Chapter 12: Tours and Deals
"This is our most worshipped building. It is where our Gods deliver gifts to our people and is also where Rhadamanthus and myself hold meetings of great importance."
SG-1 were half way through their tour of the city. So far they'd learnt that Elysium was indeed a place where everyone seemed to be happy and at peace with one another. There was not a sick or injured person in sight, and there was no problem about the population size. Daniel had estimated it to being around 5,000 people, which he claimed was excellent for a civilisation like this.
The streets were narrow and busy. Markets were set up here and there amongst marble houses and two-story structures. There were temples and public bathing areas, gardens and resting places. Overall, the city was clean and hassle free and to SG-1 it seemed like a perfect retirement place.
Daniel queried Telamon's earlier statement, "You said that's where your Gods deliver gifts. What kind of gifts?"
"I am not able to tell you. Such matters are discussed only between my father and myself. The Gods only speak with us as we are the rulers of Elysium. When my father dies I shall take over, my first son will then take my place as the future ruler."
"Right, of course. So I guess there's no letting us in then?" Daniel was hoping Telamon might consider bending the rules.
"I am sorry, but only myself, my father and the occasional Significant are allowed access to the Great Temple."
"Significant?"
"That's right." Telamon wasn't about to let out any more information on that one. Instead, he decided to wrap things up and began to lead SG-1 back to Rhadamanthus' complex.
Daniel turned to Sam, Jack and Teal'c.
"I'm getting a little suspicious about their 'Gods'."
"Me too. I mean, there's no markings or obvious Goa'uld structures around but something tells me that that temple isn't just used for praying." Sam made sure Telamon couldn't hear her.
"And what the hell is a Significant? Anyone?" Jack wasn't so concerned about keeping his voice down. Telamon's ears pricked up and he slipped in a comment.
"The only thing I can tell you is that wonderful things happen to a Significant. Things that we could not possibly give them."
Jack scuffed his feet along to annoy the future King.
"Yeah, that helps."
Back at Rhadamanthus' round table, Sam remembered an important detail about their mission.
"Sir, it's been three days. General Hammond is expecting us home any minute."
"Yeah, I've been thinking about that. Think I'll ask old Rhaddy if we can move things along."
As before, bows were exchanged before Rhadamanthus began the session. SG-1 were high in the hopes of coming to a mutual agreement so they could get back to the SGC for a nice hot shower.
"I hope you enjoyed your tour. As ruler I am most proud of what our city has become, and also of what it has to offer you. I have it on good authority that you were conducting some kind of experiment near the Great Circle. My men found many unusual objects. What is it that you have come here to obtain?"
Sam pointed to the sparkly dust over the floor, "We came here to work out if the soil here could help us in creating a generator capable of administering power to help rebuild a city of one of our allies."
"So you were willing to take something that does not belong to you? Thankfully I am a reasonable man and will forgive you for this. With that information, I can now offer you our terms. We shall agree to let you take as much of our soil as is needed for your...generator. In return we ask that you provide us with information about your allies and a way in which we may be able to contact them. We may appear to be simple people, but you are not the first foreign people to grace our presence. In any case, if we are to become allies then should not all involved have a right to know?"
Daniel understood what Rhadamanthus was getting at, "Yes, it's only fair that all our allies know about you and that you know about them. I think - "
"Woa, slow down Daniel. Do you remember a little conversation we had back home...something about shaking hands? Hmm?" Jack successfully jogged his friend's memory. Daniel sighed and let Jack take over. "It sounds like a reasonable deal, but we're not able to make the decision ourselves. It's up to our superiors, whom we really need to contact."
"I see. Then I give you permission to contact them. But you will be escorted to the Great Circle and two of you will remain to ensure that we are not tricked into believing that you will not return with means to destroy us."
Jack agreed and managed to persuade Rhadamanthus into giving him a radio and his weapons back. Taking Daniel, the Colonel bid a short farewell to Carter and Teal'c and headed back towards the Stargate with their guide.
"This is our most worshipped building. It is where our Gods deliver gifts to our people and is also where Rhadamanthus and myself hold meetings of great importance."
SG-1 were half way through their tour of the city. So far they'd learnt that Elysium was indeed a place where everyone seemed to be happy and at peace with one another. There was not a sick or injured person in sight, and there was no problem about the population size. Daniel had estimated it to being around 5,000 people, which he claimed was excellent for a civilisation like this.
The streets were narrow and busy. Markets were set up here and there amongst marble houses and two-story structures. There were temples and public bathing areas, gardens and resting places. Overall, the city was clean and hassle free and to SG-1 it seemed like a perfect retirement place.
Daniel queried Telamon's earlier statement, "You said that's where your Gods deliver gifts. What kind of gifts?"
"I am not able to tell you. Such matters are discussed only between my father and myself. The Gods only speak with us as we are the rulers of Elysium. When my father dies I shall take over, my first son will then take my place as the future ruler."
"Right, of course. So I guess there's no letting us in then?" Daniel was hoping Telamon might consider bending the rules.
"I am sorry, but only myself, my father and the occasional Significant are allowed access to the Great Temple."
"Significant?"
"That's right." Telamon wasn't about to let out any more information on that one. Instead, he decided to wrap things up and began to lead SG-1 back to Rhadamanthus' complex.
Daniel turned to Sam, Jack and Teal'c.
"I'm getting a little suspicious about their 'Gods'."
"Me too. I mean, there's no markings or obvious Goa'uld structures around but something tells me that that temple isn't just used for praying." Sam made sure Telamon couldn't hear her.
"And what the hell is a Significant? Anyone?" Jack wasn't so concerned about keeping his voice down. Telamon's ears pricked up and he slipped in a comment.
"The only thing I can tell you is that wonderful things happen to a Significant. Things that we could not possibly give them."
Jack scuffed his feet along to annoy the future King.
"Yeah, that helps."
Back at Rhadamanthus' round table, Sam remembered an important detail about their mission.
"Sir, it's been three days. General Hammond is expecting us home any minute."
"Yeah, I've been thinking about that. Think I'll ask old Rhaddy if we can move things along."
As before, bows were exchanged before Rhadamanthus began the session. SG-1 were high in the hopes of coming to a mutual agreement so they could get back to the SGC for a nice hot shower.
"I hope you enjoyed your tour. As ruler I am most proud of what our city has become, and also of what it has to offer you. I have it on good authority that you were conducting some kind of experiment near the Great Circle. My men found many unusual objects. What is it that you have come here to obtain?"
Sam pointed to the sparkly dust over the floor, "We came here to work out if the soil here could help us in creating a generator capable of administering power to help rebuild a city of one of our allies."
"So you were willing to take something that does not belong to you? Thankfully I am a reasonable man and will forgive you for this. With that information, I can now offer you our terms. We shall agree to let you take as much of our soil as is needed for your...generator. In return we ask that you provide us with information about your allies and a way in which we may be able to contact them. We may appear to be simple people, but you are not the first foreign people to grace our presence. In any case, if we are to become allies then should not all involved have a right to know?"
Daniel understood what Rhadamanthus was getting at, "Yes, it's only fair that all our allies know about you and that you know about them. I think - "
"Woa, slow down Daniel. Do you remember a little conversation we had back home...something about shaking hands? Hmm?" Jack successfully jogged his friend's memory. Daniel sighed and let Jack take over. "It sounds like a reasonable deal, but we're not able to make the decision ourselves. It's up to our superiors, whom we really need to contact."
"I see. Then I give you permission to contact them. But you will be escorted to the Great Circle and two of you will remain to ensure that we are not tricked into believing that you will not return with means to destroy us."
Jack agreed and managed to persuade Rhadamanthus into giving him a radio and his weapons back. Taking Daniel, the Colonel bid a short farewell to Carter and Teal'c and headed back towards the Stargate with their guide.