Woe To Thee - parts 14-15

[ansostuff]

PART FOURTEEN

“I think we’ve finally figured it out,” Daniel said after working for a while. “It’s another combination lock.”

“Do you know what combination to press?” Cully asked. He had been watching SG-1 work from the sidelines, clearly not wanting to be in the way yet wanting to take part in solving this mystery.

“No. I just figured it was a combination lock.”

“Let me see,” Sam said. “I think I’ve seen something like this before.”

Daniel stepped back and walked over to the wall to sit down beside Cully. Aside from the slight pull if he moved in a way his healing body wasn’t all that happy with, he was perfectly fine. His mind, however, was a restless whirlwind, working almost despite his will to try to find any more proof of Tamram being Anubis. It all depended on what the Circulation did or was if it was activated.

While the others had worked on the panel, Jack had studied the walls, looking for hidden rooms or anything else that Anubis might have hidden. After having done a circuit of the room, he stopped in one of the corners. There was something there. The Circulus had appeared seemingly out of nowhere and was starting to hum with the sound of electricity. “Hey,” Jack called but it was all he managed to say before a wall started to slide back and revealed a narrow room at the very back. Lifting his gun, ready to fire if need be, Jack sensed without having to look that the others were by his side, their weapons raised too, Daniel guarding Cully with both his body and his Beretta.

The wall revealed a narrow room filled with equipment that Daniel immediately saw was a lab filled with Ancient equipment that could not have belonged to anyone else but Anubis.

“So, sir,” Sam said, when they found the lab too to be empty. “How about this piece, does that fit with the rest of the puzzle?”

“Yeah,” Jack said. “I guess we can safely assume this is where Anubis did his experiments on Cully’s forefathers.”

“I think so, yes,” Sam agreed. As Jack stepped into the room, the lights came on, and they were able to see both the lab and the outer room more clearly. As he walked around, machines started to light up, but nothing else happened. Daniel walked over to one of the little handheld computers that were lying on one of the tables, finding the scrolling device by its side.

“Find anything?” Sam asked, standing to read over Daniel’s shoulder.

“Not much. I actually think this thing is empty. There’s nothing here. Have you heard of the storage space on one of these ever actually being used up?” Daniel handed Sam the small computer and the scroller.

“No, I haven’t. But it’s likely. See if you can find any more of them. Maybe he didn’t get around to start on this one.”

“Cully,” Jack said, expecting the man to enlighten them, but the poor guy was looking like fish out of water, open-mouthed blinking with huge, staring eyes. Jack shook him a little. “Cully!”

“I-I do not know,” Cully said, pulling himself together. Jack sighed. “I have never seen a place like this.”

“Nothing here is working,” Sam said after they’d thoroughly searched the lab and she’d deemed it safe for Jack to start pushing buttons.

“And there’s no research material left,” Daniel chimed in. “Usually when we find a Goa’uld’s lab, there’s something left, some sign of them having worked here. I think Anubis either didn’t finish building this, or he didn’t get around to starting working here.”

“So there might be another lab around?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know,” Daniel said, shaking his head.

“I know why this place is so empty,” Sam said. “This is Ancient technology, right, and Anubis must have made some trials and errors before he got it right the first time. Perhaps this is the first lab he built, and somehow he couldn’t get it to work, so he built a new one.”

“Yes,” Daniel said. “He did walk around on this planet as a scientist long before he attempted to ascend. What bothers me, though, is that if he was considered a scientist and worked alongside your ancestors, Cully, wouldn’t they have caught on to what was happening if he suddenly started to experiment with them?”

“I suppose so,” Cully said. “They would have rioted, I’m sure, but there is not much saved from those times in terms of documents or writing.

“Or,” Daniel said, “Anubis, or Tamram, could easily fool them into believing that it was for their own good, trick them somehow. We’ve seen it before. The Goa’uld can live for thousands of years, and as time went by, maybe it became something of a rite of passage for your ancestors to be treated in this lab. If Tamram was a valued scientist, it might not have been seen as a threat at all.”

“It would probably have been an honour,” Sam added. Cully nodded dumbly, stumbling over his words, muttering to himself as he started to take in what actually had happened to his ancestors. Sam put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “If it’s any consolation, yours is just one of many peoples Anubis has mistreated.”

“So,” Jack said, looking at his team. “What do we do now? I say we blow this place to smithereens. I can’t risk us activating it unless we’re one hundred percent sure what it is and what it does.”

“I’m with you,” Sam said. “If this is Anubis construction we don’t want anyone to find it and use it.”

“I don’t think that’s our decision to make,” Daniel said. “Cully should inform his people of what we’ve found. Nothing here works, the lab is basically harmless. Unless they’re hiding an Anubis-wannabe amongst themselves, there’s no chance they will be able to make it work again. I’m sure Thor won’t help them destroy it if they decide on that.”

“Daniel’s right,” Sam said, sighing. “As much as I’d like to see this place destroyed, it’s not our place to decide.”

“What about those Jaffa that was here? We’ve never found out why they stuck around.”

“I don’t know, sir,” Sam shrugged. “I think they didn’t find what they were looking for.”

“What if they were looking for this place? If they were Anubis’ Jaffa and he’s keeping an eye on the planet, we can’t leave it like this. Anubis might want to come back and continue where he left off. And what about Jama? You don’t suppose he is this potential wannabe?” Jack asked.

“Why would he want to destroy his entire people?” Daniel asked.

“Oh, I don’t know, revenge?” Jack said ironically.

“We are not a vengeful people,” Cully chimed in, defending his people. “From what I know of this Jama, I do not believe he would go to such lengths.”

“Anubis did kidnap his family,” Sam reminded them.

“Indeed. He has been the sole survivor of his planet for hundreds of years,” Teal’c said. “I would not put it past him.”

“Remember, he would need the Circulus to get access to this place,” Daniel said, gesticulating at his usual frantic pace, defending Jama. “I think we can rule Jama out and put all the blame on Anubis himself.”

“Fine. We don’t have a lot of time here,” Jack said, getting a sour look from Teal’c who clearly was not agreeing to all this talking and no blowing up. Jack could understand Teal’c’s wish to blow it to pieces, but it wasn’t their say. Unless… “Cully? What do you think we should do? We have enough explosives with us to blow this place if you want.”

“Dr. Jackson is right. I cannot and will not decide for my people in this matter. It must be discussed further,” Cully said. “I appreciate your input. If it is true, as you say, that Anubis is the one who sent Jaffa here, we must decide quickly before he comes back and claims the Circulation for his own.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Jack exclaimed. “This is a potentially lethal weapon. For all we know this thing’s designed to blow the entire planet to bits. And you want to sit around and talk about it?”

“I am sorry, but yes.” Jack was in Cully’s face, but Cully didn’t back down. “It is our planet, our weapon, our discovery. You’ve done a great deal to help us with revealing the Circulation and we are thankful for that. But we too have scientists that can determine what this device does and based on that knowledge we can decide if we would like to destroy it or not.”

“I’m sure you do,” Jack said. “But they’re not as good as my people,” he mumbled, flicking his eyes at the members of his team. Teal’c inclined his head, Daniel blushed and Sam beamed.

“Actually, sir, they have some pretty advanced technology and science aboard their ship. If they want to figure it out, I’m sure they can.” Sam smiled encouragingly at Cully.

Jack looked disbelievingly at Sam. “You’re not helping. I know they’re advanced, more so than us, but we’ve been around this barbeque a few times.”

“O’Neill is right. I do not believe you should discuss this matter much further. Explain to your people what we have discovered and let us destroy it for you. We have much practice with this,” Teal’c argued.

Daniel looked at Cully. “You know what you’re asking of us here? We don’t discover an ancient weapon and leave without disarming it. Look, I more than anyone wished this was some great discovery, something good for your people, something you could treasure. But it isn’t. It is very dangerous. Sitting around and talking about it will only delay the inevitable. I too would want to study it, find out as much as possible before deciding what to do. I’m an historian, you’ve seen that. But I’ve been out there, fighting the Goa’uld for many years now. I know this isn’t as good as it looks. You would want us to destroy it now.”

“I am sorry. I cannot and will not decide for my people what to do. I stand by my words.” Cully crossed his arms and looked defiantly at SG-1.

“Okay. For your sake I hope Anubis doesn’t arrive while you sit around and talk.” Jack walked over to where Teal’c was pacing by the entrance, looking ready to burst. “There’s nothing more for us to do here. Come on, kids, let’s go.” Damn, Jack thought, his instincts telling him to just blow the thing up and be done with it.

“Hold on a second. What if it releases a bio-toxin like you thought?” Daniel asked Sam. “Won’t blowing it up release it?”

“Without knowing exactly what Anubis did in that lab I can’t say anything for certain, but to me this device looks more like an energy weapon than a delivery system for a biological toxin. I can’t say with hundred percent certainty, but I don’t think blowing it up will release any toxins. Sir, it needs to be studied further if anything is to be determined for certain. We should stay and help them.”

Pulling his cap from his head Jack rubbed his hands through his hair Jack sighed. “What’s the point, Carter? They’ve decided to talk about it. Until they decide there’s nothing more for us to do here. Now can we leave, before it blows up while we sit around and talk?”

“We leave,” Daniel agreed. “I hate to admit it, Jack, but the Tuberous is an advanced society. It’s their choice. We’ve revealed it, and now it’s up to them to decide what to do with it. They know where to find us if they want our help.”

“Okay people, move out,” Jack said decisively, quickly getting ready to leave, stopping in the middle of clipping his P90 into place, listening to a sudden high-pitched whine coming from somewhere in the outer room.

“What is that sound?” Cully asked, looking from one member of SG-1 to the other, clearly frightened.

“It’s the device,” Sam said. “It’s become active.”

“Carter, Daniel, go get our stuff,” Jack said. “Teal’c, we’re heading out. Take point. Cully, go with him. I want us out of harm’s way sooner rather than later. If this thing is going to blow, we don’t want to be around to see just how big an explosion it’ll be.”

“What about the Circulus?” Cully asked, looking around for the cylindrical device.

“What about it?” Daniel was busy fastening his pack and didn’t immediately look up.

“It’s gone.” Cully looked defeated. “I had expected to find it here.”

“It’s here,” Sam said, pointing to a slot in the centre of the Circulation as she retrieved her scanner. “It must be a key as well. It looks like it’s connected to the power source. I wouldn’t want to remove it. It could be a trap or the self-destruct mechanism.”

“That makes sense,” Daniel said. “It serves as the creator’s signature. Those who could translate the scroll and knew how to use it would learn the true secrets of this place. I wouldn’t want to try to remove it either.” He turned to Cully. “I’m sorry.”

“I understand.”

“Uh, sir,” Sam said just as they exited the Circulation. “My scanner confirms there’s naquada in the Circulation. It must have activated on its own when we opened the panel. It’s charging. This has to be some form of weapon that’s either preprogrammed to shoot at a specific target or is self-destructing. We’d better get out of here.” Sam keyed the communicator at the same time as a low whine could be heard. “Thor, can you beam us aboard?”

All she received was static.

“Do your ship have some way of beaming you directly aboard?” Jack asked urgently, looking at Cully.

Cully shook his head. “We have not progressed that far in our technology yet.” But still you want to study it yourselves and not let more experienced people deal with it, Jack thought, mentally shaking his head.

The whine got louder and the protruding parts of the device slowly started to move outwards. “Cully, you’re with us,” Jack said. “We can call Thor when we get back to Earth. Let’s go!”

“It’s probably the device, sir. I’m sure it’s emitting some form of jamming signal so we can’t communicate. Remember, Thor had trouble scanning this place in the first place, so it’s likely Thor can’t see our life-signs anymore, either,” Sam explained as they hurried to leave.

As they ran, the whine from the Circulation got louder, rising in pitch and causing the ground to shake. When they reached the Gate, Sam handed Cully her pack and dialled and Teal’c pressed their IDC the moment the wormhole opened.

“We’re coming through and we’re bringing Cully back with us. No time to explain,” Jack yelled into the radio. Watching as the others ran into the wormhole, he took a quick look around before running after them.

&&&&&

“Close the iris,” Jack breathlessly ordered as soon as they’d all stepped through the wormhole. “We need to dial back, sir,” he added, turning to General Hammond.

“Do it!” Hammond ordered and the iris closed. “Why do we need to redial?” he asked, coming to stand at the bottom of the ramp as his premiere team stumbled down into the Gateroom.

“There is a big, honking space gun on that planet and I think we inadvertently just activated it.”

“What?” Hammond boomed. “Colonel, care to explain?”

“Yes, sir,” Jack said, explaining in short what they had found.

“Dial the Gate,” Hammond said, when Jack was done. Looking at SG-1, Hammond nodded to the medics who were standing by the entrance. Teal’c was supporting Daniel with an arm around his waist. Daniel was bent over, his own arms wrapped around his middle, his face scrunched up tight. “Get him to the infirmary,” Hammond ordered as they gathered around the stricken man.

“I’m fine, sir,” Daniel said, calming his breathing and looking at General Hammond, standing up straight, nodding his thanks to Teal’c who let go of Daniel and stepped back. The running had left him breathless and the exercise pulled at his healing abdomen, making his incisions ache and the healing scars pinch his still somewhat tender flesh.

“Go,” Jack urged gently. “You look like you’ve pulled something. Get Fraiser to check you out; then you can join us in the briefing room.”

The Gate stopped spinning. “I can’t get a lock, sir,” Walter said from the Control room once the dialling sequence was finished.

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Sam said. “You’d better get in touch with Thor. I just hope he saw what happened and comes here to find out.”

Hammond nodded and turned to Walter. “Do it.” Turning back to SG-1 and their visitor, he said, “Now you’d better explain a few things. Let’s continue this in the briefing room. You can report to the infirmary when we’re done.”

At that moment Janet rushed into the room and looked everyone over, quickly honing in on Daniel who was sitting on the gurney. “What happened?”

“Oh, I just pulled at my wounds when running. It’s over now. Your friends here,” he gesticulated to the waiting medics, “seems to think I need to be horizontal to get to the infirmary but I can walk. Apparently we’re not waiting for your verdict on what I can and can’t do before we move,” Daniel crossed his arms over his chest and looked expectantly at Janet. “Oh, and I just checked, I’m not bleeding.” He pointed to his untucked t-shirt.

Janet lifted Daniel’s shirt to see for herself. “You’re right. You’re not bleeding. But I’d rather err on the side of caution and not have you walking till I’ve seen exactly what is going on,” Janet said dismissively and Daniel complied, leaning back towards the upraised headboard on the gurney.

&&&&&

“Major Carter, what do you think happened?” Hammond asked once they all were seated in the briefing room.

“From the force of the pulsation we felt in ground as we ran, I believe the device we found was destroyed. Since we can’t get a lock it is safe to assume that something is wrong with the ‘Gate on 552. It might have been destroyed in the explosion.”

“What?” Cully stammered in shock. “Could it do that?”

“I’m sorry, but yes, I think so. It felt like a big explosion. It’s not the first time we’ve experienced something like this so I don’t see why not. If Anubis created the Circulation he would want to put safeguards in place so it couldn’t be tampered with. Apparently we tampered with it.”

“But we didn’t do anything,” Jack argued.

“Actually, sir, we did just by being there.”

“It was a booby trap?”

“It looks that way yes,” Sam said, sighing. “Cully, I’m sorry. It looks like destruction was the only choice.”

“We cannot be sure of what has happened,” Teal’c said. “Someone must fly over the planet and ascertain what has taken place. I will alert Bra’tac of the situation.”

“I’ll contact the Tok’ra, sir,” Sam said. “They should be able to fly over Tubris relatively soon. According to our latest intelligence, they have several ships in that area of the galaxy.”

“Excellent,” Hammond agreed. “I’ll let you know as soon as we hear from Thor.”

Cully looked shocked. “What about our ship?” he asked fearfully. “Can we contact them?”

“Thor can help us with that. Do you still have the communicator he gave you?” Sam asked.

“I do.”

“Okay, people,” Hammond said. “Get in touch with our allies as quickly as possible so we can get some answers. In the meantime, I suggest you all take the time to swing by the infirmary and get checked out. We meet again as soon as we hear something. Cully, you are welcome to stay with us while we work things out.”

“Thank you,” Cully said flatly. “You are most kind.”

“I’ll get started on getting us some answers and meet you in the infirmary,” Sam said as they all rose from their chairs.

“Come on,” Jack said, putting an arm around a shocked Cully’s shoulders. “Let’s get checked out and see how Daniel’s doing.”

&&&&&

“Hey,” Daniel greeted from his bed when he spotted Jack, Cully and Teal’c as they entered the infirmary. “I was just about to come to you.”

“Did Fraiser release you?” Jack asked.

“Almost. I hadn’t pulled anything, but I’m apparently not to do any running for a little while longer. I’m waiting for some blood to be taken, and then I’m good to go.” Daniel came over to where Jack had steered Cully down to sit on one of the beds. Teal’c sat down on the bed opposite them, paying no attention the nurse performing his exam, his gaze on Cully and Daniel.

“Great. Carter is trying to get some answers for us. I only hope that nothing happened to your ship and that Thor saw what happened,” Jack said, bending around the nurse that was standing in front of him, trying to attach a blood pressure cuff to his arm.

“I am sorry,” Daniel said, sitting down beside Cully on the bed. “We did not know this would happen.”

“I understand,” Cully said, looking between Jack and Daniel. “You have powerful allies if you are friends with the Rebel Jaffa and the Tok’ra as well as the Asgard. Together we will find out what happened.”

“We are very lucky. They’re your friends now, too. The treaty assures that.” Daniel looked at Cully with an earnest expression, giving him a comforting pat on the arm.

“Gentlemen,” Janet interrupted their conversation, “if you would be so kind as to roll up your sleeves?” Jack, Teal’c and Daniel immediately did as Janet asked but Cully looked at her questioningly.

“She wants to draw some blood to make sure you’ve not caught anything that could make you sick,” Daniel explained.

“Ah,” Cully did as he was told and Janet quickly set to work drawing their blood and labelling the vials.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I get the results. Dr. Jackson, you’re released. Colonel, I’d like you, Teal’c and Cully to stay a little while longer. We have a few more tests to run on you.”

“Thanks, Janet. I’ll go see how things are progressing with Sam,” Daniel said, jumping down from the bed and putting his BDU shirt back on. “See you all later.”

&&&&&

“Hi, Sam. Any word yet?” Daniel asked as soon as he entered the control room.

Sam shook her head. “Not yet, I’m afraid.”

Filling two mugs with coffee, Daniel came over to her and handed Sam one of the mugs before taking an appreciative drink of his own coffee. “Maybe we should start looking into relocation?” he asked, taking a chair to sit down beside Sam at the control panels.

“That’s not a bad idea. They are living on a ship, and from what I could guess without anyone actually telling me so, I don’t think the people are very happy about it. When Teal’c and I went to talk to the scientists to see if there was anything we could do to help, I got the impression that they weren’t very happy, aside from the ship being in need of repair, of course.”

“So you’re saying they might agree to this without much convincing?”

“I think so, yes. We can start with offering it to Cully and see what he thinks. He seems like a good man.” Sam took a drink of her own coffee and looked expectantly at the screens again.

Daniel nodded, thinking the whole thing through. If they were the ones living on a ship travelling through the galaxy, living in hiding, he’d want to find somewhere safe to live as quickly as possible. The universe was vast, and there had to be somewhere the Tuberous could live in peace for the rest of their existence. Of course, there was the problem of transplanting them in secret. The Goa’uld had eyes and ears on many planets, and although the Tuberous would be protected under the Asgard’s Protected Planets Treaty, Daniel knew they couldn’t guarantee complete safety for the remainder of time. Cully and his people were intelligent beings, though, and if they worked together with the Asgard, Daniel was positive they could come up with some means of protecting them… unless, of course, SG-1 or someone else managed to destroy Anubis and nip the whole thing in the bud, so to speak. “Are there any potential new worlds for them that we know of now?” Taking another drink, he decided they could just as well start looking now. If there were any available planets in their computer system, they would have something more than a theory to present to Cully.

“I’ll check,” Sam said, starting to go through the database. “It shouldn’t be too difficult to find them a new place to live.”

“We could ask the Gadmeer,” Jack said from behind them. Sam and Daniel had been too intent on looking at the computer screen that they hadn’t heard him coming.

Daniel turned around on his chair to look at Jack. “Why do you suggest that? You know we can’t contact them. We can’t even breathe the air on their planet!”

“I know that, but Tallis said they’d been in contact with them before and that they had looked for suitable planets for them.” Jack looked at Cully, indicating with a nod for him to elaborate.

“This is true,” Cully said. “We have some contact with other civilizations in this galaxy and one was helpful trying to find us a new place to live.”

“Why couldn’t they?” Daniel asked.

“It was some years ago, but I was present when the meeting took place,” Cully explained. “The ship that facilitated the talks looked for several places where we could live, but as they hadn’t been traveling for very long, they were not up to date on what kind of people lived on the occupied planets. Several of the options they presented us with were in Goa’uld-occupied territory and were not acceptable to us. When we pressed for more choices, they denied us further help, saying that they needed to do more research into what was going on in this galaxy to be of further assistance. We have not heard from them since, and our attempts at contacting them again have failed. We offered our assistance, but they preferred to do their own research.”

“I wish now that I had questioned this matter further when we last spoke to Tallis. He did not elaborate on this matter further,” Teal’c said.

“I’m sure we have planets in our database that will suit your needs,” Daniel said. “We do extensive reconnaissance and have, as you know, many allies out there that inform us of what they learn from their undercover operatives in the Goa’uld-infested areas of the galaxy.”

“You continue to impress me,” Cully said. “To think there might be a planet out there where we can live in peace and without fear of Anubis finding us…. It’s almost too much to imagine. We thrive aboard our ship, but everyone wishes for a new, safe planet we can call our home.”

“We can’t promise that Anubis will never find you,” Sam said. “But we’re going to do our best to prevent it. I’m sure Thor and the Asgard will help as well. Why don’t you let me know what you think your people require in terms of space and environmental conditions and I’ll plot it into the computer?”

“I’ll be happy to.”

“I don’t suppose you remember what that Lotan guy said when you were aboard their ship?” Jack asked Daniel after he’d given his chair to Cully so he and Sam could start looking through the database.

“You mean if he said he didn’t have all the planets in our galaxy mapped out? No, I don’t think he said anything about that. They were a 10,000 year old civilization looking for a place to live, just as much as the Tuberous are now. I don’t think they’d left a planet un-scanned. Scanning a planet and knowing who lives there are two different things, though. Lotan never mentioned anything about knowing what kind of life-form lived on the planets they scanned.”

“Incoming wormhole!” Walter said suddenly.

The ‘Gate started dialling and Jack quickly gave the order to close the iris. “What now?” he asked.

“I don’t know yet,” Sam said. “We don’t expect any teams back.” She turned to one of the techs. “Get General Hammond to come down here.”

“Who is it?” Daniel leaned closer to get a better look at the screen to see whose IDC would be confirmed. “It’s Thor,” he said a moment later. “He’s sending a text message. He’s coming.”

There was a bright flash and Thor appeared before them. “Greetings,” he said.

“Thor,” Hammond greeted as he came down the stairs. “You got our call?”

“Indeed. I am only sorry I was not able to come sooner.”

“Sooner?” Jack asked in surprise. “You were two days away. It’s been what, a couple of hours since we returned?”

“Another ship from the Asgard fleet arrived at my location and I was able to express my need for a faster vessel and switched ships with them,” Thor explained.

“I guess that explains why you got here so quickly,” Daniel said, looking at Jack with amusement. “Thank you. We need your help.”

Thor nodded. “I received your communication. What has occurred? When I did not detect you on the planet I feared the worst and came here.”

“You didn’t see anything explode?” Sam asked as soon as they were seated in the briefing room again.

“I did. There was a large detonation close to the area where I last saw your life-signs. I assume that is why I could no longer detect your life-signs on the planet. I feared you had perished.”

“So it is true,” Cully said, hiding his head in his hands. “My world is destroyed.”

“Not exactly,” Thor said. “The Stargate is presumed buried in the ruins and the device you found is completely gone, but the planet is intact.”

“Nothing happened to my people and our ship?” Cully removed his hands from his face and looked at Thor.

“No. In fact, I was able to communicate with them before arriving here. I alerted them of what I believe had happened and told them I would get back to them with more information as quickly as I could.”

“Thank you,” Cully said. “I am most grateful. It would be a tragedy if our homeworld was destroyed.”

“I don’t think you should try living there again,” Jack said. “Before you arrived, Thor, we were discussing potential planets Cully’s people could move to. We’ve relocated populations before. They have a ship, which means that we don’t have to relocate them through the ‘Gate. It makes the process easier, and also assures that we are able to relocate everyone. There is, of course, the potential danger of Anubis finding out where they are flying.”

“I can help with that,” Thor said. “We can assume that Anubis would want to find out what happened on Tubris. Tallis must therefore remove his ship from orbit. Our engineers are still working with them, and I also made sure they have a negotiator with them to continue the talks. Although they are not able of reaching hyperspace yet, they can fly the ship with the repairs that now have been made. As it is they are travelling towards the edge of this galaxy. The Goa’uld have not been there for thousands of years, and it should be safe to start a new existence there.”

“That’s great news,” Daniel said happily.

“I assume you’re capable of reaching hyperspace?” Cully asked Thor.

“Indeed. If we leave now we may reach your ship within moments.”

“General?” Jack asked, looking to Hammond who up to this point had not said anything.

“You’re saying you’ve found a planet where these people may live out the rest of their lives in peace and quiet?” Hammond asked Thor.

“Yes we have.”

“Very well,” Hammond said. “You have a go. Thor, I trust you to send my people back home safely once the transplantation has taken place?”

“I will,” Thor said.

“SG-1, Godspeed.” Hammond rose from his chair and Jack and Sam quickly followed suit.

“Be ready in 15,” Jack ordered. “We leave as quickly as possible.”

PART FIFTEEN

“Nice ride,” Jack said once Thor had beamed SG-1, himself and Cully to the bridge of his new ship.

“Thank you, O’Neill,” Thor said, inclining his head. “I much prefer this to the previous ship.”

“You don’t say.” Jack whistled and looked around.

“We will make one short stop on the way to encapsulate the Tuberous ship within our shield and then we will head for the coordinates. We should reach our destination within the hour.” Jack was about to voice his surprise that Thor could do that, but if he hadn’t been able to do it he wouldn’t have suggested it, Jack figured. Instead he used the time to check out more of Thor’s impressive ship.

&&&&&

“We’re here,” Sam said a few minutes short of an hour later. She turned to look at the team. “This is P6N-927. It’s one of the planets the Ancients provided us with the address for. A UAV was sent here last year to do an initial recon, but we’ve not sent any teams here yet.” A planet’s surface could be seen on the large window-like screen on Thor’s ship. Immediately to their right the Tuberous ship appeared on the screen and a moment later Tallis’ face appeared.

“Greetings! Our heartfelt thanks goes to you all for providing us with this opportunity to start anew. However, I believe I need to apologize for my earlier mistrust in you. You have all upheld your end of our agreement, and more. We are most grateful for your assistance.”

“You’re welcome,” Thor and Daniel said simultaneously.

“Dr. Jackson,” Tallis greeted. “I heard you were taken ill. You look much recovered.”

“Thank you. I am,” Daniel smiled.

“This planet is suitable for us?” Tallis asked Thor.

“Yes. It has an agreeable atmosphere and a temperate climate. There appears to be a variety in nature and it has never been home to any advanced civilization or to dangerous predators of any kind. There is a bounty of wildlife and flora, and there are deserts and lakes as well as lush and green areas. I trust you will be satisfied with our find?”

“We certainly are,” Cully answered, nodding at Tallis to agree as well.

“Yes,” Tallis said. “We are indeed pleased with this.”

“Has anyone been down there to check it out?” Jack asked. “We could have a team do a recon and make sure what your database tells you is true.”

“Major Carter has equipped the ship with one of your UAVs,” Thor said. “It is currently flying in a pattern over the planet, recording its findings.”

“Cool!” Jack exclaimed. “I’m glad you can use some of our technology too.”

“It is not something we would have thought of creating,” Thor said. “It is a very useful tool.”

“Still, I’d like to be down there once they arrive,” Jack continued. “I think they’d like to meet you as well.”

“Agreed,” Thor said. “I will be there when the Tuberous decide to relocate.”

“I would like to return to our ship now,” Cully said. “It might take some time to get everything ready for the transport to our new home. I will contact you when we are ready.”

“Great. In the meantime I say we do a bit of a recon ourselves,” Jack said, looking at his team.

“I have alerted our ships of what we are doing and our vessels in this area as well as those in the area of Tubris and Tuberous are keeping their eyes open for any Goa’uld activity. We would like to see this treaty in place as much as the rest of you,” Thor said.

“Again, thank you,” Cully said, looking a little flustered.

“It’s our pleasure,” Daniel said. “We would like to see you arrive safe and sound as well. We’ll see you down there.”

“If you all are finished, I will beam Cully back onboard his ship and you to the planet’s surface,” Thor said.

“I assume there is a Stargate there with a working DHD?” Sam asked as she stood together with the rest of her team, waiting to be beamed out.

“Yes, there is. I will beam you there now.”

&&&&&

“This planet looks promising,” Teal’c said. After Thor had beamed them down to the planet, SG-1 had done an initial recon of the immediate area around the Stargate and was now walking further afield. The UAV could be heard overhead and Jack waved at it.

“Thor is downloading the contents of the memory chip and will send it to us as soon as it’s done,” Sam said, looking up at the flying probe.

“There’s nothing here,” Daniel said a little disappointed. “No ruins of any kind, no signs of civilization at all.” Putting his notebook into his pack and the pen back in his pocket, he looked around one more time to make sure he hadn’t missed anything.

“Well, Thor did say it hadn’t been occupied,” Jack said, giving Daniel a comforting pat on the back. “But think, now you can study the Teletubbies as they start over.”

“Tuberous, Jack,” Daniel laughed. “You’ve got to stop calling them Teletubbies. Have you seen the Teletubbies?”

“Yes, I have. I’m a bit more concerned that you have.”

“I do watch TV, Jack, You know that,” Daniel crossed his arms across his chest. “Just because I don’t watch hockey or the Simpsons doesn’t mean I don’t watch TV.”

“Yes, but children’s TV, Daniel? You don’t watch that?”

“I don’t! Cassie was too old for that when she came here. But you’ve heard of channel surfing, haven’t you?”

“Of course I have.”

“Then, there you have it. I’ve surfed past a couple of times. Plus Teal’c is into all kinds of modern culture, and we’ve discussed them before.”

Sam started laughing. “You and Teal’c have discussed the Teletubbies? I assume you’ve done some research into this as well?”

“Of course,” Teal’c said. “It is an interesting concept. The program has received much attention.”

“Okay, you two,” Jack said, moving to stand between Daniel and Teal’c in an attempt at preventing a whole new discussion. “Stop it right now. Focus on checking this planet out, okay?”

“O’Neill,” Thor’s voice interrupted them as it came over their radios.

Jack put his earpiece in and answered. “We’re here, Thor. Go on.”

“I will beam myself, Cully and a contingent of his people down to the planet’s surface. They have agreed to examine it further and establish if it is suitable for them.”

“Okay.” Jack had barely finished speaking before a large group of people appeared in front of them. “Hey, guys,” Jack waved.

“Welcome home,” Daniel said, smiling tentatively, not wanting to sound too eager in case Cully and his contingent decided they didn’t want to stay here after all.

“Thank you. There is much to discuss yet, but we were curious to see this place for ourselves before we make any final decision,” Cully said, smiling reassuringly at Daniel.

“Daniel?” Jack said. “Why don’t you and Carter give them the grand tour? Teal’c and I’ll stay here and guard the ‘Gate.”

“We’ll be glad to,” Daniel answered. “Come on, let’s show you around. We’ve not found any traces of civilization, which means that if anyone has lived here before, they left so long ago that there are no visible trails of them left. Your historians might verify that later, but if you need any help looking, we’ll do our best to assist you.”

“You are most kind. We have been preparing for resettling for a long time and are very much looking forward to building our new homes on this world.”

“Just let us know if there’s anything you need,” Sam said once they’d done a circuit of the area SG-1 had explored. “We’ll be in touch. Thor and his engineers will stay in the area to assist you and we’ll check in with you at regular intervals.”

“You guys ready?” Jack asked an hour later when Sam and Daniel joined him and Teal’c by the Stargate.

“Yeah, we’re good to go,” Daniel said. “Cully has already started to plan where their new settlements will be. He also invited us back for a festive meal in two weeks.”

“That was quick. They think they can get a liveable village up by then?” Jack asked.

“Yes, sir, they’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Apparently they have the tools and equipment for quickly erecting temporary but solid homes available on the ship. They also have seeds and saplings of plants and produce from their homeworlds with them. In this climate, it shouldn’t be too long before they’ll see some results and be able to harvest the first crops.”

Daniel waved at Cully and Tallis, who now were leaving the rest of the contingent to see SG-1 off. “See you soon.”

&&&&&

Two weeks later…

“Ow, ow, ow!” Daniel complained as he limped down the ramp. “You weren’t kidding when you said a 30-click hike. My feet are killing me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to walk again. And come on! Why did we hike that far? There wasn’t anything to see after all. Those villages were deserted a long time ago. Why didn’t the UAV do the recon on this planet in the first place?”

“Static,” Jack said, sitting down beside Daniel where he’d plopped down at the bottom of the ramp. “You know Carter’s been drooling about that place for months and the terrain is too difficult for ATV’s. We had to walk.”

“I know.” Daniel rubbed his aching calves. “And by the way, why is it called an all terrain vehicle when it’s obviously not suited for all terrains?”

“Don’t even start,” Jack warned. “It’s just how it is.” Jack watched Daniel rub at his legs for another moment. “I think I’ve got blisters all the way up to my knees,” he moaned when Daniel just wouldn’t stop rubbing.

Daniel blinked at Jack then laughed. “That’s not possible.”

“Of course it is,” Jack argued while starting to unlace his boots.

“Is not. For one thing it’s no longer your feet if you’ve got blisters up to your knees; for another, your clothes don’t blister, do they?”

“Semantics,” Jack grumbled and continued his unlacing. “If they’re wet.”

“What’s going on, people?” Hammond asked over the intercom.

“Oh, nothing. We didn’t find anything of interest.” Daniel said, gingerly getting to his feet, moaning with discomfort before looking up at Hammond. “I need a very long and very hot shower,” he commented to all and sundry.

“Me too,” Sam agreed, leaning on Daniel as she lifted one foot after the other off the ground to rest them. “My feet have never been this sore. I’m sorry to drag you all that way for nothing.”

“Ah pfft,” Jack waved the issue away. “Daniel needed the exercise.”

“I did not!”

“Did too.”

“Didn’t.”

“O’Neill, DanielJackson,” Teal’c rumbled. Sheepishly, they both stopped squabbling, and Daniel silently helped Jack to his feet.

Hammond looked at his premiere team with curiosity. It looked like they had no intention of leaving the Gateroom in the immediate future, and so he decided to come to them instead. Hammond frowned as he watched all of them except Teal’c lean on one of the others. When Sam leaned on Daniel, Daniel had grabbed Teal’c’s shoulder for support. Jack was leaning against Teal’c’s other side, a hand to his back.

“The mission was a bust, sir,” Jack said, letting go of Teal’c’s arm. “The villages we found were deserted. Daniel thinks they left a long time ago.”

“There were no signs of any recent activity, sir,” Sam continued. “And my scanners didn’t detect any form of technology at all.”

“Basically, sir, it was a waste of time,” Jack said before stretching his back again and leaning on his steadfast Jaffa friend.

“I see. We can debrief later. While you were gone we heard from Thor. The Tuberous are expecting you at their new home world tomorrow. Cully informed me that they have something they’d like to show you.”

&&&&&

“O’Neill, Dr. Jackson, Major Carter, Teal’c! Welcome to Circulus, our new home!” Cully greeted. SG-1 had barely set foot on the Tuberous new home-world before Cully was at their side, greeting them enthusiastically.

“Wow!” Daniel exclaimed in lack of a more eloquent way of expressing his amazement. “You weren’t joking when you said you’d prepared for a new place to live. You’ve accomplished a lot in such a short time.”

Not far from the Stargate, SG-1 could see small buildings erected, each with a measured out area of ground where people were planting seeds for their vegetable gardens. In the short two weeks that had passed since SG-1 was here last the Tuberous had managed to get a good start on their new life. “We have three more villages like this in the area,” said Cully, “and several more are being erected as we speak. Our ship remains in orbit and provides us with what material we might need. The Asgard engineers have finished their work with the repairs and our ship is now in better condition than it has ever been in. There is much yet to discover.”

“I’d say you’ve done an excellent job thus far,” Jack looked around at the village and the people. “Your people seem happy.”

“They are,” Cully said, “We are. But come, I have more to show you.” He started walking towards one of the larger buildings in the village, chatting enthusiastically about what they passed as they walked. “What I wanted to show you is here.” Opening the doors to the simple yet sturdy building, Cully lead SG-1 into what looked like a conference room. “This is our new Conference Room. The Asgard are working on implementing their communications device with our technology, and this is where it will be placed once it is done.”

“That’s wonderful,” Daniel commented, relieved that the Tuberous now would be protected once again and that the Asgard were taking steps to assure their security and ability to communicate. Sam hung onto every word Cully said as he explained how far they’d progressed. “But I’ve a feeling there is more?” Daniel said when Cully stopped to think for a moment.

“Indeed,” Cully grinned happily, continuing his explanations at a pace worthy of Daniel at his most enthusiastic. He walked over to one of the people sitting at the table in the middle of the room. The man was sitting with his back to SG-1 and now he rose and turned around to greet them.

“Jama!” Daniel’s eyes widened in surprise. “Cully, you kept your word and negotiated for his release?”

“I did,” Cully said. “Thor provided us with the Stargate address for Tuberous and I went there to retrieve him myself. Our Grand Council decided that since he was instrumental in getting us in touch with you and the Asgard, he could live amongst us if his main task was to help implement the Asgard technology with our own. It was decided that if we all get to start over, he should be given the chance to do so as well. He is only allowed to do this under constant supervision so that he does not attempt to communicate with other races, but so far he has kept his promise.”

“I have seen what the Asgard and you have done to help my people,” Jama said. “I am glad to see you all again. I might not be able to free my family from a life among Anubis’ slaves, but I have got my people back, and that is something. I willingly do what I can to help any way I can.”

“That’s great!” Jack said, genuinely happy for the guy. “And who knows, maybe one day your family will be free. We’ll tell our allies to keep a look out for them and let us know if they are found.”

“I would very much appreciate that,” Jama said. “I have done nothing to gain your trust, yet you are willing to help?”

“New beginnings,” Daniel said. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Wise words. Come, we have prepared a feast,” Cully said. “At sundown we will have a great meal together.”

“Sundown, you say?” Jack said, squinting at the sky. It was overcast.

“When the sky darkens,” Cully nodded and smiled at Jack’s antics.

“Thank you,” Daniel said. “We’d like that.” His stomach started growling and Daniel looked around, embarrassed, quickly put a hand over it as if that would dull the sound and they all laughed.

“It sounds like you could do with sustenance already now,” Cully laughed.

An hour later they were all seated at a long table decked with a variety of foods. Cully and Jama eagerly explained what everything was and SG-1 happily joined in the meal, the conversation flowing easily between various subjects, most of which were related to how life on the new world was.

“What will happen to Tallis?” Daniel said after his second helping of a succulent meat that looked like and tasted like lamb as well as something yellow that tasted of something akin to cinnamon and carrots but had the consistency of potatoes.

“What do you mean?” Cully asked, also getting serious.

“It’s just that earlier you said his mental capacity is reduced and that he cannot be the sole ruler of your people?” Jack said helpfully, twirling the goblet he’d been drinking from between his hands.

“Ah, you mean when I said I’d do the negotiations on our behalf?” Jack nodded. “Tallis has a temper, and as you know, negotiations are a delicate business. It is true that he is not as well-functioning as he thinks he once was, but most of our people believe he is doing a good job of leading our people. One needs tact and patience when dealing with other nations. I’m sure you’re aware of this fact? I have more patience than Tallis, and sometimes he forgets that in his eagerness to do what he believes is best for our people. It is true that he is getting old and it is only a matter of time how much longer he can rule.”

“I see,” Sam said. “The patience thing is why Daniel usually does the negotiation and the Colonel and the rest of us deal with the bad guys.”

“Carter!” Jack protested, not without amusement at his 2IC’s choice of words.

Daniel looked defensive, but when he looking around saw nothing but amusement in his companions’ eyes. Sam figured a modification was in order. “Okay,” she said, “it’s at least partially true. Daniel is our best negotiator and the culture expert, but I think the Colonel is perfectly able of holding his own in a negotiation situation.”

“As am I,” Cully said. “You did well in our first meeting.”

“So Tallis will continue to be your leader?” Jack asked, moving back to their original topic of conversation, feeling somewhat embarrassed at the attention.

“Perhaps. It will be put to a general vote once we are more settled. Everyone is starting anew, and this also means everyone gets the same chance at making a life for themselves. We’re likely to see some conflicts, but we are not a violent people and it will not lead to battle. We are much too content with having a place where we can live and not longer worrying about fleeing to fight each other at the moment. We need a strong leadership, and disrupting the balance of power at this point would mean political suicide for Tallis and the rest of us trying to govern our nation.”

“That sounds like a wise decision,” Daniel agreed. “And if he does anything you don’t like, you can always do something about it.”

“Indeed!” Cully raised his glass in a toast and SG-1 and the others seated at their table did the same. “Here’s to a fresh start and new friends! May our alliance prosper and grow as is the hope for our life now that we are free.”

“To friends!” They all chimed in.

&&&&&

“You’ll keep in touch?” Daniel asked once they were back at the ‘Gate. The festive meal had lasted well into the night, and each member of SG-1 was both full and tired and ready to head back home.

“Indeed,” Cully said, embracing each of them in turn. “It has been a pleasure getting to know you and I look forward to furthering our friendship.”

“As do we,” Jack said. “If you need anything, just holler. We’ll be around.”

Daniel walked over to the DHD. “If you need to contact us, you can use the communicator Thor gave you.” He handed Cully a note. “This is our address. You may contact us at any time. Use the communicator and we’ll know it’s you who want to speak with us. As you saw, we have an impenetrable shield covering our Stargate, so I would not advice coming through before you have got confirmation that it is safe.”

Cully embraced Daniel again. “Thank you. We will contact you when we are ready to start the trade negotiations. After spending some time on your world I have started to make a list of things we’d like to trade for.”

“I’m sure you have,” Jack said. “Daniel tells me you’ve become fond of sodas.”

“Indeed, as well as the bitter black liquid. Coffee, I believe you call it.”

“I’m sure we can arrange for some of that too,” Daniel smiled.

“Take care,” Sam offered, shaking Cully and Tallis’ hands. “It’s been a pleasure.”

“You as well,” Tallis returned.

“SG-1, move out,” Jack said as soon as the ‘Gate opened and Daniel had punched in his IDC. “Let’s go home.” Just before he entered the wormhole he turned around and waved at the assembled group of dignitaries and leaders of the newly freed nation. Cully waved back and Tallis saluted them as well. The last thing Jack thought as he walked through the wormhole was that the Tuberous certainly were nice people and that he hoped SG-1 would be the team that would do the trade negotiations with them.

“You know,” Daniel said to the rest of his team as they walked down the ramp. “It’s one thing to save a single person or a small group of villagers from an oppressive Goa’uld. It’s something completely different to have the opportunity to save an entire population and hopefully prevent them from ever being oppressed and enslaved again. I hope we get to help save so many more often.”

“Indeed,” Teal’c said. “It is a most satisfying task.”

“I’ll get started on checking out what planets we know of that are suitable for relocating large populations,” Sam added. “It wouldn’t hurt to make a list, just in case another opportunity like this arises.”

“I just hope we won’t come across a planet the size of Earth,” Jack mused. “I’d hate to steer 6 billion people through the wormhole. Think of the traffic jam that’ll cause.”

“Let’s hope it won’t come to that,” General Hammond said from the entrance to the Gateroom. “Welcome home, SG-1.”

THE END