Don't sue me, I don't own Stargate or anything affiliated with it (except the story idea).

This is just stress relief and all in good fun!

Chapter 2

What we know… and don't know.

"Let's talk about what we know, Daniel." Jack looked at Daniel as though he had gone crazy… again. "What we know is that rock is thousands of years old. While my knees aren't what they used to be; I'm not that old." Giving SG-1 a look that firmly settled the situation, in his mind anyway, Jack concluded; "That ancient note can't be about us."

"It is, Jack. I don't know how, I don't even know why!"Daniel's expression changed, he looked far away as he thought about what had transpired only moments ago. He didn't know why he was so certain, but he remained insistent. Daniel looked to Jack; imploring the Colonel to trust him. "All I know is that the prophesy is about us." Daniel looked down to the now dark stone, "I can't explain it."

Up until this moment Teal'c had only listened, but the words 'well' and 'prophesy' triggered in his mind, a memory from long ago. "Daniel Jackson," getting Daniel to make eye contact, "You said that the prophesy mentioned a "Well of Knowledge?"

Daniel lifted his head in surprise, when Teal'c spoke it warranted attention, stepping toward Teal'c with excitement, he said, "I think the translation is, understanding, but that's beside the point! Why?" Daniel continued to look at Teal's intently, but was disappointed by his thoughtful silence. Teal'c continued to ponder the wisdom of revealing the information he had, even to his friends. This was potentially the means to rule the universe; perhaps it was best left as myth and buried secrets.

After a moment Sam asked, "What is it Teal'c? What's wrong?"Looking intently into Teal's face Sam saw his hesitation and then renewed purpose.

Tealc had heard stories from childhood about this well of great knowledge. His own father believed them to be myth thought up by the gods to throw off enemies from their real pursuits; that this great cache of knowledge could truly exist disturbed the warrior's greatly. Another tense moment passed before Teal'c spoke, "I have heard of this 'well.' The Gou'uld have looked for it from the beginning of time. It is of great importance to them, they believe it holds immeasurable power." Teal'c's brows lowered and a look of concern became etched in his face. "If this 'well' truly exists, we must destroy it!" He stood up straight, resolute in the decision he had made, and continued," We must be successful in this task; the universe will be destroyed if we fail!"

"Hold on a second, here," Jack put up his hands as if to slow everything down, Jack had seen overreactions before, but never from Tealc. "Do you know anything specific about it, T? What, is it a space gun? Some Ancient weapon?" Jack looked slightly excited at the prospect, temporarily ignoring the seriousness of the situation.

"It is not, if the old tales speak the truth, it is far more dangerous than your 'space guns,' O'Neill." The Jaffa's eyes had taken on a dangerous glint; this was far too serious a matter to joke about. "What I know is only Jaffa' legend. There have been clues and secrets surrounding the 'Well' that I have heard from childhood. It was believed by my father to be a device that held the knowledge of the perfect host."

"The perfect host? Like Shifu? Sam interrupted, 'I'm sorry, Teal'c, but Shifu ascended. Shaking her head, Sam thought about what would have happened to Shifu' had he not been aided in ascending. Looking at Teal'c she asked, "Why wouldn't another harsesis do the same to protect their knowledge?"

Teal'c nodded his understanding of the contradiction, "A harsesis, yes, but not like the son of Share'." Teal'c glanced toward Daniel at the unpleasant reminder of his wife and adopted son. "The host was reported to be the humanoid child of a Gou'uld host and an Ancient. The child would retain the genetic knowledge of its entire parentage."

All of SG-1 went silent at that revelation, until Sam breathed softly, "Holy Hannah, all the knowledge of the Ancients and the Gou'uld. That is terrifying." All the power that one person, one child, would wield… it was almost unimaginable.

"Along with all of their powerful gifts, Major Carter." Shaking his head, Teal'c gave voice to Sam Carters thoughts. Sam's eyes widened at the statement and the implications began swirling in her head.

"Cool."Even Jack was shaken by the magnitude of what they had here. However, Colonel O'Neill didn't last long before sarcastic Jack took over, "Wait a minute, Daniel! A Gou'uld and an Ancient? I thought the glowey guys were supposed to be smart!" Looking to Daniel for some explanation of how that might have happened. "You were an ancient Daniel, how did that happen?"

"The knowledge must have been removed from the child," Daniel said, ignoring Jacks question and giving him a withering look, "the writing doesn't mention a child, just some sort of memory suppository device, like the one Jack had take over his brain."

At this announcement, Jack took a step back and burst, "Oh, for cryin' out loud!" Jack looked so distressed that Sam had to smile and bite back a laugh. "Not another one of those head sucking things!" He looked around as if trying to find a way out.

"I do not believe so, O'Neill." Teal'c answered Jack with a look that said he was amused as well. "I believe this device would be accessed in a fashion similar to one of Earths computers." Though in a normal situation, Teal'c may have let Jack stew on the thought of being claimed by the Ancient memory device yet again, the situation was too grave. Looking at Jack; Teal'c determined, "If this device truly exists, it should be destroyed, O'Neill!"

Jack nodded and rubbed his hands together as if barley containing his excitement. "So, into the deep, dark, creepy hole we go?" Jack in his usual offhand manner, made clear the next course of action.

"Indeed." Teal'c replied, with his eyebrow raised.

Jack turned to his Major with expectancy, "Alright, Carter, what's plan B?"

"Plan B, Sir?" Sam looked to Jack with a puzzled and slightly amused expression. Her blue eyes looked in to Jacks brown ones and caught the laughter there. Their gazes locked for mere seconds but Sam knew that behind the mask of humor; Jack was worried.

"Yeah, plan A never works. I thought we could skip right to plan B and save ourselves the trouble." Yes! There it was, the famous Carter smile. Jacks day always felt a little lighter after seeing a true Carter smile. Jack still looked to Sam for the answer to his question.

"Well, sir, we do have all the supplies needed to repel into the cavern and explore." Sam was concerned about possible Gou'uld forces or other unknown enemies, so she recommended, "We should leave someone topside for a lookout. Just in case, Sir." She knew Jack wouldn't take the recommendation well; he liked all of his 'kids' where he could watch their sixes.

"Carter, haven't you ever seen a horror movie… you never split up when going into a scary, dark place!" Shaking his head, Jack gave Sam a look of mock shame at her assumed innocence. "All right, we'll check in with the SGC, we'll request SG-3 join us for this little party." Jack looked to the horizon and the sun going down, "Let's get moving folks, time's a wastin'."

Sam smiled at the Colonels antics, "Yes, sir. It's a little early for the scheduled check in, but I feel it's important that we get started right away sir." It was bad enough that they needed to go down into that cave, but the sun going down would make the task that much harder.

"Great, it'll be good for Hammond's heart to get the ol' blood pumping." Jack smiled as he thought about the havoc unscheduled off-world activation could cause. "Daniel, T, you stay here." Focusing on Dr. Jackson, Jack sternly reminded him, "Daniel, I will say this one more time; don't touch anything."

Daniel shook his head at the way Jack had taken on the appearance of a father figure again, or a drill sergeant; Daniel never really could tell which. "Yes, Jack." Daniel frowned slightly at Jacks reminder of his most recent incident. Daniel sighed; Jack was never going to let him live this one down.

If you do, I will shoot you, is that clear?" Jack said with enough seriousness that an unfamiliar observer would not have understood that he didn't mean it.

"Indeed." Teal'c's agreement inferred his irritation at being caught up in one of Daniel's escapades; again.

"Yes, Jack." Daniel rolled his eyes at Jacks insistence. Daniel was surprised by Teal'c's agreement and a little concerned. He knew Jack wouldn't shoot him, but Teal'c?

"Carter, let's move out." Jack said, interrupting Daniels thoughts. Sam, giving Daniel a look of sympathy, smiled and followed her commander without a word.

The hike back to the gate was sandy and hot, but swift and uneventful. "Sir, it's getting dark. If we plan on continuing work tonight, we should have SG-3 bring along some work lights." Sam continued, "Given the seriousness of the situation, sir, I think we should explore the cavern tonight." Sam watched her commander, he appeared unsettled, something that didn't happen that often with the normally unflappable Colonel O'Neill.

"I think you're right, Carter. I have a bad feeling about this one." Sam looked sharply at the Colonel; Jack almost never expressed his concerns like that, however, his intuition had never failed them before; they needed to hurry.

They soon reached the gate, and Jack ordered, "Dial it up Carter, let's fill Hammond in." Sam waited while Colonel O'Neill explained the situation to General Hammond. "So, you see sir, we were hoping you could send SG-3 out here to back us up while we explore this hole." Jack and Sam waited for the General to make a decision; do they continue on or go home?

"That shouldn't be a problem, Colonel." The General said steadily, "Expect them within the hour."

"Thank you, Sir." Jack responded quickly, almost wishing the General had called them home. Jack was never one to back down from a challenge; however, there was a sense of foreboding hanging over him this mission that had him worried.

"Anytime Colonel, Godspeed, SGC out." As Hammond signed off, Jack and Sam turned to hike the mile back to the ruins. When they arrived back at the site of the ancient remains, Daniel and Teal'c had made dinner and coffee. Daniel had broken out a few reference books in an attempt to get more background information on the situation.

"Ahh, Daniel, you may be troublesome but you sure can make coffee!" Jack looked at Daniel with what resembled an affectionate smile. Daniel so engrossed in his texts nodded but didn't look up. "SG-3 will be here within the hour, I want us ready to go in to that hole as soon as they show up. " His face showing uncharacteristic concern for the situation, "I want us done and off this rock as quickly as possible." Jack stared into the crackling fire, sipping his coffee and sinking deep in thought.

"That would be most fortuitous, Colonel O'Neill." Teal'c too, was feeling an unknown pressure to get away from this planet as soon as could be managed. He looked toward the cavern deep in thought.

Before long, the energy build up in the Stargate could be heard, marking the inevitable formation of a wormhole connection. Ever cautious, the colonel said sternly, "Take cover folks. Let's hope that's SG-3." The whole of SG-1 ducked behind the large stones, hoping that their peaceful mission was not about to be interrupted.

Soon the familiar forms of SG-3 could be made out along with Colonel Reynolds voice over the radio. "Colonel O'Neill, come in."
"Well, it sounds as though the Marines have arrived." Jack said before speaking in to his radio, "Colonel Jack O'Neill here boys, welcome to the party." SG-3 was an all male Marine unit. They were especially good in tight and deadly situations; just not diplomatic ones. They were the people you wanted watching your six when it all hit the fan. Jack was strangely glad to have them around.

Major Lawrence was a stiff marine, unyielding, unwavering and with no sense of humor. "Colonel O'Neill what is your location?"

"All business eh, Major. No hello, how ya'doin'?" Jack loved yanking this guy's chain. "I'm hurt!" Jack at Sam with a smile, she knew how much he needed to have a lighthearted moment to break the threatening atmosphere, so she laughed readily at his good natured teasing of Major Lawrence.

"I was under the impression that this mission was of utmost importance, Sir." Lawrence responded tightly. He had heard that while Colonel Jack O'Neill was the best soldier anywhere, that he never 'got serious'. He was here to do his job in spite of his commanding officer.

Jack shook his head, "There's always time for fun, Major." Getting down to business Jack gave up their location, "See the huge rocks in the desert, Lawrence? They are about a mile away and we're sitting under 'em."

"Yes, sir. We'll be there in twenty, sir." Lawrence replied quickly. He hoped that the Colonel would miss how much time it would take them to hike a mile. Lawrence turned to his SG unit and said, "Let's move out."

"Short and to the point." Jack turned to look at Sam, "Carter, do you think all Marines have no sense of humor, or is it just Lawrence?" Leaning back against the rock at his back, Jack looked to all the world as if he were seated relaxed on a sofa, not on the chilly, rock infested ground of an alien planet.

"I think it's just your brand of humor, Jack," Daniel interjected. "Nobody expects to find a kid in the military," Giving Jack an evil smile, "especially one with gray hair."

"Danny, might I remind you that I do control the coffee?" Jack looked at Daniel with an equally evil smile, "Keep it up and I'll ration your caffeine!" The colonel reached for Daniel's cup, but when it came to coffee, Dr. Jackson had remarkable reflexes, so he got to keep his coffee.

Gentle laughter interrupted their banter, "Sorry, sir, but I think Daniel won that round." Sam shook her head and sided with Daniel, "There is no way you can put up with him if he hasn't had his coffee."

Jack suddenly sat up strait looking confused and slightly indignant, "Wait a second?!"

Sam, Teal'c and Daniel all snapped to attention, ready to defend themselves and each other. Jack snapped his radio on, "Major, do you really think it'll take you twenty minutes to make a mile?"Jack asked, surprised and sounding a little condescending. SG-1 relaxed and waited for Jack to begin tormenting the poor Major.

"We brought a civilian guest," Major Lawrence replied, the irritation at being burdened with such a cumbersome load, showed in Major Lawrence's voice, "a scientist, sir." Lawrence added the last part with some trepidation; he knew very well how O'Neill loved scientists, especially this one.

"Ahh, who is it, Major." Colonel O'Neill asked slowly. He had spent enough time around Sam and Daniel not to write scientist off before he even met them, but old habits do die hard.

"Sir, I think its best you see for yourself." Major Lawrence replied shortly, knowing that he was bordering on disrespect but hoping that Colonel O'Neill would let it go until they got to camp.

A few moments later, SG-3 walked into to camp, in step, like a well oiled machine, "SG-3 reporting for duty, sir." Lawrence said. "What can we do to help?"

"Yeah, yeah; can we dispense with the formalities?" Rodney McKay interrupted sarcastically, "If I'm not mistaken there is important work to be done here!"

Jack looked to Major Lawrence; he wanted answers, "Major?" He asked slowly," What is going on here?" Jack pinned him with a look that said, this better be good!

"Well, sir-," the Major began only to be interrupted yet again by Rodney.

"What's going on is; the fate of the galaxy is at stake. So naturally, they brought me back from the Pegasus Galaxy to fix the problem." Rodney looked at the Colonel with annoyance, "This had better be good!"

Jack looked to Dr. Jackson, "Daniel, what is he doing here?"

"Not sure, really, Jack." Daniel replied slowly. Looking toward the newcomer, He was very surprised he was there. General Hammond knew how much Jack despised Rodney. Daniel said as much to Jack.

Colonel O'Neill turned to Rodney, "So, why are you here?" He began to regard him with some suspicion; not entirely certain things were as they seemed.

"I understand your concern, Colonel O'Neill; however, I am here because the IOA insisted that a civilian be in on this mission!" Rodney watched Jack's face tighten, "Now hold on a minute, before you go shooting me; I don't like the IOA either."

"Not a convincing argument, McKay." Colonel O'Neill interjected.

"General Hammond thought you could benefit from my expertise in Ancient knowledge and technology while satisfying the IOA's demands. I'm actually here to help!" Rodney blurted out. He knew that the Colonel didn't like him very much. He didn't want to risk Jack's wrath.

"Lawrence," Jack snapped, "What do you know about this?"

Major Lawrence took a deep breath and gave the speech he had been practicing since finding out about his tag along, "The orders came directly from General Hammond, Sir!" He gulped slightly, "I double checked the facts myself, and everything is in order sir, just like he said." The Major looked nervously around the camp, trying to find something other than the Colonel to look at; finally he looked Jack in the eyes. Jack nodded once and the matter was closed.

Jack clapped his hands breaking the tense silence, "Well kids, it looks like play times over." Standing up and looking Lawrence in the eye, "Major Lawrence, you brought lights with you?"

"Yes, Sir, we did." The Major replied relieved that the tension was easing and he was no longer facing the Colonels anger, at least for the moment.

"Let's get those lights set up. Major, you will remain with SG-3 and guard the entrance to the cavern." Jack turned to look at Daniel, Sam and Teal'c, "SG-1 will be exploring the cavern as a group. Rodney, you stick to Daniel like glue, there is no telling what we will find down there, understand?"

"Hey," Rodney burst sounding irritated, "This isn't my first circus!" Planting his hands on his hips, Rodney did his best imitation of a white knight offended. Jack nearly laughed out loud at his naïve arrogance. Choking back a sarcastic remark about the Gou'uld not caring how intelligent you were, Jack said, "Good," Jack looked around at the entire group, now comprised of the eight SG team members and Rodney, "now the point is to get this over as quickly as possible and get the heck off this rock! Is every one clear?"

Tealc's, "indeed," and a chorus of, "Yes, Sir's," greeted Jacks orders. "Great, now that we have that out of the way, let's get down to business, shall we."

The members of SG-3 busied themselves with setting up the lights and equipment. To get an idea of what was below the surface; Jack lowered a night vision camera into the space and turned it slowly clockwise to get a complete view of the area below them. Carter, watching the small screen said, "Sir, I don't see anything in the immediate area. It just appears to be the beginning of a passageway."

Jack pulled out the camera and stood up, "Alright, we're a go. Gather up your gear," then looking to Daniel he added, "Danny, no books on the first trip, we'll have a member of SG-3 bring something down if you need it."

Daniel sighed, but nodded understanding the need to travel lightly. They had no idea what was waiting for them in the cave. Jack then looked to Rodney, "That goes for you, too."

SG-1 began gathering up needed supplies, while SG-3 set up a parameter around the stones. Only moments had passed when Jack got their attention, "Okay, kids, here's the plan. I'll go down first, if it's clear, Sam you follow, then T, Rodney and Danny." Jack looked at Major Lawrence, "SG-3 stays here to cover our exit."

"Yes, Sir." Major Lawrence was irritated to have been stuck with babysitting the camp, but like good soldier, he did as ordered.

Sam watched Jack drop into the hole in front of her and heard him say, "Its' clear folks, come on down." One by one they all followed Jack into the cavern. "Watch the first step," Jack pointed out a large dark hole taking up most of the path, "it's a doosey." The last of the team slipped into the hole to land safely on solid ground.

"I wonder how deep it is." Daniel said, peering carefully over the edge. The hole was ragged and rough, consistent with the appearance of a sink hole on earth. "I don't know, Danny boy, let say we don't find out." Pulling Daniel away from the edge, "Seriously, do you and Carter ever watch TV? I've watched Indiana Jones! You never look into the dark hole! And you're supposed to be the archeologist." Shaking his head and making his way around the edge of the hole, Jack said, "Let's move on."

Sam looked around carefully as she followed Jack. She wished that the Colonel had not brought up horror movies, the dark, musty environment of the passageways many years of concealment and would be the perfect scene for one of Hollywood's overdramatic Halloween creations.

They all carefully navigated around the drop off and followed Jacks steady flashlight down the passage. The walls were smooth; it did not appear to be a natural cave, but a man made hallway leading off onto darkness. They soon came to a larger space, cave like in appearance that had a pillar set in the middle.

"I can't be that easy," Jack said, looking around the room for the hidden traps to begin their deadly work.

Not seeing anything overtly dangerous Daniel and Sam moved cautiously into the main space of the room. They both considered the possibility of hidden traps and were concerned about the potential dangers.

Jack voiced their thoughts, "Well we aren't dead yet, so I guess no booby traps this time, huh?" Readjusting his baseball cap, Jack looked to Daniel for the answer.

"I wouldn't count on it just yet, Jack." Daniel replied, thinking of other adventures that went to pot much farther in to the mission than this, the giant spider from the mission with the Russians coming to mind. He suppressed a shudder at that thought an unconsciously looked around for webs or other evidence of eight legged creatures.

"We should indeed proceed with great caution, O'Neill." Teal'c warned, "An object of such great importance would not be left unguarded."

Looking into the room Daniel noticed a pedestal in the center of the cave, a small pillar of some kind. Daniel pointed it out to the others, "I wonder what the pedestal is for?" Daniel walked farther in to the room toward the pillar, "There is a platform of some kind, and I think that a person is meant to stand in the circle."

Before Jack could stop him, Daniel stepped into the circle and everyone jumped a bit as lights came on around the room, yet nothing else happened. With the room illuminated, Daniel could see the evidence of Ancient writing mixed with cuneiform. He saw Rodney wander over to the wall to inspect the engravings. Daniel nearly found himself repeating to Rodney the Colonels often heard warning not to touch anything. Ah, well, if you are around Jack long enough, he's bound to wear off.

Colonel O'Neill was soon standing next to him, "Daniel, do ya think, maybe, you should back up a bit?" Jack snapped.

Daniel shot back, "I'm right here Jack, you don't need to shout!" Though they were all, understandably, feeling the tension of the circumstances, Daniel had just about enough of Jacks mothering. Then Daniel's voice softened, "It's all right, Jack." Daniel said quietly. "I think this might be an Ancient outpost of some sort." Daniel placed his hand on the pillar and suddenly a man stood before him. Jack jumped back, pulling Daniel with him, his P-90 coming up to defend them if necessary. Jack unconsciously began planning their escape route, just in case all didn't go as planned.

"It's a hologram, Colonel." Sam pointed out, her voice held a note of fascination, "It's slightly unsteady, see. Who ever put it here must have left a long time ago. Its' power source seems nearly depleted." The quality of Sam's voice had change to the techno babble tone she used when her brain was trying to analyze and put something into its appropriate box.

The all were startled again when the apparatus began to speak, calling Daniel by name, "Dr. Daniel Jackson, my name is Janice. I am Ancient." The image began to waver slightly as though it could disappear at any moment. "Your memories have been accessed, you and your companions have been deemed worthy to protect and defend the Well of Knowledge." The group looked to one another in confusion; the image seemed to interact with them as though it were another person in the room. Daniel knew it was a hologram, but the ancient machine appeared to be searching his soul. "You have been given all the knowledge you will require to find the Well and keep it safe. The image of Janice sighed as if a great weight was on his shoulders, and continued, "All of your questions will be answered, at the right time." The hologram Janice turned to stare Jack right in the eye, "Go now, it is not safe here."

The room suddenly went dark.