the forth planet, in high orbit, a circle was floating. Suddenly it all became lit and in the middle a vortex of liquid light appeared. An object flew out of it and headed towards the planet (the object logically is a jumper that came through the stargate).

"Is this it?" – Sheppard asked skeptically looking around.

"Yes, it is, at least according to the Ancient database." – Rodney replied looking at his pad. "Head down to the northern hemisphere, right here." – And he pointed on the screen.

"Wait…" – Sheppard exclaimed. "I'm picking up a ship."

"Oh, ah…it's wraith – a cruiser."

"Cloak the jumper." – Mitchell suggested.

Sheppard looked a bit frustrated. "I've been trying. Rodney, what's wrong with the cloak?"

Rodney ran a diagnostic then looked up confused. "Well, there is nothing wrong with it but it is odd. The energy is flowing through but it isn't producing the energy field. It's like there is some interference."

"It won't engage." – Crichton said coolly.

"Why not?" – Sheppard inquired.

"In the database, the Ancients described this as a place of total peace where no harmful event can take place. So, as crazy as this might sound, I think that the wraiths are not a threat. They will ignore us just as we are going to ignore them. It is a place of peace." – Crichton said and added. "Though I can't believe I just said that."

"Yeah, I'm sure the wraith will agree." – Rodney remarked sarcastically.

"Well, let's wait and see!" – Crichton said amused.

"Sheppard, let's concentrate on why we are here." – Mitchell cut in before Rodney could reply.

"Alright, heading to the Northern Hemisphere." –Sheppard said and turned the jumper back to its previous course.

The jumper plunged into the atmosphere and for the great surprise of the entire the jumper met no resistance while making its entry. It was like there was no atmosphere. Yet, there was.

Sheppard landed the jumper in a hollow surrounded by the greenest of the green forest with trees of all species they'd ever seen (though they could probably swear the forest wasn't present while they were flying over this place).

"Wow. This is amazing." – Rodney exclaimed. "I'm pretty sure it wasn't here when we passed over."

"It is strange. I agree." – Mitchell said.

"Well, Rodney, where is this temple?" – Sheppard asked. He was a bit skeptical about this mission, which was based on Crichton and Mitchell's dream that someone told them to look for it.

"Oh, it is due north." – Rodney replied checking on his tablet.

"Well, let's go then."

"Dr. McKay?" – Crichton turned to Rodney. "I see a lot of wraith around us."

"Very funny." – Rodney made a grimace.

The wraiths indeed ignored the puddle jumper completely as Crichton predicted. They did not target them or approached nor sent any darts at them. It was as though they haven't even seen them.

The group (consisting of Colonel Sheppard, Rodney, Ronon and Teyla, which were not present on their last mission; Colonel Mitchell, Crichton, Rygel and Chiana) headed due north. All had different expectations for the outcome of this mission. The very little, they had read into the Ancients database was not enough to give them a clue what to expect. As always the Ancients were cryptic. But out of all the cryptic, they understood one thing. This place is very old and it was there before the Ancients came into the Pegasus.

The Ancient who really took the time to describe this place was no other than Janis (the time traveler as they'd dubbed him). But his description was even more confusing as it started like this: "I came to an edifice as though built by the mightiness itself. I walked among its great columns that have endured throughout time and as though untouched by it. And then…a sight unseen.

I saw a swirl of torrents and currents and in them faces like embers in the fire gently cracking then bursting away like ashes…."

(You can understand that this statement of Janis reveals a lot and yet nothing at all. But there is time to find out.)

The group passed by hills covered in a carpet of the whitest flowers imaginable and left the distinct impression of snow then followed a few that gave the impression of passing by lava flows (so red orange they were). It was indeed an odd place.

And there on the left, the contour of a mountain appeared as described by Janis. In his description they had understood that a jumper will not be able to reach the temple as it had ancient defenses and protections (as the Ancients themselves have lost ten jumpers in the attempts of reaching the temple by flying near it – everyone had to walk or as Janis had written it – "All lights extinguished as life leaves the body for one had to feel the ground and look for the ultimate prize not wait for it").

They headed towards the mountain following a valley of rainforests. The trees were unnaturally tall almost like the sequoia trees – two hundred and fifty three hundred feet but with enormous branches. If someone was to climb to them he could surely walk pretty safely for they were at least six feet wide. It looked almost artificially made (as made on purpose) for all that was missing were handrails.

Somewhere near the middle of the forest line the path they were following became wider and exited upon a glade. Here, they knew of Janis' description that they had to take the right path. But which one is the right path – is it simply the direction or the correct one. Unfortunately they were no directions or any kind of clue that could help them. Fortunately for them, of course, they had Rygel with them who could simply float over and locate the correct path.

Rodney gave Rygel the exact instructions of what sign he should be looking for and Rygel left. Slowly, he vanished out of sight while the others sat silently in anticipation of his return.

Meanwhile, Rygel had taken the left path, which led him back into the forest. Soon enough he was far out of the sight of the others. The trees here were growing very close one to another and as a result the branches were intertwined thus forming a complex web like labyrinth. And this was becoming a problem for Rygel for he now had to swirl around the trees branches, which now were not that high above the ground.

Soon it became clear that passing through this living maze will be a real challenge. Rygel, however, had not spotted the sign or signs he was supposed to see and he decided it is high time he returned to the others before he loses completely his way. So he ascended above all the branches as high as one ninety feet and hovered back toward the glade.

The trip back took him longer than he anticipated as he soon realized he was heading in the wrong direction so he had to go lower and follow back the path. He finally managed to return.

"You're back." – Crichton exclaimed relieved.

"I got a bit lost at one point." – Rygel said.

"Really? Did you find the sign?"

"No." – And Rygel told about that path – everything with the web of branches, the disturbing labyrinth, which made his advancement and return so slow.

"Well, it's clear. We have to take the right path as it was meant." – Sheppard concluded.

"I don't agree." – Crichton shook his head. Since the experience with the dream he had to admit to himself willy-nilly he had become more sensitive towards words and sentences full of abstract and somewhat deceptive concepts.

"Well he didn't find the signs." – Sheppard stood his ground.

"Yes, but…" – Crichton countered. "But Janis said – 'all lights extinguished as life leaves the body for one had to feel the ground and look for the ultimate prize not wait for it' – look for it is the punch line. We have to take the true path. This is what I believe he meant by the right path. You never take the obvious way for it is easier therefore full of unpleasant surprises. "

"Well, as I come to think of it I have to agree with him." – Mitchell said nodding approvingly. "Dominar Rygel said that it will be a challenge and if I have learnt anything about the Ancients is that everything with them lies with a challenge. Whether they took this idea from here or not, right now it is irrelevant but we have no choice but follow the truest path hence the left one."

"Very well, we jump into the jungle." – Sheppard signed defeated. He had no desire to argue this time.

"Rygel, lead the way!" – Crichton called.

Rygel took the lead. He did that reluctantly as he, truth to be said, had no desire of returning to that place given that he had to float at body height so to be in visual range. To lose someone in that area was unthinkable (well it would simply make things more complicated).

The others discovered the full meaning of a challenge. Rygel was right this place was a bloody labyrinth. Most of the times, they had to look for alternative passages as the first one lead only to dead-ends. Sometimes they had to climb up the branches so to avoid some precipices that appeared out of nowhere providing any further passage.

The battle, as Sheppard soon called it, with the living labyrinth took them about six hours. By this time, many of them were scratched and bruised, a lot. Some were even stuck in tiny holes or squeezed between tough hard branches, some of which looked more like lianas than branches.

And as soon as they left the labyrinth the forest resumed its previous state. The trees were back at the usual distances. It was as though that area was specifically made for a nightmarish passage.

They noticed that it was already afternoon, at least at decent places. Their walk continued for about two hours as the forest finished. There were no signs of it but suddenly they were simply out of it though the path, which was still visible, continued straight north.

The group rested for a while so to patch some of the scratches during the challenging part of their journey then they continued. And here came the part which no one considered challenging but which for all purposes was the most challenging (well not physically but spiritually as you're going to see. It is always after a challenge that you think you've passed with full grades when destiny presents you with something to shake you up).

Reaching over a hill, they looked forward and gasped, gaped and all these emotions that follow. They were before the saddest area – as far as the eye could see – a grayish valley that looked more like a desert where nothing grew (at least it seemed that way). It made such a vivid and sad contrast compared to the lands behind them.

There was no avoiding of this area. They had to cross it. So sighing deeply, they ventured into the gray valley, which held the name The Gardens of Gallean (but they knew not who named it that way or why someone would call this, gardens; though its full name was The Gardens of Gallean before the gates of Mortis).

An hour or so nothing happened as they walked and walked through this sad grayish land. Everything around seemed to absorb not only the light but also all happy ambiances. Soon, everyone was feeling just as sad as the land around them. This feeling grew exponentially as they ventured further in. And soon they understood why, why all this sadness for they were about to taste it fully.

Sheppard had taken the lead of the group and as he passed by a smaller hill he froze in his steps. The others wondered why and as they came in from behind him they quickly understood. Several dozen of feet before them they recognized the silhouette and outlines of what seemed like a graveyard. The difference of course between the real graveyard and this one was that in the real one you have graves where the bodies lay in peace but in this one all of the bodies were sitting with their backs to the tombstones where their names were engraved.

Sheppard had noticed four figures out of which two were once his parents; one he never thought possible of seeing again – Colonel Sumner and the other one for which he held the hope might be still alive – lieutenant Ford. Sheppard made a few steps towards them and for his utter surprised they stood up and headed towards him. Sheppard had frozen still the moment they did.

"John!" – His father called. Sheppard still did not react. It was too much for him to take.

"Son!" – His father called again raising his arms as to hug him. Sheppard moved slowly and cautiously toward him.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't have the time to tell you." – His father continued tears falling down his cheeks.

Sheppard made the step separating him from his father who hugged him. All the years of regret and harsh words fell upon him again but this time he felt much more relieved than ever. He was not able to face him when he was on the death bed. He was able only to go to the funeral.

"Dad…I'm…" – The words choked Sheppard.

"I know, son, I know!" – His father cut him off. "I'm the one that must apologize, not you!"

"No, that's…not true…" – Sheppard could not hold it off much longer. "I'm sorry too, dad. I said things I shouldn't have."

The others stood silently at this meeting. No one even dared say a word.

"It's alright son. You were right to pursue your own path." – His father patted him on the back.

"You wanted me to follow your way." – Sheppard couldn't resist retorting.

"I just wanted what all fathers do – the best for their sons."

"This is the best for me. I'm good at it."

"I know. You have done well. I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you!" – Sheppard was relieved and guilty at the same time. "I didn't know that…I wanted to…"

"It's alright. You were out there serving your country. I understand."

The two broke apart and looked at each other. The looks were saying it all. After all these years, Sheppard was finally relieved. He was at peace now with at least one of the things he regretted. His father smiled at him. The pride in his eyes was so moving. Sheppard's mother just came and hugged him even longer than his father. They said nothing to each other but the hug did that for them (then again maybe they did however no one heard them).

As they broke apart, Colonel Sumner stepped forward. Sheppard feared that meeting but it went better he anticipated.

"You've done well in my stead, Colonel. Keep the good work!"

"Yes, sir!" – Sheppard saluted. "I just wondered…"

"I would have done the same if I were you!" – Sumner interrupted him then stepped aside.

"Colonel!" – Ford saluted with his radiant smile.

"Lieutenant." – Sheppard saluted as well. "I held the hope I could find you."

"I know but there was no escape from that ship. You did what you had to do." – Ford said smiling. "Just tell my sister and my grandparents that I…"

"That you did well beyond the call of duty." – Sheppard finished. "I will. I promise."

"Thank you, Colonel."

"Son." – Sheppard's father called. Sheppard turned back and walked to his father. "I was given this information for you. 'What you face now is as old as the stars. It is a race that has prowled the space before all others. They are one of the oldest and most powerful. They shall not retreat nor get scared. They will not stop until they blacken the suns. They fear only the light of Gallean and the sentries of Mortis.'"

"What is the light of Gallean?" – Sheppard asked perplexed.

"I don't know. I wish I did but I don't." – His father shrugged. "I'm just passing you what was given to me."

"Given? By whom?"

"It's difficult to explain – actually it is impossible for you to understand unless you're dead like me."

"And the sentries of Mortis – who are they?"

"I believe you'll meet them, Johnnie." – His mother cut in.

"Well, this is better than nothing." – Sheppard said then added. "Are we on the right path to the temple of the Axis?"

"Yes, you are." – Ford answered.

"What is it like?"

"Like nothing you've ever seen or dreamt about." – Ford answered beaming. "But simple words can't make it justice nor describe it fully. Even the Ancients, Colonel, could not understand it, though they've certainly tried."

"I know the feeling. I understood nothing of Janis' description of it." – Sheppard nodded.

"Well, he did get the idea of time travel from it." – Ford said (which is part of the truth).

"Wow! Really?" – Rodney exclaimed unable to hold up the silence anymore.

"You will understand why." – Ford said. "And yes, Dr. McKay."

"It is time for you and us to go." – Sheppard's father said and added wisely. "And don't look back. Always look forwards."

Sheppard hugged each one of them one last time before he and his team continued their journey towards the mysterious temple of the Axis armed with the newly acquired knowledge (though not understanding completely its significance).

Another hour or so, everyone were discussing the strange occurrence where Sheppard met his parents, Sumner and Ford. They were also discussing the odd message Sheppard's father gave them. The situation was far worse than they've thought. Mitchell was cursing under breath. It is true that every time they go through the gate there is a chance they might wake up something better left alone but this was too much. It was even worse than with the ORI, which were very powerful. But with this message, Mitchell as well as the others understood that they were possibly going to have to deal with a threat old as the universe. It was too much. What were the Ancients thinking when they were making all their discoveries and screw ups?

With the discussions over, the group continued, in silence each with their thoughts. Passing by another hill, the view of the grayish valley changed. It was now far too misty, too much fog. They could barely see four feet ahead. This place was indeed very odd. It was as though it was sensing their moody feelings.

"Ronon, what is it?" – Sheppard asked suddenly noticing his friend's behavior.

Ronon who was quite silent even during the discussions had now frozen in his place. He stood with eyes wide open. He had spotted a familiarly looking figure that had suddenly sprung out of the fog as though from the ground itself. The figure had an elegant walk. It approached the group and stopped right in front of Ronon.

"Hey, Ronon darling." – She said.

Ronon stood one second more rooted before embracing her into his arms. Tears were falling down his cheeks.

"I told you to leave with me." – He sobbed.

"I couldn't leave. You know that." – She said simply.

"Melena, I've missed you!" – Ronon said.

"As I had you but you must be strong now for a great darkness is coming, not only at your friend's galaxy but in our as well." – Melena said.

"Is it the same?" – Sheppard cut in the conversation.

"No, Colonel. They are separate but equally dark in their intentions." – Melena replied.

"You know him?" – Ronon asked perplexed.

"I know all of them." – Melena smiled. "You haven't forgotten, dear, that I'm dead and the dead know everything – well, almost everything."

"Well, it is straightforward enough." – Sheppard remarked.

"Who are those to come into ours?" – Ronon asked intrigued. "We have enough trouble with the remainder of the wraiths and the others…"

"The ancient's enemy you encountered (at Atlantis) will be nothing compared to those that shall come to the Pegasus." – Melena said. "But there is hope."

"There is always hope." – Crichton interjected.

"Yes, it's true, Commander. There is always hope." – Melena beamed.

"What hope can we have when we are constantly under some kind of threat?" – The ever skeptical Rodney asked.

"The kind of hope, Dr. McKay that we will surprise you more than you can imagine." – Melena replied with a mysterious glow in her eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You will find out. I shall say no more." – Melena said.

"Uh, guys, do you mind?" – Ronon interfered, clearing his throat. "Some privacy?"

"Sure, buddy." – Sheppard said and dragged Rodney away.

Ronon and Melena moved out of sight. The others remained silent while waiting patiently for their friend's moment of joy. Some of them wondered how many more of those encounters they'd have.

Mitchell was thinking (with fear) about meeting SG-1 (but mostly Vala). What would he say to them – he had no idea. He wasn't even sure he could bear meeting them. He became commander of the most elite SG team and now he had lost them all – Carter, Jackson, Teal'c, O'Neil and Vala. Vala, truth to be said, was the hardest loss for him. He knew that she liked Daniel a lot but over the time they had become close – well, not as lovers but as brother and sister. After all, she was the one that initiated this crazy pursuit to the Pegasus and…Mitchell stopped his thoughts. His brain simply refused to dig into that wound.

Ronon returned with Melena at his side. He seemed more at peace now. Melena kissed and hugged him good-bye and vanished into the fog.

"Shall we?" – Ronon said.

"Yeah, we should be going." – Sheppard agreed. "Though I wonder how many more meetings of this sort we shall have before actually reaching the temple."

They continued their journey. (They did understand that this place was not so wrongly called gardens. It reminded of the intermediate plane before reaching Heavens and it was close to that though different). For the next few hours they encountered no one. Maybe Ronon and Sheppard were the only ones to whom the spirits had decided to appear. But it was not so.

They stopped for the night for it was already night time. Sheppard took the watch. He wanted the time to think about the things that happened during the day through. His encounter with his father was surprising but deep inside him he had always wanted to resolve it somehow. And yet, sometimes life doesn't give you that chance.

But this place did. At first he was skeptical about the whole idea of this being a planet of memorial but after the encounter he no longer thought so. This place was an odd one, very odd one. It made him wonder what could possibly the wraiths be doing here. Who would they be seeking? Or perhaps they were trying to understand the same thing they were after – this temple of the Axis – maybe but then again maybe something else. It was possible it was the temple because as Ford mentioned even the all mighty Ancients failed to do so. Were the wraiths trying to prove they were better – just like Rodney at times – maybe, maybe not?

Sheppard drove those thoughts away – they weren't his usual ones. Though there was one other thing, one other thought in his mind and it was Elizabeth Weir. Had she been really in Atlantis as consciousness or was it a duplicate – there was no way of knowing. But anything is possible. Though he somehow, even at that encounter with her, had the feeling that they were going to see her again – back in her own body (though the consciousness said it was destroyed, gone). Something in him still believed she is out there somewhere looking after them (maybe like an angel or an ascended angel. This thought made him smile).

Before he realized day has come. The red contour of dawn has appeared on the horizon though the misty fog that was still present. He looked at the horizon and saw two figures approaching. But they couldn't be real – Sheppard told himself, for he could see right through them. The two looked very familiar. One was in a blue uniform with a lot of medals and other one was dressed like any other SG team on mission.

A tingling sensation had awakened Mitchell. He looked around and noticed the two approaching ghost like figures. One, he recognized at once and gaped. It couldn't be – it simply couldn't.

The two ghosts approached. The one in the blue uniform saluted when it stood before the group. Mitchell and Sheppard did the same still looking stunned.

"Colonels!" – The blue uniform figure said.

"General, sir!" – Both Sheppard and Mitchell replied in turn.

"At ease!" – The general said. "You've done both a good job so far. Keep it up, Earth and all the galaxy will be counting on you."

"Yes, sir!"

The general smiled. He knew that they will do just fine as usual. The other figure stood slightly in the back still not approaching as though fearing the encounter.

"Sir?" – Sheppard turned to the general.

"Yes, Colonel?"

"How is it that you're here? I thought that you were…"

"Retired, well, yes, I was. But things like this happen – some call it life." – The general said.

Mitchell did not take part in this conversation more than he had to. He was more interested in the other figure. He walked towards it. He actually did not want to face but he had to.

"Captain Vega?" – Mitchell called.

"Colonel!" – Alicia said, ready to retreat.

"Captain, where are the others?" – Mitchell asked the question that has been burning him for the past hours.

"I...I…do not know!" – Alicia stammered.

"Are they…" – Mitchell pronounced the last word with difficulty. "Are they dead?"

"I do not know!" – Alicia replied looking down.

"Tell me the truth. I must know!" – Mitchell pressed her.

"She can't tell you what she knows not, Colonel." – The general interfered.

"But if she's dead, General Hammond, sir, she must have seen them – she was with them when it happened!" – Mitchell protested, finally losing his control.

"I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Colonel Mitchell!" – General Hammond said, shaking his head. "When you die you do not meet with whomever you choose."

"But why then are you two here?"

"We are here because we are." – Hammond responded. "This place is like an intermediate station between the two realms. Some return to it some don't."

"So Vala and the others continued? Just like SG-1?"

"I don't have the answer for this, Colonel." – Hammond said sadly. "I wish I could answer it but I can't."

"I understand, sir!" – Mitchell was disappointed but a small spark of hope had crawled into him. Though, he quickly shook it off – after all he personally buried Vala thus she couldn't be alive.

"I'm sorry, Colonel. I really wished I could help you." – Hammond looked apologetically at Mitchell. "I know how you feel."

"Thank you, sir!" – Mitchell said with effort while struggling not to let his emotions, his sensitive side kick in.

At this moment, their conversation was interrupted by a deep voice that has shouted.

"Crichton!"

Crichton looked up. He knew that voice. He looked in the direction of the voice and saw the massive figure of Ka D'Argo.

"D'Argo!" – He exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.

Rygel looked surprised but Chiana was already at D'Argo's arms. "D'Argo, sweet D'Argo! I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too, Chi!" – D'Argo said moved. Then turned to Crichton. "You too, John!"

"Good to see you, Big D!" – Crichton shook his hand.

However, Ka D'Argo looked a bit defensive and the others soon understood why. Another three figures appeared through the mist. One of them made John Crichton freeze in terror and disbelief.

"Dad!" – D'Argo Crichton called.

"S…son!" – Crichton stammered. "No, it's impossible." – Crichton shook his head, closed his eyes hoping that it was just an illusion but his son's ghostly hands removed his.

"We're not dreaming, Dad. It is really me!"

"But how?" – Crichton asked, after a while. "How is this possible?"

"It is a rather long story."

"You named him after me?" – Ka D'Argo asked.

"Yes, Aeryn and I choose this…" – Crichton did not continue as Ka D'Argo hugged him friendly cutting him off.

"I…it's…" – Ka D'Argo was moved so he could not find the words.

"Dad, this is…" – Crichton's son tried to say but Crichton interrupted him.

"Molalla, yes, I know."

"How?" – D'Argo Crichton asked perplexed.

"It's a…"

"…long story."

"Yeah. But I want to hear yours first!" – Crichton said. "You were aboard Moya…"

"I know dad. I was being only ten years old and I was on Moya. But actually, I vanished and ended up in a parallel reality, being ten years older. At least, that's what I thought at first. But as I understood later, I wasn't. I was actually into the future."

"What? But how?"

"I believe this weird shockwave has something to do with it, the one that mother encountered first."

"And then?"

"Then…well…I lived into the future looking for answers and in one place I encounter Molalla who had experienced the same thing. And curiously enough she is the…the daughter of…" – D'Argo Crichton trailed off at this point as Molalla stepped in.

"She's my daughter, John!" – A familiar voice said startling Crichton.

"Scorpius!" – Crichton exclaimed stunned.

"Yes, curious, isn't it? Or maybe it's fate!" – Scorpius smiled.

"Well, I guess, I have to write a letter to fate thanking it you're dead!" – Crichton shot sarcastically.

"Oh, John, such hostility but yes, maybe…" – Scorpius said with his usual mysterious and unnerving smile.

"Son, you were saying…" – Crichton turned back to his son. He had no desire to speak with Scorpy.

"Well, after I met her, we started both looking for answers. Then we came across something extraordinary. The Scarrans were allied with a race called…"

"The wraith, I know."

"Yes…," – Crichton's son looked up surprised but continued. "They obviously had some amount of control over the Scarrans, which was disturbing and surprising. We learnt that they were not of our galaxy but of another and it was them who encouraged the Scarrans to break the peace treaty some ten years ago. We also had intercepted an encrypted message towards the Scarrans' high command. Unfortunately, they discovered our interference and started chasing us. They were about to capture us as a wormhole appeared out of nowhere. I said to myself that wherever that wormhole was going to lead would be better than our current situation so I directed the prowler into it. I had also taken the module. And Molalla followed me.

We ended up in orbit of a strange planet. Our instruments picked up a ship on the other side of the planet. It had the most peculiar form – a pyramid. We thought it best landing on the surface to avoid detection.

We found a cave system that could perfectly hide the crafts energy signature. We stayed in it for days before running out of food. We had to find more. We headed outside on reconnaissance. One day, I spotted a village. It was far from the caves but we had no choice. We left the crafts in the cave and headed towards the village. We never saw the crafts again." – D'Argo Crichton paused to take his breath then continued.

"The people in the village were simple but they generously helped us out though we didn't understand their language. On the next morning we were planning to return back to the caves but it didn't come to this. Soldiers dressed in very odd armor came into the village. The moment they spotted us they pointed their weapons. The village elder tried to plead perhaps with them but he was pushed aside. We however had no desire to be taken in without a fight. Molalla raised her gun as I fired with mine. Two of the soldiers fell down but they had weapons we did not anticipate. They fired a bluish blast and we fell unconscious…"

"Yes, these," – Mitchell interrupted showing them. "They are called a Zat gun, one shot stuns and a second one kills you."

D'Argo Crichton, Molalla and Scorpius looked at Mitchell completely dumbfounded. They were seeing a second Crichton.

"It is a long story." – Crichton decided to interfere. "Please continue." – He urged his son.

"Ah, yes, sure," – D'Argo Crichton regained his speech though still stunned of the sight of Mitchell. "We woke up in a gorgeous bed with white sheets. The sun was shining. We were dressed in odd clothing. Then a small child appeared gesturing us to follow and we did. The child brought us in a spacious room that looked remarkably like a throne room. On the throne, a fairly young woman was sitting. Her eyes, however, had a strange glow. Her voice was deep but friendly. Stunningly, we understood her. Maybe, she had translating microbes though as we found out later she had used a different method.

She was as she said a ruler, the ruler of this planet. She had detected our ships appearing in orbit but the crafts vanished out of her sight. She had sent…gliders I believe she said to look for us."

"They are called Death Gliders." – Mitchell confirmed. "And they are space capable too."

"Yes, that's it." – D'Argo Crichton nodded. "Well, they had located them afterwards in the caves and tracked us to the village. She then told us that she was intrigued by their design as she had never seen anything like it before."

"I bet she was." – Mitchell interjected.

"Yes, she said she would be grateful if we shared our technology with her in exchange of her help, if she could of course. If she couldn't we would not share it. So we told her how have we arrived to her. She was mostly perplexed. Her instruments were capable to detect traces of the wormhole but she couldn't reproduce its effects as it was a natural one. We did not understand her at first before she showed us what she meant."

"The stargate!" – Mitchell exclaimed.

"Yes, that's what she called it."

"Didn't she call it the Chapa Eye?" – Rodney asked.

"No, she called it the stargate."

"That's very odd. English did not exist at the time." – Rodney shook head.

"Rodney, we are forgetting that they were speaking it." – Sheppard reminded.

"Oh, right, sorry."

"Then what happened?" – Crichton insisted.

"Well, we lived with her. The people of the planet were coming to see her from time to time bringing tributes. We quickly understood they thought of her as a Goddess…"

"And when she was not satisfied of the tributes she ordered the Jaffa to set the example with a few well aimed shots." – Mitchell finished up the sentence. "All Goa'uld are the same."

"Actually, no!" – D'Argo Crichton shook his head. "Though, yes, she said that she said that her race is called the Goa'uld. They need host bodies in order to exist. When the tributes were not of the quality she would appreciate she would take one of the makers with her in the palace (the ship) and teach how to improve his techniques."

Mitchell looked up extremely skeptically at this statement.

"Well, she did." – D'Argo Crichton confirmed. "Then she would bring him back to his village. And the next time that he would appear the quality will be more than satisfactory. All the inhabitants, actually, worshiped her. I had to admit she was a formidable and very accomplished ruler.

One time, another ship came into orbit. He arrived in her throne room and knelt but it was clear to me that he was also a ruler. He was very young and handsome. But the glare in his eyes was malicious, dangerous. His name was Amon Ra."

"WHAT?" – Mitchell exclaimed shocked.

"You know him?"

"Yes, he was the first one we killed."

"Well, he presided in the council of the Goa'uld in her stead. From the little, I learnt about her, she never liked the council or any of the members but they all respected her for she had not only a lot of influence but the biggest fleet. Next to her only one other Goa'uld had such influence and a similar fleet. I believe his name was Lord You or something like it. Anyway, Ra had come to pay his respects to his mistress. He stayed only for a few days before departing. However, he learnt of us – strangers having all the comforts the palace could offer. He tried to learn more about us but she forbid it and he obeyed.

Subsequently, she…"

"I'm sorry to interrupt…" – Mitchell apologized. "But what was her name?"

"Her name was Tallic, supreme ruler of the Goa'uld. She said that her name was of old Goa'uld and had equivalence in the oldest tongue of the universe, which was Selleyra. Her name meant as direct translation 'The Queen of Dawn' though she did not elaborate on its full meaning."

"Hmm, curios. We thought that the temple above, which we discovered the crafts was built by a male Goa'uld." – Mitchell said.

"Well, before she departed for the undying lands as she called it, she made Molalla and me the next rulers of the planet."

"What?" – Mitchell exclaimed.

"Didn't the other Goa'uld come to claim it?" – Sheppard asked.

"No, she gave all her fleet and influence to Ra under one and only condition packed with an old Goa'uld tradition – an oath of some kind – that he was never to take over this planet nor allow any of the other Goa'uld to set foot on it. Ra, obviously, accepted because after all what is one planet compared to might of the rest of her domain – nothing. She told us she had concealed our crafts in the cave system so no Goa'uld would actually find them – ever."

"But why didn't you return to claim back the crafts?" – Sheppard wondered.

"Well, we had no way of returning and the protection she had provided lasted only while we are on the planet not out of it. Also, we did not have fuel or the necessary instruments to maintain them and that they were already sealed. So we had no choice actually. And then we lived there until the end of our natural lives. So this is our story." – D'Argo Crichton finished.

"And the encrypted data – is it still on the ships?" – Mitchell inquired.

"Yes. It is."

"You will find it under the file name of Tallic, which is in the dustbin."- Molalla informed. "The pass code is Egeria."

"This code name sounds familiar." – Mitchell said thoughtfully.

"It is the name of the queen of the Tok'Ra!" – Rodney informed.

"How curious!"

"Well, this is it, Dad." – D'Argo Crichton said. "Our time here is limited. We have to go!"

"Just a moment, son!" – Scorpius intervened. "I have a few words to say to my Dear John. In privet."

Crichton and Scorpius moved aside while the others processed the story. It was full with a lot of details that did not fit the general parameters of what they knew about the Goa'uld but the code name suggested to Mitchell that Tallic might have something to do with the beginning of the Tok'Ra. He had to ask them at first chance.

"Colonel Mitchell! Colonel Sheppard!" – General Hammond took off Mitchell off his thoughts. "Join me!"

The two came. General Hammond took them aside of the others.

"Sir?" – Sheppard looked questioningly.

"You are about to reach for the temple of the Axis."

"You know of it too?" – Mitchell exclaimed.

"Yes, this is one of the reasons we came to you! Now pay attention!" – Hammond said smiling.

"Yes, sir." – Both said.

"The temple of the Axis is holly ground. Do not touch anything however enticing or tempting it might be. And it will be." – Hammond said with a strict voice. "When you enter you will be looking, and keep well this visualized in your minds, for a silvery, mostly moonlight emitting star. Do not lose it out of sight. It will guide you through the temple."

"We will."

"Good then I can wish you all good luck in your quest for it shall not be easy. The ORI were a testament of our skills and abilities but this one will push them even further, to previously unexplored boundaries. Do not lose your cool for if you do all the universes will be doomed. Good luck!"

And as he said it he vanished as did Alicia. Scorpius returned with Crichton who looked very serious. He was surprised for what he had told him. For the first time he had to admit that Scorpius was actually on his side (though he was still skeptical about his motives – who wouldn't be given his experience with him). Then Ka D'Argo and the rest of Moya's crew spent some time together before the time for him, Scorpius, Molalla and D'Argo Crichton had elapsed.

Crichton hugged his son who whispered something in his dad's ear before vanishing into thin air.

"Remember Crichton! Remember!" – Scorpius' voice echoed before he vanished out of sight.

"What was that about?" – Mitchell inquired intrigued.

"It's a long…no I'm kidding." – Crichton laughed. "He told some curious things about the Scarrans but we'll discuss them later."

Mitchell looked straight into his eyes. Crichton was obviously not a good liar. Whatever Scorpius had told him, was something different and probably important but Crichton did not elaborate on the matter. Maybe it was personal.

The moment the dead left the misty fog cleared and before their eyes just some distance away, they saw a lonely building. The building was enormous and did not seem to be real. They reached it in under an hour.

"Well, here we go!" – Sheppard said and led the way in.

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