Infirmary, SGC, 1800 hours.
Daniel was working on his laptop which Anya had gladly brought to him from his office and was looking through the cipher and the scan of the tablet that Vala had 'borrowed' and brought to the SGC for a translation. He knew that, while he was down in the infirmary, Anya had taken a few days off from the BPRI to look after him until he got the golden bracelets off and help Dawn. As he thought about the bracelets, he stopped typing and glared at Vala whose bed was set at a ninety degree angle from him.
"This is your fault" said Daniel, "I can't believe that you prevented me from going to Atlantis. Again!"
"Oh come now, Daniel" said Vala, "you have to admit going on a treasure hunt is much more fun than going to a galaxy far, far away."
"No" said Daniel.
"Besides in addition to getting my share of the loot" said Vala grinning, "your lady love is happy you're here, so everyone wins."
"I don't win" said Daniel as he brought up the arm that the golden bracelet was wrapped around the wrist, "especially with this on me."
"Hey" replied Vala, "How was I supposed to know that these were Cronus' Kor'Mak bracelets?"
"You knew what they did" said Daniel incredulously.
'True" nodded Vala, "but I didn't know that they'd affect me."
"So" said Daniel, "let me get this straight. You…. You of all people didn't know that when you put this around yourself and someone else, that you'd be bonded together for God knows how long and that we won't be able to get more than a hundred feet away from each other without collapsing?"
"Yea" said Vala as she smirked, "that's a good thing, means I can help you when you apologize to your lady."
"Me?" said Daniel, "Me apologize?"
"Or do you want me to let her we had sex on the Prometheus" grinned Vala.
"What!?" said Daniel as he mentally threw knives at the alien, "nothing happened you thief… you… you… we didn't do anything!"
"Ah ah" said Vala as she smiled at Daniel, "watch your blood pressure."
"Oh for crying out loud" said Daniel as he went back to the laptop as he head Vala chuckling.
Briefing Room, 2100 hours.
Anya and Dawn walked through the halls of level twenty seven as they were slowly going towards the briefing room. Daniel had called them an hour ago to go through his findings and then the three of them went back to his lab, with Vala in tow to check up on some of his books. Anya recalled how excited Daniel had been when he found something in one of his many references to Arthurian legends that were in one small corner of his office.
"Daniel?" said Anya as he ran to his phone and called Colonel Mitchell.
"Dr. Jackson?" said Dawn once he put down the phone and seemed to rush around his own office.
"Briefing room, now" said Daniel excitedly as he picked up some papers, his laptop and books.
Finding herself alone in Daniel's office, Vala started to look around when suddenly Daniel ran back in and pulled her away with him to the briefing room.
Once Anya and Dawn walked into the briefing room, they all saw Willow, Faith, Teal'c and Colonel Mitchell already seated and waiting for Daniel to come in.
"Where's Jackson?" asked the Colonel.
"He was right behind us" said Dawn as she looked behind her before turning back to face the Colonel, "when he noticed Vala was missing, figuring that she may be in his office, he went to get her."
"Oh" said the Colonel.
"Miss Summers, Miss Jenkins" said the General, "according to Dr. Jackson, the both of you have played an important role in translating the tablet, which is why the both of you will be allowed to sit in on the briefing. I'd just like to remind you that everything we learn today is classified."
"I understand" said Anya as she nodded her head.
"Then please" smiled the General as he pointed to some open seats next to Teal'c, "take a seat."
"Sorry, I'm late" said Daniel as he rushed in with Vala, "had to… well…"
"Let us begin, Dr. Jackson" said the General as he looked at Vala who grinned and took a seat next to Colonel Mitchell.
"Of course" replied Daniel as he lay his books and computer next to Anya, before smiling at her and then connecting the computer to the projection system. Willow and the others looked on as he started the briefing by going through the story of King Arthur and the role that Merlin supposedly played in the story.
Daniel then went on to tell the story of how Merlin took the dying King Arthur to the Vale of Avalon, which in legend was where the dead would meet. HE then went on to say that some believed that Arthur wasn't dead, that he would one day return.
"Daniel" said Willow as she put her hand up, "are you saying that Merlin took Arthur to Avalon to help him ascend?"
"It's possible" said Daniel.
"Are not the Ancients forbidden from interfering with the existence of mortals?" asked Teal'c.
"For the most part, the ascended ones at least" replied Daniel, "as best I can tell, Merlin was a human on the evolutionary path to ascension."
"Daniel" replied Willow, "according to the Atlantis database, Myrddin or Merlin, came to Earth ten thousand years ago right?"
"Yea" said Daniel.
"And Arthurian legends started way, way after that" said Willow, "right?"
"Yea" nodded Daniel, "well according to legend he could have existed anywhere between the late fifth and early sixth centuries."
"I know what the Major is sayin'" replied the Colonel before he turned to Daniel, "are we sure that he's the one who wrote the tablet? Could this juts be a wild goose chase?"
"What's a goose?" said Vala, "and why would we be chasing it?"
"It's an expression" replied Dawn as she looked at the confused alien, "it means….. oh never mind… I'll tell you later."
"All we know" said Daniel as he interrupted everyone, "according to the signature on the tablet, it was written by Merlin. And if he was as far on the evolutionary scale as I think, maybe… just maybe he learnt how to control his own ageing?"
"You're saying immortality?" asked Willow as she leaned forward.
"Not really" said Daniel, "maybe extremely slow ageing, but then again ….."
"Sorry to get you off track, Daniel" said Willow as she leaned back on her seat, "I just needed to know."
"I understand why" said Daniel as he looked at Willow. Daniel knew that Willow's cloned body was genetically that of a near ascended Ancient, as did the others at the table except for Vala. So he understood Willow's curiosity about Merlin being able to age slowly. It would seem like immortality and if it could happen to someone like Merlin… then it could happen to Willow. He knew that the prospect of being able to age extremely slowly seemed like both a gift and a curse.
"Dr. Jackson" said the General as he interrupted Daniel's train of thought, "what about this treasure? And what does all of this have to do with where it's buried"
"Yes" said Vala as she perked up, "the treasure. Let's go back to the treasure."
" Well, there are a number of conflicting interpretations, but certain threads point to the Knights of the Round Table gathering great treasures from the far corners of Arthur's domain and hiding them in a magical stronghold at Avalon" said Daniel as he looked at the General.
"The Holy Grail" said both Faith and the Colonel together.
"That's a myth" said Anya, "I mean, I've been searching for it too…. Just so you know."
"Any luck?" asked Willow.
"None" sighed Anya, "I've tried everywhere but nothing."
"How much do you think it's worth?" grinned Vala as she looked at Anya.
At that moment, everyone looked at Vala in disbelief. Everyone except Anya.
"I'd say it's priceless" said Anya, "I've pretty much given up on finding it."
"Oh" said Vala excitedly as she looked at Anya, "how about we split it 50-50?"
"Vala" said Daniel.
"Fine" said Vala as she turned back to Anya after looking at Daniel, "forty for me, sixty for you and your lover."
"Dr. Jackson" said the General as he interrupted Vala and stood up.
Daniel had changed the image on the screen to show a map of a town before turning towards the General.
"In 1191, the monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have found the grave of King Arthur" said Daniel, "on the stone burial was an inlaid lead cross with the inscription: 'Hic Iacet Sepultus Inclitus Rex Arturius in Insula Avallonis.' Which means… "
"Here lies the famous King Arthur, buried on the Isle of Avalon" said Dawn as everyone looked at her,
"yeah, I read Latin."
"Now" said Daniel as he smiled at the brunette before turning around towards the screen, "the claim was not taken seriously until 1278, when Henry II ordered the grave to be exhumed. Now Glastonbury, a small town about 125 miles west of London has been a pilgrimage for believers since."
"I've been there before" said Anya, "had a few women who wanted…. You know….."
"Right" said Daniel.
"Wanted what?" asked Colonel Mitchell as he looked at Anya.
"Sir" said Willow, "maybe we could talk about something's later? That is if the General and Anya are alright with it?"
"I'm alright with it as long as Miss Jenkins is" said the General as he looked at Anya who nodded her head.
"Daniel" said Anya as she looked back at the archaeologist, "are you talking about Glastonbury Tor?"
"Yes" replied Daniel.
"Dr. Jackson?" asked the General.
"Sir" said Daniel as he looked at the General, "Certain Celtic legends says that Glastonbury Tor, the hill overlooking the town, is actually hollow. And that contained within it is the entrance to the underworld, Avalon."
"And no one has done any geological survey or the area" asked the General.
"There have been several scientific studies disproving the myth" said Daniel as Anya put her hand up again.
"Miss Jenkins?" asked the General.
"I've tried to get in there using my… skills" said Anya as she looked at Vala. She recalled Willow telling her not to let Colonel Mitchell or Vala know that she is a demon or about her abilities, "but all that happened was that I ended up on the other side of the hill."
'Oh" said Vala, "I take it that you're a tomb raider or something?"
"Or something" smiled Anya as she looked at the ones who knew her secret while Colonel Mitchell and Vala looked on confused.
"But" said Faith, "since this is the Ancients we're talking about here, could that mean that the entrance, or whatever is inside that hill, is being obstructed by some technology?"
"The Asgard sensors on the Prometheus" said Willow, "we could use that to look into the hill."
"That could work, sir" said Colonel Mitchell as he looked at the General.
"Alright" said the General as he stood up and turned on the lights, "I guess this means that I'll have to call the President and ask his to notify the British Prime Minister."
"Ummmm…" said Dawn as she held up her hand and caught the attention of General Landry, "can Anya and I go on this mission as well? I mean we did help a lot."
"Sir" said Colonel Mitchell, "it seems to be just a research mission, it shouldn't be a problem if they come along. And since they're already here, that means they have the clearance necessary."
"Very well" replied the General, "be careful."
"Thanks" grinned Dawn as she looked at Willow.
"Anya" said Daniel, "dinner at home?"
"Sure" said Anya with a smile.
"Ummm…" said Vala, "then I'll join you too, I mean he can't go far since if he does then the both of us will be…. You know… unconscious again."
"Commissary?" sighed Daniel.
"I'm alright with that" nodded Anya happily.
"Oh" said Vala, "I'll join you too."
"Oh no you don't" said Willow as she grabbed Vala's arm, "we'll be sitting at another table in the corner to give them as much privacy as possible."
"Come on" said Vala as Willow and Faith pulled the space pirate along, together with Dawn, "I've a lot of stories to share."
"Yeah, later" said Willow as she looked back at Anya who was walking with Daniel, "not now."
"Fine" huffed Vala as she looked at Colonel Mitchell who was walking with Teal'c, "I'll be with Colonel Mitchell and Muscles."
Vala then managed to evade the grip of both Willow and Faith as she ran up to the Colonel and Teal'c and wrapped her hands around theirs.
"This is gonna be fun" said Dawn.
"Oh yea" replied Willow as she looked at a smiling Faith.
USAF Prometheus, Earth Orbit, 0900 hours; the next day.
Of all the people who were going to the Prometheus as they met in the SGC briefing room, the most excited was Anya. She knew that Dawn had been on the interstellar craft, although under different circumstances, and she was slightly jealous of that tiny fact. She recalled what the world was like when she was just a normal human, and now she was getting ready to go on a real life space ship; something that would have seemed impossible a thousand years ago and something that she never thought about until she reconnected with Willow again. As everyone gathered together, she heard a buzzing noise before a bright white light washed over her.
Once the light faded away, she found herself in a grey metallic room as various people in BDU's were walking in the hallway right outside the room. She looked around and saw computers and screens around them. Then she noticed that a slightly older man walking towards them from the outside hallway.
"Welcome to the Prometheus" said Colonel Pendergast as he welcomed SG1, along with Dawn, Anya and Vala.
"Sir" said Colonel Mitchell, "has the scan started?"
"Yes" replied Colonel Pendergast, "report to the locker rooms and arm up."
"Sir" said Willow, "has the ZPM scanning software been installed?"
"Yes, it has" said Colonel Pendergast, "Colonel Carter mentioned that you have a patch you need to install before the scan is initiated?"
"Yes Sir" smiled Willow before turning to face Colonel Mitchell.
"If it's alright with you, Sir" said Willow as she looked at Colonel Mitchell.
"Go on ahead" said Colonel Mitchell, "the rest of us will get ready in the locker rooms."
"Thank you, sir" said Willow.
"This way to the bridge" said Colonel Pendergast as he accompanied Willow to the bridge while the others went into the locker rooms.
It was five minutes later that Willow and Colonel Pendergast arrived at the bridge which was a hive of activity with the Command chair empty and the propulsion and the weapons station occupied. Willow watched as the other consoles where being used by personnel while she was led by Colonel Pendergast to the scanning station.
"Major?" said the Colonel as he motioned to the seat.
"Thank you, Sir" replied Willow as she sat down and pressed some buttons, making the screen in front of her come alive with data.
"Have you initiated the scan?" asked the Colonel.
"Not yet, sir" said Willow as she pressed more buttons on the console, "I'm uploading a patch that contains some data from the experiments we've done with the quantum mirror. With the patch I just uploaded, we should now be able to detect the energy emissions from any quantum mirror as long as they have power, even if the mirror is deactivated."
"I see" said the Colonel, "and it will work on other planets as well?"
"Yes sir" replied Willow as she looked back at the Colonel and smiled before turning back to the screen, "and the scan's been initiated."
"How long are we looking at?" asked Colonel Pendergast.
"We're conducting a planet wide scan of two different types of power emissions, Sir" said Willow as the scan continued while she got up from the seat, "and according to this, it should take about twelve hours… give or take."
"Well" said Colonel Pendergast, "we leave for a mission in two days; as long as it's done by then."
"It will be, Sir" said Willow.
"Very well" said Colonel Pendergast as he looked at the console screen before looking at Willow again, "report to the locker room and suit up."
"Yes, Sir" said Willow as she nodded her head and ran to the locker room.
Meanwhile, Colonel Mitchell and the others were called to the Secondary Control Room where Major Marks had finished the regular scan of the hill that they were trying to get into. Anya looked at the computer screen and was surprised to see that the hill was actually hollow but she and the others could see some sort of distortions within it.
"Is that a shield of some sort, Kevin?" asked Faith.
"Not sure" replied the Major, "but it managed to fool deep ground sonar. However, we have managed to define a large main cavern, a network of tunnels and some smaller caves."
"Any deposits of precious metals?" asked Vala.
"Ummm" said the Major as he looked at Vala before looking at the screen again, "like I said we've only been able to map out the exterior."
"Can you get us" said the Colonel as he leaned forward and pointed to a spot on the screen, "there?"
"That's over a half mile underground with no visible points of entry" said the Major.
"So" said Anya, "are we using the transporter thing again?"
"We tried" said the Major, "the shield or whatever the energy distortions are preventing transport."
"The rings" said Vala as she snapped her fingers and everyone turned towards her, "come on, these are the Gate builders, we know they built the rings too. What's not to say that there aren't any rings down there."
"Sir" said Willow as she walked into the room, "I heard someone mention rings?"
"Vala" said Daniel as he nodded towards the space pirate.
"Oh" replied Willow.
"Ummmm" said Dawn as she looked at Anya before looking at Willow and the others, "what rings?"
Glastonbury Tor, Main Cavern, 0945 hours.
The darkness of the main cavern within the hill was suddenly awash with light as a set of ring transporters activated and deposited SG1 and the others.
"That's a ring transporter" said Willow as she caught Dawn who almost tripped when she got off the pad.
"That's so cool" said Dawn, "can we do that again?"
"Sure" replied Faith, "after this?"
"Fine" smiled Dawn as she looked around the complex.
"Wow" said Anya as she looked up, "why wasn't I able to get in here?"
"Maybe the energy distortions messed up your…. You know…" said Daniel as he glanced at Vala.
"Could be" replied Anya.
"This is disappointing" said Vala as she looked around and found no treasure around her, "just like the time Daniel and I had sex."
"Vala!" said Daniel and Willow.
"Sorry… Sorry.." grinned Vala as she looked at Anya, "I tried, but he couldn't… you know.."
"Vala!" said Daniel as he looked at Anya who tried not to laugh at how red the archaeologist was getting.
"Daniel Jackson, Colonel Mitchell" said Teal'c as he shone his torchlight at a stone alter at the top of some stairs.
"Neat" said Faith as she ran to the altar when a beam suddenly appeared from above and left a sword embedded inside the stone.
"You're kidding me" replied Dawn, "I've see this movie. The one who pulls out the sword gets to rule England."
"Huh?" said Vala as she ran up the stairs and put her hand on the hilt of the sword, "so I'll rule one of your nations if I pull out the sword?"
"Well" said Daniel as he noticed Vala trying to pull out the stone, she was struggling in fact, to no avail, "no."
"Well" said Vala as she stepped back, "that was a waste of…."
Suddenly everyone heard a loud noise that brought the Colonel, Daniel, Teal'c, Willow and Faith to step in front of Dawn, Anya and Vala while they raised their weapons at a light that emitted from the top of the alter. A few seconds later, everyone looked at each other as a hologram appeared of an old, white beard man, dressed in long robes and holding a staff.
"Merlin" said Dawn as she and Anya looked at the hologram and then at each other, "it's true, the legends were true."
"Looks like it" said Faith as she and the others put their weapons down and walked towards the alter again, just as the hologram started to speak.
"Welcome, ye Knights of the Round Table, men of honour, followers of the path of righteousness. Only those with wealth of knowledge and truth of spirit shall be given access to the underworld, the storehouse of riches of Ambrosius Aurelianus. Prove ye worthy, and all shall be revealed" said the hologram.
"Wealth of knowledge and truth of spirit?" said Willow as she glanced at Dawn, "wanna give it a try?"
"Pulling it out?" asked Dawn.
"It won't be me" said Faith as she backed away, "after everything I've done before joining you guys, I'm not exactly 'truth of Spirit' nor do I have a 'wealth of knowledge'. Daniel, you should try."
"Hold on" said Colonel Mitchell smiling as he spit into his palms and rubbed them together before stepping up to the sword. Everyone watched as he struggled to pull out the sword but failed.
"Ok" said the Colonel as he turned around and walked down the stairs, "Miss Summers?"
"This is so cool" said Dawn as she ran up the stairs and held onto the hilt and pulled. After trying for a minute or so, Dawn gave up when the sword wouldn't even budge. As she walked down the stairs and stood next to Willow, she mumbled "that was so not cool."
After Dawn, it was Daniel's turn to try but the same thing happened. He then joined Teal'c at the back of the cavern to search for any other way to get the sword out.
"Major" said the Colonel as he nodded towards the altar, "give it a try. If it works for you… I'll eat my hat in front of the SGC."
"Deal, sir?" asked Willow with a smile on her face.
"Deal" said the Colonel.
"Alright, Sir" said Willow as she walked up the altar and put her hands on the hilt of the sword. Once she put her hand on the hilt, everyone saw blue coloured energy crackle along the stone alter and up the sword. A few seconds later, there was the audible sound of a 'click' and she managed to pull the sword out.
"OK" said the Colonel, "that's….. interesting."
"Not good" said Willow as everyone stepped back as a hologram of what seemed to be a knight appeared in the middle of the group.
"Willow" said Dawn as the knight walked towards Willow and raised his sword.
"Its only a hologram" said Daniel as Willow dodged the first strike.
"Any idea why it's here?" asked the Colonel.
"Maybe I tripped the security system?" asked Willow as she ducked again. She then swung the sword up with the knight managing to not only block it, but push her back down to the ground.
"Red" said Faith as the knight struck her back while she was down and she screamed in pain.
"Hologram, my ass" said Willow as she quickly got back up again before turning around and blocking a strike from the knight, which then kicked out at her and she fell back onto the ground again.
"Roll to the left" said Vala as she saw Willow roll and then she wince when the knight sliced through the redhead again.
"The left?" said Willow as she glared at the space pirate before she swung the sword again.
"I meant your left" said Vala as she looked at Faith and the others, "sorry."
"Major" said the Colonel as he indicated that Willow throw the sword to him.
"Sir" said Willow as she threw the sword towards him, but the hilt just passed through his hands and clattered onto the ground behind him.
"Oh" said the Colonel confused as he turned and looked at the sword behind him before he turned around again,, only to see the knight behind Willow take another swing, "get down!"
Willow screamed in pain again as the knight slashed the sword through her legs.
"That's it" said Willow as she mentally grabbed the sword and telekinetically swung it at the knight. Once the knight blocked the sword and pushed it away until it landed next to a very surprised Vala, Willow ran up to the knight and tried to tackle him to the ground. However, instead of tackling him to the ground as she intended, Willow went right through him, leading the knight to turn around and slice his sword through her back. Grimacing in pain, the redhead then mentally pulled her sword back once she had turned around and saw the knight had raised his sword carrying arm. Just before the knight swung the sword back down, Willow slashed the sword upwards and across his chest. Everyone saw that this made the knight step back, which gave Willow the opportunity to slash him again before stabbing the hologram knight through the chest. It was then that the knight simply vanished and the sword fell back onto the ground.
"Major" shouted Colonel Mitchell as he and Daniel ran towards Willow when she got down onto her knees, "you alright?"
"Pain" grinned Willow.
"How did you..?" asked a confused Dawn as she swung her arm as if she was handling an invisible sword.
"You're not the only one who watched Buffy you know" smiled Willow as she got up with the help of Teal'c and Colonel Mitchell, "plus Faith trained me in basic sword fighting techniques. Don't worry, I'm not as good as you."
"How did you do that?" asked Vala, "how did you get the sword? Make it fly to you?"
"Sorry, Sir" said Willow as she looked at Colonel Mitchell.
"It's alright" said the Colonel as Willow picked up the sword before he turned to Vala, "you'll find out after this is done."
"Alright" said a still surprised Vala.
"So" said Anya as she looked at Daniel, "what now?"
"I don't know" replied Daniel as he looked around, "something's supposed to happen, maybe?"
"Maybe you need to put the sword back into the stone?" asked Dawn, "maybe it's a test to see if you steal the sword?"
"Can't be that simple? Can it?" asked Faith.
"Getting hit by a holographic sword that causes excruciating pain isn't my idea of simple" smirked Willow as she looked at Faith.
"Major" said the Colonel as he nodded at the altar, "try putting it back into the stone. The results can't be as bad as what just happened."
"Sure" said Willow as she walked up the stairs and stood in front of the stone, "here goes nothing."
As Willow put the sword back into the stone, she hear a loud buzzing sound followed by a flash of white light.
"Holy wow!" shouted Dawn.
"See" said Vala, "I told you there was treasure."
Willow turned around to see gold everywhere.
"Whoa" said the redhead as she walked up behind Faith, "this is…. Wow."
"Think we can keep a few trinkets?" whispered Faith as she bent down and picked up a gold coin, "these are old…. Very, very old."
"I don't think we can keep these" said Willow as she looked at Daniel who was looking at some of the chalices and the chests full of coins and what looked like pearls.
"Aww… Darn" smiled Faith as she put the coin back where she found it.
"You wanna look through these don't you?" asked Willow.
"Oh yes" said Faith.
"Daniel seems excited" said Willow, "you should join him."
"Cool" said Faith as she squeezed the redhead's arm before running to where Daniel and the other civilian members were, including Vala.
"Colonel" said Willow as she approached Teal'c and Colonel Mitchell, "may I suggest a team come here to catalogue this find?"
"Go ahead to the Prometheus" said Colonel Mitchell, "ask the SGC to send a team here as soon as possible, in the meantime… I'll be taking look around."
"I will accompany Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c as he gave the Colonel a small bow.
"Sure" said the Colonel, "just be back soon, we've got a lot of things to check out here."
"Indeed" said Teal'c as he followed Willow to the ring transporters. Once the both of them were on the pad, Teal'c noticed the worried expression on Willow's face, "is everything not alright, Willow Rosenberg."
"That was too easy, Teal'c" said Willow as she pushed a button on the wall.
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"I just have a funny feeling" said Willow as she looked at her friend, "and usually when I have a funny feeling; something goes really, really wrong."
Teal'c simply bowed his head towards Willow as the rings came up from the floor and the two of them vanished in a bright white light.
TBC.