CHAPTER 17

The landing at Heathrow was no problem. It took an hour to make the British Government to leave them alone and to leave their weapons alone and not search them, especially Melissa. Considering she kept herself covered, they called it a religious issue when they thought she was diseased or something or was carrying illegal objects. They had the President of the United States call the British Government again to get them to let them do this important job. They had their equipment placed in large trunks and Ford insisted on pulling the cart an airport employee brought over to them. Their plane was parked out of the way so it could be used again when they got back. They were passing through the airport on their way outside when they had to stop because of traffic. People traffic. Lot's of people.

"I'd swear all of England is here." Ford muttered.

"This is going to take forever." Jack said.

"It was something we couldn't avoid sir." Carter said.

"I told you, until further notice, no ranks." he said keeping his voice down.

"Sorry si…Jack." she said quickly.

"Better Carter. You'll get it."

"It's been some time since being in England." Ford muttered.

There was a strange man looking at him from the eating area. For some reason, he'd been watching him since they stopped next to the metal fence around the eating area. Ford was leaning against the rail looking at him. The man continued to look at him occasionally. He thought it could have been Mel he was looking at but she was a few feet in front of him and the guy never looked in that direction. Melissa had on the white robe that was covering her really well. It even covered her face enough that she could be mistaken as a monk. You couldn't even tell she had a tail. Not that anyone was looking, they hoped.

"I'm being watched. Must be familiar or something." Ford said looking at Carter.

"You sure it isn't me?" she said jokingly.

"I'd say it was you, but I'm blocking his view. Hey Jack?"

"What?" he said turning around. Jack's mood wasn't good, they could all tell, but at least he didn't take it out on the team.

"I'm being watched, by that guy that decided to get up and leave….and there he is." Ford said pointing at a dark headed guy that was walking out of view.

Ford did notice that he had a strange tattoo on his wrist. It was too far away to make out though.

"Interesting man. Any idea why?" Jack asked.

"I don't know. But I did notice a tattoo on his wrist. Did any of you see it?"

Carter didn't see it and Jack caught it enough to know it was a tattoo. Teal'c got a better look and described it.

"That sounds familiar, but I can't place where." Ford muttered. "I'm going to go and ask the bartender…" he stopped talking when Mel jab his side. "Right. Bad idea."

"I'll go ask. I need a drink anyway. How about you all?" Carter asked.

When everyone said they were fine she walked up to the bar.

"Can you tell me about that guy that was sitting there and I'd like a Diet Pepsi please." she said describing the man.

The bartender gave her the pop and said told her what he could, but since the guy was new to him, he really didn't know much. She thanked him and then started walking back when she felt the presence of a Goa'uld.

Ford was watching her when he felt it as well and tensed up. Teal'c also noticed.

"What?" Jack asked.

"Is it a Goa'uld?" Daniel asked quietly.

"Yes it is Daniel Jackson." Teal'c said.

"Here?!" Jack asked in surprise catching a lot of people's attention.

His team glared at him and he made a excuse that everyone around seemed to get as they went about their business.

"Hello young lady. You seem to be lost. Perhaps I can help." a man with a British accent said.

He was noticeably flirting with her, everyone could easily tell. Carter turned to see a man in a expensive tux. He was about her height, black hair, quite handsome, and had the feeling of a Goa'uld in him. She kept her ground despite the slight fear she was feeling. She looked over at the team seeing they were watching. Ford looked surprised and shocked and confused.

"I'm sorry. You caught me off guard. What did you say?"

"Sorry, I wasn't meaning to scare you. I noticed you and your friends looked lost. Perhaps I can help?"

"No we're just stuff in traffic as my com….Jack said."

"Yes. Things seem to be very busy today. I have a plane to catch but it has been delayed for the last hour." he said glancing at his watch. "I'm terrible sorry I didn't catch your name. I'm Bond. James Bond."

"Samantha Carter."

A loud voice came over the intercom announcing the flights that were now open.

"That my cue. Sorry I can't stay longer." he said finishing his Martini.

He gave her hand a kiss then nodded to the guys watching and walked away quickly. She came down still watching him leave.

"That was weird. He's a…."

"A Goa'uld Carter. They noticed. Why didn't he?" Jack said quietly.

"Did I hear that name right? Tell me what he said his name was again Sam." Ford asked.

"He said it was James Bond."

"Bond?" he said with a small laugh. "That makes all the sense in the world. I thought he was more of a Time Lord actually. As a joke."

"You know him I take it?" Jack asked.

"That was no Goa'uld. That was a lost Tok'ra. A very, very, lost Tok'ra." Ford said with another small laugh. "He's a MI6 agent."

"You mean the British Governments version of our CIA?" Jack asked surprised.

"Yeah. I guess you heard of them."

"Yeah. I did black ops. So I've heard of them." he shrugged. "I've got to call Hammond."

"Don't. We can talk to him later. Bond is an ally that has kept this planet safe from several people who would have caused world war three by now. Was there an incident where the 39th parallel in Korea was attacked?"

"Yeah. There was something about a guy using the sun as a large heat ray or something." Jack said.

"I heard about that as well." Carter said. "The satellite was supposed to be used to provide heat and sunlight to locations of the world that never got any."

"Bond stopped the madman from destroying the U.S. Outpost there."

"The line has cleared O'Neill." Teal'c stated.

"Trust me Jack. If anything the only thing he cares about on this planet other than saving it, is two things. A dry Martini and sex."

"Sex?" the said.

Teal'c said nothing, but Mel made a comment under her breath about typical maleness.

"Yeah." he said casually.

"I'll call Hammond later and have him check it out then. Let's go." Jack said reluctantly.

They made it outside and instead of it being a nice vehicle that would get them anywhere it was a old Volkswagen van.

"You've got to be kidding. So much for riding in style." Ford muttered.

"That can't be ours." Jack said.

"It is Jack. The guy is holding our sign." Daniel said.

The white van had a man standing with a sign that had the letter's SG1. No one seemed to be paying any attention to them or their ugly vehicle.

"Well Jack, put a secret name with a ugly old vehicle and nobody is bound to notice." Daniel said.

They walked over to the guy and he handed to keys to Teal'c since he was the closest. The guy then said good luck and left.

"You've got to be kidding." Jack said opening the side door.

"Lets just load it and go Jack. I'll drive. You've been flying too long."

"I got sleep." Jack said as Ford took the keys from Teal'c.

"I know. But I want to drive, unless someone else wants to."

"I'm driving." Carter said taking the keys and going to the drivers side. "Load the stuff boys."

"Boys?" Teal'c asked.

"Yeah Teal'c. We're still boys to her I guess." Jack said patting him on the arm.

"Shotgun." Daniel exclaimed getting in the passenger seat.

"Wait a.." Jack started saying. Ford grabbed his arm and pulled him around pushing him into the back. "Wait a minute!"

"We're loaded and ready Carter. Here's the map Daniel." Ford said handing it up.

As soon as the door was shut, Mel took the hood down and mask part off. "That's better." she said opening the robe.

She had the middle seat with Ford. Teal'c and Jack sat in the back with the trunks.

"How did I get back here?" Jack asked. He was mostly talking aloud.

"You were outvoted O'Neill." Teal'c said.

Everyone except Jack laughed. Teal'c only smiled though.

"That was a joke Teal'c. You told a joke."

"Indeed."

This got another round of laughs, even from Jack.

Carter took off down the road with ease. No problem cropped up, little traffic, no animals in the road, though they passed a herd of cows that were near the road. Mel laughed saying it was the ugliest thing she ever saw.

"You don't have…never mind. I can't think of anyone who'd want to be a cow." Jack said. "They don't even have a tactical purpose much less an ability to fight. They make for great burgers and even better steaks and ribs."

"I don't understand?" Mel said.

She was still looking at the massive herd of cows and bulls.

"Okay, lets take you for example. You have…or we'll say foxes in general are very fast. Very lethal when they need to be, teeth wise. And have very sharp claws from what I've seen on you."

Mel looked at her hands thinking about what he meant. Ford glanced to notice she did have very sharp looking fingernails. They were fingernails, but more claw looking.

"I never actually thought about defending myself with these before. Hmm. I see you point. I'm not the fastest runner on my planet but I come close. The biting part though would be a last resort. I don't put things in my mouth I don't like."

"I can understand that. I have the same problem." Jack said.

"Yes, you do." Daniel muttered. "I remember that mission we had several years ago. Though it wasn't on the DVD."

"Not on the DVD's. This I got to hear." Ford said leaning forward.

"Oh no." Jack grumbled.

Daniel turned around in his seat the best he could.

"We went to this planet where the people had some resemblance to some of the North American Indian tribes and the Japanese. Strange combination, but anyway." he said adjusting his glasses. "These people were very kind and had never been touched by the Goa'uld from what we could tell and from what their history said. They made us a feast that night in honor of our visit."

"The food was certainly something I never tried." Carter said. Her voice was laced with disgust. "And never will."

"I don't like where this is going?" Ford said while sick thoughts of strange food customs went through his mind. "But go on."

"Since they had a American Indian background, I tried to find out which, but I never did. Anyway, they saved everything. They also had lots of cows, bulls, and chickens. For some reason they believed that eating the heart of a bull brought strength. It was a delicacy in their culture and we all had to eat one. We had the choice of eating it raw right from the body."

Jack groaned in disgust. "Enough Daniel."

"Anyway." Daniel said continuing after Jacks interruption. "The other choice was to have it cooked. The problem with how it was cooked though. Their fires where made and feed by using dried cow dung."

"I couldn't do that. I'd be sick quickly." Ford said sitting back.

"I was!" Jack said.

"So what happened?" Ford asked smiling.

"Well. That was the problem. Since Jack is our commanding officer, he was considered better than us since he was the leader of our tribe. He had to take the first bite as honor dictated." Daniel said. "Now Jack did indeed get sick. They took it as an offense. I was able to diplomatically straighten things out. Now I tried it and then got sick later. Teal'c was somehow able to stomach the stuff."

"What about Carter?" Ford asked.

"Seeing as she was a woman, she was not worthy enough to eat the heart."

"My gender saved me for once." she said.

"Enough Daniel. I feel sick just remembering it. That's an order." Jack said. "How much farther Carter?"

"A few miles sir."

"We were just lucky we weren't there for a marriage ceremony." Daniel mentioned turning back around.

"Jeez Daniel! I'm going to be sick on you if you don't shut up!"

Ford cocked an eye then looked disgusted as he realized what Daniel meant.

"That was pushing it Daniel. That was not a thought I wanted to remember." Carter said shaking her head.

"I don't get it." Mel asked to Ford quietly.

She figured from his disposition and manner he must have realized what Daniel meant. Ford said she really wouldn't want to know. She insisted though. Ford whispered in her ear what he learned after having Daniel whisper in his ear. Ford was right in what he thought. In a marriage ceremony, the groom would eat the genitals of the bull to enhance his ability to have more than one child and to hopefully have more boys than girls.

"That….is sick." she stated.

"Oh man!" Jack said yet again.

Jack rubbed his face in frustration. Ford glanced back to see Jack looked a little on the green side. Teal'c looked just fine.

The rest of the ride was quiet until they came within half a mile of the house.

"That is bigger than I thought." Ford muttered.

"Pull over Carter. We'll walk up from here."

"Wait. You expect us to carry everything back to the van." Ford asked.

"We'll bring the van up once the place is secure."

"It would be easier to just go in and ask. Lara is capable of being reasoned with Jack. Besides you might like her." he said with a wink.

"Excuse me?"

"You've read her profile. Please trust me."

Jack mulled it over as he looked at Ford. Ford had turned around earlier to talk to him.

"We're going to walk up. If nothing happens we'll come back for the van."

"Yes Colonel."

Since Carter had pulled over as ordered earlier and they got out. Ford put his coat and other stuff on as they put there equipment on. Everyone except him and Mel looked like they were ready for an SG mission. PC-90's, the vest with equipment, the backpacks. Ford had his backpack equipment inside hidden or showing pockets in his coat or vest.. The vest he was wearing underneath. Melissa was carrying the .38 in the holster on her hip. Other than the trunks, they had all they brought with them. Ford had his coat kept open. Melissa had her coat still open and her hood down. Since the sun was shining but behind clouds she was able to keep the hood down. She pulled her hat out of a pouch and at her side and put it on.

"Everyone ready. Let's go." Jack said in one quick motion then started walking.

"I hope this works out well." Ford muttered as he pulled his 45 and Desert Eagle. He did a quick check of them then placed them back in their holsters. Mel left her weapon in its holster until she needed it. As they got closer the could see the gate was open. Why, they didn't think about. As they got closer, they saw two vehicles out front.

"Lara's personal favorites. A Land Rover and a Jeep. The Jeep looks like its been used in the last couple of days." Ford said.

"How can you tell?" Jack asked looking around.

They were all on guard, but still looking around at the magnificent grounds and house.

"The tires still have dirt in them. The Land Rover doesn't."

"Makes sense. There's the front door. Let's go."

"Let me go first."

"Why?" Jack asked.

"Not that I'm expendable stuff again." Carter said with a groan.

"I know her better and can take a direct hit if she shoots at me. Besides that I know the layout of her house. Though if you want to go first, be my guest." he said gesturing him to go past.

"Good point. Go ahead but be careful."

Mel removed her hat as she walked in. O'Neill was the second to come in then Carter and the other two. Ford walked through the door slowly. Her house was as just as the game showed. There was stairs leading up on either side that came together on the second story that led to a couple of rooms. Two short hallways led into the other room on the floor they were on. He remembered that the kitchen was on the left so he went down the left hallway. The left still led to the living room, but the kitchen might have someone in there. The right hallway he figured went to her other living room, but also to the indoor pool and other rooms. He had the Desert Eagle out and ready. Looking back after hearing a hiss, he saw O'Neill motion to wait. He was going to go into the kitchen and wanted Ford to cover him. Carter and Melissa were near the wall while Ford stepped out of the hallway. He saw no one and turned back facing the kitchen. As O'Neill proceeded into the kitchen slowly, Teal'c moved into the view on the other side of the doorway. Daniel got on Teal'cs left. Ford felt something poke him in the back as he stepped back. He heard a rattle and almost turned when he glanced to see a old suit of armor. Carter looked at him a moment then back at the kitchen. O'Neill walked out signaling that it was empty. Ford felt something poking his back again and when he reached back to feel what it was his hand was grabbed and pinned against his back. It almost hurt.

"Drop the Eagle. The rest of you drop your weapons as well OR your friend gets it." a feminine voice said.

Ford could feel the barrel of a gun at the back of his head.

"We don't respond well to threats." Jack said as they all put their weapons up. Ford knew or figured they probably wouldn't shoot him, but he was safe if they did…or wait his coat was open. He wasn't safe.

"Do it Jack. She's serious and besides that we're not here to fight." Ford said putting the Eagle back in his holster.

"I said drop the Eagle, not put it back." Lara said pushing the gun into his head harder.

"Okay that's enough of that." Ford exclaimed as he spun around quickly.

Her grip was nothing on his hand and he easily turn it on her, grabbing her hand with his while grabbing her hand with the gun quickly with his other one. She managed to fire one round off but it only hit the shoulder of his coat. He let her go as he grabbed her other gun from it hostler quickly.

"Nice guns. Wilkes and Hawkins Black Demon .32's. Custom job's as you once said." he said looking them over then looking at her. The rest of the team came up quickly. "Please wait Jack. She may be unarmed but she is not defenseless, besides we're here not to kill her."

"True. But what if she doesn't corporate?"

"She should if we explain what we are doing here."

"You're beginning to sound like Daniel."

"Thank you." Ford said smiling at the comment.

"Wait a minute. I've seen you before. You're Doctor Jackson. I was at one of your lectures once." Lara said looking at him.

"Yes. I'm Daniel Jackson."

"What are you doing with these people? They using you like I've been used before?" she asked. Her voice was laced with sarcasm and apparent disgust.

"We're not here to use you. Jack put your weapon down." Daniel said. Daniel put his weapon away some time ago.

"What?" Jack said. "Give me one good reason?"

"She's not going to attack us Jack. We haven't came to her house to cause trouble or destroy anything. We came to ask questions and try to buy if necessary a few objects from her." Ford said.

Jack and the others had their weapons at ready to fire, but were not in a stance of aiming the guns.

"Can we trust you to not shoot us?"

"Maybe. Do you give your word not to force your needs on me and my house?"

"I do." Ford said.

He looked at the guns in his hand and noticed something.

"Well they do have the chip in them." he said as they just clicked but refused to fire. He spun then a few times noting the balance then handed them back to her even when O'Neill tried to stop him.

"Let's hope you honor your part of the deal." Lara said putting the guns back in her hip holsters.

She was in her tomb raider outfit. Gray top with shorts and her hiking boots. Her backpack was on the floor next to the armored suit of a knight of old. When Lara put her guns away, Jack let his down as did Carter and Teal'c. Mel never pulled hers out. She was watching everything from behind Carter.

"So what is it you're……here for?" she was saying when she looked past Carter. "Those last couple of artifacts I took from those thief's was going to the United States I take it?"

"Yeah. They were…ow!" Daniel was saying when Jack elbowed him.

"I'm not sure which…artifacts you're referring to but there was some headed for the US. That plane was hijacked and the objects stolen. We found out the you were the latest one with them." Jack said.

"I'm beginning to think that they must be more important than I figured." she said turning to Daniel. She kept glancing over at Mel who still hadn't put her hood back up. "Tell me something Doctor Jackson. Have you ever done research on a Emperor Yu?"

"Yes I have. He was the…"

"I know who he was. I know about Ra, Horace, Hathor…anyway, the objects that I know you're after, now anyway, have inscriptions about Emperor Yu. Is she what she appears to be?" Lara finally asked pointing at Mel.

"Yes she is." Ford said gesturing her forward. Mel came forward and shook Lara's hand.

Lara was in some shock, but holding up well.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked.

"Lara has seen aliens before Jack. Though Mel is far from alien." Ford said.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Fine. Now that that's out of the way then. Can we see those artifacts?" Jack said.

"How?" Lara asked.

"We'll tell you later." Daniel said.

"Tell her later Daniel?" Jack said.

"Well yeah Jack. Ford gave me a better understanding of what Lara has seen and done. Considering what she's been through, she'd take what we do more seriously than most politicians or any branch of the service would."

"How do you know me?" Lara asked Ford.

She had lighten up a little more now that they weren't pointing guns at her.

"I'll explain that later too."

"Colonel, we really need to hurry." Carter said.

"You're right Major. Miss Croft."

"Just Lara will do."

"Alright then, Lara, can we see the objects you have?"

"What do you plan on doing with them?"

"For crying out loud." Jack said rubbing his face. "They need to be returned back to the States. That's all I can tell you."

"I've already looked all of it over and found out what I needed, but one of the objects I still need."

"Why?" Daniel asked. Jack was about to say no, but Daniel wanted to know what she found out. "And which one?"

"How about this Jack. We let the two archeologist talk and Lara can show Daniel what there is and then Daniel can inform us what there is." Ford said.

"Yeah Jack. You think looking at old things is boring anyway." Daniel said.

"He's got a point sir." Carter said.

"All right!" Jack said putting his hands in the air in mock surrender. "Go Daniel."

Lara seemed to agree this would be best as she led him away. "Where are you going to be?" Lara asked before leaving.

"Outside." Ford and Jack said together. Jack looked at Ford while he shrugged. "I was going to go back out anyway. The scenery is nice."

Daniel and Lara walked off talking as the others went outside. The clouds had parted some so Mel put her hat back on.

"Nice grounds." Jack mentioned looking around.

"Very nice. I wonder though." Ford said going around the house.

"Where are you going?" Carter asked seeing him leaving.

Jack hadn't noticed since he was checking out the water fountain. Teal'c went back to get the van when Jack had asked him if he would get it.

"Part of learning how to play the game was done by using a obstacle course she built near her house. I wonder if it is really here."

Mel followed looking around. She didn't seem to care where they went, and Ford had asked her before Carter asked him where he was headed.

"Jack. You better come see this." Daniels voice said over the com.

"Let's go people."

Teal'c drove up as they were walking in. He followed soon after. They went back inside and found Daniel looking at a large golden, and damaged by the cracks and missing pieces, sarcophagus.

"Nice find. It is what it looks like right?" Jack asked.

"Yes is it Jack."

"Interesting." Teal'c exclaimed looking it over. "It has been significantly damaged."

"Looks like the activating device, switch…whatever is gone." Ford muttered looking at the top and then around for Lara. "Has this been opened yet?"

She was talking to Daniel at the other end.

"No. I haven't figured out how. It is different from any other sarcophagus than I have ever seen." she said coming closer as she talked.

She reached over and pointed at the opening point.

"I have noticed that this is where it opens but I haven't managed to get anything into there to pry it open. Mostly because of no time."

"It is possible to open it by using another means to turn the missing switch." Teal'c said.

"I'm guessing you….people," Jack said swinging a finger around at certain members of the team. "Are not sensing anything right?"

Teal'c, Carter, and Ford shook their heads.

"I might be able to open it." Ford said looking over the damaged and missing part. There was a small broken section that a pair of pliers could possibly grab. It wasn't big enough to grab by hand.

"We should check it out sir. If there is….anything in there." Carter suggested.

Jack tapped the butt of his PC-90 as he thought. "Daniel?"

"Yes?"

"Any idea what might be inside?"

"Since the sarcophagus is damaged a lot, I haven't figured out who owned it, but from some of the pictures I'd have to say it was Emperor Yu's once."

"Do you think we should look inside?"

"Well we know Yu isn't in it, so I don't know…"

"Yes or no Daniel."

"Yeah. We probably should look."

"Don't need something going wrong on the plane ride home." Ford said.

"Go Ford. The rest of us." he said pulling his weapon up.

Carter and Teal'c aimed their weapons while Ford pulled a multi tool out. He quickly turned it into it pliers. Daniel was watching on the other end with his nine millimeter. Lara didn't know what was going on but pulled her weapons anyway. Melissa pulled her gun just in case. Ford managed to turn the switch which caused it to open slightly. Mel stepped back and grabbed her nose. She blinked her eyes and turned away. Then her head began to buzz. Ford tensed up while trying to keep from screaming. Mel stepped back and pulled a handkerchief out.

"What's up?" Jack asked. Everyone but Ford was looking at her.

"It smells terrible. Can't you smell it?"

"No." Jack said sniffing the air.

"That's not a surprise sir. I don't smell anything, but she naturally has a heighten sense of smell. What does it smell like?"

"Death and decay." she said sitting down.

The smell wasn't as bad on the ground. Ford's head wasn't hurting anymore and he hadn't heard what was going on when it was, so he figured it was okay to continue. He figured Mel had just moved to far back by accident as he put the tool away and grabbed the side panel that had slid out some. Only one side of the two panels had moved. He pulled a few times and it opened a couple of feet. That was when everyone smelled it.

"Oh my God!" Carter cried out as she collapsed to the floor.

Jack started coughing as did the others. Teal'c hadn't said anything but he was coughing. Ford fell to his knees and pushed the lid close. He had to give control over to Hercules to keep from vomiting.

"I advise you toss this in the nearest bed of lava as soon as possible. From the knowledge I have about this sort of situation, we could get seriously sick just from the fumes. Failing finding a lava stream, ejection into space it advised."

"What the hell was that?" Lara demanded from the floor.

The all had to crawl out of the room to get fresh air.

"That damn thing had enough power to keep that guy fresh even with it's damage." Jack said. "What could cause that Carter?"

"I'm not thinking that far yet Colonel. I've got to go outside." she said getting up.

"Same here." Mel said grabbing Ford's arm.

They all left, but Lara noticed something and had to ask Daniel.

"What is with those two? Are they an item?"

"No. I'm not allowed to disclose why…."

"We got some damn device in our heads that activates if we get too far apart." Ford blurted out considering he heard what they were saying. "Causes extreme pain."

He was trying to breath some flower he picked deeply. Mel and Carter where both trying to smell the flowers as well. Lara grabbed a couple seeing it was helping the others.

"Sorry about the flowers."

"Don't worry about it. Hilary can fix it later. Good thing he isn't here right now." Lara said handing a couple of the flowers to Daniel. "Has enough trouble believing I've seen aliens."

"Damn that isn't right." Jack said. He hadn't noticed Ford talking to Lara.

"I agree with Herc. We should burn it. I wouldn't use that even if it was cleaned for a year. Hell, I wouldn't want to get in that to save my life."

"Indeed."

Teal'c was the only one not looking sick, pale or ready to pass out.

"I'm going to go spray something. I want to know what's going on when I get back or else." Lara said going back in.

"Wait a minute…" Jack said following her.

"You two feeling better?" Ford asked the ladies.

"Yeah. I'm better." Carter said. She didn't looked green anymore.

"I will be as long as I don't go near that thing again." Mel said as she waved a hand. "That…"

She left it hanging as she stood back up.

"What do you think we should do Carter? About Lara?" Ford asked.

"What do you mean? Like telling her what were doing here?"

"Yeah." Ford said looking at the rose in his hand.

"Well….." she said thinking. "Ummm…"

"I think we should tell her. She knows that Teal'c is an alien. Or at least she suspects. Lara noticed Teal'cs medal tattoo."

"When?" Carter asked.

"He lost the hat when he fell to the ground like the rest of us. She told me it was the sign of Ra and the place where it was indicated the sign of slavery." Daniel mentioned.

"That doesn't prove anything." Carter said.

"True, but I don't think she'll believe otherwise." Daniel said.

"I know Lara enough that she won't say anything. Hell, she found Pandora's box. She had the Key to Time."

"I didn't hear you mention anything about those adventures when we were talking back at the SGC." Daniel said. "Wait, Pandora's box?"

"The Goa'uld once tried to acquire this device once. They never found it." Teal'c said.

"I know where it is too." Ford bragged.

"What planet though?" Daniel asked.

"This one."

"It's here on this planet!" Daniel exclaimed.

"Hell yes Daniel. I'm not stupid though. Me and Lara and a few others have to keep that information secret from the world. You would love to look the area it's in over." he said looking at Carter. "The gravity in that area is…very different. You can walk on the ceiling from what I remember seeing."

"Seriously?" she asked.

"Yes. The box is actually quite small and sits in a pool of acid. According to the legend, the acid was created by black tears."

"Wait please. What is this box?" Mel asked.

"I'm sorry. Back in…" Daniel started saying.

"Daniel. Forgive me for interrupting, but she won't understand half of what you may say. Pandora's box is…was a mythical creation that had all the evils in the world. Someone opened it up once unleashing them all, but that same someone closed it just in time. Only one thing was left in the box to save the world. Hope. Right now it holds a plague that would wipe out the world if left open long enough."

"Okay, I'm totally lost, but from what I guess this box is dangerous." Mel said.

"Very dangerous. Where is it Ford?" Daniel asked. He asked with a determination of getting an answer.

"Where is what Daniel?" Jack asked as he walked up.

They could smell some sort of fragrance that was undeterminable at the moment. Ford figured that she must have just blew up the spray can.

"Ford knows the location of an ancient artifact. A very powerful one." Daniel said.

Lara raised an eyebrow as she looked him over. He didn't look like he even knew what archeology was. Seemed a lot more like Colonel O'Neill.

"Ford says he knows the location of Pandora's box." Teal'c stated.

"Yeah right." Lara scoffed.

Ford sighed and whispered in her ear where it was in great detail.

"How do you know that?" she demanded angrily.

Ford shook his head and stepped back.

"How?!" she repeated.

"Pandora's box? Isn't that that thing that only had hope in it or something like that." Jack said.

Carter almost snorted as she laughed. Ford even chuckled.

"He plays stupid well." Ford said only loud enough for Carter to hear.

"Yeah Jack that's about right."

"How many other have to told?" Lara asked.

"None Lara. I heard what those people said to you, I'll tell you later how, but I won't give anything away. Hell, I know it would destroy the world if we had it. Sure won't help us in the fight with……"

"The alien's I take it? You all fight aliens. Goa…something. I never did get the rest of the translation figure out. Time to be straight with me if you seriously want my help. I know that aliens are real. I fought a few of them. I heard your voice change and eyes light up back there, so what's going on?"

"Group meeting?" Jack said gesturing forward and then pointed at Lara. "You stay here."

They walked several feet away, well from hearing distance.

"We have a problem. And it is Ford's fault."

"I agree." Ford muttered.

"Good. To many people are learning about what we do."

"That was Maybourne's fault that got Kinsey killed and me having to tell those NCIS agents along with the two Jag officers. I could have asked for someone that worked with the SGC, but I don't know them. As for everything else, I'm not doing it on purpose."

"Indeed." Teal'c said.

"Teal'c, you're not helping."

"Actually Teal'cs right sir. Even if Ford wasn't here, the artifacts were taken by Miss Croft and I must say with Ford being here it helped avert a possible firefight."

"Okay. I'll give you that." Jack said.

"And what about that Raccoon City.." she said.

"Okay." Ford said dragging the word out. "We know about that. Move on."

"That would have came up eventually." Jack said.

"At a bad time probably. Can we move on Jack?"

"As much as I'd rather do things another way, we may have to tell her. She saw you flash your eyes for gods sake! Why did you do that?!"

"I didn't do it on purpose. I had a choice of letting him get me out of there or else passing out possibly in my own vomit. I was at ground zero. You all were farther away. If I hadn't let him take over, I would have passed out and the thing would still be open and I'd still be on that damn floor. And nobody would have came to my rescue. Melissa would be there with me!"

"I see the logic in that. Okay then, suggestions."

"She already knows a lot Jack. We should tell her. She also has a broken in half zat gun on one of her shelves. She said she knew it was a weapon, but didn't know what type." Daniel said.

"It's your call sir. I'll back you up, but in many ways it would be easier to tell her." Carter said.

"Teal'c?"

"It would make things easier O'Neill."

"What do you think?" Jack asked Melissa.

"Me? I don't know." she said shrugging.

"Okay then. Since she has a military background, brief though it may be, she should know how to keep this secret. I'll explain it to her if she has a problem."

"Go for it sir."

"I better do this Jack. She'll understand it better from me."

"Why is that?"

Ford could almost swear that Daniel was thinking about saying he was smarter. It certainly was the look on his face. "We're both archeologist."

"Okay then Daniel. You go for it."

Daniel left the huddle and gave Lara a brief, but thorough explanation. This took a few minutes.

"I want to see that eye glow thing again." Lara said. "Then I'll give my word to keep quiet."

Ford shrugged and let Hercules take over. Lara was surprised in the change of attitude and the way the voice changed.

"Hello Miss Croft." Hercules said as Ford's eyes flashed.

Jack didn't ever like that sort of thing and cringed as usual.

"I hope you appreciate the trust we are placing in you. Otherwise my life as well as my host would be in jeopardy. I believe though that you would not do anything as such. The memories of your exploits are enough to see you're a woman of your word."

"That was weird." she said raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. Can we go on please?" Jack said.

"Since you decided to be truthful with me, I'll be truthful with what I found. According to the research I did on the artifacts I collected, there is a hidden alien structure in the mountain near the Great Wall. The scepter or staff of Yu, I couldn't tell what the translation really said it was, anyway it said to place it atop a certain tower on the Great Wall. When the sun rises, it will shine its light upon the scepter/staff and show the way to the entrance. I believe there is an alien vessel buried there."

"A Goa'uld mother ship perhaps?" Teal'c stated.

"Yes. That's the translation. Goa'uld." Lara said. "I couldn't get that last part."

"Can I see these writings and other objects?" Daniel asked.

"I should be safe to go in now."

The smell had dissipated enough they could go in, but was still there some.

"I'm getting this thing out of here." Ford stated.

"You can't lift that." Lara stated. "It took dropping it in by helicopter to get it in here."

Ford ignored her and cracked his knuckles.

"Can't be that heavy." Think we can lift this?

I used to club people with tree trunks I uprooted. This is nothing, maybe.

Lara shook her head and walked off with Daniel.

"Well if it was open I could flip it over and get in."

"You are not opening that again." Jack commanded. "I will shoot you if you try."

"I know that. I was talking aloud."

"Right. Don't drop it."

"Hey Lara you have a cart or something close?"

"Actually yes." she said walking away from Daniel.

She came back with a well used but sturdy looking cart. Ford grabbed one end lifting it the air and told Jack to get the cart under. He then grabbed the other side getting it on better.

"See no problem."

Jack and the others were slightly stunned at the impressive feet of strength.

"What?"

"Nothing." Jack said turning around.

Carter went back to looking at the various old objects. Teal'c followed Ford out with the smelly coffin. Once outside Ford kicked it off the cart, literally. It slid off and landed on the ground with a loud thump.

"That's that." Ford stated as he turned the cart around.

"Are you hurt Ford Primus?"

"Nope Teal'c. Since me and Hercules had been together this long, we've blended better, for lack of better term. I try not to use my maximum capability so I don't hurt someone later. A lot like when Jack didn't know how to control his strength when he and Carter and Daniel had those arm bands that Anise gave them."

"I understand. You do not wish to repeat the incident like Jack did to that airman on the stairs and when he knocked me out."

"Exactly."

Once back inside, they started looking over other objects. Ford remembered something and decided to tell the two archeologist about it.

"Daniel, Lara. You ever heard of a Doctor Jones?" Ford asked looking at a tablet.

"Doctor Jones? Name sounds familiar." Daniel said thinking as he looked at the tablet Ford was holding.

"His name isn't on this. He died years ago."

"Do you mean Doctor Indiana Jones?" Lara asked taking the tablet away.

"Yes."

"What does this tablet have to do with him?" Lara asked not seeing anything of real importance wrote on it.

"That has nothing to do with him! I was just looking at it!"

"Then why did bring his name up?" Daniel asked.

"I was remembering something after looking at these artifacts. I found a certain object, crate really that was placed in a warehouse with other special top secret objects."

"So?" they both said.

"Doctor Jones found the Holy Grail once, but it's gone. Buried never to be found again."

"Okay. And this important for what reason? I mean, if it's gone. Then why tell us if it can't be found." Daniel asked.

"It's the other thing he found." Ford said casually as he picked up a gold box. Nothing was in it though.

"And that was?" Lara asked taking the box from him. "You're purposely avoiding the subject. What did the famous Doctor Jones find?"

"Wait a minute? I know who you're talking about now! He found several objects that are still on display in several museums. He once said he found the Ark of the Covenant."

"He did find it. The Nazi's had it, and the American government took it. It's currently still in the warehouse with several thousand other strange and unknown objects. It's there because no one can touch it otherwise they wind up dead. I can't see anything here that will help us with anything else." he said leaving. "I'm getting hungry."

He left to go eat. Lara told the others to help their self's so they left Daniel and Lara alone. There was plenty of meat slices so they made sandwiches. Jack made his own type, Teal'c decided to eat the one that Carter was making for everyone else, while Ford made one with just about everything, nothing spicy or hot though. Jack had a beer and offered one to Ford.

"No thanks Jack. I don't drink that stuff. Though I think I mentioned it before."

"What? What's wrong with beer?"

"Nothings wrong with it. I don't like alcohol. Besides that beer taste bad."

"Have you ever even had any alcohol?"

"I've tried a few varieties of different types but I never liked any of it. I like grape wine, but I don't indulge in it. Barely touch alcohol at all. Been many years. I stick more to pop and juice."

"You never told me you didn't drink?" Carter said, and after a moment. "That didn't sound right."

"I know what you meant. I just didn't think about it. I've seen you drink beer, but I also know, you know, the limit. Otherwise I really don't care. I only have a problem with people that drink in excess. Looking to get sick. Drown out problems and that sort of thing. I know none of you all do that."

Jack kinda looked away a moment before turning to the window. They took the other sandwiches to the two archeologist and spent the rest of the day helping or looking around. Daniel and Lara talked for several hours as they went over different objects and translations. Ford refused to tell them anymore about what he knew. The two eventually came up with the translations saying that Emperor Yu did leave a small Goa'uld mother ship behind, but there was many traps and dangers in order to get to it. Since Lara had more experience and refused to be left out of the "adventure", Jack agreed to take her along. That and she had a private plane so they could avoid customs. Teal'c managed to find a few damaged staff weapons and between him, Ford, and Carter got one working. Lara allowed them to spend the night in the extra rooms. Ford and Mel had to share a room, naturally.

Morning was coming slowly and everyone was still asleep, everyone but Ford who had awoke about half an hour ago. He was reading a paper back book. One Samantha Carter had wrote. He was enjoying what she had to say as he also watched the sun rise. The view from the room was pretty good considering he had a view of the front yard. He noticed that there were a few people in the front yard messing with the broken sarcophagus. The large black truck was a extra long Dodge Ram with what probably had all the extra's. The men using lifting tools looked normal. Jack had called Hammond to report in and told him to send some people to collect the stolen goods. If this was them, they were early. Lara had also called someone to tell them where she was going and what had been happening. She said it was Hillary, her butler. Ford was about to yell out the window good morning when he noticed a couple of guys in a black van also at the gate. There were a few men outside dressed in black outfits carrying machine guns. Large version Uzi's, a couple M-16 types and AK-47's.

"Trouble already."

He grabbed his special coat, buttoned and zipped it. He looked out the window seeing they were having trouble with the damaged coffin since they looked to have opened it a bit and were currently getting sick. Ford reached back not noticing that Mel had turned over. Instead of shaking her shoulder, he accidentally yanked her tail. He turned around quickly seeing he did the wrong thing. She sat up quickly, and smacked him in the face, hard.

"What are you doing?!" she hissed.

She had taken pulled her tail back and covered herself with the sheet, even though she was still wearing her clothes.

"You got quite an arm." he said rubbing his face. "Sorry, but it wasn't what you think. I was reaching for your shoulder. We got intruders." he said tossing her, her coat. "We got to wake the others."

"Your life is full of fun isn't it." she said getting out of bed.

"Oh yeah. Lots of laughs." he said looking out the widow while she got her boots and coat on. "Sorry about your tail."

"Look next time."

Ford pulled his shotgun out as they left the room.

"We're not going after them alone?"

I wouldn't just walk in.

I know what I'm doing.

"I'd like to say yes. Me, personally alone, I would." he said opening Jack's door by forcing it open. Jack had his nine millimeter in Ford's right temple as he came in.

"Dammit Ford I could have shot you!" he whispered as he lowering the gun.

"Good morning to you to Jack. We got intruders."

"I heard you over in the next room. Let's get the others."

Ford walked back out as Jack got his weapon. Someone was walking below Mel noticed and pointed it out to Ford. Unfortunately they guy below noticed and yelled to his friends outside. Ford pushed Mel back into Jacks room as the guy below let loose with a burst of ammo. Bullets splintered the area around the door and bounced off Ford's coat as he got next to a post. Jack was on the floor covering Mel with his arm.

"Everyone should be awake now!" Jack yelled.

"I'd say so." Ford yelled back as the guy ran out of ammo.

As he started changing clips, Ford spun the shotgun with one hand cocking it, and then turned around firing. The man below looked up seeing his last moment as he was blown into the wall behind him. Ford re-cocked the gun and almost jumped the railing.

"Dammit! I can't do that." he muttered. "Mel stay behind me."

She got up and got behind him as two more guys came in bursting off rounds. Lara came from around the corner where her room was on the second level and burst off her two Uzi's into the intruders. They danced as they were riddled with ammo. As she changed clips, Carter came out of her room on the other side with her PC-90 at ready. Daniel and Teal'c came from the room down from hers with their weapons ready as well. Ford kicked out the damaged part of the rail and dropped down to the stairs below. Mel followed as he helped her down. Jack and the others were coming down the stairs as Ford fired a round out the window. He spun the shotgun and fired another round as a guy came through the front door. The guy was immediately blown back outside.

"What the hell are you using?" Jack asked as they started for the front door.

"12 gauge slugs. Why?"

"Down!!!!" he and Jack yelled as bullets began coming through the walls.

Ford pulled a hat from his pocket and put it on. When Ford had shown it to the team a few months ago they thought it was stupid looking. It was like a normal baseball hat, but was armored. It had one other difference. The back of it came further down so if he was shot in the back of the neck, he wouldn't be hurt. Ford stepped over and stood next to the doorway. Jack had giving up trying to yell at him. He was protected. Ford showed them earlier that his coat could withstand the effect of a small plastic explosive. Anything more he would feel. He switched ammo quickly as Carter looked around the corner near the stairs. She had a clear view of the scene outside. She fired off a few rounds then ducked back as bullets hit near her position.

"Sir. They're taking the sarcophagus!" she yelled.

"I figured that!" he yelled back.

Ford pointed the shotgun out the doorway and fired blindly. Someone got hit from the sound of it. He spun the shotgun and did it twelve more times in rapid succession firing blindly. The he shook the gun as he looked around the corner.

"Oh great."

"Is it safe to stand?" Jack asked.

"Yeah." Ford said still putting the gun away and pulling his Vash special.

"What was the oh great about?" Jack said getting off the floor and helping Mel up. The others slowly came forward with their weapons still at ready.

"I hit the van. Several times." he said moving into the doorway.

He put his arms up over his face quickly as a burst of ammo riddle the front of him. The others took cover again quickly. As the guy started reloading Ford did a quick rapid fire off the hammer. The second and third shot scored as they heard a scream of pain then nothing.

"Now it's safe." Ford said shaking himself.

Over a dozen bullets fell off the front and back of the coat.

"Did you feel any of that?" Lara asked.

"No. It takes anti-tank rounds to do anything I would feel."

"Anti-tank! What the hell is that coat?!"

"Impossible to penetrate." he said reloading. "I got the van and a few other guys, but whoever it was got away with the sarcophagus in a large, black 2004 Dodge Ram." Ford said following outside. "No license plate."

They checked around slowly to see if they were finally alone. Several burst Ford did hit Lara's Jeep.

"Oops." he said cringing. "Sorry Lara. I'll pay for that."

"You bet you will."

"We got a problem people!" Jack said from behind the busted van.

"What is it sir?" Carter said moving forward.

"Stay where you are! There's a bomb on the back of the van!"

"Shouldn't I look at it then sir?!"

"It looks to be a naquada bomb! It's got a sensor on it that detects motion."

"How powerful is that type of bomb?" Lara asked. She almost seemed frightened.

"Powerful enough to wipe out several miles depending on how much naquada there is." Daniel said worried.

"Damn N.I.D.! This has to be their doing!" Ford exclaimed. "Carter you me and Jack have to diffuse this. The rest you….pray." he said grabbing Carter's arm. She almost resisted.

"Don't come any closer!!" Jack yelled.

"Dammit Jack. I'm not dying this way! Not here! I've got explosive training, Carter knows how to work on the stuff and you…well…can offer support." Ford said walking around Jack slowly.

It was indeed a naquada bomb, but the motion detector was if they tried to move it. Mel had no choice but to follow and watch. Carter got down and looked at the timing device.

"We've got two minutes."

"Great timing." Jack muttered.

"Do your MacGyver thing and get you ass down here and help." Ford hissed at him.

Jack cringed at the use of that name but dropped his gun and helped anyway. With a lot of grumbling, some swearing, mostly on Jack's part, and lots of ingenuity, they stopped the clock at three seconds. Jack for some reason actually looked like he had no idea what he was doing. Small though it was and looked to be crudely made, devastating it would have been.

"I helped hold things, that's all! Got it!" Jack said quietly and then looking at Mel. "You never heard that name either."

She only nodded after looking at the other two questionably.

"Yes sir."

"Your secret is safe." Ford said with a sigh of relief.

He sat back against the bumper as Carter leaned her head against it. Jack got up and told the others they fixed it, but not before telling Ford and Carter they did a good job.

"I knew when I got into this, it would be an adventure, but this is just getting crazy."

"You want to quit?"

"And miss all the fun. No way Carter."

"What do we do with it now?" Daniel asked coming around to congratulate them.

"All in a days work." Ford said helping Carter up.

"Thanks Daniel. As for getting rid of it, I don't know." she said.

"We can hide it in my house with the other stuff being taken back to the US. You'll have to call your commander and tell him what is being sent with the rest of the artifacts."

"I'm going to right now." Jack said going into the house.

"Well, now that that's over with, what do we do?" Daniel asked.

"We wait until the Colonel tells us what's going to happen." Carter said.

"Fine with me. You all sit or stand here, I'm going to call for repairs and get breakfast." Lara said leaving them next to the damaged van.

"I'm going to get something as well, if you don't mind Lara." Ford said.

"Help yourself. We leave, or I leave in an hour. With or without you all."

They all came in and got something as Jack got off the phone. He had to radio them to find out where they were. He told them Hammond already had people on they way. After they ate they got into the Land Rover and damaged Jeep. It only needed a little work to get running again. Lara grabbed the scepter and a few other things and then drove the Land Rover. Jack drove the Jeep with Ford and Mel being in the vehicle. Seeing as Ford knew how to repair cars and such, it didn't take too long. Ford tried to get Jack to help, but Jack actually seemed to know nothing about how to fix Jeeps so he gave up asking. Everyone else got in the Land Rover, Jacks orders. The plane was a private jet that had a lot of seats. Lara took the pilot seat while O'Neill took co-pilot. As usual everyone else had to stay in the back. They had two layover's before reaching China.

"Look Daniel, considering your background in artifacts and such…what you do, you must have read the bible at some time?"

"I did. I've read several."

"Do you remember what the bible said about the Ark?"

"What are you two talking about?" Carter asked walking up to them in the plane. She took as seat across from Ford near Daniel.

"Ford found the Ark of the Covenant or so he says inside a US government warehouse."

"It actually exist?"

"So does Pandora's box. Now it was created by some god by what I heard. More than likely a Goa'uld or Ancient. But it's a weapon. A unstoppable plague weapon. The Ark was found, taken by the Nazi's and later taken by our government."

"Yeah, you said that. What does it really do?" Daniel asked.

"It kills those that are not worthy. I don't even think I could touch it and certainly don't want to try. It's almost instant death to even look at the Ark. We….I don't know what to do with it. Left open long enough, it would destroy the world. Or so I think." Ford said shrugging.

"We can't use it against the Goa'uld. If it can't be touched, how does it get moved?"

"You use the poles built into it. But it is not suppose to be a weapon. We can't use it for any reason. And if the higher ups say anyone at the SGC has to, I'm not going to be part of it. If it gets opened in the SGC, there will be no SGC. It would be destroyed within minutes. That's why I advise that it stays where it is."

From touchdown to a local eatery that Lara liked, to the Great Wall of China, Lara had everything set and ready. Friends were waiting for Lara to help her get what she needed and where she needed to go. No one questioned her about the SG team or about their equipment. Hours later they arrived at the Great Wall.

"All these years and I finally get to see this. It's incredible." Ford said spinning around as he looked.

"All that stuff you said you used to do and you never got to China?" Jack asked.

"I was stuck state side most of the time. Other than a few places in Europe. Made it to Japan once."

"Okay." Jack said looking around himself.

He wished he had his PC-90 or at least a zat gun. Something about not having a weapon out bothered him. All their equipment was in the two vehicles a few feet away. With the exception of Ford who had everything in his coat. Lara said she planned on spending the night on the Wall to see the activation of the staff. She finally decided to call it a staff since it looked more like one anyway. Seeing as the temperature was suppose to be at 70 degrees that night, they decided to camp out on the wall with her. Lara climbed the tower that was suppose to be the one in the translation and placed the staff in a hole that shouldn't have been there. Or so she said. Seeing it fit, she took it back and tossed it down to Daniel. She then looked how far from the ground she was, and seeing it wasn't too far she jumped off without any problems.

"I was once here looking for…."

"The Dagger of Xian." Ford put in. He was looking over the Wall at the ground below. "Not a great looking weapon."

"That's right. How did you know?"

"Lucky guess." Jack said trying to change the subject. "What was this…"

"No Colonel O'Neill. How is it he knows about my past in ways I've never told anyone?"

Jack looked over at Ford.

"I didn't say a word."

"Daniel?! For crying out loud!"

"I didn't tell her that much. She must have figured it out herself."

"Well Colonel. What's it going to be?" Lara said. "I can just leave and come back another time and you'll all be somewhere else. I have plenty of time."

"Dammit. Fine, if you get messed up in the head, it's your own fault for listening." Jack said waving his hands as he walked away. "Carter, your better at this."

"Forgive me Major, but it would be easier if you explained it in a way that your Colonel would understand. I have a few errands to run before tomorrow."

"Alright then. Ford is from another universe."

"Possible, not. Doesn't explain everything." Lara said raising an eyebrow.

She had her arms crossed and glasses on. Ford had been wearing the same brand she had except it was a man's pair and had been since they got on the plane in England. She thought it was weird but didn't comment on it.

"In his universe a lot of what happens here is all fiction. All of us here are fiction. I'm having trouble still believing it." Daniel said walking over. "In our case, we're a popular TV series."

"And I'm what?" she said not believing him. "A show girl?"

"A popular comic, movie, and most importantly video game character. You started as a video game character. I have proof right here." he said pulling something from his pocket. "If it blows your mind, you asked."

He held it out as he looked out at the expanse of the Walls great view. Lara came over and looked at it. It was the instruction booklet to the Angel of Darkness game for PC.

"He showed me the game on the computer. A couple of them actually. It's you, in some ways." Daniel said.

"I still haven't finished the game. You'll have to tell me how you got out of that sometime." Ford said.

"My breast aren't that big." she muttered looking at a picture in the booklet.

Daniel coughed and looked away, but not quick enough after looking in the wrong area first. Sam glanced at him sharply, though Daniel didn't notice. She also looked at Ford, who hadn't moved or looked away from something on the ground, over the wall.

"Interesting. But…..I guess that proves the truth." she said giving it back. "With everything I've seen and heard lately, nothing surprises me. Alternate universe, okay. I'll be back later."

"I don't think she believed us." Ford said shaking his head as she walked off looking disturbed. He put the booklet away and looked back over the large expanse.

"What makes you think that?" Daniel asked. "Sure I didn't believe it till you showed me the games, but…..well…….okay never mind. Just seeing the DVD's of us was disturbing."

They were all quite for a few minutes until Ford spoke suddenly.

"Hmmm, from here, with the elevation, I could hit that rock."

"Which rock?" Jack asked.

"That one way out there. About four maybe five miles out."

"I doubt that."

"I'd show you but it would be a bad idea."

Off behind Ford and Jack, Carter was whispering to Daniel and Mel. Since they were a few others around, Mel had her white rob around her and hood on. It actually made her look like a monk in white and no one seemed to care. A few other monks were around, somewhat. The chest gave away the gender though.

"What is it with guys and guns? And what about the cars or trucks?"

"Seriously, I never found out." Daniel said.

"It's got to be that alpha male thing. I can't really recall all those words that that veter…animal doctor you had come to help us." Mel said.

"It's possible." Daniel said adjusting his glasses.

"That and ego." Carter said still watching Ford and Jack.

"If Ford even has much of an ego." Daniel commented. "Other than flaunting his weapon skills."

"True." Carter said.

"I have to admit, Mr. Primus is different from any other male I've came across." Melissa said.

"Also true." Carter said agreeing. "He treats me a hell of a lot better than all the other men I've been out with."

"Fine Colonel. I'll show you if it's an order." Ford said pulling his special gun out. He pulled the scope out and attached it along with the silencer. A new silencer. Then he pulled the clip and loaded only one bullet.

"What are you doing Ford?" Carter asked coming up quickly. She glanced around seeing a few people looking at them.

"Following orders. Daniel! Tell these wonderful people around us that I'm not shooting anyone, I'm….testing the range on this new piece and that we have the permission of whatever authority is here."

"Jack, you're not serious about letting him do this?"

"Just do it Daniel. I got a lot of money riding on this." Jack said.

"You are serious."

"Daniel…"

"Okay." he said turning around and speaking in a few languages.

Ford ended up telling him what to say in Japanese seeing as Daniel didn't really know those languages well.

"What's going on sir?"

"A bet. You want in?" Jack said smiling.

"Oh Christ Colonel." Carter said walking away.

She muttered something unintelligible as stood next to Mel. Mel instantly covered her ears as she also plugged them. Everyone around them got the message as they either ran away, walked away or stood there. They also covered there ears. Ford lined up the shot and took one last look around. Everyone had there ears covered. He told Jack that he would shoot with his left hand. Checking his aim again he fired. Due to the location, the sound echoed for miles and sounded louder than normal. A lot like a deck gun from a destroyer going off. Ford managed to step back in time to keep from falling. Four and a half miles out, a large boulder exploded under the hit. Ford managed to catch the bullet casing before it went over the edge. Everyone that was watching started clapping and hooting in applause, except the team.

Better let that go.

Why? Oh……OWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!

"AH! Dammit that's hot!" Ford yelled dropping the casing quickly.

He shook his right hand and dropped the gun. He looked at the injury seeing it was a third degree burn in the center of his hand. It was cauterized so it wasn't bleeding but it still looked really bad and hurt like hell.

"Damn, I was so sure I'd win." Jack said before looking at Ford. "Are you alright?"

"Hell no! I might as well have tried to catch a staff blast!"

"Let me look." Carter said grabbing his hand even though he tried to take it away. "Ford! You burned your self down to the bone!"

"Ouch." Jack said looking a moment then walking away.

"I hit the target though Jack." Ford said taking his hand back.

"Why did the rock explode?"

"Sir. Ford is injured and you're wanting to know about the bet!"

"He's got a Go…...Tok'ra Carter. He'll be fine." Jack whispered.

"Give Hercules a couple of hours. I'll be as good as new." Ford said through clenched teeth.

"Fine. But until then let's get this covered. We don't need him fighting an infection too." Carter said dragging him over to the vehicle.

"Why in the hell did you take that bet? Getting O'Neill in that mood…." she quit talking as she dug through one of the packs.

"I didn't bet him anything. I just said I could hit a rock and he started the bet. I said forget it and he ordered me to do it. I told him no and he said he'd put me on report or worse."

"You should know he would have asked. What was the bet for anyway?"

He almost, almost said a date or night out with her, but he was treading on thin ice as it was.

I wouldn't say that. That would be the quickest way to get punched or worse.

"I don't know really. We never set anything." he said as she wrapped his hand.

"Why did it explode?"

"I used a special explosive round. Depleted uranium round with extra propellant."

"What for?"

"To make sure the impact was seen. I never should have said anything."

"Yeah. You shouldn't have." she said tying it off. Ford resisted the urge to grunt as she yanked it hard.

"Let's hope we aren't attacked or anything requiring the use of a gun. You won't be using this hand till morning. That's an order."

"Yes ma'am." Ford said giving her a small two finger salute.

Despite her anger at him she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Here's your gun back. Can we take a walk?" Mel asked.

"Sure." Ford said turning enough for her to slide it back in its holster.

Jack and Daniel were talking about something as they watched the dust still settling where the explosion was. Ford picked up the shell casing and pocketed it as Carter told Jack they were going for a walk. They walked and chatted some for the next couple of hours before settling down for the night. Lara had came back late and went straight to sleep. Just in case, Jack had everyone take shifts at watching for intruders or whatever seemed….against them. Considering Lara's past and the N.I.D.'s involvement recently they were taking extra precautions. Jack awoke to hear movement. He looked up to find Lara already up and with the staff in place. The sun was coming up, but it was not showing itself yet. Ford was sitting near the edge with his eyes closed. He had his Vash special revolver in his left hand.

"Last one to watch us and he's asleep." Jack grumbled.

"Yes he is. But I am not." Hercules said looking up and making the eyes flash. He knew from Ford's memories that that was creepy to Jack and it was something Ford thought was a cool trick to pull on Jack every once and awhile. He took a little pleasure in doing it, but made sure it didn't show.

"He began to get tired a few hours ago, so I took over. I gave the appearance of being asleep, but was on guard the entire time. Miss Croft has been up for over an hour. I could tell you what she has been doing."

"Such as?"

"Exercise, cleaning her weapons, placing the staff to name a few."

"Point taken. Thanks Hercules. Is Ford rested enough?"

He shook his head and said wait another hour since it would take that long for the sun to hit the crystal lens in the staff. Hercules also informed him that the hand was still healing.

"I'm going for a run. I'll be back in an hour." Jack said putting on his boots and jogging away.

Teal'c came out of his bag shortly after and started his exercise, whatever they were, under the tower section. Melissa only rolled over as Daniel woke up with a sneeze. Carter opened her eyes, took a look around, then laid back down. Daniel got up and went over to talk to Lara. Lara was looking at her laptop when Daniel sat down.

"What are you looking at?"

"Information on the internet that talks about Emperor Yu. Anything you can tell me would help."

Daniel gave her what he knew on him that wasn't too classified as she stopped looking on the internet.

One hour later…………

Jack had returned early and woke Carter and Mel by yelling. Mel didn't like the wake up call, but kept her mouth shut. Carter had the same look like she wanted to smack him or shoot him, Ford really couldn't tell. They packed up as the sun came over the rise. Lara was standing next to the staff with binoculars. The sun rose and slowly came down the staff until it hit the crystal. A straight, visible beam of light shot from it and hit something out on the hillside. There was a small tremor as part of the mountain opened a few miles away. Even in the early morning light, the size of the opening was visible. It must have been large enough for a Goa'uld cargo ship to enter.

"Well, these won't be needed." Lara commented as she put binoculars down.

When she tried to remove the staff it didn't come. She tried again and then gave up and climbed down after looking it over. She noticed that the bottom of the staff put out small sticks that made it embedded in the tower.

"I don't know how long we have so let's hurry." she said getting in the Land Rover.

It wasn't hers, just a rental. The others got in theirs and they raced off as quickly as they could before a lot of tourist showed up. In less than half an hour they made it to the opening. The outside of the door made it look like it was part of the mountain. From the looks of the way it opened, large metal pistons and other levers moved the doors out so they didn't damage the mountain in any way. At least that was the idea once. Many trees were broken when the doors slid over.

"It's large. I wonder why?" Melissa said.

"Probably to allow supplies to be brought in by a cargo ship." Daniel speculated.

"Let's move out people. We have no idea when…"

An explosion behind them caused them to look at the Great Wall. They noticed that the tower they were using had smoke coming from it. Hearing movement they turned to see the large doors closing. Lara grabbed her bag and rushed in. Jack ran for it as the rest of the team followed. Ford placed something on the inside of door as they ran by.

"We need to keep moving." he said looking at the door. Thirty seconds top till it closed.

"What for?"

"A explosive on the door."

"What? Why?"

"How else do we get out if we can't go any farther later. It's been a long time in here."

"Good point." Jack said moving forward.

They got a hundred feet between them and the door when it started closing. As the doors touched there was a muffled explosion followed by raining debris. As the dust cleared they saw a small hole in the twenty foot thick door. It was just big enough to crawl through, if they left their packs. Activating their lights, they looked around seeing they were in a large empty chamber that continued down on brick stairs and flat ground that might have been used to push crates or something. It led to another large door at the bottom that flattened out. That door seemed to be the only one still able to open. But it was locked. The other doors were damaged by time and didn't look like explosives would do any good. Lara said there was a hidden switch somewhere as she looked around. They helped look around but mostly found a large cargo door above them. There was no way they could get to it, much less open it.

"Here it is. Wait here." Lara said crawling into a small opening off to their right. She came back out a few moments later with a golden scarab.

"I hate those things." Ford commented.

"So do I." Lara said looking around.

She found an opening that was hidden just to the right of the door. As she began to put the scarab in Ford pulled the revolver back out and pointed it at the door. Everyone thought they were about to be attacked and instinctively raised their guns.

"Expecting something?" Jack asked.

"On Lara's adventures. Always. I betting on bats or some large lizard."

Jack looked over at Lara seeking confirmation.

"Sometimes I encountered things other than humans trying to stop me." she said as she put the scarab in. There was a click then the door opened with a grind.