Several dark stones of different sizes. All in a chest, buried in the ground. Next to it, a human skeleton in the remains of ragged clothes. It was obvious that whoever had dumped the body had done it without any consideration for it a very long time ago as the burial site didn't look recent.

Colonel Colby was analyzing the scene from the edge of the hole, a knee on the ground. Doctor Sakai was standing behind him, slightly on his left. Sakai was resting on the long shovel he had used to dig. He was sweating because of the effort.

The two men had a few things in common: approximately the same age, the same height, and an athletic-looking body. Doctor Sakai didn't share the same nationality. He was from Japan and reminded it with a small badge representing the Japanese flag on his jacket collar. Doctor Sakai didn't share the same status as well. He was a civilian, this is why he had no military badge on his clothes and no assault rifle, just a gun. However, he was wearing the Air Force combat outfit during missions, although he was assigned to SG-3. Sakai had removed his combat vest and helmet, and he had opened his jacket to feel at ease while digging.

Doctor Wayland was on Sakai's left. Civilian, too, in her thirties, assigned to SG-1. Like Sakai, she had no assault rifle, just a gun.

Two captains, a man and a woman, were standing a few steps away, on Colby's right. Galvez, assigned to SG-1, Air Force officer and seconding the colonel, was the man. McKinson, CO of SG-3 and USMC officer, was the woman. Galvez and McKinson shared the same rank but not the same age. The male officer was above forty whereas the female officer was still in her thirties. McKinson had helped Sakai dig. She had left on the ground her combat vest, helmet, and jacket. Her M4 was beside her stuff. Like Sakai, she was resting on her shovel.

The Japanese scientist explained the context of the discovery to Colby, "Doctor Wayland and I were analyzing the field with the probe."

Colby glanced at the probe and the various devices used to take samples or detect radiations that were nearby.

Sakai continued, "It detected a presence. We thought it was a mine or ruins of an ancient civilization. I started digging with Captain McKinson, Captain Galvez arrived when my shovel hurt the top of the chest. We thought we found a treasure... We never imagined we would end up with stones and a skeleton."

"Manning and Bailey are searching the area, in case of any other surprises, sir," Galvez informed.

"I sent Patterson to help them," McKinson added.

Colonel Colby nodded and stood up. "Any idea of what these stones could be?"

"I'm afraid I have no idea, colonel. All I can say is whatever it is, it's not radioactive. No alarm from the probe," Sakai replied.

"We need to bring a medical team and isolate the area," Colby decided. He looked at the people around him and commanded, "Galvez, let's go back to the SGC and inform General Harrigan. McKinson, keep on searching with the rest of SG-1 and SG-3. Sakai and Wayland, I think you should pack up your stuff. Your works will have to wait a bit."

Doctor Wayland didn't seem to agree as she frowned and suggested, "Colonel Colby, maybe Akira and I should seize this opportunity to begin looking into these stones?"

Colby, not a big fan of the proposition, stared at the people around him, silently asking for support.

Unfortunately, McKinson gave the advantage to Wayland. "There is no apparent danger, sir. I agree with Doctor Wayland."

"What about the body, McKinson?" Galvez retorted. "One of these stones or the chest may have killed this poor guy. By a direct contact, for instance."

This hypothesis hit the rest of the group. Nevertheless, Wayland insisted, "We can still conduct preliminary tests on the chest and its content. We have equipment here to do so. I don't see why we should wait until the medical team confirms what really happened to this person. That's not gonna protect us more from a danger that may not exist. Besides, we're already on site, next to the chest. If we're at risk by being close to it, then, it's already too late."

Wayland paused as her colleagues, except Sakai, looked at her, worried by her last sentence. She resumed with a positive note, "I suggest we study a sample of the stones and go through a comprehensive medical check-up, to confirm we're good. How about this, colonel?"

The colonel glanced at Sakai though he already knew the scientist's response.

Sakai glanced at Wayland. "Fair enough, colonel," he said, really not sounding like someone who had pondered the pros and cons before giving his opinion.

"Well, you won't give up so easily, will you?" Colby asked to Wayland. "So, I guess I don't really have the choice."

"I promise we'll be careful, colonel," the lady replied, with a reassuring smile.

"That's what you said last time. If my recollection is correct, Akira ended up with a bluish liquid on him."

"Thank you for reminding me of this embarrassing moment, Jamieson," Akira said, ashamed.

Colby looked at Sakai with a teasing smile that meant "You're welcome".