"Welcome back Dr Jackson."
The words were repeated by almost everyone Daniel met on his way down through Cheyenne Mountain, and finally by General Hammond as he stepped into the briefing room. He'd only been gone a week but by the greetings he got it sounded as if he'd just returned from the dead, again.
Sam gave him a bright and welcoming smile and Teal'c, stoic as ever, acknowledged him with a slight inclination of his head. Jack, who had been the one driving him in, entered right behind him, taking his usual seat on the left side of the briefing room table. Teal'c sat next to Jack and across from him was Sam, leaving the chair on her left for Daniel.
The general took his seat at the head of the table, but before he could start the briefing Daniel just had to ask:
"Sir, is this about PZX-760? I'm not sure if you know but I've been telling Jack that we need to go back there and investigate what happened to the people of that planet."
"Son..."
Daniel didn't seem to hear the general trying to cut in.
"I know I've been recuperating, but I really feel that we shouldn't delay any further."
"Son..."
"There could be clues on that planet that could lead us to a valuable ally in the fight against the Goa'uld."
"Dr. Jackson..."
"Not to mention that the descendants of those people may be somewhere else on PZX-760, possibly in need of our help defending themselves against those..."
"Daniel!" It was Jack who finally managed to halt his tirade.
"What?"
"Calm down and let the general talk."
Daniel finally took in Hammond's expression of mildly entertained irritation, and he seemed to deflate in his chair as the redness crept up his cheeks.
"Sorry, sir," he mumbled, diverting his gaze into the table.
"It's alright son. Your team-members have all approached me about your concerns about PZX-760."
"Really?"
Daniel's head shot up to stare at his team. Sam was looking right at him with a confirming smile.
"Of course we did," she said.
Teal'c gave him another inclination of his head.
"Indeed, DanielJackson."
"What? You thought we didn't care?" Jack's question was drawling with sarcasm.
"Ehm, I..."
"Well, this is something: Dr Jackson speechless. I should keep things from you more often."
Daniel truly did not know what to say, so he simply turned his gaze back down to the table.
"As I said, doctor, your team has told me about what you found on PZX-760, and we have sent another UAV to the planet to assess the threat level. It seems that there is only a small contingent of Jaffa stationed inside the fortress. They appear to be using an Tel'tak ship to get in and out. Therefore I have authorized a mission to return and look into these cave drawings you found. SG-3 will be accompanying you to provide backup."
Daniel's head had slowly risen again while the general spoke so that he was looking him in the eyes as he finished off:
"So if you, and Dr. Fraiser, think you are up for it you can head out at 1600 hours."
"Of course I'm ready. I'll go get my things packed at once, sir."
"Aht!' Once again Jack was the one to stop him. "Infirmary first. Fraiser has the final say-so. You can pack if she gives her okay for you to go on the mission."
Daniel sighed but let Jack lead him towards the infirmary. Twenty minutes later he was sitting on a bed in the good doctor's domain. Janet wasn't exactly happy to send him off-world yet, but she reluctantly gave him permission.
"Your ribs and shoulder haven't healed completely so I want you to take it slow. Keep away from any action and return home immediately if you are experiencing any difficulties from the injuries. And, Colonel O'Neill, make sure he has his regular meals and continued rest during the mission. I want him nowhere near any fighting, you hear me?"
Daniel sighed at the implication that he couldn't look after himself.
"Yes, ma'am.' Jack's reply was completely deadpan, and he even gave her a salute. Daniel huffed out another sigh but didn't argue. At least he was going.
"Can I go pack now?"
"Yes, Dr Jackson." Janet flashed him a smile he couldn't help but reciprocate, and he headed out of the infirmary with Jack in tow.
At exactly 1600 hours Earth time, the kawhoosh of the Stargate on PZX-760 erupted like a horizontal splash of water, before settling back into the shimmering event-horizon of the open wormhole. Jack O'Neill came through first with Samantha Carter just a step behind, both taking up defensive stances at either side of the 'gate. A moment later SG-3 followed and proceeded to secure the 'gate-clearing. Daniel, flanked by Teal'c, were the last ones to pass through before the wormhole disengaged.
"Area secure!" colonel Makepeace reported from where the road began, making everyone visibly relax.
Daniel purposefully walked over to Jack.
"You know, that wasn't necessary."
"What?" Jack was playing innocent.
"Having Teal'c hold me back until you could secure the 'gate-area."
"Fraiser said to keep you out of any fighting."
"I know but..."
"You get to play in ruins though," the colonel continued before he could finish his protest. "What do you say we go find that cavern of yours, huh?"
Daniel shook his head and dropped the matter.
"Okay."
He pointed out the approximate point where he'd come out of the forest to Jack and SG-1 began the trek uphill, leaving SG-3 to guard the Stargate.
The day was warm, just like the first time they were here, and soon they were all sweating from the exertion. The moisture running down Daniel's legs irritated the burned skin, but he'd be damned if he'd complain about it. As the hill got steeper his other injuries also made their presence felt. He tried to hide the pain but Jack must have been watching him because as soon as he let his face contort with a grimace the colonel ordered a halt. A glance at his face told Daniel that arguing would be moot, so he just accepted the proffered canteen of water and slumped down on a rock.
After catching his breath he looked around. They were almost at the tree line and between the last tree trunks he could see the cliff face he knew to hold a mystery just waiting to be solved. The sight gave him new strength and he all but leaped up from his rocky seat and set off towards their goal, leaving the rest of his team scrambling to keep up. In a few long strides Teal'c was at his side though and the look on Jack's face as he came to join them by the rocky wall told Daniel, that even if he wasn't pleased that was good enough.
It took a while longer to find the hidden tunnel this time. The team had come out of the forest at a different place than Daniel had when he was alone and there were many crevices that resembled the one they were looking for. Finally Sam was the one who found the right one.
"I think I got something here, Daniel!"
He rushed to her side and stepped into the opening, immediately recognizing the white lines adorning the tunnel wall.
"Yes," he said with a smile, "this is it. Jack! Teal'c! We found it."
The colonel was with them within a second, pulling out his flashlight and taking point. Sam and Daniel followed close behind, with Teal'c bringing up the rear. The light from the flashlights made it easier to walk on the debris-littered floor of the tunnel, so it wasn't until they reached the cavern that Daniel told his teammates to turn them off.
"You'll see. It's amazing," he ensured them.
As the florescent paintings appeared and lit up the darkness of the cave his words were confirmed by a gasp from Sam, a low whistle from Jack and a succinct 'Indeed' from Teal'c.
Daniel smiled and hurried off to delve back into the history of the planet. He easily found the place where he'd left off, with images of the people celebrating their successful rebellion. Just like he remembered though, that was where the story ended. There were no pictures to tell what happened next. Puzzled he walked along the wall. There were more pictures all around of the hero defeating the Goa'uld, alternating between its true form and being depicted as Dionysus. On one of the images there was something scribbled over the heads of the combatants.
Διόνυσος – Πενθεύς
"Dionysus versus Pentheus," he whispered to himself. "I found the name of the hero that helped free these people!" he called to the others causing Jack to saunter over to him.
"Any directions as to where we can find this guy?"
"Not yet," Daniel admitted, "but I hope to find something in the ruins now that I have a flashlight to provide better lighting."
"Okay, knock yourself out. I'll go take a look outside and check in with Makepeace to see that everything is still calm."
Daniel snapped on his flashlight and let the beam sweep over the piles of rubble covering the cavern floor. Where to start? As he followed the flashlight beam's path around the ruins he noticed an area at the back wall where the free standing walls seemed to be more intact. Encouraged by the sight he headed towards the back of the cavern.
The intact structure turned out to be three walls that together with the back wall of the cave formed an enclosed space. Daniel ducked in through the low doorway and found himself in a small room measuring no more than seven by seven feet. In the center of the room stood a pedestal topped by a display case made of glass. Inside the case lay a large leather bound book on a crimson pillow, both perfectly preserved. A bronze plaque affixed to the pedestal read,
εθαδε κειται ή ίστορία της Θηβης
πονηρε, αναγινωσκε, ίνα βλεπης
φιλε, αναγινωσκε, ίνα θαρσης
"Here lies the tale of Thebes.
Ye wicked - read and take heed.
Friend - read and take courage."
Daniel ran his fingers along the sealed edge of the display case. It must be air tight. On the front, right above the bronze plaque, sat a row of glittering jewels. He tentatively slid his hand over them. There were ten small ones that looked like sapphires and two larger ones, a ruby and an emerald. I wonder... He put a little pressure on his finger as it lay on the green jewel and felt it sink into the glass.
With a hiss of air and a low rumbling of machinery the glass opened, swinging on hidden hinges at the back of the display case. Daniel stepped closer and reverently turned the pages of the book. There was no dust and the thick hand-pressed paper was as crisp as if it had been made just yesterday. The text was in ancient Greek, just like the sign on the pedestal, and Daniel whispered the translation to himself as he read.
"This is the tale of Thebes, recorded as a warning to the wicked and an encouragement to those who stand against them..."
The first part of the text was a repetition of what Daniel had already figured out from the florescent paintings so he skipped ahead a bit until he came to the part where Pentheus defeated Dionysus.
"And so Pentheus threw out the vile Dionysus and all his cohorts, and banned them from Thebes on penalty of death if they ever returned." So Dionysus wasn't killed. "The free people of Thebes rejoiced and tore down the place where the false god had resided. Pentheus had to leave them, but he feared that other false gods would descend upon Thebes to take Dionysus' place in his absence. Thus he told the people to tear down their village as well and make themselves a new abode in the mountains, where they would await his return." Oh, so they did move here to hide.
"Four hundred years did the people of Thebes reside in their cave dwelling. Then Pentheus returned to bring them to the place of their ancestors. And they all went: man, woman and child, and rejoiced." The end. Daniel smiled and keyed his radio. "Jack, I got it."
"I'll be right there, Daniel."
When the colonel entered the tiny room with Sam and Teal'c in tow there wasn't much room left. Jack of course couldn't help but comment.
"Well, this is cozy."
"Yes, Jack." Daniel threw a pointed look at him. "Either way, this book tells the story of the people of this planet, which they called Thebes. Just like I already gathered from the paintings on the roof and walls of this cavern, they were brought here by a Goa'uld posing as the Greek god Dionysus and lived under his rule for a few hundred years. Then a hero named Pentheus arrived from the sky, descending in a ball of bright light. I have no idea whatsoever what kind of creature he may have been, except that according to this text he 'looked like a man but possessed superhuman powers'. It's possible that he was one of the Asgard who had taken on a Greek name to better suit the people of Thebes. There is a Pentheus in ancient Greek mythology who..."
"That's all good, but did they happen to dot down this Mr. Penthouse's address in that fancy shmancy book?" Jack cut him off in his usual 'you're talking too much'-manner, but Daniel hardly missed a beat.
"I was about to get to that. Pentheus left but later returned to take the people 'to the place of their ancestors'."
He left the quote hanging. Sam was the first to figure it out.
"Earth? He brought them back to Earth?"
"Yes, I believe so. As I said, there is a Pentheus in ancient Greek mythology who is said to have been the king of Thebes. He banned the worship of the god Dionysus shortly after taking the throne. This could be due to having rescued these people from a Goa'uld posing as that same god."
"So...Penthouse's forwarding address is Earth?" Jack sounded hopeful.
"Yes, Jack, Pentheus returned to Earth and took his place as king of Thebes in ancient Greece, but…"
"Oh no."
"…if the myth of Pentheus is correct, Dionysus exacted revenge on him by turning his own family and subjects against him. Most likely he is dead, since the myth tells that they tore him limb from limb."
"So…PZX-760 is now officially and irrevocably a bust?"
The hope in Jack's voice was gone and Daniel couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
"I'm afraid so. Sorry for dragging you all this way, again."
"Asch," Jack shook off his disappointment. "We don't mind, Daniel. We'll find something on the next planet."
Suddenly Jack's radio crackled to life and Colonel Makepeace's voice sounded in the cavern.
"SG-1 niner, this is SG-3 niner. We have a situation at the 'gate."
"SG-1 niner here. What have you got?"
"Hostiles closing in, mainly on the ground but we did see the tel'tak fly by a moment ago."
"Is the 'gate secure?"
"We can hold it for now, but general Hammond said to pull out if things were getting hairy, and they are heading that way."
"Roger that. We're coming down. SG-1 niner out."
Jack turned back to his team.
"Alright people, you heard him. Time to go. Daniel, bring that book."
"Ehm... no, Jack."
"And why not?"
"Well, it was left here as a warning to other Goa'uld and an encouragement for those who fight them. It says so right here on this bronze plaque."
"Fine. Leave it then. Let's move out."
Jack headed out through the cavern, once again taking point, closely followed by Carter. Daniel hurried to push the red jewel in the display case, hoping that he'd guessed correctly again regarding how to operate the mechanism. With another hiss of air the glass smoothly slid back into place and sealed the book back into the display case's preserving care. Teal'c was waiting for him to watch the team's backs.
Daniel heard the sounds of battle as they stepped out into the open and started down the hill. I'm glad they're all here with me this time. None of them saw the five Jaffa silently stepping up behind them – until it was too late. Teal'c spun around at the sound of the first staff weapon activating but he only managed to take out one of the enemies before the other four fired. Jack and Sam dove for cover almost as fast as Teal'c, but hampered by his previous injuries Daniel was once again too slow. The searing plasma blast hit him square in the chest, setting every nerve ending in his upper body alight with white hot pain. This time the last thing he heard was Jack's voice.
"NO! Daniel! You sons of..."