HomeNews & InfoFan FictionMessage BoardLinksEmail

CHAPTER EIGHT

Daniel frequently felt the eyes of his three teammates upon him as he ate.  He knew that they were really worried.  He was, too.  Sleep was no longer helping him, his downward slide now going unabated.  The Ancient knowledge in his mind was filling every part of his awareness.  He was seeing so much, the knowledge of countless millions of years flowing into his brain like water flowing from the floodgates of a dam.  It was taking all of Daniel's willpower not to get lost in it, not to be pulled under by the current and never surface.  Sometimes, it felt like he was no longer even in his own body anymore, as if he was soaring free through the infinite depths of the universe.  When that happened, time passed without his awareness, minutes going by in the blink of an eye.  He'd lost over an hour this last time.

By the end of dinner, Daniel had given up trying to speak English since nearly every other word he uttered was in Ancient.  He'd resorted to writing down what he wanted to say.  The linguist knew that, very soon, he would no longer be able to do that either.  They should have brought someone to help translate.

Once she'd finished eating, Sam got busy on the engines again, feverishly trying to get every scrap of speed she could out of them.  Bra'tac joined her in an effort to help however he could.  The major politely but firmly refused when Jack told her to go to bed at a little after midnight, reminding him that it was now Thursday, the day Anubis was due to reach Earth.

It was going on 4 a.m. when Sam and Bra'tac finally accepted that they weren't going to be able to get any more speed out of the engines.  Sam carefully calculated how long it would take them to cover the remaining distance to the planet.  What she learned was not good news.  She redid the figures several times before accepting that they were right.

She went into the sleeping quarters.  Jack was lying on one of the cots, his eyes on Daniel, who was sitting on another cot, yet again zoned out.

"We're coaxing everything we can out of the engines, but I figured it out, and we're still two days away," Sam announced.  A feeling of helplessness began to overwhelm her.  "I don't know what else to do.  Anubis could reach Earth at any moment."

Daniel blinked and looked up at her.  He then stood unexpectedly and walked out of the room.  Exchanging a glance, Sam and Jack followed.  The archeologist went to the room where they'd stored the things he had gathered at the SGC.  He grabbed a few things, and took them to the engine room, muttering something in Ancient.  As his two teammates watched, he began to do something with the engines.

"Daniel, what are you doing?" Sam asked.

Daniel pulled out the notebook he'd been writing in and scribbled something, handing it to the astrophysicist, who read it out loud.

"'Need to go faster.'"  She looked back at Daniel.

"Something tells me that we're going to get an extra burst of speed," Jack commented.

"Um . . . yeah, I think so, sir.  I just hope it's enough."

For the next hour, Sam watched Daniel work, trying to keep track of what he was doing.  But it was impossible.  He was working too quickly, making changes and adjustments that Sam, with all her intelligence, couldn't keep up with or understand.  She did not question him when he undid all her hard work by removing the Naquadah generator.

At last, Daniel went to the bank of control crystals.  He quickly began rearranging them, replacing some with their supply of spare crystals.

Standing back, Daniel said something in Ancient.

"What?" Sam asked.

Instead of writing down the translation, Daniel got her zat gun.  He fired it at the crystals.  Immediately, the pitch of the engines increased.  Handing the zat to her, the archeologist fiddled with the crystals a bit more, then closed the panel.  He left the room without a word.  Sam followed him to the cockpit.

"Our speed has increased greatly," Teal'c announced.

"No Goa'uld ship can attain such speeds," Bra'tac stated with a touch of awe in his voice.

Sam took a look at the readings.  "Oh my God.  Wow.  At this speed, we'll be at our destination in no time."

"That's great," Jack said.  "Maybe we'll make it after all.  Great work, Dan. . . .  Daniel!"

The colonel's sudden shout made everyone turn to see Jack catch the archeologist as his legs gave out.  Sam jumped forward and helped lower Daniel to a seated position on the floor.  Horrified, she watched as his eyes rolled back into his head, his body going limp.

"No!" Jack yelled.  He shook the younger man.  "Daniel, don't you quit on us."  Getting no response, Jack slapped Daniel's cheek rather hard.  The slap did the trick.  Daniel's eyes blinked a few times, focusing on the colonel.  He said something in Ancient, which Jack guessed was probably not a compliment.

"Go ahead and curse me out all you like, Danny Boy," Jack told him.  "I'm not letting you poop out on us.  You've still got a job to do."

Teal'c got out of the co-pilot's seat so that they could put Daniel there.  SG-1 all watched the archeologist like a hawk, making sure that he didn't start to lose consciousness again.

It took less than an hour to reach the planet.  However, when they got there, it was to a sight that none of them wanted to see.

"Oh, this doesn't look good," Sam said, her heart sinking.  "The surface is almost completely covered by lava flows."

"How could anyone have lived in that hell?" Jack asked.

"A star becomes a red giant like this near the end of its life.  A million years ago, this planet may have looked very much like Earth."

"Carter, are you saying that we're a million years too late?"

"Probably more."

Everyone turned to Daniel, whose eyes were unblinkingly fixed upon the planet.  Sam remembered the words he'd translated back on Earth.  "Lost in fire."  Had their hopes been lost in fire a million years ago?

Bra'tac spent the next several minutes scanning the entire surface of the planet for something, looking for some tiny piece of land that had remained untouched by the destruction, but there was nothing.

"I have scanned the entire surface," he announced.

Again, everyone looked at Daniel, who seemed unaware of what was going on.

"Daniel did pack the Haz-Mat suits for us," Sam said.  "My guess is that he knew the condition of the planet and knew that we would have to go down there."

"Down to what?!" Jack exclaimed.  "There's nothing there anymore."

Just then, Daniel opened a holoscreen showing the surface of the planet.  "Taonas," he murmured.

Everybody stared at the holoscreen as it zoomed in on something.

"There's a small anomaly on the surface here," Sam, said, pointing at it, "like a bubble."

"Is it a cavern?" Bra'tac asked.

"It looks like a perfectly formed half-sphere of molten rock."

"Perhaps it is a force field protecting the city, which has now been covered over," Teal'c suggested.

"Too small to have a city in there, and we aren't getting any energy readings from it," Sam responded.

"Perhaps the shield has since failed."

Knowing that they couldn't afford to just give up, Jack said, "We need to check it out."

As Daniel, Sam, Jack and Teal'c got into their Haz-Mat suits, Bra'tac took the ship in close to the surface of the planet to hover over the dome.

"I have found a place where the crust may be thin enough for the rings to penetrate," he called out.  "Are you ready?"

"Yeah, just a sec!" Jack called back.  He and the others hurried to the ring platform, putting on their helmets.  Daniel had to stop to take off his glasses first so that they wouldn't get knocked off by the helmet.  He laid them off to the side.

"Okay, go for it, Bra'tac," Jack said as soon as they were ready.

Seconds later, SG-1 was standing within a cavern.  A dark red light cast everything in an ominous glow.

"Can you still hear me?" asked Bra'tac's voice over the radio.

"Yes, Bra'tac, Verizon can still hear you," Jack quipped.

"What is Verison?" the Master Jaffa asked.

"I'll tell you later."

"Very well.  I will move a safe distance and return on your signal."

Jack, Sam and Teal'c all turned on their flashlights.  Daniel stepped forward, apparently knowing where he was going.  The others followed him, looking around at the eerie surroundings as they passed stalactites and stalagmites.

Sam checked a reading on one of her scanners.  "The radiation level is pretty high."

"It does, indeed, appear that a shield once protected this structure," Teal'c said.

"It's possible that the rings compromised the dome's integrity.  We shouldn't stay too long."

"Oh, what a shame," Jack remarked sarcastically.  "I just love the decor.  This whole Dante's Inferno look is so rad."

At last, the team reached a chamber.  At its center was something that looked an awful lot like a throne sitting on a dais.

"This facility does not appear operational," Teal'c stated.

Sam looked around.  "I don't know about you guys, but, right now, I'm kinda hoping this isn't the Lost City."

Daniel stepped up to the throne.

"Daniel, be careful," Sam called out.

Acting like he didn't hear her, the archeologist sat on the chair, which instantly started glowing blue, as did the dais.

"Daniel.  I'm not so sure this is such a good idea," Jack told him.

Ignoring him, Daniel put his left hand on the armrest, touching what looked like some kind of control pad.  A force field abruptly activated, and he took off his helmet.

Sam checked the scanner in her hand.  "The atmosphere is safe."

Daniel was using the strange, gelatinous control pad on the end of the armrest again.  The footrest of the chair rose as its back reclined.  The rest of SG-1 took off their helmets.  A moment later, a holographic projection appeared overhead.

"It's a map of the galaxy," Sam said, gazing up at it.  There were hundreds of brightly glowing dots.  "I wonder if these are all the planets the Ancients colonized."

The view of the projection changed to show a solar system.

"That's our solar system," Sam announced.

The image zoomed in on one of the planets.

"Earth."

"That does not appear to be Earth," Teal'c said.

"No, it is Earth," Sam confirmed, "before thirty million years of continental drift had its effect on the way things look."  She looked at the man seated in the chair.  "Why are you showing us this, Daniel?"

"Terre Atlantus," Daniel responded.

Sam's eyebrows rose.  "Terra?  That's another word for Earth.  Atlantus?  My God, do you think he means Atlantis?"

"The lost city of Atlantis?" Teal'c questioned.  "Is that not a myth?"

"Apparently not," Jack said.

Sam looked at Daniel and pointed at the hologram.  "Are you saying that the Lost City of the Ancients is on Earth?"  When the archeologist did not answer, she looked back at the hologram.

Sam pointed at one of the continents.  "Antarctica," she murmured, thinking of the location where the second Stargate was found.

"Subo glacius," Daniel said.

Jack looked at him. "Okay, so what does that mean?"

"Subo glacius.  Subo glacius," Sam muttered.  "I know that 'sub' is Latin, meaning 'under' or 'underneath'."

"'Glacius' bears a resemblance to the word 'glacier'." Teal'c pointed out.

"Glacier?  Ice?"  Sam looked at Daniel again.  "Under the ice?  The city we've been looking for is in Antarctica, under the ice?  It's been on Earth the whole time?"

"You mean to say we came all this way for nothing?!" Jack exclaimed.

Daniel shook his head.  He pressed the control pad again.  As the chair returned to its original position, he put his helmet back on.  Guessing that the force field was going to be disabled, the rest of SG-1 quickly put theirs on, too.  Daniel rose from the chair and went to the edge of the dais.  He waved his hand over one spot.  A panel slid open and an object that looked like a cluster of glowing orange crystals rose up.  Daniel pulled it out, causing the protective force field to disappear.  He handed the object to Sam.

"Power source," she murmured.

"Here.  Give it to me," Jack said, taking the device.

Suddenly, a cracking sound from above their heads turned SG-1's attention upward.  Realizing that the dome was failing, they hurried away, dust and chunks of rock falling down all around them.

"Bra'tac, we're on our way back," Jack radioed.  "And we're in a bit of a hurry, so don't dawdle!"

"I will be there shortly, O'Neill," Bra'tac responded.

Debris raining down upon them, SG-1 ran as quickly as they could toward the ring platform.  They had almost made it to the rings when a huge chunk of rock struck Teal'c in the head.  He collapsed, and the others rushed to his side.  Seeing that the Jaffa was unconscious, Jack was about to lift him up over his shoulders when Daniel stopped him.  The archeologist picked Teal'c up like he weighed no more than a feather, then ran the rest of the way to the rings.  Jack and Sam hurried after him.  Seconds later, they were being ringed up to the Al'Kesh.

Daniel gently laid Teal'c down.  After stripping off his own helmet, Jack carefully removed Teal'c's, staring in horror at what was revealed.  A ghastly wound marred the Jaffa's head.  Though Jack was not a doctor, it was obvious to him and everyone else that Teal'c had a severe compressed skull fracture.

"Oh, God," Sam whispered.  "Sir, with that kind of head injury. . . ."  Her voice halted as tears came to her eyes.  There could be no doubt that Teal'c had suffered significant brain damage and was probably dying.

"It is a fatal wound," Bra'tac said, his voice rough with anguish at the knowledge that a man he looked upon as a son was going to die.

"Teal'c?  Come on, buddy.  You can't do this to us," Jack said in a tone also full of pain.

Someone touched Jack's arm.  He turned and looked into Daniel's eyes.  A gentle smile graced the archeologist's features.  He then looked back down at Teal'c.  He reached out his hand and placed it upon Teal'c's head, over the wound.  His eyes closed, and his head dipped, his body growing still.

With a feeling of awe, the others watched as Teal'c's injury began to heal right before their eyes.  Within seconds, it was gone.  The Jaffa's eyes fluttered open.

Daniel swayed and would have fallen over if Jack did not grab hold of him.

"Whoa, Daniel.  Stay with us," the colonel said.

Bra'tac helped Teal'c sit up.

"What has occurred?" the younger Jaffa asked, confused.

"You were hurt, Teal'c, a bad head injury," Sam explained, "and . . . and Daniel healed you.  It was incredible."

"Daniel Jackson has gained the healing power of the Ancients?"

"Apparently so," Jack replied.  "That sure didn't happen to me when I went through this."

Teal'c met Daniel's eyes.  "Yet again, I owe you my life."

Daniel did not reply, but something in his eyes made the Jaffa believe that the archeologist had heard and understood him.

"Set a course for Earth, Bra'tac," Jack said.  "The Lost City is there."

"On Earth?" the Master Jaffa responded in surprise.

"Yep.  Surprise, surprise."

As Bra'tac piloted the ship away from the planet and into hyperspace, Jack and Sam led Daniel to the sleeping quarters, Teal'c going with them.  They sat the archeologist on one of the cots.

Teal'c studied Daniel's blank expression.  "Daniel Jackson, can you hear us?"  There was no response at all.

Jack cupped Daniel's face in his hand and turned the archeologist's head toward him.  "Come on, Daniel.  I know you're in there somewhere.  We're on our way back to Earth, to the Lost City.  We still need you."

When Jack's words failed to get any kind of response, he met Sam's eyes, which were dark with fear.

"We're losing him," she whispered.

Jack's head shook.  "No.  He's still fighting.  We're going to make it, he's going to make it."

They were all startled when Daniel abruptly got to his feet.  The archeologist left the room and headed to the engine room, the others following him.  He got the Naquadah generator and toolbox and took them to where the transporter rings were.  He then began collecting others items from the things he had "packed" for the trip.

"Any idea what he's doing, Carter?" Jack asked.

"None, sir, but, whatever it is, I have a feeling we're going to need it."


Jack sat on the floor, watching Daniel work.  The archeologist had been at it for over an hour.  Sam still didn't know what he was doing and had gone to make some coffee.

Just then, Bra'tac came in.  "Is Daniel Jackson creating a weapon for us to use against Anubis' fleet?"

"I have no idea.  Carter can't figure it out yet either.  He hasn't said a word or given us any clue."

The Jaffa's gaze remained on Daniel.  "I will watch over him if you wish to refresh yourself, O'Neill."

Getting the feeling that Bra'tac wanted to be alone with Daniel, Jack got to his feet.  "Okay.  I could stand to stretch my legs for a bit.  I'll be back later."  He left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Bra'tac knelt beside Daniel, who continued to work as if unaware of his presence.  "Daniel Jackson, I wish to thank you for saving the life of Teal'c.  He is like a son to me, and a man can owe no greater debt than to the one who saves his son's life."  He paused.  "I also wish you to know that, if you do not survive this battle, your name will live in the minds and hearts of the Jaffa for all time.  We will never forget how much we owe you."  He placed his hand upon Daniel's shoulder.

Daniel lifted his gaze to Bra'tac.  The Jaffa stared into a pair of fathomless eyes wise beyond the years of even the oldest Goa'uld, as if the knowledge and wisdom of the entire universe lay behind them.  They left Bra'tac feeling awed and insignificant.  Yet, within those eyes was also gentleness and understanding.

Daniel's hand came out and briefly touched Bra'tac's chest, over his heart.  The Jaffa smiled softly and nodded.

The archeologist returned his attention to what he was doing.  Getting to his feet, Bra'tac continued to watch him for several minutes, then left the room.  Jack caught his gaze.  The Jaffa nodded and headed for the cockpit.

"I'll watch Daniel, sir," Sam said.  "I'm still hoping I can figure out what he's doing."

"Okay.  Truth is, I was getting pretty tired sitting on the floor.  My body can't take that kind of punishment like it used to.  Let me know when you want me or Teal'c to spell you."

Sam finished her coffee and joined Daniel.  Shutting the door, she studied him in silence for a while as she thought about all the things that had led up to this.  A thought came into her mind and she suddenly decided that, as stupid and useless as it may be, there was something she had to do.

"Okay, Daniel, I know that this is probably the worst possible timing in the entire history of the universe and that you might not be hearing a single word I'm saying, but I just have to ask you this."  Sam had begun to pace, not looking at Daniel.  "I've tried, and tried, and tried so many times, so I'm just going to ask it."  She stopped and turned around to face him, seeing that he was looking at her.  "Will you go on a date with me?"  After a moment, she let out a big breath.  "There.  I finally did it."  She stared at Daniel, who was looking at her with a blank, "out to lunch" expression.  "This isn't exactly the response I was hoping for."

Just then, Sam noticed how pale and drawn Daniel appeared, like someone who was very ill.  He hadn't put his glasses back on after the return from Taonas, and she could clearly see the deep shadows under his eyes.  He looked as if he should be in bed, not trying to save the galaxy from an evil, powerful villain.

Even as that thought occurred to her, Daniel abruptly swayed, his eyes shutting.  The major was immediately at his side, holding onto him.

"Daniel?"  There was a small note of panic in Sam's voice.

After a few seconds, the archeologist appeared to gather more strength.  Or perhaps it was that he tapped even deeper into his seemingly bottomless well of willpower.  He straightened, his eyes clearing, and he returned to work.

Sam's gaze did not leave Daniel's face, a terrible fear deep inside her that, no matter how great his strength or willpower was, it was only a matter of time before this thing got the better of him.  The only thing that could save him was if Thor finally answered their call for help.

"Daniel, I. . . ."  Sam took a deep breath.  "There's so much I want to tell you.  I should have said it before.  I should have listened to Janet.  And, now. . . ."  She rested her hand on his hair.  "Can you understand me at all, Daniel?  Can you even hear me?"  The archeologist continued to work, seemingly oblivious to her presence.  Sam's eyes filled with tears.  "God, I can't tell you like this.  I just can't, not when you don't even know I'm here."  Her voice broke.

She got to her feet and moved away a few paces, wiping the tears from her eyes.  She turned around and looked down at him.  She was about to say something, but the words died on her tongue.  She frowned, staring at what Daniel was doing.  She rushed up to him and sat back down.

"You're modifying the matter stream transmitter on the rings, aren't you.  Okay, so why are you doing that?"  She grabbed a piece of equipment and ran some scans of what he was doing.  She found that he'd not only increased the strength of the transmitter substantially, he'd also altered them in ways that had her mouth dropping open, realization finally hitting her.  "We're going to use it to bore a hole through the ice, aren't we.  Okay!  Now that I know what you're doing, I can help."

Sam got busy aiding Daniel, though it was odd working with someone who seemed to be only vaguely aware that she was helping.  Her mind now on the task at hand, she pushed back the thought that, even if they succeeded in beating Anubis, Daniel might not live to celebrate the victory.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

HomeNews & InfoFan FictionMessage BoardLinksEmail
Stargate-Horizons.com Home Page   |   Site Map of Stargate-Horizons.com