CHAPTER 96
THE QUEST……………PART 2
The flames came right at them and they all got down quickly, except for Adria. A large shield encompassed them all blocking the flames from getting to them. They looked up as the dragon turned to someone else. Ford looked at his gun then up at the dragon, trying a few rounds again.
"Oh smeg."
Ford rolled out of the way and over the edge as flames blasted the pedestal. The other's fired off a few rounds but like with Ford, nothing happened.
"This isn't good." Mitchell muttered as he noticed Sam was paying more attention to seeing if Ford was still there somewhere.
"My shield will protect us." Adria said holding her necklace with one hand. "Unlike him….."
They ducked instinctively as flames washed over the shield. She looked back at the pedestal then at them again as she continued.
"I need the rest of you to obtain the Sangraal."
"Duck!" Mitchell yelled pulling Sam down.
Everyone ducked as instead of more flames, the dragon swung its tail at them. It just missed them but put a large hole in the wall.
"Move out!" Mitchell yelled.
They all got up quickly and ran through the hole as the dragon roared at them in rage. Several meters down through the cave, they stopped and got against the wall, turning to see if either the dragon was following or if Ford was there.
"Sam…"
"He's alive." she said looking at her watch.
"That's good. Maybe he'll show up soon. As for the dragon, he's too big for the hole so I think we're safe." Vala said with a sigh.
They all looked down the corridor as the dragon roared loud enough to shake the area. Then things started looking a little brighter.
"MOVE!" Mitchell yelled as everyone began running from the large wall of flames coming after them.
They ran several more meters as they felt the heat wave getting closer. Vala, who was currently in the lead, turned into a branching corridor and got against the wall. Everyone else followed doing the same. Sam looked at her watch again as the wall of flames came rushing by and then dissipated.
"He's still alive. Ford?"
"Kinda busy." his hoarse and low voice said. "Radio silence requested."
Teal'c looked off to his left seeing something.
"There appears to be an exit this way." he stated.
It didn't take long for them to get out of the mountain and back onto the grassy plains outside the dormant volcano. They stopped just outside the mouth of the exit they found and looked back.
"Okay, what the hell just happened back there?" Mitchell asked.
"It's another hologram." Daniel said. "Ford's bullets bounced just like ours. Like he said, that wasn't the Sangraal."
"So we busted our asses to come here for nothing?!" Carter shouted. "And though we had little choice, we left Ford in there with that damned thing!"
"He's still alive."
"And kicking." a coughing voice said as they looked at the cave seeing smoke and someone come out. "Or more like coughing."
"You okay General?" Mitchell asked.
"A little hot." he said slapping areas of his burnt coat. "You guys?"
"Oh, just fine." Daniel said.
"We have to go back in there." Adria said.
"Are you serious?" Ba'al asked.
"Like she shouted, we busted our asses to get here, so we ain't leaving." Ford said bushing a smoking spot away. "That includes you two because, well, you'd both rat us out. And we already know you won't leave without that weapon."
"Yes." Adria said.
"You do know that we aren't going to give it up to you?"
"That remains…"
"Why do I bother?" Ford asked rubbing his nose.
They all looked up as they heard a rumbling noise and saw the dragon burst forth from out of the top of the volcano.
"I think we've pissed it off." Mitchell said.
"Running sounds nice." Daniel said.
"Tree line. Maybe we can think of something then." Mitchell said pointing.
They all ran quickly and dropped down once as the dragon passed over them. A gout of flames just barely got them as they entered the forest and hid behind the trees.
"Ba'al…"
"What?"
"You want to say the name? Or should I toss your ass out there to make you say it?" Ford said walking over.
"Um, well, I exaggerated that a bit slightly." he said shrugging.
Ford kicked him dead in the chest making him fly back several feet into a tree.
"Should we just start guessing names then?" Vala asked. "Such as, Darrel?"
"How about Smokey?" Mitchell suggested.
"I'd say Ba…"
"Shut up while I think!" Daniel shouted.
"Okay, while he's thinking, how about options?" Mitchell asked.
"Well, we know it's not a hologram. All our bullets bounced off instead of going straight through." Carter said.
"Mine should have went through. Could be a hard light hologram." Ford suggested.
"Possible, but I've never seen or heard of that sort of technology. Outside that sci-fi program." Carter said.
"What if it is real and that maybe, just maybe, its armor is made of the same metal as your coat and guns?" Mitchell said.
"Then how do we defeat it?" Ba'al asked holding his aching chest.
"Would explosives like our C-4 do anything?" Mitchell asked.
"Doubtful." Ford said as the watched it fly by and shriek loudly at them.
"What about your sword? Maybe it just needs…" Vala began asking when she got looked at. "What?"
"I don't feel like being burned alive, thank you. I just got my ass recently toasted and don't want to do it again. If my armor piercing bullets, which are the Adamantium rounds, won't do anything, my sword won't even do much else other than bounce off too."
"So we need to figure out the name then." Carter said.
"Okay, the Parchment of Virtue said that the Sangraal would belong to the person who speaks the Guardians name." Daniel said thinking out loud.
"And the guardian is the dragon." Vala stated.
"No, no it's not. The dragon is a trick, just another test. Whoever speaks the guardians name obtains the Sangraal." Daniel said quickly.
"It's one of those tricky riddles." Ford said snapping his fingers. "Kinda like that old kid joke…umm something to do with trains and lots of words with the letter R."
"I don't get it." Vala said interrupting him.
"Go down to the railroad, watch out for cars, can you spell that, without any R's." Mitchell said. "I get it."
"Yeah, that's the one." Ford said.
"Okay, spell it without R's…." Vala said thinking about it.
"No, that's just it Vala. The joke is can you spell that?" Daniel said.
She kinda looked confused.
"T,H,A,T. Spell the word, that." Carter said. "I see it too."
"Oh, the guardian is the name of the person who owns the dragon." she said realizing it.
"Very interesting puzzle." Ba'al said still sitting against the tree he was slammed into.
"You wouldn't have gotten it either Adria." Ford said.
"So, who's the guardian?" Mitchell asked. "Because I think we should figure that out quickly since it looks like we've been found."
They all looked seeing the dragon had landed and was walking towards them rather quickly.
"I know!" Vala said getting up quickly and running out.
"Wait no!" Daniel exclaimed.
"I'm going to get it for this." Ford said picking up a somewhat large branch and giving it a toss.
Vala was hit in the leg and dropped quickly. Daniel came running up and went past her as the dragon got ready to try and eat her.
"Ganos Lal." he shouted.
The dragon stopped and then suddenly disappeared like it was pulled into a black hole or sucked up by a vacuum.
"I guess it wasn't Morgan La Fey." Vala muttered as she sat up rubbing her leg.
"No, it was. But the name had to be spoken in Ancient." Daniel said as the rest of them walked up.
"Who threw that at me?"
"Would you rather had been burnt or from the looks it, eaten?" Ford asked.
"I would have came back." she stated brushing herself off.
"Are you sure? That's why I wasn't out there trying anything."
"Good point." she muttered rubbing her leg.
"Lets go get this over with." Mitchell muttered as he headed back to the cave.
No one spoke as they went back, other than being too tired, everyone's nerves were on edge as it was. Other than the damage to the wall and some burn marks here and there, the Ancient pillar and the pedestal that looked to still be holding a red glowing stone, nothing had changed. Everyone was on the over there looking at it. Ford was kneeling down waving the Sonic Screwdriver at it.
"Still a hologram. Strange." he said putting it back into his pocket.
"So, where is it then?" Mitchell asked. "Any ideas Doctor Jackson?"
"No, but maybe it becomes real after someone tried to pick it up." he said reaching for it, only his hand went through it like before.
SG-1 groaned.
"This is…" Carter began as the pillar behind her lit up and everyone but Adria beamed away.
They all beamed into some room in a cave. There was a strange round table, about four feet high and looking like some sort of storage crate almost, and completely solid. Just off to the right of it was some large old tree trunk looking thing that had one of those head grabbing devices on it. There was a old bed beside the wall and a few old wooden chairs here and there. Three old style flame lamps lit up in different locations as they were beamed in making them all look around quickly with their weapons ready. A few small wooden tables and such were around the room against the wall, by the bed and near them where they beamed in. Various objects were on them, some drinking items like cups and pitchers. Books, scrolls, some folded blankets, clothes and even a crystal ball was there.
"Okay, what just happened?" Vala asked.
"I think we were just transported into another chamber." Carter said lowering her weapon like everyone else.
"I'm not getting that agitated feeling anymore." Ford said.
"Adria isn't here." Daniel said glancing around.
"That explains the loss of agitation." Ford said putting his Tommy gun behind him.
"I guess she didn't make it." Carter said.
"Must be a security measure." Daniel said.
"Didn't work on Ba'al. Better not try anything."
Ba'al lifted both hands up as he stepped back a little.
"Morgan probably wasn't concerned about the Goa'uld. She was probably more concerned about letting the Ori in." Daniel said while glancing around the place with his flashlight like everyone else.
"I'm not seeing anything around here that looks like a Sangraal." Mitchell said.
Carter walked up to some area she spotted and it lit up as she got closer.
"I found something interesting." Ford said looking a few feet away from the wall grabbing device.
"I found a man in suspended animation." Carter said and then turned to see what he found. Her tone became very demanding. "Stay away from that Ford or god help me I will make sure you sleep on the floor for a year."
"Yes ma'am." he said walking over.
The others looked at the object on the wall and then sauntered on over to the two.
"Hmm, looky here." Ford said shining his blue light on some writing next to the frozen man.
"Here lies Myrridan, Archmage of the round." Daniel read.
"Wonder if he'll remember me?" Ford muttered.
"He's the real McCoy right?" Mitchell asked. "Not another hologram?"
"I think so." Daniel said walking up to it.
"How long has he been in there?" Mitchell asked.
"Well over a thousand years." Daniel said.
"Been in there too long then." Ford said sadly.
"Considering what we got back from that other Weir, I'd have to agree." Carter said.
"How do we get the old boy out?" Mitchell asked.
"I have no idea." Daniel said. "Not my department. Sam, Ford?"
The two walked closer as Daniel backed away.
"I don't see any interface system." she said glancing around.
Ford reached up and knocked on it lightly.
"Guess that doesn't work either."
"What about this thing?" Vala asked.
"Vala, be careful!" Daniel shouted.
She ducked just in time as the device shot out at her.
"That doesn't look like the device that got me and Jack." Ford said leaning against the wall.
"Yeah, kinda has a different…." Carter began saying when Mitchell interrupted.
"That deactivated the status thingy." he said waving a hand.
The ice like appearance pulled back letting Myrddin free. He started to fall forward and Ford caught him quickly. He had a long grayish light green robe and some leathery shoes for the time period he was known for. Very long, very ragged and shaggy gray hair covered his shoulders. He had a full graying beard, plus mustache. Teal'c and Mitchell moved the items off the large table nearby as Ford laid him on it. They gathered around the table as he started waking up. He mumbled something and then stopped.
"No, he didn't just…." Vala said.
"No, he's still alive." Daniel said feeling for a pulse. "It may just take awhile for him to fully revive again."
"I remember him so full of life and energy. He was always a big thinker." Ford muttered. "Great teacher too. Drove him nuts sometimes just for the hell of it."
"You are so like Jack." Daniel said.
"I'm going to go look around then. See what there is to see, maybe a way out." Carter said taking her pack off.
"I'll go with you." Mitchell said.
"Let us know what you find." Ba'al said.
Teal'c reached over and grabbed his lapels with one hand and pulled him along.
"I guess I'll just go along instead."
"You're not going to look around Ford?" Daniel asked.
"No." he said pulling up a chair. "A friendly face might help him wake up, or keep him from getting scared from seeing strangers."
The other four were heading down a cave tunnel with their lights.
"Hey, there is daylight over here." Mitchell said as he walked over and out of the cave.
They exited to find it rather windy, but a hot windy. There was a DHD and another obelisk like back in the chamber, and then a Stargate in front of that. And then, there was nothing but miles and miles of sand.
"You know, I can't quite put my finger on it, but something is different." Mitchell said.
"We weren't just transported to another chamber, we were transported to another planet." Carter said.
"The gate must have been activated remotely and the obelisk must have beamed us through the wormhole." Ba'al said.
"Well, as far as I'm concerned, the more distance between us and Adria, the better. Despite the General having some ability to keep her, occupied, I don't like here being around." Mitchell said.
"The only problem is she has the knowledge of the Ori, giving her knowledge about the DHD and the Stargate that we don't even know about. She's the only one that would be able to track us and I don't think that will take very long." Carter said.
"Yeah, except that. Let's hope it take her awhile or that we get lucky and she doesn't find us."
Ford was still sitting next to Myrddin, looking through one of the books. Daniel was looking at the chamber that the old man had just been in. Vala was looking for anything valuable, Ford figured, though it was hard to tell. She put a scroll she had looked at back as Daniel spoke.
"You know, it's kinda weird how similar all this is to the myth."
"Yeah, Morgan freezing his sorry ass in ice. Read that in many different stories." Ford said closing the book.
"Sorry?" Vala said.
"Story goes that Morgan trapped Merlin in a cave for all eternity. Trapped in a block of ice. In reality, I think she was trying to protect him." Daniel said.
"Left him in the freezer too long." Ford said tossing the book aside.
"I don't get it." Vala said.
"I'm thinking that Morgan destroyed the Sangraal." Daniel said walking up next to Ford and looking at the sleeping man. "She probably figured she had no choice and did it or else the Ancients would have stepped in and done it themselves."
"And probably killed him for creating it you think?" Ford asked.
"Possible. With the weapon destroyed, there was no threat. But to protect the future from the Ori, she froze him because he was the only man capable of recreating the weapon."
"Kinda makes sense." Ford said getting up. "The others are back."
"They are…" Daniel said turning to see them enter.
"Well, it's official. We are stuck here." Mitchell said as he stopped and set his weapon on another table. "Where ever here is."
"What did you see?" Ford asked.
"Miles upon miles, upon miles of sand." Mitchell said with a wave.
"Wow, that's a lot of sand. Anything else?"
"A DHD, another obelisk like the one back in that dormant volcano and a Stargate." Carter said.
"Where's Teal'c?" Daniel asked.
"Guarding the gate." Mitchell said.
"We have another problem. Someone tampered with the gate, we can't dial out." Carter said.
"I can fix it. Reprogramming dialing devices is my specialty." Ba'al said smugly.
"Whoa, guess who just woke up." Vala said as she and Ford helped the Myrddin sit up.
"Where am I?" he asked as Daniel got on his left holding him up.
"That's a good question." Carter said.
"You look familiar…" he said getting up and walking toward her slowly.
"What?" Ford asked. "She wasn't even around…."
"Guinevere.." he said hugging her. "Oh, my dear, it's been to long."
Carter slightly hugged him back but was kinda unsure of what to really do.
"Um, it's…good to see you to." she said seeing Ford muttering something.
"Does that make me King Arthur?" Ford muttered as he looked at her, the old man and then Daniel who just shrugged.
Myrddin patted her on the arm and looked at Mitchell.
"Percival…" he said then turned to see Daniel. "And Galahad. Oh brave knights."
Ford was really trying his best not to laugh as the man hugged Daniel.
"Fortune does indeed smile upon me to see your faces again." Myrddin said happily.
"It looks like Merlin's drawbridge doesn't go all the way across the moat, if you catch my meaning." Ba'al said with a smirk.
"I'm beginning to wonder…" Ford started saying when Myrddin turned and looked at Ba'al.
"Mordred. I might have known it." he said with distain.
Ford couldn't really hold it and started laughing with his hands over his face.
"What are you laughing at General?" Mitchell asked as Myrddin turned to Ford, who was sitting on the table.
"Picturing you all back in that day, in those outfits." he said still laughing. "Especially….Mordred."
When Sam gave him a certain look, he stopped. Though there was small smile still there.
"We're wasting our time with this old fool." Ba'al said sternly. "Next he'll say that your General here was King Arthur of Britain. I need to get out there so I can…."
"Be silent." Myrddin said waving his hand toward Ba'al.
Ba'al felt his throat and tried to talk, but nothing happened.
"What do you know? The old boy still has some tricks up his sleeve." Mitchell said as Ba'al was trying to say anything.
"I know you." he said pointing a shaky finger at Ford.
"Been awhile there Teach." he said in Ancient. "I made it back."
Sam looked at Daniel in confusion.
"You left long ago though. You can't be here." he said waving a hand as he walked away.
"Huh?!" Ford asked confused. "But I am here."
"Merlin! Myrddin, we need you to remember. About the Sangraal, about Morgan and how you ended up here." Daniel said following him over to the strange round, sold table like object that Myrddin was leaning on.
"Morgan…"
"You also known her as Ganos Lal."
"I haven't heard that name spoken in a very long time."
"We're not the Knights of the Round Table."
"But we are flattered by the comparison." Mitchell said.
"Speak for yourself." Carter muttered. "Quit laughing."
"Sorry." Ford said getting off the table.
"A thousand years have passed. We know who you really are. We know about Atlantis. And the so called super soldier project…." he said then looked back at Sam. "Was it just called that or did it have…"
"Then you really are here Primy." Myrddin said looking past Daniel.
Ford growled.
"I hate that name old man."
"You did return!" he said walking over and hugging Ford. For an old man, he had some grip Ford figured. "How?"
"Not important right now. Look, the Ori are trying to destroy this galaxy to kill the Alterans that ascended and everyone that won't bow to them. We need the Sangraal to stop them."
"Tell me more."
"Um, I don't know where to begin." Daniel said after Ford gestured at him. "This is going to take awhile."
"Alrighty then, we'll go check out more of this cave." Mitchell said picking his gun and flashlight back up. "Unless you have any objections. No? Okay, let's go then Ba'al."
"Let us know if you find anything." Carter said leaving with them.
Back at the village, the Ori soldiers were rounding up everyone in the village. Adria had just gotten back and was heading back into the village with escort.
"Make way for the Orici!" one soldier demanded.
"What happened?" she asked the one eyed Prior.
"The gate activated on its own. And only seconds later it closed again."
"I don't suppose anyone saw the address?"
"No, Orici."
She sighed.
"I'll have to examine the dialing device." she said then turned to one of the soldiers next to her. "Ready your men, as soon as I determine where they went, we are leaving."
"Yes Orici." the man said with a bow before leaving.
"And, what of the village?" the Prior asked.
"Have they agreed to accept the teachings of Origin?"
"No."
"Then burn it." she said.
Myrddin was sitting in one of the chairs while drinking water as Daniel was telling him everything he could. Vala was sitting on the table next to him while Ford was leaning against the wall.
"And it was Morgan who finally lead us to you. Of course she couldn't come right out and tell us. She had to be annoyingly cryptic about the whole thing."
"You have an unusual understanding of the way of ascended beings."
"He was one, but unlike the rest of our kind who lost their morality, he kept his, plus his common sense. So they sent him back." Ford said.
"Hmm."
"I tried to stop someone from doing something I felt was extremely wrong and they kept me from doing it. And then Abydos was destroyed. Well, the only settlement anyway." Daniel said sadly.
"The human race has not progressed that far in just a thousand years though. How did you…"
"I had help from someone. She went by Oma Desala."
"Of course." Myrddin said nodding.
"There was a few too many arguments. Don't interfere with lower life forms and I couldn't stop doing that. At least that's the impression I got from her when we last talked."
"You don't remember?" he asked surprised.
"No. In order to protect me, Oma erased my memories and sent me back, like Ford said."
"Ford?" he said looking at Ford. "Ah, you shortened your name I see."
Ford shrugged.
"Forandin isn't a name heard anywhere that I know of. Besides, I like the short version."
"Well, I'm not surprised that she hasn't learned her lesson." he said standing.
"She's not the only one that hasn't followed the rules." Vala said.
"The Ori, gain their power from the lower planes. So much so that one day they shall be strong enough to wipe the others out. In the face of such a threat, the policy of strict non-interference is absurd."
"Yep. Oma died for her believe in interference. Mom and dad are up there, but they can't do much other than talk to me occasionally. Nothing informative though."
"From what we understand, she died stopping a half descended, half Goa'uld called Anubis." Daniel said as Myrddin was asking how. "With him gone then, we managed to save many lives, at the expense of hers."
He shook his head sadly.
"An unfortunate loss. Still, she must have saw something in you to find you worthy." he said then lowered his head while closing his eyes.
"Live with him for a year, you'll see why." Ford said.
"That was a compliment right?"
"Yes Daniel."
"Well, this cave is a total bust. Nothing else is here." Mitchell said as they all came back in. When he saw that Myrddin didn't move. "Um, how's it going here?"
"I'm not exactly sure." Daniel said.
"Teach, you okay?" Ford asked walking over slowly.
"Yes. I must know something first. Before I agree to join with you, will you be willing to do everything that must be done to see it through?" he said looking at them all.
"Surely, you have some idea of what we've been through to get here?" Vala asked standing up.
"I'm ready." Ford said.
"Same here." Mitchell said.
"Goes for me to." Carter said.
"Hmm. What you have experienced so far, is like nothing that is to come. Well, with the exception of you of course." he said giving Ford a look.
"Hey, get out of my head." Ford said shaking his.
"There is much work to be done." he said walking over to the head like device and looking into it.
It shined directly into his eyes and two small round-ish objects came out, which he placed his hands over. The strange solid table lit up with a bright glow. The glowing area on top reminded Ford of a target indicator from one of the first person shooter games he played occasionally. Though which one escaped him at the moment. Above the light, several dozen strange Ancient words appeared in the air, all jumbled, but separate from each other. He continued at if for awhile as they watched or walked around passing the time. Ford did look around some, looked at the books or watched the old man work.
"He's been at this for hours now Daniel. Do you have any idea what he's doing?" Vala asked bored.
"Incredible." Ford said walking around it as he watched different symbols come together. "Absolutely incredible."
"You know what it is Ford?" Carter asked.
"Call it, a really primitive version of the replicator, like in Star Trek. He's building something from…"
"Complex molecules, I think." Daniel said as he got a little closer and looking.
"Yeah."
"He's making another Sangraal?" Carter asked.
"I think so." Ford said as the display started to fade.
They also saw it fade and looked over to see Myrddin back away and start to fall. Carter and Daniel made it to him quickly before he dropped to the floor.
"Sorry. I'm so tired." he said as he was being helped to the bed nearby.
Everything around them kinda got a blurry look to it and then it all went back to normal. Mitchell got up quickly and looked around.
"What the hell was that?"
"I think we got teleported." Ford muttered. "That was weird."
"Colonel Mitchell, Colonel Carter, General Carter. I think you'll want to come see this."
"We'll be right there T." Mitchell said as he pulled Ba'al to his feet.
Carter gave Vala the other side as they headed out. The two helped him to the bed quickly. They ran out to find it was dark outside, and worse, it was snowing.
"Ah man, this sucks." Ford complained.
"Indeed. The gate activated on its own, and then the crystal on the obelisk glowed, then everything changed." Teal'c stated.
"I'll say." she said walking out with her light shining.
"We've been transported to another planet." Mitchell said stepping out. He looked back seeing someone didn't follow. "Hey, we're out here, so you have to come to."
"Oh very well." Ford muttered as she stuck his hands in his pockets. "God it is cold."
"Ain't that bad." she said. When he began to speak. "Yeah, you hate the cold, we know. Shut up. You know, what Daniel said about keeping Myrddin hidden. The idea behind this is perfect. There's probably several planets or more that are in the gate system that keep transporting him and everything around him to other planets to keep him safe."
"Makes sense. She had to pick a cold planet though." Ford said.
"Might not have been once." Mitchell said.
"Do you believe we can dial out Colonel Carter?" Teal'c asked.
"Doubtful. But I can give it a try. More than likely it's some sort of loop she designed to keep anyone from getting out of here or getting in. Short of those that were worthy. Maybe he was suppose to get out on his own or something."
"Can you get us out of here?" Mitchell asked.
"Like I said, I can try." she said walking down slowly.
"Well…"
"I know, I know. Go help. A least I brought my gloves." he said bring them out.
"Can you grab anything small in here with them on?" she asked.
He groaned rather loudly as he took them off. Ba'al kinda laughed. Rather hard to do since he couldn't make any noise with his voice box anymore, but he was laughing.
"I have lived many lifetimes." Myrddin said to them as he sat on the bed with them nearby in chairs. "First, in Atlantis. Forandin was a bright child, though a mess to deal with at first. Then I was on Earth, before the dawn of your civilization. Then I joined the ranks of the ascended. And then finally, I returned to mortal form, to live out my remaining days among the noblemen of King Arthur's court. Or, so I thought. And, through all these eons, only one thing stayed the same. There is never enough time."
"Well, we're safe for the moment. You can take all the time you need. I'm not sure why, but Ford is capable of keeping Adria at bay, to a point. The rest of us can keep her troops away if it comes to that." Daniel said.
"Forandin is capable of many things, but keeping her at bay for the time needed is not possible. I have slept too long. My body has betrayed me." he said looking at his hands.
"We're not about to let you give up now." Vala said.
"You realize what is at stake. If you don't help us, the Ori will take this galaxy."
Myrddin sighed audibly as he nodded his head.
"One last task then, before I rest."
They took his offered hands and helped him to his feet. He walked over and got in front of the machine again. A deep breath followed and he blew into his hand a couple times. Daniel was watching from behind as Myrddin turned around to him.
"Good luck Doctor Jackson. Tell Forandin I'm sorry we didn't have more time, hmm?"
Daniel had a questioning look on his face as Myrddin turned back and activated the machine. There was a flash that stayed on and got brighter. Daniel then noticed that the machine that he activated earlier to make the Sangraal wasn't also on. After a few seconds, the light got really bright and then flashed again blasting Myrddin back into Daniels surprised arms. The two set him down slowly and heard a breath leave his open mouth. Daniel felt his neck only to find there was no pulse anymore.
"What just happened?"
"He's dead." he said grabbing his com. "Um, you all better come in here."
Ford was the first to get back in, rubbing his hands together. He rushed over as the other's came in to see him next to the bed.
"I'm sorry Ford. His last words were to tell you he was sorry he didn't have more time with you." Daniel said rubbing Ford's shoulder gently.
"And he said good luck to you Daniel."
"I still am not sure what that mean Vala."
"And then there was one." Ford muttered as he wiped his eyes and got up.
His right hand closed into a fist as he brought it up and looked at it. He clenched it so hard they all jumped when it cracked several times loudly. He said something that not even Daniel could translate or even understand.
"Okay, he unfortunately left us." Mitchell said seeing Ford was tense enough that any wrong word might set him off. "So we have no Sangraal, and no way off this planet. What do we do?"
"I told you I can fix the dialing device." Ba'al said braggingly and mockingly.
Everyone looked at him. Except one person. Daniel had noticed that Ford had moved, but he didn't watch where he went.
"Merlin's little trick with my vocal cords expired at the same time he did." he said with a small laugh.
Ba'al was standing near the pillar that was the machine that Myrddin was using. The way out of the cave behind him and the strange table that Ford mentioned was a primitive replicator in front of him. Teal'c was standing off to his left leaning on it as well. Mitchell was standing on the other side with Carter. Daniel and Vala slightly behind them.
"Another reason to mourn his passing." Teal'c said.
"Joke all you want Teal'c." Ba'al was saying when a hand shot out grabbing him by the throat and lifting him in the air.
"If you want to keep from being beat within an inch of your life, then I suggest you get off my bad side and start helping. Understand?" a very low growling and menacing voice said.
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say." he managed to croak out. while actually trying to use both hands to remove Ford's right hand from his throat.
Ford tossed him several feet away into the wall leading out of the cave.
"Teal'c, he pulls anything. Take his head off. That's an order."
He smiled as he nodded with the assessment.
"Sam, go see what you and that worthless being can do." he said.
"And you're going to do what?"
"I have a pretty good idea of what the old man did."
"Oh no, you're not…" she said as he put his eyes up to the machine and tried to use the hand things.
Nothing happened though. He stepped back slowly and tried a few more times. When nothing kept happening, he grabbed Daniel's arm.
"Whoa, I don't want to…"
"It doesn't seem to work on me and I seriously doubt he was going to have anyone else use it, since he said good luck to you. We can already see that this device it not some head grabber since there is no grabbing parts, so, I deduce that he probably left instructions for you to read since you are the only other person who can read Ancient in the group here."
"That, makes more sense."
"I think we can leave these two to work on this while we work outside."
"But you hate winter." Carter said.
"My blood is boiling quite nicely so I'm doing just fine."
"Well, let's go keep watch Teal'c." Mitchell said as the other three walked out. "How much do you want to lay odds on that Ford will probably kill Ba'al before this is over."
"Hmm, a interesting bet indeed. On what should the wager be?"
They were outside, Ford doing most of the work on the her computer screen while she was directing, it currently hooked up to the DHD. She was now getting cold while he had removed his coat. She was standing up behind him with it draped off her arms, plus his gloves on. It was pretty much a big blizzard at the moment. Ba'al kept pacing around while rubbing his hands together. Mitchell was standing nearby keeping watch, kinda pacing back and forth occasionally as well. His PC-90 behind him while he held the General's Tommy gun.
"Any luck yet?" she asked with strain in her voice.
"Not really, no. Heavy huh?"
"That's an understatement." she muttered. "My knees hurt."
"As long as you don't bend them you'll stay standing."
"Is that what you do?"
"No. You've seen me run in it. And you're not carrying the two extra pistols and that gun Mitchell is holding."
"True. God I hope we get transported again soon."
"Are you warm at least?" he asked still searching away as she pointed at one spot.
"Surprisingly yes. Despite metal being part of the coat. I don't see it." she said shaking snow out of her hair and face as she shouted to Ba'al. "We're having trouble finding the relocation program. It must be buried in one of the correlative subroutines."
"I don't think it is here." Ford muttered.
"We'll never find it using those search protocols." he said walking up to the DHD. "I'm going to have to make some adjustments to your program."
"Any idea how long this is going to take?"
"I can't say for sure. Though it would have been a lot easier on that nice and warm desert planet."
"If it was just us, I'd prefer this place." Ford muttered as he handed the computer over.
"Okay, Ford thinks that Myrddin left me instructions on how to build the Sangraal. It would make sense seeing as he felt there was little time left." Daniel said still pacing back and forth in front of the machine.
"What did he mean by head grabbing?"
"The other devices like this would grab the head of the person that got to close and download all the knowledge of the Ancients into their head. Didn't work for the Goa'uld or Jaffa though."
"That's a lot of information."
"Fatal amount. No human brain could take it. Jack had it happen to him twice and Ford once. At the time, he had no idea who and what he really was, as to being Ancient. Now that he knows, it's possible that he could take another download and remember it all without any problems. Myrddin, in some senses did it. Not the download specifically. It would make sense though. He didn't have the time and since we saw him use the machine, it must be sort of, user friendly, to those that would know how to read Ancient and what to do. Only one way to find out though."
"Is this a good idea?" she asked before he could look.
"Like I said, only one way to find out."
He looked into it and placed his hands on the knobs. And then a bright light came.
"Hey guys, this is Vala, you might want to come in." she said into her com after trying to get Daniel to say something.
"Come in as to come back in or have you been trying to get hold of us…" Ford began asking.
"Come in as to get you ass in here. Daniel looked into the machine…"
"Ah damn. It didn't work like I thought it would." Ford said rubbing his nose.
"Nice." Carter said sarcastically.
"You keep working, I'll check this out." Mitchell said.
Mitchell walked in to find Daniel on the floor with his head in her lap.
"I knew it was too good to be true. Just like the head suckers."
On the desert planet they were on before, Adria and some of her troops were by her or around her as she looked at the DHD. They were all either standing guard or looking around with the Prior searching the area.
"The planet is lifeless. There is no on here." the Prior stated as he walked up to face her on the other side of the DHD.
"They were here. I am certain of it." she said.
"What would you have us do?" the Prior asked.
"Lead the men in prostration. I will inform you when I have the next address."
"Yes Orici." he said bowing his head slightly.
The men followed him off to the left side as she placed her hand over the DHD. The symbols lit up at a various moments in a fast pace as she searched.
Ba'al got up from underneath the DHD and rubbed his hands together.
"Try it now."
Ford pushed the buttons and they both looked at the computer screen.
"We're still not reading any anomalies." she said.
"This is ridicules. I can't be expected to work like this. And no amount of threatening my life is going to make me work faster. I am freezing. My hands are numb…"
"Oh my. What a interesting revelation. The supposed and proclaimed god Ba'al can't stand the cold weather. That must mean you aren't a true god. What a shame to learn." he said with false pity and sarcasm. "If only the Jaffa could see you now."
Teal'c laughed loudly. He laughed so hard he had to hold himself up with one hand on the DHD. Even Sam was cracking up.
"Very funny. I'm glad you're all having fun at my expense." he said irked. "Talking about gods, I guess it would be a miracle to ask to go inside and get warm. After that, we can come back and try again. Hopefully after we end up on another planet."
"Not a bad idea. Mostly because I can tell you're getting colder." Ford said looking at her.
"No hat does keep the body heat escap…" she was saying when the DHD started lighting up.
"Hey you three, we're about to beam away again." Ford said quickly into his com.
"Thanks for the update." Mitchell said as Vala was getting Daniel some water.
"Whoa. That is really weird. Hey, Merlin's gone." she said after they were beamed away.
Daniel was currently sitting on the bed with his head almost between his knees and his hands behind his head. His glasses on the bed next to him.
"Okay, that's weird." Mitchell said walking over and seeing nothing on the table. "Hey, were are we now?"
"Kinda a jungle like planet." Ford said as he was putting his coat back on. He put his gloves away as Sam looked at the computer.
It was a jungle like scenery. There was thick trees and bushes everywhere, except in the area around the gate and DHD, plus nothing near the cave entrance. There was a very thick and extremely heavy fog above and all around them. They couldn't see very far into the forest, maybe a couple of feet and nothing at all of the sky. There was strange sounds coming from the forest.
"A lot warmer thank god." she said looking around. "Kinda creepy really though Mitchell."
"That sound sounded kinda like a one of those flying dinosaurs. Um…which movie was that again?"
"Indeed. I remember the sound, but not the movie. We will have to keep a careful watch on the surrounding area and if the sounds get any closer." Teal'c said glancing around.
"Merlin's gone. He didn't beam with us." Mitchell said.
"What about Daniel?" she asked.
"He's….sitting up. I'll get back to you on the rest later." he said walking over slowly as he signed off.
"Hey." Vala said smiling as Daniel looked up and rubbed his face.
"How we doing sunshine?" Mitchell asked kneeling next to her.
Daniel looked at Mitchell with his hands still very near his face.
"He was right. You do look like Percival."
Mitchell looked at Vala and then back at him confused.
"Excuse me?"
Daniel looked at her and she smiled brightly.
"We spent a lot of time in this room." Daniel said glancing around.
"Who did?" Vala asked.
"We did. He did. Merlin." Daniel said chuckling as he closed his eyes a moment and thought. "Sorry, it is a little confusing having two sets of memories in your head."
"Oh great." Mitchell muttered.
"And he wasn't kidding about living many lifetimes." he said looking up.
He got up and walked past them, looking around slightly.
"You have Merlin's memories?" Vala asked.
"Some of them. Earth, Atlantis. Wow, he and Forandin did a lot of things together on Atlantis. And saw his bad side. Hmm, there's a lot of different medieval societies he set up throughout the galaxy." he said turning around while rubbing his head in thought. The he looked around. "And the work he did in this lab."
"Whoa, whoa. Hey, hang on a second." Mitchell said as he walked a little closer to Daniel as he kept looking around sharply. "Are you telling me you can build the Sangraal?"
"He knew he didn't have the strength to finish it." Daniel said walking toward the machine and getting in front of it. "His body had deteriorated to much during the stasis. So he gave me the knowledge."
Daniel turned and activated the machine as he looked into it.
"Wait!"
The table activated and the symbols from before came up again. Things came together quickly and started to create a object that could be described instead now.
"I can see it now. I can do this."
The two turned and looked at the work being done and then turned their backs.
"Twice one of these devices almost killed General O'Neill. And one almost killed our General."
"Daniel believes it gave him limited knowledge. Ford said something about it being very different. It refused him for some reason. Merlin must have made it so it would only work for Daniel and for a limited time."
"I was there. We can only hope he finishes this and then those memories are taken back or fade away."
"He seems to be working rather fast at it." Vala said pointing. "Merlin was going slower."
Adria had found the address and they went to the next planet. And it was snowing a bit harder than when SG-1 was there.
"We found the body of an old man, dead. Apart from that there is nothing here." one of her soldiers said as he came out of the cave.
"This is beginning to try my patience." she said irritably as she shook her head.
"Is there any other way to track them?" the Prior asked.
"No. But each time I am able to determine their next location more quickly than the last. Sooner or later, we will catch up to them."
He nodded as she walked up and placed her hand over the DHD again.
Ba'al was looking and working on the computer with the small pen it came with as Ford stood next to the DHD watching. Mitchell had left his gun with Teal'c when he left and now Ford had it back.
"What's on your mind?" Ford asked turning around.
"Other than that load of weight you carry?"
"My coat wasn't on your head."
"It was about to be. I'm going to need a massage when we get home. Anyway, it's the obelisk. It has got me very curious."
"How so?"
"Maybe we are barking up the wrong tree here. Maybe the relocation program isn't in the DHD processor at all."
"That would make a lot of sense actually. Considering the circumstances, what better way to hide it than to put it somewhere else. If it was in the obelisk, it would then activate the DHD remotely."
"Or if it is hooked up to the DHD by cables or something else underground."
"That too."
"You two have no idea what you're even talking about." Ba'al said with a chuckle. "There is no hook up's of any sort between the DHD and that."
"That leaves remotely." Ford said.
"No." Ba'al said shaking his head with another small laugh.
"This idea coming from the same guy who was trapped for three days behind a forcefield, and could have gotten out at any time if he had the right common sense to understand the parable." she said smartly.
"That obelisk has technology strictly used for localized transport." he said with a wave of the hand with the pen. "Nothing else. I can assure you I know what I am talking about."
"It could have a remote dialer in it. It would make perfect sense and would explain why we can't find it in the DHD." she said.
"It doesn't function that way. That would be the same as…say comparing that dog you have to this laptop here. As much as it pains me to say this, that mechanical dog is an impressive piece of technology and would benefit me greatly in my personal projects. Unfortunately, you two have it. But if it was here, it would tell you the same thing. You're wrong. The obelisk has one function and what we need is in here."
"It's good that that dog isn't here, because he'd shoot you." Ford growled as she pulled some device from her pocket.
"I think it's in here. Logically, since we haven't located anything close in the DHD, then it would have to be here. The program needed wouldn't have to contain the entire navigational program. Just a command code to sufficiently override the dialing protocols."
"That sounds right."
"You're both being stupid." he said setting the laptop aside.
"Excuse me?"
"Let's see, what's that human phrase. Oh yes." he said looking up a moment. "Why bother hiding a needle in a haystack when you can hide it in a enormous one."
"What? I've never heard that saying before."
"I'll put it another way. Obviously, even though you are of the race of the people who built these wonderful things, not even you, who apparently was friends with our once living magician, can't figure out how and why this all works. And here we are, looking for a program that is quite well hidden. And she thinks it's in there, and apparently, so do you. The irony about this interesting security measure, is if it was found by the first female Tauri who comes along, and not by one of race that built it."
"Wait, are you telling me you think my idea sucks and won't work because I am human, or because I am a woman?" she asked as she slowly turned around.
Ford was about to blow up. Even Teal'c noticed Ford looked ready to snap after that insulting speech. But that tone she used stopped both of them. Ba'al noticed Ford lost his tense and ready to jump on him look, and that bothered him on some level.
"I'd have to say both. If you wish to kill me, go ahead, but you still need me." he said daring Ford.
"You're right. We still need you. Mostly to show you how wrong you are. After that…" he said walking over to her with a smile as she was scanning the obelisk. "Now, there should be a release here somewhere. Ah, this must be it."
"That helps. Glad to see someone realizes my talent." she said as a couple different panels opened.
Daniel was still working at the device. Mitchell and Vala were watching nearby as the glowing symbols turned into something more describable and then formed into a black object they could actually touch. Daniel stepped back from the machine blinking his eyes.
"What is that?" Mitchell asked as they walked up.
"Stage one." Daniel said as he walked over and rubbed his face and eyes. "The first step towards creating Merlin's weapon."
"Is it real?" Vala asked.
"Yeah." he said as she touched it.
"That's what this device does." he said waving a hand at it. "It allows you to design and create something virtually and then materializes it."
"Like O'Neill did when he created the anti-Replicator weapon." Mitchell said.
"Yeah." Daniel said.
"I thought the Sangraal was a tiny red jewel." Vala said.
"No, that's the final stage. The key to making the whole thing work." Daniel said.
"So, how long before you can get this whole thing to work?" Mitchell asked.
Daniel started to answer when he bent over slightly holding his head with one hand.
"Daniel?" Vala asked concerned.
"I'm all right. I'm all right." he said rubbing his forehead and squinting in pain. He took his vest off as he rubbed his head again. "This machine takes a lot out of you. The level of concentration is pretty intense."
"Can I get you anything?" she asked as he was bent over holding his forehead again.
"Water."
"Sure." she said turning to get the black canteen on the table.
She went to grab it, which had his glasses right next to, and then the canteen flew off the table and into his hand. Mitchell was kinda shocked as he stood up straighter. Vala was even surprised and walked back to him slowly.
"Okay, that happened." Daniel said as he opened it. "It's interesting. Jack got healing powers, Ford got telepathy. Though it only worked between him and Sam. And I got telekinesis."
"And Jack almost died." Vala said as he took a big drink. "Now you and Ford both said this device is different."
"I'll be fine."
"That's crap. She's right. You don't get fancy mind powers unless there has been some major redecorating inside your skull." Mitchell stated.
"Look, obviously creating the weapon needs a higher level of brain function." Daniel stated as he leaned on the table. "Now, Merlin would have foreseen that."
They didn't seem all that convinced.
"Trust me, I can handle this." he said drinking more.
The two were looking over the panel with lights and other scanning equipment. Ford was doing some checking with the Sonic Screwdriver, though he wasn't getting anywhere yet. Ba'al got up from under the DHD and was still looking through the laptop.
"I hate to say this, but I'm not getting anywhere." she muttered.
"I'm not getting anywhere either. We know what we are looking for, but, we don't really have any idea what the program might look like. You know."
"Yeah. We'll have to ask for his help, unfortunately." she muttered. "He does know the dialing programs better."
"So, we'll have to watch him work to see how to look better in the future and know what to look for. Better our understanding of the DHD."
She nodded as he changed the setting on his device and kept looking. Ba'al looked up as she walked up to the DHD and cleared her throat.
"What do you want?"
"We need you help."
He looked at her then at Ford. When he saw Ford using an unknown device, he raised an eyebrow and then looked at her hoping for an explanation.
"You apparently haven't found anything, and we're confident that what we want is in that obelisk. But we can't figure it out. If K-9 was here, I'm sure we would, since he's not. We only have you to turn to."
"That's hardly surprising." he said setting the laptop on the DHD and stepping just inches from her. "I mean, I know where you two come from, you're considered highly intelligent. But on galactic standards, that isn't saying much. Wouldn't you agree?"
She heard the Sonic Screwdriver shut off. She turned around seeing him reaching into his coat. He raised an eyebrow as she shook her head and mouthed the word no. He kept the eyebrow up and noticed Teal'c was waiting for the word to pounce. The two were really surprised when she turned around, gave him a small smile, and then kicked him in the nuts so hard Ba'al couldn't even cry out in pain. She then punched him dead in the face causing his nose to bleed.
"Well, it's obvious he has something there, despite his name."
Ford burst out laughing as did Teal'c. Ba'al was on his knees clutching his nose and crotch.
"Now, unless you want Teal'c or even Ford to hold you as I blast that part of your body off or worse, I suggest you get off your worthless ass and help us. Understand?" she said fingering the knife on her belt.
"Yes, I understand perfectly." he said seeing where her hand was.
"Good." she said walking back over as Ba'al slowly got up.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side." he said taping the Sonic device against his hand lightly.
"You did once before."
"Not that bad." Ford muttered as Ba'al limped over slowly.
She handed over her small scanning device when he finally showed up.
"I, probably won't get a straight answer, or any, but what is that?"
"This? Sonic Screwdriver." Ford said waving it slightly. "Has a multiple amount of uses. Supposedly I can cook with it. Really, I'm still learning how it works. And that, is all you need to know."
Inside, Daniel was working on the device again. Vala was standing nearby watching Daniel as Mitchell was standing by the table watching the device create the weapon. Another part materialized on top of the other part making it have a dome shape look.
"Stage two?" Mitchell asked.
"Indeed." Daniel said backing up slowly. "I must rest. I'm not as young as I used to be."
They watched him walk over to the bed and sit down.
"Daniel? Are you alright?" Vala asked kneeling in front of him.
"I know you." he said.
"Well, of course you do silly, it's me. Vala."
She smiled as he reached out and stroked the side of her face. She held his hand there and was enjoying the moment until he spoke again.
"I had the strangest dream. That I was covered in ice."
Vala was still holding his hand but looked at Mitchell for help and with concern.
"Jackson…"
Daniel was looking spaced out and dead tired.
"Daniel…" Mitchell said shaking his shoulder lightly.
He shook his head lightly and started breathing harder as he looked around confused.
"What's going on?" he asked as Mitchell walked over and leaned against the wall.
"We are loosing you that's what's going on." Vala said turning his head towards her. Extreme worry on her face. "Every time you come back from using that machine, it gets a little worse. Don't tell me you're fine."
"No." he said shaking his head and holding it with one hand. "I just have too many thoughts in my mind. That's all. I can't concentrate, I get confused."
"You have to fight it." she said with hidden tears in her eyes.
"No, no. That's the thing. I have to let it." he said looking past her. "That's the only way I can build Merlin's weapon."
She looked over at Mitchell for help, but even though he was obviously concerned for Daniel, he couldn't do anything. Daniel got up and started to walk past her. Mitchell came over, patted him on the shoulder as he walked by.
"You have to tell him he doesn't have to do this." she said stopping Mitchell as Daniel went back to the machine. "He'll listen to you."
"Oh? What team have you been on?" he said gently. "Besides, we need this one."
"What make you even think we'll be even allow to use it? The Ancients didn't even let Merlin get away with it last time…"
"Vala! Vala, shut up, for once. We have to take the risk." he said then walked away towards the exit.
"What?" she asked following him. "Because it's all about noble sacrifices for you isn't it?"
"Wait, I'm sorry. What about you?" he asked turning around.
"What?"
"When you flew that cargo ship into the gap of the Supergate, you knew damn well that you might not come out the other side alive."
"No, that was different." she said turning away and shaking her head.
"No, that was different because you were the one taking the risk." he said grabbing her arm and pulling her back as she tried to break free from his grip. He grabbed her lapels and kept talking as he saw the tears start to flow. "Now you know that the hard part about being part of this team is not about risking your own life, but about watching your friends risk theirs. Congratulations, now you really are one of us."
He let her go gently and then walked away.
Teal'c was just walking around them, like a perimeter patrol as the three were looking over the crystal.
"Well, what do you know? I was right." Carter said as they looked at the laptop. "There's the command override right there."
"Never had any doubts." Ford said as he nodded.
"Indeed." Teal'c said walking up behind her.
"Now that we've found the program, it should be simple to shut it down." she said.
One the blizzard planet, the men were lined up waiting for her to dial the next planet. Some of them were freezing, thought they didn't move or break rank. The Prior stood nearby as she kept searching for the next planet they were on. The panels were all lighting up at different intervals as she searched them. And then only seven of them lit up.
"Ready your men." she said as the gate started dialing. "It's time."
Mitchell and Vala were watching him build the device again when he suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Mitchell asked as Daniel turned away.
"Get to the gate, now."
"They're coming."
"People, Daniel says we have company on the way." Mitchell said into his com as he grabbed his gun.
Ba'al was working on the laptop while Sam was coming back from the DHD. Ford was standing by the pillar keeping watch as Mitchell called and the gate started dialing.
"Guess play times over. Find cover and save ammo." he said grabbing his Tommy gun.
"What about me?" Ba'al asked as he set the laptop aside.
"You, you're a distraction." Ford said pulling him close before he could do anything and snapping his neck. "Oh, that felt so good. Sorry Teal'c."
"I had the pleasure once before."
Ford nodded as he moved and got between the pillars in front of the gate. The even horizon came out as the other two got into position as Mitchell and Vala came out and did the same. Ford stood there, coat closed and the gun up on his shoulder, aimed and ready. And then they started coming through. And not very fast. One round or sometimes two in the head was all that was needed. Mitchell fired a couple rounds as did Vala, but Carter quickly got them to stop and wait. The four quickly noticed Ford had it rather easily since the troops weren't pouring through at a fast rate. He wasn't even giving them time to even see what was on this side of the gate. Though if one of the men looked like they survived the hit Carter or Teal'c, being the closest to the gate, would fire a few rounds if they had to. After about thirty seconds, more started to come through and he went full auto just emptying rounds through them and into the gate.
"Guess Ba'al finally pushed someone's button wrong." Mitchell said getting closer to her position.
"Ford called him a distraction from this that was coming." Carter said firing off a few rounds.
"Oh."
Inside the cave, Daniel was sitting on the actual table for eating food or whatever when Adria beamed in.
"Doctor Jackson."
"You're too late." he said as he got up tiredly.
"You haven't completed the weapon." she said looking at the device in front of her. "I'd say I'm just in time."
"And I'd say things are different now."
Outside, the gate shut off and there was only a couple of men that had found cover, but Ford's bullets went through that quickly. He blew off the end of the barrel and ended up rubbing his lips as he got them to close.
"Ow! Damn!"
"Better check for survivors, just in case." Carter said as she closed the open crystal panel.
"We'll do that as you dial us home. Vala, go get Jackson." Mitchell said as he and Teal'c started checking.
"You're not…" Carter began saying as the panel closed and she picked her laptop up.
"Hey, Thor told me he can't get me any more casings." he said picking the spent casing up quickly.
Val was about to enter the cave when Daniel slammed into her and they both landed behind Carter. Mitchell and Teal'c quickly got up as Carter turned around. The gate activated as Ford rushed by the group that was checking Daniel out. She came out, and into hail of bullet. One caught her in the left arm before her right hand got up in time. Though it went through her left bicep and was causing her pain, she was keeping him from firing his weapon anymore.
"You can't hold her forever." Daniel said getting up.
"No, but while she's busy with me…"
"More troops are on their way, by ship. Leave, I'll handle her."
"Mitchell, punch him out or something. Teal'c, you shoot…"
Daniel placed a hand on Ford's chest, and then said sorry.
"Wha…" Ford could only say before he was propelled back several feet and over the DHD after hitting it.
Mitchell went to grab Daniel as Teal'c tried to fire. She waved a hand tossing Teal'c back and then a bright light appeared in her palm. Both Daniel's hands glowed and shot a energy at her blocking whatever attack she was about to unleash.
"Daniel!" Carter exclaimed as she was helping a dazed and very confused Ford to his feet.
"Go, I'll be right behind you all in a few moments!"
"Jackson…"
"GO!"
Though a little disoriented, Teal'c helped her get Ford to his feet and through the gate. Mitchell and Vala went next, glancing back momentarily before stepping through. Seconds later, the gate shut down and Daniel fell back. And then passed out as she walked up.
Back at the SGC, Ford was pissed.
"I had that bitch right were we wanted! And he stopped me!" Ford yelled as he paced Carter's office. "She couldn't do anything except focus on me! But no, Daniel had to interfere. Once again, I now know how Jack felt with those few times Daniel did something stupid at the wrong time."
"He must have had some sort of plan." Carter muttered more worried than angry. "If only he had mentioned something first."
"Remind me, oh hell, I'll remember this. When I see him again, I'm going to kick his ass so hard, he won't be able to sit for a week!"
"Are you being serious?" Teal'c asked.
"If he was here right now, yes. I got a better idea, you can slap him Sam. Just say it's from me and that if I had done it, I'd break bones or worse."
"Okay." she said unsure.
"Then I'll put him on K-P duty for a week! No, better yet, no brownies for a month! And I'll make them everyday."
"Okay, now that's just plain torture." Carter said being serious. "Better I slap him really hard, and Vala do the same out of spite more than anything. Maybe get his mother to do the same and then have his father ground him for a month or something."
"Indeed."
"No, I'm going with the brownies, plus he he'll have to drink decaf while on the base."
"You can't do that." she said. "He's practically allergic to the stuff."
"Watch me. He is so going to pay for that stunt. Jack will back me."
"Hey, is Vala in here?" Mitchell asked as he stuck his head in.
"No, she was here, but left sometime ago." Ford said still in a foul mood. "She wanted to go back to the planet we were on, and despite it being a good idea, it's pointless. By now, they'll be god only knows where."
"So, what are you going to do with General O'Neill?"
"Daniel's punishment for that asinine stunt is I'll make brownies for a month, and he gets none, plus no coffee with caffeine while on the base."
"That's way too harsh General."
"If his reason sucks, it's what I'm doing. As for the rest of you, seriously, if I see him get any fixes because you took pity on him, I will do the same thing to you. And when you see Vala, tell her the same." he said then walked out.
"Is he serious?" Mitchell asked quietly.
"Oh yeah." Carter said with a small shudder.
"And one other thing." he said stepping back in and startling two of them. "If, and seriously, I mean if we actually get lucky enough to have her focused on me again, someone shoot her. That's an order."
And then he walked off again.
Daniel was in one of the rooms on a Ori ship. It was dark inside the room, barely any lights. The ship had came to the planet, beamed the two up plus the machine to build the device and then left. He was sitting against the wall with his knees up and hands intertwined against this head when she came in. She was still in the same leather like slightly armored outfit, and her arm was healed completely.
"How are you feeling?" she asked with concern.
"I don't suppose you know what a hangover is?"
When she didn't respond, he got the answer he thought he'd get.
"Never mind."
"I know the pain must be awful. Your brain was never designed to handle that much information."
"Well." he said leaning his head back and sighing. "Whatever I had was gone. Along with what feels like half my brain cells."
"You'll forgive me if I don't take your word for it." she said with a fake smile.
He looked at her with squinting eyes.
"Now, rest. We have a lot of work to do."
He was rather unsure of what that meant as she walked away and the door closed.
