Tittle: River Stix
Author: KaraMeL
Email: Kristine_sci@hotmail.com
Summary: After an encounter with a Greek group of natives, SG-1 finds themselves in the underworld... Unfortunately the River might have taken four souls already...
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This story belongs to MGM and all the other companies/cooperations that own Stargate. So, initially the characters don't belong to me. Darn.
 
 

‘Long ago, in the ancient Greek empire once led a thriving empire… As with all great cities, they were ruled by gods, both evil and good. As long as the gods were kept content with offerings and sacrifices, the people were kept alive and were rich and prosperous. But if those stupid enough were to ever upset the great gods, the rain of fire would befall any who opposed them. They would then by banished to the underworld, where Zeus and his evil brother Hades would decide their terrible fates and their souls would forever float in the watery river of the Stix…’

The Giant book closed with a thud and the dust settled as the last ray of light disappeared from the dark cave which held the last remnants of the Greek Empire.

Daniel Jackson and Sam Carter flipped through the ancient books as eagerly as children on Christmas day.

“Where did you find these Jack? I mean, priceless writings from the Ancient Greek Era..”

Sam flipped through the age worn pages, her eyebrows knitting as she stared at the unfamiliar scrawls and scripts of some sort of old age language from a time long forgotten. She tilted her questioning gaze towards Daniel.

“Correct me if I’m wrong Daniel… but there shouldn’t be any writing from the Greek era. I mean… weren’t they illiterate? They didn’t have and forms of reading of writing… not that I know of…”

Daniel smiled his usual knowing smile and rifled through some book… picking up the ones that caught his interest.

“That’s a different culture…” He threw a sidelong glance at Jack, “that some people in the room don’t enjoy hearing about… It says here that Greeks were great scholars, thinkers and teachers about the gods… now if you think about it, that ought to be interesting since all gods in this earth’s history were considerably involved as Goa’ulds.. which probably means that our Goa’uld friends are probably some evil representation of gods…”

“I hate to contradict you on this one Daniel… but what about the story of Odysseus? I mean it was told by the great Greek poet Homer…”

Daniel looked at her.

“I know I know… I’m not going into detail any more. I mean there are a lot of things I can tell you about the Greek empire that aren’t even relevant to this conversation of ours… I could talk about the Olympics… the art…”

“How’s about Socrates?”

Daniel and Sam looked at Jack, who was basically lost and forgotten in their minds at that point in time. Jack grinned.

“Socrates? The guy who committed suicide because he was forced to? He was a Greek Philosopher that taught people to think about good and evil… really to try and improve people’s behavior… he was ridiculed and teased for his beliefs… Why mention him Jack? I mean… How do you even know about that kind of stuff?”

Jack grinned, answering Daniel’s first question.

“Oh… Suicide… us talking… yes, yes, we’re all paying attention to you Jack… now go play with your toys.”

“Really Daniel. You’ve gotten really sarcastic over the years. Where did you get it from? Any ways, I did have to major in something in College… Greek civilizations was it… then I joined the army.”

Daniel and Sam looked at him, then at each other. At the same time, wide smiles creased their faces and they burst into laughter in unison. Jack looked hurt and walked into the room, leaving his spot by the door frame.

“I’m hurt… I’m pretty intelligent.”

This cracked the two up further and Jack frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. Teal’c and General Hammond choose exactly that point to walk into the room. The General looked at the two gasping members of SG-1 and then to the annoyed Colonel. Teal’c raised an eyebrow and waited for the two scientists to return their composure.

“Are you okay SG-1?”

Hammond asked worriedly. Sam and Daniel, red faces and all, looked at Jack, gasping for air as they wiped the tears off their faces.

“Sorry sir,”

Sam said,

“But we just heard the funniest thing…”

“…hilarious…”

“…amusing…”

The two members of SG-1 looked at each other, mirroring each other’s thoughts. Jack frowned… sometimes those two were damn scary.”

“Side-splitting!”

The cried out and laughed all over again. The Colonel and Hammond exchanged a look and Teal’c looked ready to dash the two of them to the infirmary. Finally, after they were composed once more, The General announced the reason that they were all there.

“SG-1, SG-5 were approached by the Tok’ra seeking your assistance. They asked specifically because of Dr. Jackson’s linguistic expertise and also Major Carter’s Astrophysics expertise. They want you to find Atlantis.”

Daniel and Sam stood up, and hints of smiles on their faces gone. Jack smirked as they looked wide-eyed at the General.

“Sir, Atlantis was a myth… there is nothing on their earth that suggests that is existed… just fables and myths.”

Daniel looked at Sam then hurriedly walked over the stack of books he had been collecting. After finding the page he had been looking for, he turned to Sam and the rest of the assembled members, pointing to a picture on a well worn page.

“Not necessarily Sam.”

There was a picture of a stone supposedly from the fabled Atlantis. There, clear as day, were a set of six blurry symbols that looked suspiciously like a Stargate address. Sam leant closer to the small description under the picture.

“Permission to go to National Archaeological Museum of Athens sir?”

The General gave the team a calculating glance. No matter where they went the got into trouble. But this was a chance to find something scientists had been searching the world to find for years. The General sighed.

“Permission granted SG-1. You have a go.”

Daniel nervously looked out the plane window again, then put his back against the seat again. Were they ever going to go? Beside him, Sam was typing on her laptop. Daniel wasn’t really interested at what she was doing at that time… he was more worried about crashing. Beside Sam, Jack gave him an odd look… Once which Daniel returned.

He hated flying… with a vengeance.

Teal’c looked about, the bill of his Chicago White Sox hat pulled far over his tattoo. He looked just as uncomfortable as Daniel himself. Daniel wondered if Junior would react to the plane taking off… then again… the Stargate practically accelerated them fasted that any plane could.

Daniel sighed again, rummaging through his carry-on bag, getting his work out. There was truck-loads of papers to fill out and thousands of books to read. Sometimes he wished that he never had this stuff in the first place. With the money the government paid him, he could be retired in a couple years. But that wasn’t the point, he loved his job… it was just the ‘thrills’ and ‘chills’ that made it so unappealing.

The planes engines roared into a starting mode. Sam snapped her laptop shut and tucked it under her seat. Jack squirmed and made an obscene remark about economy seating. Teal’c looked around and made sure to access the situation so there was no danger presented to his friends.

“Oh bother.”

Daniel sighed. He wasn’t going to swear… there were about three screaming children and a frazzled mother behind him.

“Don’t tell me you hate flying Daniel.”

Daniel directed his attention to Jack, who was smiling and balancing a plastic cup of beer. Daniel raised an eyebrow. He didn’t notice the stewardess go by.

Obviously, Jack had, because in his other hand her held a glass of Orange Juice.

“I know you don’t like beer Daniel so this was the most non-alcoholic thing that they had… or did you want cherry juice?”

Daniel glared at him. Sam smiled slightly. Teal’c’s brow creased and he inspected the juice in front of himself. Jack handed Daniel the cup and went on to explain the attributed of ‘OJ’ to Teal’c who tried to follow everything the good Colonel said. Beside Daniel, Sam smiled and sipped her own drink.

“I really, really hate flying. I wish that we could’ve taken a bus of something… going somewhere in the US is one thing… but overseas? That’s a totally different thing.”

Sam smiled sympathetically and buckled her seatbelt as the sign above her head flashed and requested that they put on their seatbelts. Daniel followed her example.

“So how exactly did you get to all those digs in Giza and so on?”

Daniel grimaced and sipped his drink. He looked out his window, and then back to the questioning face of his friend.

“I took a boat.”

Sam Carter typed the final sentence of her latest report and looked at her watch. 4:00am; Colorado time. Where did the time fly?

On either side of her, the rest of the members of SG-1 were fast asleep. Daniel was partially collapsed on the aircraft’s side. The Colonel and Teal’c were fast asleep, the Colonel’s head was resting on Teal’c’s shoulder, while Teal’c had his legs crossed and was in a deep state of kel’no’rem.

Sam smiled. She could see a tiny trail of drool making it’s way down the side of the Colonel’s mouth. Stifling the urge to laugh, she reached over and with a spare Kleenex, wiped the Colonel’s mouth like she would to her young nephews and nieces. In response, the Colonel snored and shifted, putting his arm around her waist and making himself comfortable on her shoulder.

Sam didn’t feel like laughing any more. The Colonel kept sliding too. Sam grabbed a pillow off of Daniel’s lap and put it on hers, pushing the colonel on the pillow. He snorted briefly and buried his head into the pillow, murmuring under his breath.

Sam frowned.

Great.

Instead of dwelling on the predicament, she grabbed the pillow that had been behind the Colonel and made herself comfortable, shutting her eyes and letting the sounds of the engines lull her to sleep.

*Click*

Jack snorted and tossed. He mumbled under his breath and buried his head further into the pillow. Sometimes he wished that he had stayed in retirement. The hot Colorado sun on his face, warming the room…

But it was winter.

Jack groaned and opened his eyes. Pins and needles ran through his back and arms. He blinked and figured out that he was lower than he was before when he went to sleep. In front of him, there was a seat… therefore…

He turned and saw a very irritated Major.

Jack lifted his head immediately, almost catapulting himself into the aisle. Daniel smiled and behind him, Teal’c began to unfold himself.

“Uh… sorry… I don’t remember a thing Major.”

Daniel smirked, putting his Camera away. Jack eyed the offending piece of equipment. Great. The base would be buzzing with this news. Carter looked disgusted as she threw the pillow at him.

“Sir. You drool. How did Sara ever manage?”

Jack raised an eyebrow… ouch. Tossing the wife in… what a bold and most interesting mood. Then again… she wasn’t too happy about making her lap his personal pillow.

“Very well… I wonder if the airline will let me keep it…”

Daniel smiled wider and glanced out the window. In the distance, Jack could see ancient buildings and the beginnings of the outskirts of Athens. It looked heavenly. Compared to the bitter winter weather in Colorado, this was cloud nine.

Carter was leaning over to pack her stuff up. Already it was 10:00am here in Greece. Jack smiled and stretched. The kids that were harbored behind him were beginning to stir. Jack felt sorry for the flustered mother, who was already packing the toys and distractions that she had brought. She was shouting in some foreign language at the children who weren’t stirring.

The plane finally came to a halt and the team stood up, filing out with the rest of the passengers and stepping out into the already boiling temperature. Teal’c breathed in deep and looked around.

“This is most refreshing O’Neill we must do this most often.”

Jack raised his eyebrow, looking at the cloudless sky and then at the ancient looking airport to which they were heading.

“Do you have thousands of Dollars? You’re better off waiting for Summer in Colorado. It can get just as hot. Besides, if you think this is cold, you should see Canada!”

Sam shot him a look and Daniel looked ready to comment on what he said. With a raised finger, Jack warded off any attempt to shove Canadian geography into their joy trip.

The terminal was freezing compared to the outside of the airport. The passengers were taken to the luggage are and one by one, the four team members hauled their stuff out and into the exit.

Finally, after almost a half hour, Daniel appeared, grappling with two suitcases and a carry on bag. Jack gave him a questioning look, as did Carter. Teal’c looked around the Terminal with renewed interest as he surveyed a gift shop with inflatable airplanes. Jack smiled.

“Maybe on the way back Teal’c. If you’re a good boy. Daniel, for god’s sake! We’re here for a couple days, not three months. Does the concept of ‘over-packing’ mean anything to you?”

Daniel shrugged.

“I am not a ‘good boy’, as you refer me too O’Neill. I would in fact be a good man.”

Jack stared at him in silence for a couple seconds before picking up his suitcase and starting towards the exit. Everyone was a comedian.

Teal’c raised his eyebrow as the Taxi took the team and their luggage through the crowded city. It was interesting. From the books that Daniel Jackson had supplied for him, he could see the high hilltop of the Parthenon the hill that was covered with temples. Teal’c thought it looked slightly liked the worship place where Jaffa went to exchange a mature larva for an immature one.

Beside him, O’Neill drew in a great amount of air. Teal’c looked at him in concern.

Jack returned the look and then at the crowded car. Humans were a strange people, Teal’c thought. So oblivious, so unaware, yet so fearful of things that paled in comparison.

Finally the Taxi stopped and Daniel Jackson spoke to the Cab driver for a moment in Greek then got out of the Car, looking up at the ancient building that now served as a hotel. Teal’c looked around the busy streets and took his, and one of Daniel Jackson’s bags.

Beside him, Major Carter smiled as she entered the posh hotel. It was already clear that the female member of SG-1 was ready to enjoy herself for once. Teal’c was happy about this. It wasn’t often that the team managed to get a ‘break’ as Colonel O’Neill called it… rarely ever.

Daniel Jackson dropped his bags at the desk and proceeded to get their rooms. While he was talking, Teal’c surveyed the hotel. If had once been ancient and beautiful, but now it was contaminated with the modern human equivalent of ‘good-looking’ as O’Neill had referred to a sparsely furnished room with metal appliances in every crevice. Teal’c noticed that at least the lighting was acceptable and the furniture was aged.

Daniel Jackson finished his conversation with the Clerk and then tossed a set of Keys to O’Neill. He gestured with his head that Teal’c should follow.

“What do you mean I have to share with Teal’c? How come you bunk with Carter?”

Teal’c looked at O’Neill as he protested to the younger man. Major Carter smiled and looked at the elevator that was slowly descending to their floor.

“After you drooling on her, I’m surprised she’s not waterlogged.”

O’Neill made a humorous expression and then smiled when Daniel looked away. Teal’c’s eyebrow rose again. Humans were peculiar creatures.

Daniel smiled and looked at the ancient towers and buildings… it was beautiful. Already, they were making their way – through the busy streets – towards the National Museum. Daniel was glad they hadn’t taken the subway or a Taxi, because he really loved walking through history as if he were once there before.

Jack and Teal’c had decided to do their own wanderings… according to Jack, Bars and sightseeing… Daniel pursed his lips… how were they ever going to get through this place speaking only English? Daniel focused instead on the massive building that housed the single artifact that the two members of SG-1 were working on.

“So Daniel… What if this thing is Stargate coordinates? I mean… will we really find this lost city?”

Daniel shrugged, and started the climb up the steps of the museum.

“I have absolutely no idea… wouldn’t it be great though? We’d have to check if it were on the Abydos Cartouche… Authentic… hopefully. Something tells me that there ought to be Goa’uld’s there. I mean, the Greeks were rules by the gods… sure indication… as in other cultures… that the God’s were more or less Goa’ulds.”

Behind him, Sam shivered slightly. Daniel grimaced himself… This universe was a great place and all, but the presence of Evil was what ruined it.

“I wonder why the Tok’ra were so interested in finding this place… They are looking for Goa’ulds… but do they honestly expect to find any there?”

Daniel shrugged, finally reaching the top of the stairs. He paid the woman at the booth the entrance fee for both himself and Sam and then entered the lobby of the giant museum. Daniel picked up a map and they set off in the direction of the ancient artifacts.

“This place is beautiful…”

Sam looked up and around at giant tapestries and plants that hung lazily over guard rails. Daniel couldn’t disagree… it was as if they had stepped into the past itself. The giant room finally appeared and Daniel and Sam begun their search for the artifact.

“Here it is Daniel.”

Sam shouted. A nearby security guard flickered his gaze towards them. Sam smiled apologetically. Daniel came up and began to examine the piece. He looked at the script until he found the faded Stargate symbols… Daniel rummaged through his bag and took out his pen and pad, scratching the symbols into his book.

“Perfect. We can go home, feed this into the computer, account for the difference in planetary shift and we’re off for another adventure.”

Sam smiled at Daniel, already making his way down the display cases to the hallway. Whatever would they do without the archeologist.

“Wait a minute Daniel… Shouldn’t scientists have thought it was kind of weird having those symbols there?”

Daniel smiled and turned towards Sam, matching her stride step to step. He shoved his pad and pen into his bag and zipped it up securely.

“The Greeks were astronomers too… they probably thought that it was an indication of the constellations… probably meant nothing to scientists… but to us, it carries it’s weight in gold… right Sam?”

She smiled again, not answering.

So Teal’c! Are you enjoying the sites and sounds of Athens! I mean… this is the life! All expense paid vacation… a little snooping and we come home… via the government. Geez… sometimes I wonder why we didn’t do this sooner.”

Teal’c gave Jack a confused expression then looked out towards the distance where there lay many temples and buildings. Then, he glanced down at the cup of water that he held in his hand.

“You are mistaken O’Neill. We are not snooping… in fact Major Carter and Daniel Jackson are.”

“That’s the beauty of it Teal’c… we have underlings to do this stuff for us.”

Teal’c raised an eyebrow and took a drink from his cup. Then he looked at Jack. Jack could see the wheels in Teal’c head turning… Suddenly the phone on the tabletop rang. Jack groaned and reached over, flipping the phone on and listening to the excited voice. After he hung up, he looked at Teal’c.

“So much for a vacation.”

Sam looked at the flashing GDO on her arm and then looked at the spinning Stargate. After numerous discussions with the Tok’ra and the SGC personnel on Safety and what ever else may go wrong, they were finally on their way.

The Tok’ra had been reluctant to give out any information concerning the actual reason for their wanting the address and going there. The General had made it quiet clear that SG-1 would not be participating in this mission if they did not get the required information. The Tok’ra had unwillingly supplied that this was a planet full of renegade Tok’ra from the ancient times. The Stargate address had been lost many hundreds of years ago.

Sam had been antsy about this mission in the first place. Why would they tell them any ways? It wasn’t as if the Tok’ra really needed them.

The Stargate circled the last time and engaged. Sam watched as the blue shimmering liquid burst out and then folded in, creating the stable wormhole that she had yet to completely figure out.

“Keep your heads up SG-1... keep in contact.”

Sam directed her attention to the thick window, to catch the Colonel throw a sloppy salute at the General. As usual, the general replied in all seriousness and saluted as crisply as the day she first saw him.

The Tok’ra led the pack and stepped up the Stargate. The blue surface rippled and then cleared. Sam took a deep breath, following them into the oblivion.

The Blue wormhole deposited the two groups. SG-1 barely remained on their feet as they stumbled out. Daniel maintained his dignity and narrowed his eyes against the glare of the fading sunlight.

This world was much like Earth, it’s tall and graceful trees... lined with blue and green needles... there were mountains, bushes, grass... Daniel looked past the peaceful facade, focusing on the lava running from a volcano beyond the peaceful setting. Daniel opened his eyes at the dark smoke rising above the deep blue sky.

Pompeii relived...

Daniel glanced at the rest of the team. Teal’c was gazing steadily at the surrounding environment, his warrior bred mind searching for danger and enemies. Jack was pressing the ear piece into his ear, gathering last minute instructions from the General before the gate shut off. Sam was walking around to also inspect the area, but also glancing at the DHD, already configuring a way home.

Daniel smiled and observed the Tok’ra as they set up equipment and camp. Behind him, the Stargate disengaged and vanished.

The Gate was oddly deserted. There were the remnants of vines and bushes but the pedestal the gate rested on. Daniel leant down and fingered them. The juices from the xylem and phloem rubbed off on his hands... red... like blood... They had been almost completely vaporized...

Daniel shivered and wiped the red fluid off his hands. It was like an omen of something to go wrong... it was as if the trees themselves were bleeding... which reminded him of a very unfavorable poem he had once read.

“Daniel! I’m not your servant! Set up your own tent”

Daniel turned towards the sound of his best friend... or boss... and forced a smile upon his face, his eyes not quite smiling... that was something that he couldn’t force.

Daniel took off his pack and Jacket, hanging them onto a nearby tree. He went to the FRED and grabbed the pack he had called home on many of the journeys that they had taken off world. Jack gave him a worried look, helping Carter with her stuff, complaining in the right places and making his usual sarcastic jokes.

Daniel looked directly back at Jack, trying to make sure that his friend stayed out of his feelings for the time being. After all these years, Jack had still kept the mothering side of him... as if Daniel was a replacement of the child he had lost so many years ago.

Jack took the bait and left him be. Daniel continued setting up his tent in the shade of a nearby tree. Already, the skies were turning Dark with clouds.

Daniel raised his face to the heavens as the skies began to weep with the tears of relief... like a great sadness... Daniel shivered once again, grabbing his equipment and jacket, wincing as he felt the sap of the tree coat his hands in the blood like substance. Not a good sign... not a good sign at all.

Jack shook his hair, grimacing as the short spikes stood straight.

Stupid weather.

Jack ducked back into the cover of his tent, going back to his task of systematically cleaning every bar and crevice of his gun. This was the second time that he had taken the gun apart and cleaned it.

The Tok’ra had deemed the rain and wet ground too hazardous with the sensitive equipment they were traveling with. Jack cast a look towards their camp. Sam was there, the fire dancing across her face in an eerie pattern. She was laughing with some Tok’ra that were obviously glad at her presence. It seemed that the air of disagreement was not only affecting the Earth travelers.

Teal’c on the other hand was rigidly standing under the cover of a tarp he had set up. Jack raised an eyebrow at the unflinching form of the Jaffa and wondered if he ever slept.

Jack sighed, cleaning the last piece and then putting it together again. As he finished and grabbed the pan that had been collecting water outside the tent, he glanced in Daniel’s direction. The younger man was spooked... so was he, but Jack knew it was probably the substance that was in the plants... that looked like blood.

The young man had not been on ease for a while... the mission was more than it seemed... Jack wondered at what stakes the Tok’ra were taking for the ensurence that the team would follow them into this... it seemed an interesting prospect at first... but now it seemed more of a risk.

Daniel was reading something inside his tent. The flashlight he usually carried was tied to the top of the tent and was swinging wildly as the lightning and thunder shook the ground... Jack suspected that wasn’t the only thing... the volcano looked pretty suspicious too...

Daniel looked up at Jack, almost sensing his eyes on him. Jack quickly busied himself with the task of washed his hands in the rain he had collected. Jack’s eyes widened and he took his hands out of the pot, staring at the red streaks that were running down his hands... the rain was red...

Now he understood Daniel’s anxiety.

It reminded him of the rice fields in ‘Nam... the blood from the countless victims of disease an gunfire that floated in the pools of shallow blood reddened water the was usually used to grow rice... the memory made his blood run cold.

Jack looked up in Daniel’s direction and saw the younger man looking at him intently. Jack realized what Daniel had been saying about no good omens... and he knew that Daniel was right.

The morning was bright and beautiful.... Nothing like the turbulent storms that had rocked the planet the night before.

Daniel stood and stretched, ignoring the red rain streaking the side of his tent and staining the cuffs of his pants as he shuffled towards the Tok’ra camp where Jack was cooking up something that looked like eggs.

“Hey Daniel. You want some scrambled... what did you call it again?”

Daniel turned to the Tok’ra that smiled slightly. Unlike most humans at this point, the Tok’ra was clam and patient with the disgruntled Colonel... Daniel wondered if one day the universe would turn on him... the Goa’uld already had.

“Xian. They are named xian.”

“Alright then... zian. Want some zian? They look like eggs... I think they taste a little like Chicken... you try.”

Daniel made a sarcastic face and let Jack give him one. He grabbed a bowl and a package of Army rations... applesauce. Daniel took a seat beside Sam who was choking down her own Xian.

“How does it taste Sam?”

She shrugged, discretely tossing it into the bushes as the Colonel turned away. She looked just as tired as himself... maybe more so since she spent most of her night talking to the Tok’ra.

“Well... not good... The Colonel is just not the type of guy that knows how to cook. Any ways... I’m sure you would like to hear all about the stuff I figured out yesterday. Apparently, this is Atlantis... Really interesting since a lot of rubble on earth that was thought to be Atlantis actually was... Somehow there was an explosion or something and pieces of the city were flung through the gate... which was located near Greece... The gate in the Antarctic was actually one from Greece... You think you hear everything... s, Any ways, there was another colony built and abandoned later on, the colonel was discovered by the Tok’ra, and from then on was used to send disgruntled Tok’ra...”

Daniel nodded... remembering Cordesh in the Tok’ra tunnels being engulfed by the blue energy.

“Well, apparently, the gate was locked by a certain mechanism, that prevents the Stargate from being engaged from this side. They recently found this device and tested it. The Tok’ra want to see what happened to the renegades they sent here.”

“Any thing about this rain of theirs? Or the volcano?”

Sam winced slightly and finished off the rest of her food, getting up. Daniel followed her progress as she stood.

“Apparently, the rain is to signify all the lives that had been lost in the explosion of Atlantis... the blood of the people... but the Volcano... it’s hell. There was Greek mythology adapted here Daniel. There were Greek gods, Athene, Zues... so on...”

Daniel caught her drift and then looked up at her.

“Hades?”

She smiled tightly and grabbed the garbage off the ground, tossing it into a bag near the cooking area where the Colonel was getting his own food after trying to persuade Teal’c to try the Xian. The Colonel shot her a look, then to Daniel himself who was staring at his plate.

Daniel met eyes with the Colonel and Daniel wondered if the Tok’ra really were after finding the Tok’ra... or if there was a bigger goal in mind.

After the Tok’ra had issued some instructions, the two teams finally packed up and left for the supposed lost city. Although Jack had been interested in Greek culture and mythology as a teen, this just didn’t seem right. Beside him, Daniel was avoiding the puddles of red water. That was a new one. Red water... same skies... trees... almost... Earth in every aspect.

How weird. It never ceased to amuse him whenever they went to a world... always one or two details out of the ordinary.

The volcano as one. Apparently, this was their area... they were to head towards that area... see if there were people...

This just didn’t feel right. Never did.

Jack sighed, focusing on his major and Teal’c. Both marched steadily, matching each other stride by stride. The Major seemed to be having more of a difficulty with it, but seemed to do okay. Examples of perfect soldiers... except when it came to his cooking. No way they were going to eat that.

“So... How long ‘till we reach his place?”

The Tok’ra in front of him fell back a step to match his own stride. Behind him, Daniel sneezed.

“Bless you.”

The Tok’ra looked puzzled for a moment, and then pointed towards the volcano, the lava still pouring down the side, marring the deep blue sky. Jack looked at him questioningly.

“We will reach the volcano, as you call it, in less than an hour. We will search the perimeter and then we will advance towards the city. It was or may not exist. We will split up in teams. Your team will head towards the base of the mountain, and we will search the city.”

“Search for what?”

The gig was up. That little slip-up was just the little comment evoked from Daniel was created for. Another proposal... how interesting... Jack looked at the group of Tok’ra expectantly.

“We are sorry to have deceived you. We needed your assistance to help find this world, because it possesses a certain piece of technology which we believe may have something to do with the myth from your world about the river Stix. We believe that the Tok’ra that were sent here constructed this machine... but since their demises... we believe that the evil Goa’uld that had once been sent here, use this technology even now. We wish to find it, so that the people of this world will not live in fear of this piece of technology designed to be integrated into our myths.”

Daniel and Jack looked a each other for a moment.

“You mean the River Stix... as in the one where the souls of the dead are in for eternity? The one where there’s three fates... little string... and then zip, your in the middle of a bunch of dead souls... THAT River Stix?”

Daniel shot Jack a withering look. Jack shrugged. An ‘I told you I knew something’ smirk on his face.

“Yes. We believed that there was also such a piece of equipment on your world. We’ve searched your world before... when your level of technology was primitive so that you would not detect us. That is where we first heard of Atlantis... the lost city. We searched our records and asked the oldest of our groups. No one had heard of it. Until you of course.”

Jack had barely realized they were walking again. His mind was reeling and beside him, Daniel was muttering under his breath as he usually did when he was thinking.

“Why didn’t you tell us this before Orbesh? We would have understood and helped you.”

Sam was still trying to be the diplomat. Jack seethed a bit, before he could take out his anger on this deception, the lead Tok’ra raised his hand in silence. The Tok’ra all flattened themselves to the ground, SG-1 followed suit and then shimmed over to a steep embankment.

It was beautiful.

Large vines hugged the buildings and fences, large olive trees stretched up towards the sky, offering their bounty, neat gardens circled simple mud covered houses and grape vines climbed poles in a far off field. There was a large building with giant coliseums to support the triangular roof.

‘Must be the main building’ Jack though.

There weren’t a lot of people. Some, tending the many gardens lining the dusty cobble stone street and others pushing stalls and setting up tables. Obviously there was some sort of market or something going on. There were three or four children running around a giant fountain that stood smack in the middle of the city.

Jack could call it a city because it stretched throughout the valley and over the hill in the far distance. Great buildings towered over other great buildings... it was as if almost they had transported into Athens or Pompeii itself. There were many buildings Jack could easily identify as temples and opera theaters. Considering his great love for opera music, he should. There was even a building that resembled Rome’s Coliseum.

“Wow. This is incredible... I’ve never seen such a huge city... I mean, the most we’ve seen are small towns... primitive to the least. Like there were only there for a hundred years. This is something really huge. The level of growth here is amazing.”

Jack looked at Daniel, then back at the massive city. He was right... Jack could definitely give him that.

Jack was torn from his train of thought as the Tok’ra gestured that they should follow them. Obviously they were going to make some sort of move to make contact with these people... or at least try and find this machine.

As first predicted, the Tok’ra headed towards the city. Jack groaned. First contact always took to long.

Sam stumbled slightly as the hill crested sharply. She managed to catch her balance herself, but not before a large hand caught the scruff of her jacket. She looked up and smiled thankfully at Teal’c.

“Thanks Teal’c.”

He nodded in his customary fashion and continued to keep a steady hand on her shoulder. A couple Tok’ra glanced in her direction, and she felt mildly embarrassed to be treated like a small child. She cast a look towards Colonel O’Neill and Daniel, and found a similar episode being played out. Jack had his hand on Daniel’s shirt, in case the other man would fall in the same fashion.

Already there were a few city dwellers looking up towards the hill. Some ran into their huts, whereas others ran towards the large building that was probably the main governmental building.

“Oh great. The villagers know we’re here.”

Sam cast a look towards the ever so sarcastic Colonel and chose to ignore the comment. Instead, she looked at the crowd which was beginning to gather.

“Welcome.”

Sam looked at a man who had - if she had been observing them carefuully – just exited from the large white building. It was a male... no doubt the customs of ancient Greece were still in effect... he had a shock of white hair through his dark brown hair. He was wearing the traditional clothing of that time era, simple sandals and togas. This man’s Toga was more elaborate, a deep, rich purple, meaning he probably was the leader or someone important.

“We offer you greetings and welcome you to Atlantis. Where have you come from? A distant colony...?  The skies?”

The lead Tok’ra of the group, Orbesh as Sam knew him, answered.

“We come from a world known as Earth. We are here as Tok’ra, representatives of an alliance to stop the Goa’uld from taking control of the galaxy.”

The crowd murmured. Sam had the oddest feeling that they knew all to well who the Tok’ra and the Goa’uld were. The Tok’ra looked similarly surprised. Sam glanced at the rest of SG-1, as always, the Colonel didn’t seem to mind or think anything was wrong. Daniel had a perplexed expression on his face, studying the people that were gathered. Teal’c had the same rock-like expression on his face that he usually had.

“We know of the Tok’ra. In fact, most of the people you see are products of the original inhabitants of this world. As for the Goa’uld. We know all to well. Many hundreds of years ago they came on their ships and took over the planet. We managed to overthrow them, much as the original earth dwellers did.”

“How do you know of Earth? And the rebellion?”

Daniel stepped foreword this time, the Tok’ra let him be, obviously the knowledge of these people was far more than any of them had expected.

“It is carved in stone, by the first inhabitants. On the walls of the Underworld. The stories have been passed by word throughout the years.”

“Do you have any information about the whereabouts of the Tok’ra that once inhabited this world? Where have they gone?”

Orbesh stepped up further this time. The original – as the Tok’ra insisted – plan to come to this planet was to see if any of the Tok’ra survived. By the negative nod from the man, and the increased murmuring of the crowd, which had extended even further, fueled Sam’s theory that they no longer lived.

“They were killed, when the evil Goa’uld came down to this earth. They died protecting our people. They said they would have helped us, but the device which could do so was no longer an option. We never knew what they were talking about. Your appearance could help us understand what our ancestors did not.”

Daniel looked at Jack, where as Teal’c frowned. Sam looked up at Teal’c, silently asking him questions.

“Your people are not aware of the Stargate? The method of transportation where the people of your world came to be here?”

The man was then joined by two more men, much younger and supple than he, dressed in wine red clothing. They conversed a little before finally answering the Jaffa’s question.

“We are aware of the strange ring near the ruins of the old city. We have left it be to Natures will so that we would not offend to gods. Pardon my asking, but you are much like the warriors described by our ancestors that took over our world. Are you?”

“I am formerly of the service of Apophis, a man who enslaved my people and kept them as warriors. I no longer serve them. I am free.”

Sam could hear the proud tone in Teal’c voice. Sam could feel her own feelings of pride and accomplishment fill her until she felt as if she would burst. If this wasn’t a testament to all the work they had done, then she didn’t know what was.

“We understand.”

The white and dark-haired man looked at the assembled people, as if this was the first time he had seen them. He looked back at the visitors, noticing that they seemed tired and hungry. He slapped his chest yelled to the two men in wine togas and in a language that seemed almost indecipherable to the ear carried a rapid conversation. The people began to disperse and the man turned back to them, touching the part of his chest he slapped.

“Forgive my manners. Please, I invite you to a feast tonight, in the great hall. We will discuss more of this later tonight. I will take you to some sort of lodging, you may rest or clean up. We will provide you with clothing. Oh yes, I am called Marcus.”

They all shared their names as well, Marcus looked extra long at her, probably wondering why she was the only female that was accompanying the group. He didn’t have the chance. They were led to an inn of sorts, provided with rooms and then left to contemplate this odd turn of events.

“I mean, no offense, but this is really odd Jack. I can expect that the locals know about the Goa’uld, but the Tok’ra? I didn’t believe anything like this could have possibly happened.”

Jack sighed and narrowed his eyes against the hot mist that was circulated around the room, he could barely see anything, except for Daniel’s shilouete by the side of the hot rocks. Jack strained his eyes and saw Daniel pick up a pitcher of water and pour it on the rocks. More steam billowed into the room and he felt the temperature in the room elevate. Jack began to sweat even more.

“Yeah... I see your point Daniel. Uh... do you mind not putting more water on those rocks. I am boiling.”

Silence followed his remark. Jack peered into the mist. HE almost yelped in surprise as Daniel tapped him on the shoulder.

“Ah! Don’t do that.”

Daniel gave him a look but took a seat. Jack shifted uncomfortably, trying to make the towel stretch so it covered more space. Greek people didn’t have a lot of ideas of privacy. These were public baths, Jack wondered how many people there actually were in here now. Daniel nudged him and they stood up, making their way to the pool area. When they cleared the cloying heat of the other room, Jack felt the refreshing coolness of the pool air hit him.

He shivered.

“So, I don’t know about you, but I have an itching to see those caves, and inscriptions. How about you? Doesn’t it spark your interest? After all, you are the Greek expert here.”

Jack walked gingerly to the side o f the pool, clutching the towel solidly to his waist. He saw Daniel raise his eyebrows. Jack scowled. He would not take off this towel, no matter what customs these people had. Daniel was the ‘alls-for-contact’ guy, he could be naked for all her cared. He smiled when Daniel stepped in, towel intact as well. You just couldn’t drop earth customs no matter where in the galaxy they were.

“Greek expert maybe... but sparking interest? No. Don’t you ever read? The underworld as in place where DEAD people are? No stones with little pictures on them are going to spark my interest thank you. I mean, for crying out loud, I hate going into graveyards...”

After a bit of thought, he remembered the smile on Charlie’s face.... almost hated going into graveyards... almost. Daniel had a look on his face like he was a million miles away. Jack snapped his fingers and Daniel looked up.

“Maybe. Sam is coming. If you are the faithful baby-sitter you pride yourself on being, then come. I promise I won’t dress up in a sheet and scare you.”

Jack bared his teeth into a sarcastic smile and got up. The towel weighed heavily around his waist. Daniel followed suit and followed him into the change room. Marcus had been true to his word and had left a couple togas with matching shirts and sandals. Jack choose the blue one and left Daniel with the green one. They pulled on the white shirts and then the Togas, leaving the matching dyed sandals last. Finally, when the outfits were completed, they stood up. Jack made a face and looked at Daniel

“How the heck am I supposed to sit down?”

The feast was large and many important people flocked through the large wooden doors. The ‘guests of honor’ were seated at the far end of the table. Apparently, Marcus was the ‘head hancho’ as Jack had called him, and pulled some strings. A lot of dignitaries were seated as close as possible to the ten visitors.

“So, tell me Dani-el, how your people came to use the Stargate.”

Daniel, in the middle of swallowing a piece of some unidentifiable animal nearly choked. He grabbed a glass of liquid and blinked rapidly at the quickly forming tears.

“Uh, sorry, excuse me. Wee, we discovered the Stargate soon after the war... 1948 I presume. We had in our country for a while before the United States decided to figure out if it was a weapon. They tried to decipher it and eventually recruited me. We managed to figure it out and we’ve been traveling ever since.”

Marcus nodded. Daniel sighed as the burning in his throat subsided. The drink was actually pretty good. Jack, who was sitting beside him, smiled and turned back to his conversation with a beautiful woman.

Teal’c, as usual was standing guard, unfortunately, just as in Britain with the Queen’s Guard, many children thought it was fun to play with him, climbing, making faces. Apparently Some of the parents had taken pity and led some of the children away. Teal’c looked relieved... considering what a relieved Jaffa looked like...

Sam, on the other hand was surrounded by men. She seemed oddly abashed and was trying to slip away unnoticed. Daniel had to admit she looked beautiful. Sam was wearing a long, no-sleeved dress, light blue at the top but gradually getting darker. Her short hair had been arranged so that it was longer... much like extensions on earth. It was piled on top of her head and the individual strands curled. She looked much like a goddess. Right now, she looked like she wanted to run away.

“That must have been fascinating. Have you traveled to many places?”

Daniel nodded and proceeded to describe the many worlds and adventures the team had. By the time he had finished he had realized that many of the guests had gone, Jack was asleep on the table and Sam was chatting with one of the males from the city. Daniel also realized he had drowned almost six cups of the liquid drink.

“You lead an exiting life Dani-el. I wish to hear more. Tomorrow, I will take you on a tour of the city.”

He stood up and clapped his hands, slapping his chest and speaking in the foreign language. Daniel could recognize some of the words, but already his brain was shutting down. He was exhausted. The guests dispersed and Jack awoke. The six Tok’ra had long since left. Sam brushed the crumbs off her dress and swung her head to the steadfast Jaffa.

“Lets go Teal’c. Come on Colonel, Daniel...”

Daniel looked at the blurring table and groaned. He looked at the swaying room and then his head fell, thumping on the table, already on his way to the land of dreams.

Daniel blinked as the sunlight that filtered through the open window, the curtains billowed softly in the light breeze and Daniel could smell the fruits and vegetables of the vendors, setting up for the day.

“Awake I see... just about time... you’ve been asleep for almost thirteen hours.”

Daniel blinked and turned his head to the sound of Jack’s voice. He didn’t look very happy and was whittling a stick with his regulation knife. Daniel could see a pile of shavings on the floor.

“What did I say about over indulging on these things. I thought it would’ve sunk in by now. You also need to loose weight.”

“Huh?”

Daniel was thouoroly confused now. What was Jack talking about? Over indulgment? Loose weight? A wave of thoughts crashed into the side of his brain, Making Daniel sit up and clutch his head. He groaned and remembered the six cups of liquid he had drunk. Not a good way to start off a morning.

“Here.”

Jack tossed him a bottle of Aspirin and shoved a cup of water into his hand before he left. Daniel swallowed them dry and made a face before polishing off the reddish water. The door opened again, and he expected Jack to come back in, instead, Sam came in, closing the door behind her.

“Hey Daniel? How are you?”

Daniel shook his head as the headache began to receded as she spoke. Finally he was  able to speak without slurring his words or his head pounding like the beat of the African drums in the middle of a giant celebration.

“Oh, great. Pounding headache, everything looks like a giant blur, and I’ve suddenly found a use for Jack’s sarcasm.”

“Touché”

Daniel winced as Jack replied dryly to the comment that Daniel had made to him. Instead of going away again, Jack tossed him his glasses and levered him up. For a moment Jack’s image blurred then stabilized. Before he had a chance to regain his footing, he was being pushed through the elaborate doorway and into the hall.

Jack followed Daniel and Marcus through the streets. He was bored out of his skull. So far, they had seen farms, museums, theaters and everything that just didn’t seem interesting. He was so bored he even felt like going home and watching figure skating...

Now that was bored.

He was missing hockey right now. Finals... the championships... all so Daniel could have a little fun with this place. He knew it wasn’t true. He was just as curious. Jack looked around the giant atrium of the ‘university’ Marcus had used another name.... It just wasn’t sticking. There were busts and pots with figurines everywhere. IT was kind of interesting to see these things... but he’d rather see something more... stimulating.

“This is the last leg of our tour. The Science area. I made sure that you are able to talk to any of the scientists. This is one of the most developed parts of Atlantis.”

Jack glanced towards Marcus. The excitement was evident on both Daniel’s and Marcus’ faces. As they glanced back towards him, he smiled widely... Why didn’t Carter volunteer to some instead? Did she honestly have to go and pick harvest with the rest of the women?

“This is amazing!”

Jack looked up, and for a moment, it seemed almost too brilliant of a light and then suddenly Jack could see properly. Amazing. There was machines and lights and inventions which... were out of their world. Not literally of course.

“Jack, can you see all these? Agricultural tools... far more advanced than Earth’s... look...”

Daniel pointed to a young man who had some sort of an eye dropper and he dropped some sort of liquid on the potted plant that he held in one hand. It grew and suddenly the entire table the plant had been on was overgrown with the plant, the vines curled around beakers and test tubes. Jack’s eyes widened. Many other men and women who were in the room didn’t even look.

“Ah, this formula is specifically created so that we can grow crops faster than before. Many of our creations  focus on crop growth. We wish to feed everyone equally. But we have recently began to experiment with more different approaches. For instance...”

Marcus folded back a portion of the toga he was dressed in, there, a panel the size of Jack’s palm was attached to the shirt beneath. Jack raised an eyebrow. Beside him, Daniel looked around the room, searching for something that looked similar.

“What is that Marcus?”

Jack remembered the two occasions where Marcus had slapped the same place where the device was. Once when they were in the streets, and again in the banquet hall.

“It is a translation device. That is why I am able to speak your language. When you speak to me, I am able to hear my own language to you words, but when I speak to you, I appear to speak to you in your language. Fascinating isn’t it?”

Jack nodded. Yep, Carter would’ve loved this place. Daniel just stood there for a moment. The thoughts running through his head probably going faster than his actual movements.

“Fascinating maybe.... this is amazing! We have many languages spoken on earth, Chinese, French... German... with a touch of the hand, we could speck any language on earth. I mean... if you think about it, this invention could change earth...”

“... and that is why we cannot let you have it. We were told by the great Zeus once, before he was destroyed, that helping other cultures could lead to our own demise. We are not able to share anything that we have created... but what we can offer you is words to lead you in the right direction. We may not look like an advanced culture... but we are... in more ways than one.”

Daniel nodded his head. Jack wondered if he actually realized what Marcus was talking about. He sure didn’t.

“I understand... maybe you can tell us someday.”

Marcus nodded and led them to the doors. Jack looked discretely at Daniel. The look of enthusiasm was still written all over his face. Nothing could ever stop Daniel when it came to cultures... not even rejection. Marcus nodded to them and branched off into a new direction. Daniel and Jack followed the halls to the doors that first led them into the ‘university’ and out into the sunlit cobble stone roads.

“So, what next on the agenda Daniel?”

Daniel looked towards him and smiled deviously. Jack felt a pang of worry rise up.

“Lets go check out that volcano. I wanted to see those carvings that Marcus was talking about. Maybe we can learn something. I told Sam I was going to meet her at lunch back at the inn, and then we were going to the volcano... want to come?”

Jack looked towards the volcano and then back at Daniel.

“If I don’t want you guys to get into trouble I have to now don’t I? Now, you be a good little Daniel and go to the inn, inform Teal’c that we’re going on a hiking trip... oh... and get into your fatigues... running around in knee length togas is not my idea of fashion or regulation... we’ll leave at 0100 hours.”

Jack watched Daniel run off towards the inn. He shook his head and covered his eyes against the glare of the sunlight. He had two hours to do whatever he wanted... The Tok’ra were ambling around... maybe he could find something remotely close to sports... they did have SOME in the Greek times...

Teal’c frowned as the hot air from the volcano blasted across his face. Although heat or cold rarely bothered him, the symbiote that resided inside of him was immune to both, but he could clearly see the effects the heat ravaged on his human companions. Sweat was soaking the faces of Daniel Jackson and Colonel O’Neill, Major Carter’s hair was limp and pliable. Curiously, both she and Daniel Jackson had expressions on their faces that belied their discomfort.

“Any hotter and I’ll be a puddle on the floor... Major...”

Major Carter spared a glance behind her to answer her superior officer.

“We should be there in about two minutes sir... until then I suppose we’ll have to weather this out. It was way worse a couple minutes ago.”

Colonel O’Neill snorted. Teal’c raised an eyebrow but continued walking through the heat. The heat was also affecting the metals on his staff weapon, Teal’c could literally see the waves of heat emanating off of the ground and air distorting the intricately carved weapon. Finally, as the Major had predicted, they arrived at what seemed like an entrance at the base of the volcano.

The cave, or cavern as it seemed sported a large entrance, two blood red coliseums supported the entrance, carved figurines of the same type of stone weaved upwards and surrounded the front, like a walkway leading towards the cavern. The statues were more or less grotesque, they looked much like the monsters the Jaffa children were warned about when they were old enough to understand.

“Talk about ugly...”

Teal’c directed his attention to Colonel O’Neill who approached one of the statues, patting it fondly on the head, as if it were his closest friend.

“... it looks like Daniel without coffee.”

Daniel Jackson smiled. Although Teal’c was not really educated in the ways of the human species he did recognize that Daniel Jackson’s smile was a term referred to as ‘sarcastic’ Colonel O’Neill had introduced that to him many times during the years.

“Yes... Thank you Jack, now how’s about actually doing the stuff we came here to do. You know... look at the carvings...”

Major Carter nodded her head and followed Daniel Jackson into the cave. Colonel O’Neill sighed and threw his hands in the air, but also following the younger man. Teal’c once again raised his eyebrow in his customary fashion and followed the rest of his teammates.

Sam could barely contain the wonderment that she was experiencing. It seemed like it was out of a mythology book... like stepping into hell itself. The underworld as it was called, shared the common traits of one in earth type mythology... the red lava, red stones and detailed stone carvings of monsters and demons eyeing every visitor to this dark and forbidding cavern.

“Whoa...”

Sam looked over to her CO and restated the comment silently. The good Colonel had peered over the edge of a very precarious drop. One which ended as soon as you hit a fast moving river o lava. Sam pulled her head back, the blast of heat from the river made her quickly reel back.

“It’s amazing this walkway still exists... I mean the lava would have melted the rocks that support this walkway... it should’ve burned up a long time ago...”

Sam looked at her CO incredulously as she tired to make sense of this twist. Either these rocks were extremely resistant to molten lava or something else. Before she could muse any further, Daniel’s voice rang through the cavern.

“Guys! Come here, look what I found!”

Sam got up and dusted off the seat of her pants, following the Colonel and Teal’c to the sound of Daniel’s voice. As they progressed the air became less hotter and the harsh red light began to soften.

“What had grabbed your attention this time Daniel? Another rock?”

Daniel gave the Colonel a dirty look. Ever since Daniel had ‘over-indulged’ himself as the Colonel had raved during the time they struggled to drag Daniel’s sleeping dead-weight back to the inn, the Colonel had been more sarcastic and disrespectful to the young man. Sam almost felt sorry for Daniel.

“No, actually, here are the carvings. I have to get this on film, look at it! it’s amazing. You can see the beginning when they were taken through, the Tok’ra, the rebellion... even their progression throughout the years. This board of history stretched throughout 4000 years or so... almost filling out the entire cavern wall which appeared to be nearly 10 meters high and 60 meters wide.

600 meters of history all depicted on these walls.

Sam touched the carvings, they were each perfectly preserved, ever face had an expression, the Jaffa had the helmets of Apophis’ warriors, even the Tok’ra were easy to identify with their robes... much like the ones they donned even today.

Daniel was furiously filming ever piece, every fleck of paint these also held. Sam could see the Colonel wandering over to two large holes in the room’s walls. Sam joined him. There she could see the lava river... but beyond that lay an unearthly glow, it was blue green in nature... very odd in this place. She strained her eyes but at no avail was she able to see what was causing the glow.

“Would you look at that Carter? It is the strangest thing I’ve ever seen...”

Sam nodded. Her CO seemed just as mystified.

“Daniel, pack it up, we have a green light to explore.”

Daniel packed up the equipment her was carrying, still video-recording. Teal’c took the rear as usual and Daniel and Sam were in the middle. The Colonel took point. As they neared the odd light even Daniel put down his camera for a moment to stare at the floating light. It was mainly blue, but green streaks marred the dark blue, Sam stared as far upwards as she dared, but the light never seemed to end.

“My god... what is this thing? I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s almost transparent... The camera almost doesn’t get it all. Besides... what are those green streaks... besides, there is no reflective material, no lights or anything to project this image... I am so confused... Teal’c?”

Daniel turned towards the Jaffa, who seemed just as amazed as the rest of the team.

“I have not seen such a phenomenon in my many years of life. I have not seen anything like this created by any alien race I’ve seen. I would believe it is a natural occurrence.”

Jack looked up at the endless blue cloud then down to survey the rest of the cavern. Sam’s eyes flickered towards a door nearly hidden in the shadows. Tapping him on the shoulder, she motioned that she was going towards that area. As she stepped into the circle where the light touched, a sudden ripple of uneasiness tore through her soul.

“Sam?”

Daniel dropped his camera - it was still recording - and stepped into the light. The same uneasiness grabbed him and he forced himself to Sam’s side.

“What the hell?”

Sam managed to turn her head as the Colonel and Teal’c stepped into the light. Then Sam’s feet turned to jelly and didn’t support her. Both she and Daniel collapsed, two other thumps followed and she could see the Colonel and Teal’c drop to their knees, as she wondered what was happening to them - they collapsed fully - they all managed to land face up... Sam could see the bright light at the top of the giant cavern... a white, bright light that glowed... it came closer and closer...

“Mom?”

In the middle of the light she could see the image of her mother holding her hand out to her, Sam reached out towards her, aching to see her mother, to feel her, smell the Lilac perfume she constantly wore.

“Dad? Mom? Sha’re?”

Sam could hear Daniel’s voice but all she focused on was her mother’s smiling face, the hand that was lifting her into the bright circle of light...

“Charlie?”

Sam frowned... it was Colonel O’Neill... how was this possible, always seeing people who had died... what was happening, the oblivion came and she remembered no more.

The sound of a thousand breaths made the silence bearable as Daniel woke. The sound of people and the sensation of floating was so clear. His last thought before he woke up was of Sha’re and his mother and father... but it was impossible, they were dead... hallucination.

“Anybody here?”

His voice echoed pitifully in his head and Daniel opened his eyes, the breathing was so clear... He saw and he didn’t believe. He was floating... and he certainly didn’t remember being green... Then it hit him, he looked around, there, beside him, on top and below him were the green streaks... they were souls. They all spiraled up and down the cavern, there were people with long hair and some with short hair, their eyes were sunken into their heads and Daniel could see pieces of flesh dripping off some of them.

He gasped. In a blind panic, he waved his greenish hands, flailing in the blue light. He bumped into something as he turned to look he was grabbed by two hands, quieted and subdued. Daniel opened the eyes he wasn’t even aware of closing and looked into the faces of Sam and Jack. They floated as well, their eyes sunken into their heads... at least their flesh was intact. Teal’c also floated in front of him and Daniel smiled. As they floated in the endless circle, Daniel tried to speak again.

“Where are we...?”

This time the sounds resounded through the tunnel instead of his head.

“I would say we are in the River Stix... Just like the myths... this is incredible Daniel... I mean... we’re floating with spirits of dead people.”

Daniel looked around the giant cavern and stared at the ghostly images of the dead souls that floated through this damned eternity before he answered Sam’s statement.

“That ought to tell you something... If we’re floating with dead people, we probably are dead people. Let’s head towards the bottom of the cavern... I suppose we can do that right...? We aren’t stuck here are we?”

Jack shrugged, his dead eyes staring at what looked like nothingness.

“I guess... we did find you of course... This is so freakish... I wanted to see what the afterlife looked like, but his is ridiculous.”

Daniel couldn’t agree more. By moving the ghostly arms he sported, Daniel managed to float past the other souls and towards the cavern bottom, where by no doubt there were at least some answers, if not questions about how this happened. The Tok’ra did mention something about a machine... but when they had stepped into the cavern, there was no sign of one. Finally, they reached the bottom and Daniel looked at the rest of SG-1, there, on the floor, crumpled like paper lay their bodies. Their eyes were closed and they were ghostly white. They smiled peacefully and as Daniel leaned over, he could not sense breath or movement of any kind... he was dead...

“Come on Dammit! Breathe!”

Daniel shifted his attention to where Jack was pounding his own lifeless body. Jack’s hands went right through his body. Sam was floating beside her body, her sad expression the only indication of her feelings. Teal’c was floating impassiontely over his own body.

“Well, this explains why we have no eyes...”

Daniel pointed to the sockets on his face.

“...They say the eyes are the windows to your soul... since we are the souls from our bodies, that would mean we don’t have eyes... odd.”

The silence that accompanied his comment made Daniel shiver. This was too scary. There was no way they could fix this... no machine... no magic... it was almost their fate... their only salvation... death.

“I never did like proverbs...”

Daniel looked at Jack, then down at his lifeless body. He rose and went over to the edge of the light what had first caused their problems and looked longingly at the entrance of the cavern. What were they going to do now?

“Over here!”

A voice called.

Daniel started and peered into the cavern, aware as the spirits of his friends joined him. The dark cavern where they had first come in was now lit up by moving lights. Daniel peered further, pressing into the light, he sensed the others do the same...

And he fell.

The light disappeared and the four spirits stumbled. The green and blue lights of the River still lit up, but now the ring that had probably caused their ‘separation’ was gone. Their bodies were still on the ground, but now the four of them were able to glide to see what the commotion was.

It was the Tok’ra... and Marcus.

“They said they were going to see the carvings here... Dani-el said he expressed some interest in the history of the people. After they did not show up for the banquet, I believe that they came down here... they’ve been gone nearly ten hours... in their time.”

That was Marcus.

Jack was looking... or rather floating towards the voices. Daniel pin-wheeled his arms again and was beside Jack in a moment... just in time to be walked through.

“There they are...”

The rest of the conversation was lost as they ran towards their bodies... away from the actual souls of the bodies. Three Tok’ra and Marcus were beside each of the team members. Marcus, beside Daniel’s body, checked his pulse. Daniel, who had no drifted close to Marcus went to his knees, floating never the less.

“He has no pulse. What about the others?”

The three Tok’ra shook their heads. Daniel grimaced and looked down towards his body, willing himself to shed a tear, or something to indicate that he was there... alive. The Tok’ra hadn’t paid much attention to the green-blue light and had proceeded to search the bodies and surrounding area for some kind of explanation for the deaths of SG-1.

“Orbesh... look here... the primitive piece of technology the one called Daniel uses... to record images. It is ‘running’.”

Daniel looked up. That’s it... the only thing that would save them... it had to pick up something... The Tok’ra were waving it around like it was a toy. Daniel gritted his teeth and looked at his team mates. He could see the look of despair on their faces.

“We must inform the people of Earth of the demise of their people and of this.... Recording... may be able to help us find out what happened to them.”

Daniel smiled and then a bright light sent him and the rest of SG-1 into the silent oblivion again.

Jack O’Neill came to with a start, the familiar beeping of the life saving machines in the infirmary. It was all a terrible horrible dream... getting their souls sucked up, the Atlantis deal... he probably fell asleep while looking after somebody again...

“Jack, get up.”

Jack opened his eyes, it wasn’t a dream... There were Daniel, Sam, and Teal’c, their eyes as dead as his body looked. Speaking of...

He looked down towards his body. That was the beeps... or lack there of he had heard. He steeped back, seeing the four bodies of himself and three teammates. They all had respirators shoved down their throats. There were zig-zagging lines on a nearby screen and they all had those suction cup things stuck to their heads and chests... they looked alive... at least...

“I have no idea sir. They were brought here with only weak brain waves, no pulse, breathing... the only thing I can do is give them nutrients, help them breathe and make sure they stay breathing.”

Fraiser. Jack swiveled and held his breath as she walked through him, along with the six Tok’ra and General Hammond.

“Are you sure Doctor? Nothing out of the ordinary to make them like this? What about the video tape?”

Jack floated closer to the conversation, waving his hand through the General and watching as his hand dissipated and then re-created itself. Jack’s eyebrows rose and shrugged. Instead of figuring what else he could do, he floated closer and waved over the rest of his team to listen in.

“Nothing. But there is one interesting thing about this whole predicament, their eyes... completely void of pigment. No color at all... but besides the point, you have to ask sergeant Siler about the video. I don’t know how this could have happened.”

SG-1 floated passively for a moment as the Tok’ra and General Hammond left, and watched as Janet Fraiser looked at her four patients and they watched as she broke down and cried.

“Come on guys. Lets go see what Siler dug up from video.”

They left, the burden of their predicament weighing even more heavily than before.

“My god... what is this thing? I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s almost transparent... The camera almost doesn’t get it all. Besides... what are those green streaks... besides, there is no reflective material, no lights or anything to project this image... I am so confused... Teal’c?”

 “Sam?”

The light brightened and then the camera clattered to the floor. There, on the screen, two booted feet ran to aid Sam and then two figures collapsed. They were joined by two others.

“Mom?”

“Dad? Mom? Sha’re?”

“Charlie?”

Three figures called for their lost ones and then they dropped, a bright light flooding the screen and then the four figures were limp and unresponsive.

General Hammond reached over and shut the recording off. Jack winced as the images of their four inert bodies disappeared on the screen.

“I did not look my best there... awful lighting... I looked like a zombie.”

Daniel and Sam looked at him... by the turn of their heads and their expressions Jack could see that they were annoyed... who could blame them... after all they were dealing with a really serious issue here... their untimely demises...

“It seems like they all saw something when they stepped into the light... then there’s that light and they’re all inert... they look dead...  but... look at this...”

Jack focused on Siler as he rewound the tape and froze it at the exact moment when the bright light engulfed the screen. He pointed out the picture, taking a breath before continuing.

“Now, I took a screen shot of the exact point when the light was the brightest... I managed to lower the brightness and intensity and came out with this...”

There, on the screen was a clear image of a face. Jack’s face. The General frowned, his bald head wrinkling. His eyes widened and the Tok’ra leaned foreword, almost in excitement. Jack and Daniel leaned closer too, whereas Carter and Teal’c stepped through the table, obstructing Jack and Daniel’s view.

“The tales were true... The River Stix exists...”

The Tok’ra were chattering amongst themselves. Jack walked through the table and the Tok’ra to see the video closer. There he was, plain as day... except one important thing missing... his eyes... They did show up though... how was that possible? Jack walked through the TV and dissipated and then came back together. He walked over to the Camera and floated upwards.

“Hellllloooooooooo Mother Mary! If you can hear me call the General.”

Daniel and Sam floated close to him.

“What are you doing Jack? There is no way that anyone can hear us or see us... very, very, very annoying mind you, but none the less, we aren’t going to be seen.”

Jack looked desperately at the two of them, pulling them towards Teal’c who had been unusually quiet during their ordeal. The General was still conversing with the Tok’ra and Siler, pointing towards the modified image.

“Look, you two are the scientists... is it possible to see that? I mean... If they can see us on camera... what do we look like? Shouldn’t they see us now... flapping around like spirits...? huh? Give me something to work with guys... there has to be some way to get us back into our bodies and for us to live happily ever after...”

Daniel looked at Sam, shrugging, he floated towards the wall and disappeared.

“Wait Daniel! Where are you going? Look, I know I’m desperate... but running away from me... sorry... floating away from me isn’t the answer.”

Daniel popped his head back in, his sunken eyes seemed to smile.

“I’m going to the security room... If there’s something that can get us out of being spirits that haunt the halls of the SCG, I’ll be willing to go and see what you can do on camera.”

Daniel started to leave, but before he disappeared into the wall, he cleared his throat.

“And don’t you dare think about going to the women’s locker room. Something tells me that you have a little more than showing your face on camera in mind... Teal’c, keep an eye on him. If anything guys, go to the infirmary... I’ll go check the camera’s for that area. See you soon”

Jack nodded and He, Teal’c and Sam floated towards the infirmary and left the General and his entourage.

Besides... How did Daniel know what he was going to do?

Daniel floated wall through wall, trying to find his sense of direction. He knew the security room was down this hall... past the mess hall and then just before the brig...

“Really? I heard that they got mixed up with a really bad crowd. I mean that team has gotten everything from lacerations to broken bones. Personally, I think they’ve messed up a lot of chances... we could have gotten a lot of technology if not for them and their pestering morals.”

Daniel floated to a stop, intrigued by the conversation he had heard.

“Especially the Daniel Jackson guy. A lot of qualified military personnel were kicked out for that job. He was always getting into trouble. But that Colonel O’Neill... man, I couldn’t believe the General trusts him. He’s a loose cannon. Trust me, the SGC is better off without them. The alien included.”

Daniel bit back a remark and floated closer to the corridor where the conversation was taking place. He floated towards the two men.

Major Theile and Captain Thompson.

No doubt that they hated the team, they both were supposed to be members. That is until he and Teal’c were on the team. Daniel frowned as the men walked away. It wasn’t fair that people disliked him and Teal’c. They were of course different, but Jack? Daniel sighed and floated through another wall. Wonderful, the security room. Rows upon rows of monitors were set up, one side specifically for the infirmary. There was no one at the seat, so Daniel floated over. The screens were blank. Nothing was there.

Daniel floated there for about a minute until he shook his head. Nothing. The first bright light must have been the trick of the light. Nothing more. He went through the door and towards the infirmary, going through the many halls and floating through walls. The infirmary was empty, Janet was gone, and there was no sign of the rest of the team.

“Wonderful... JACK! SAM! TEAL’C! Where are you guys?”

Silence greeted him. Daniel floated out the door, startled when Jack bumped into him. Jack floated for a moment before motioning Sam and Teal’c to come in the infirmary with them.

“Where were you Daniel? We went to find you... So, what did you see?”

Daniel shrugged and looked into the infirmary. Janet was no where in site. The four bodies looked no different. There was now a nurse making her rounds. Daniel floated past her to take a seat on the edge of his bed... or rather his body’s bed.

“Nothing, nada, zip. He first part must’ve been a trick of the light.”

Jack grabbed his own seat beside his body. Sam shrugged and took a seat next to Daniel and Teal’c sat beside Jack. They all looked disparagingly at each other before talking. The steady rhythm of the machines slowly pumping life into their bodies filled the empty silence.

“Well... This is dull.”

Sam looked at Jack before she floated towards the door. Suddenly, Teal’c began to flicker. Jack looked up and Sam turned.

“O’Neill, I believe something is happening.”

Jack jumped up and directed his attention to Teal’c body. The life signs were fluctuating wildly and Teal’c was flickering more and more periodically.

“Geez... What the hell is this.? Teal’c? Are you okay? Hello? Come on people, Teal’c is dying!”

An alarm sounded and Janet Fraiser appeared, an entire entourage behind her. Jack, Daniel and Sam floated closer to Teal’c’s body, pushing his spirit towards his body. Janet Fraiser barked orders at her team. Two nurses brought out the crash cart.

“Okay, get the cart set up. We’ll give him an shock... 200 jules. Okay... ready... do it.”

Teal’c body jumped, his soul disappeared, sucked into his body. Daniel, Sam and Jack jumped back. Janet Fraiser checked Teal’c’s pulse.

“Hold on a minute here... This man is... breathing. He has a pulse. Carrie, take out the respirator.”

The three of them watched as Teal’c began to revive. Daniel moved in closer and was followed by Sam and Jack. Slowly, Teal’c opened his eyes. Janet narrowed hers. She checked all the monitors and Teal’c sat up, taking off all the monitor wires off his forehead and chest.

“Daniel Jackson... O’Neill... Major Carter...”

Janet Fraiser pushed Teal’c back to the bed, whispering comforting words before heading for the phone. A few minutes later, General Hammond and the Tok’ra entered the room. Teal’c was looking wildly around the room. Daniel wished that Teal’c could see them... Jack floated beside him, Sam joined them on the other side, silently praying.

“Teal’c. I’m glad your okay son, but I need you to help us out. We need to know what happened to the rest of SG-1.”

“SG-1 is here General Hammond. Indeed, as the Tok’ra were saying, the River Stix is not a myth. SG-1 is separated from their bodies as a result of the light that we saw in the cavern. We must find a way to help them.”

General Hammond looked confused. Janet Fraiser was checking the readings on all of SG-1, aware there was absolutely no change in either of their conditions. Teal’c looked around again, oblivious of his friends still standing right in front of him.

“Are you sure? How do you know about what the Tok’ra were saying? Do you have any idea where the rest of SG-1 is then son? Dr Fraiser. What ‘woke’ Teal’c up. Do you have any explanation?”

Janet nodded and started to shine her penlight into Teal’c’s unflinching eyes.

“I believe it was his symbiote. It didn’t seem to like the idea of being there without movement. I think it stimulated cardiac arrest... it seemed to shock Teal’c to awareness... I suppose.”

“Can we do the same for the rest of SG-1?”

Janet nodded, she went to a nearby drawer and pulled out a bottle with clear fluid, another with yellowish liquid and six needles. She stuck the first needle in, getting about three milliliters of fluid. She did the same for the two other needles and then filled the last three with the yellow liquid. Jack floated close to Janet and watched her.

“Don’t you think this’ll hurt? I mean, I’m not a really big fan of needles... especially since they’re full of stuff that’ll give ma a heart attack... rethink it please!”

Janet walked straight through him and walked purposely over towards Sam’s inert body. She and Daniel floated beside Janet and watched her give the clear liquid via needle. Sam’s ‘soul’ began to flicked and Daniel waved a goodbye as she finally disappeared, sucked into her body.

Sam’s body began to seize and Janet quickly fed her the yellow liquid.

“Come on Sam... wake up...”

Daniel looked at Jack who had floated behind him. They met each other’s eyes... so to speak... and smiled. Sam stopped seizing and her eyelids began to flicker. Janet smiled. Sam blinked rapidly as she opened her eyes, smiling quickly at Janet, then at the General who had made his way to her bedside. Orbesh, the lead Tok’ra narrowed his eyes at this... miracle.

Janet went to Daniel’s body.

“Alright Daniel, You’re turn. See you on the other side Danny-boy.”

Daniel smiled as he began to flicker... his consciousness began to float and waver and suddenly he felt whole again. He could feel minute pains all over his body... his scratchy throat, pounding headache, bruises... He opened his eyes and looked into the face of Janet Fraiser. He smiled clumsily over the respirator.

Janet moved over to Jack and Daniel watched as he seized and for just a moment, Daniel saw Jack’s face smile and a light touch his body. Then Jack coughed and opened his eyes. He met Daniel’s eyes for a moment and then sat up. A couple nurses helped them take the respirators out and gave them water.

“Welcome back SG-1.”

Jack smiled at the dry comment made by the General. He looked at Daniel and Sam and Teal’c and then at the six Tok’ra who were standing there as if they had witnessed a miracle.

“Thanks General. Thank you.”

Daniel smiled privately to himself, maybe this was his second lease on life... and he was going to make this one different.

‘Those whose hearts still contain the will to live will be set free to make a better life for themselves and others around them. They are given a task in which they are to extend their abilities for themselves and others. Their lives are as precious as they were before, and they must realize that. The gods have deemed them worthy of a second chance, for a life that is meaningful. The River Stix is not necessarily the taker of life, but it can be viewed as the giver of opportunity. For those who realize this, it is the opportunity that makes the second chance so wonderful. It is up to the individual to make his or her life meaningful... but it is the evil intentions that destroy it.’

‘This book will not close, for the chapters are still to be written, for the journey is not as difficult as the obstacles that obstruct your path. If the goal is visible at all times, then it is the will of the creators that you will meet it.’

Marcus smiled as he put down his pen, closing the book until the next chapter was to be dutifully written...
 
 
 
 

KaraMeL