Only Misplaced - Part 5
Sparks flared and fell. For an instant Teal'c glimpsed a very, very high ceiling. Darkness swept down. Teal'c watched a few more sparks burst from what had been the sun and he waited for his vision to adjust. He could see in almost no light, but they now stood in utter blackness.
Next to him, he heard a short breath let out in a hard huff, and clothing rustled. Daniel Jackson said, "Be nice if they had emergency lights. Hey, Sam, just one thing…"
Teal'c heard the click of the radio call button released and the staccato of O'Neill's weapon firing came over the radio, and then Daniel Jackson muttered, "Just couldn't wait, could he?" Activating his radio again, Daniel Jackson said, voice bright and quick, "Never mind-kind of dark, isn't it, guys?"
After a moment's pause, Captain Carter answered, "Daniel, there should be a flashlight in your pack."
"Yeah-about that...kind of lost my pack. But I might have…hold on." More clothing rustled, a dry rasping sound, then a thin beam of light flared and blinded Teal'c. He put a hand up to shield his eyes, and the light danced away, darted into the darkness where the beam bled into nothing.
The beam kept moving, so Teal'c stepped forward, wrapped a hand around Daniel Jackson's wrist to force the light to steady. "We still lack a clear path to the Stargate."
"I have an idea." Daniel Jackson pushed the flashlight into Teal'c's hand and dug into his vest pockets. With a smile, he pulled out something small, and opened his palm to display a glass bead. "It's a marble-it's Jack's, and uhm, no, don't ask. However..." Squatting down, Daniel Jackson set the marble on the floor and rolled it away from him. The glass bead curved a path to the left. "Downhill-we go that way."
"O'Neill, we are starting back to the Stargate."
"Roger that. We're heading back as well. Meet us there. And, Daniel, I'm going to want to hear more about these walls of yours."
Rolling his eyes, Daniel started walking. He tilted his head, and Teal'c thought he must be following the faint, fading sound of the glass rolling across the metal floor.
They could see the floor now-gray and dull-and Teal'c held the beam of light before them as they followed the rolling bead. This was indeed a hallway with a slight incline to the floor.
Vision adjusting, Teal'c glimpsed walls-far enough apart that he could not reach them if he spread his arm, but near enough to be within reach of the narrow beam of light. The walls ended at the height of perhaps two men. Above that, the light could not penetrate, but Teal'c had glimpsed that high ceiling and could envision a maze within a larger room. A large dome, perhaps, with the Stargate at the center of it-not as large an area as he had expected, however. It was unsettling to go from seeming open spaces to this open-ceilinged ramp
He realized that a faint dimness was filtering in from one side, and Daniel Jackson was moving toward it. "Daniel Jackson?"
He put enough command in the word that the other man hesitated and glanced back. Daniel Jackson jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the light. "We should take a look."
"Have you not seen enough of this world, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c had.
Daniel Jackson's steps, however, kept moving to where a crack of daylight glittered. "Well, it's on our way-sort of. And when you shot out the projection, that might have taken out the other defenses-doesn't it feel cooler already? Chilly even? And that breeze has stopped."
"This may mean air is no longer circulating and we have a limited supply of oxygen."
"Well, that's a good reason to make sure this is an opening then. Besides, Jack didn't say 'hurry back.' And we do have those standing orders to explore."
Teal'c could not fault this reasoning, even if he did not fully agree with the assessment being made. O'Neill had said to meet at the Stargate-that should be their objective. However, he had little choice but to follow since Daniel Jackson was already well ahead of him and approaching the line of daylight.
The light came from between sliding doors that had opened a very small distance and then stopped.
"Daniel Jackson, I would urge caution."
With an absent nod, Daniel Jackson continued to study the doors. He did not touch them. He looked at Teal'c and lifted one hand and one finger. "No grabbing this time. There is such a thing as ducking, and if I get hit with those darts that shot out lasts time, you'll have a lot easier time getting me out of here than I did dragging you."
Meeting Daniel Jackson's stare, Teal'c considered this plan. He found it flawed.
They knew of the danger-he had a clear memory now of the click of a mechanism activating and an equally clear reminder of the pain that could be inflicted. His skin burned, and a deep, cramping ache had settled in his muscles. Even his symbiote twisted and coiled within him, sluggish and slow. But avoiding any projectile required superior reflexes and speed. He had not seen Daniel Jackson demonstrate such skills.
Teal'c knew his own reactions were also somewhat impaired. Given time, he would heal. He did not believe Daniel Jackson would survive an encounter with these darts. Other than physical restraint, however, which might end with Daniel Jackson harmed, Teal'c saw no other option.
He braced himself to move fast should the need again arise. "You will use even greater care, Daniel Jackson."
"Oh, you bet I will." Turning back to the door, Daniel Jackson rubbed his hands together and touched one finger to the door. Then he jerked his hand away.
"There is some difficulty?" Teal’c asked.
"No, no-just being…" He put his hand on the door again. "…prudent. But there's nothing. The last time the wall pulsed, as if it was coming alive. This time…nothing."
Shifting to the side, Daniel Jackson slid his hand down the opening. He put his fingers into the gap and began to pull, as if to force the doors wider. Teal'c watched for a moment. Nothing happened, other than that Daniel Jackson shifted his grip and managed to admit a fraction more light. With a sharp gasp, Daniel Jackson released his hold, then dug his fingers deeper into the gap and began pulling again.
Satisfied that Daniel Jackson did not require immediate removal from the vicinity, Teal'c put the flashlight into a vest pocket and leaned his staff weapon against the wall. He took a position on the opposite side of Daniel Jackson.
Pausing in his efforts, Daniel Jackson glanced at him. For an instant, something sharp and hard glinted in the blue eyes. The emotion passed-and Daniel Jackson gave a small, abrupt nod, as if he had decided something. Teal'c decided his help had been unwelcomed, but had been deemed acceptable. That was sufficient.
Fitting his fingers into the opening, he added his efforts to those of Daniel Jackson. They forced the doors wider, then Daniel Jackson straightened and moved to get Teal'c's staff weapon-which he inserted into the opening to use as a lever. Hand lifting, Teal'c's pressed his lips against the protest that rose within him. A weapon was a weapon-not a tool. However, this was indeed a practical approach. So he put his full weight into dragging these doors apart, and let Daniel Jackson put the weapon to use as if it were a farmer's staff.
The doors gave with a sound like a man expelling his last breath-a soft gasp that was nothing more than the mechanism fulfilling its function. But cold trickled down the back of Teal'c's neck, and light spilled over them, warm and blinding. Teal'c threw up a hand to shield his eyes.
He felt more than saw Daniel Jackson move to stand next to him-and he heard another soft breath let out with a soft word. "Wow."
Blinking and squinting into the light from two, pale-blue suns, Teal'c looked out of the doorway and over a vast forest. He realized there was more here.
Daniel Jackson seemed to see the same things at the same instant, for he let out another breath. Then he began talking. "Has to have been a thousand years for those pines to get that big and nature to reclaim this much. Which means this city's been dead a very, very long time."
Teal'c could only nod.
They stood a distance above the ground, and before them a small platform opened onto stairs that led up and down the side of the structure. Below them, within areas of the forest, the skeleton of twisted metal and stark, pale stone pillars revealed the bones of what had once been great buildings.
Teal'c pointed to the horizon and to the uneven dips in the landscape. "The bombardment began there, against the far mountains. It spread in this direction. The largest buildings were the immediate targets. Smaller craft landed then, there and there." He pointed to where dry plains edged the forest, stretching out either side of the city-an excellent location for deployment of ground troops. "Several battalions would have spread out in wide flanks, driving survivors to the city center. Those injured would be put to death. The rest would be taken for slaves, or to be used as whatever god who brought destruction to this world decreed."
"The Goa'uld?" Daniel Jackson glanced at him and Teal'c nodded. Daniel Jackson looked at the hidden ruins again. "It's like Aketaten. It's called Tell el-Amarna now, but it was Akhenaten's capital-a city build to change Egypt to monotheism. For all we know, he might have been trying to change their belief in the Goa'uld-he certainly wanted the Egyptian pantheon gone. But Akhenaten ultimately lost. Only the desert, not the forest, took Aketaten back. It's the same, though-this is what happens when it's not about defeating an enemy, but about eradicating a culture."
Turning from the ruins, Teal'c stared into the darkness of the building. He swallowed once, and wished not to do this, but the words must be spoken-the truth must be said to honor those who had died. To right the injustice done. "Daniel Jackson, in disarming this illusion, I have destroyed the last remnant of these people." He turned to face Daniel Jackson, braced for the hot flash of condemnation in the man's eyes-the sharp accusation which he deserved. He had acted with too much haste. He had not considered all possibilities. He had believed Daniel Jackson unworthy of a place with O'Neill, but he had proven himself to be the unwise addition to SG-1.
Daniel Jackson did not look at him-his stare remained fixed on the barren woods. But he shook his head and said, "No. This isn't part of anyone's culture. It's a tombstone-or maybe the illusion of one. It's a warning, if we'll hear it. Knowledge carries responsibility, and these people chose to ignore that. They knew about the Goa'uld, or they wouldn't have built this. They knew others were dying-being put to death and having their homes made into prisons. But they wanted to put a big door up and act as if the horror going on elsewhere couldn't touch them. So-no. You didn’t destroy their legacy."
Lifting a hand, he gestured to the trees below them, then looked at Teal'c. "That's their legacy. Buried fragments and dust. It'd take a lifetime to piece anything together. But it doesn't take any time to understand the message they left. An iris isn't enough. Hiding isn't enough. We can't look away from what's happening. Not when we know."
"In my lifetime, Daniel Jackson, I have caused such destruction as this. At the whim of a god, I have brought worlds to an end. Because it was willed."
Daniel Jackson turned and put his back to the ancient destruction. "But not because you willed it. That's the difference, Teal'c. And that difference has to matter. There's a phrase we use on Earth-to make amends. It's not about saying how sorry you are that something happened, or having regrets. It's about feelings so deep and strong that you change how things are done. You change. This has to change."
"Daniel Jackson, some things cannot be amended."
"True. But how do you find out what those are if you don't try in the first place?" Daniel Jackson looked out over the ruins again. A breeze, cool and dry, lifted and carried the scent of the pines and dirt to them. "We should ask Jack about coming back to at least look around out there."
Teal'c followed the other man's stare out the doorway. It seemed unlikely that any return to this world would be allowed-nor would it be wise. There might be other traps lurking.
Daniel Jackson's eyes narrowed, and he looked up and put a hand on the frame of the open doorway. "These must have been emergency exits-or maintenance doors. They'd have to come in to fix things, and when you shot out the device creating the illusion, it must have popped a trigger to open these. Maybe sent out an alarm, but then the power shut down and it all stopped. Funny, there's no writing anywhere."
With sudden sharp need, Teal'c wanted to be gone from this place. Daniel Jackson's words had taken on a bleak tone that Teal'c had no wish to hear from this man.
"We must go." Pulling out the flashlight, Teal'c took his staff weapon from Daniel Jackson and started in the direction they had been heading before. He did not look back, but when he did not hear Daniel Jackson's steps behind him, he slowed his pace. He allowed himself to stumble, and that did bring Daniel Jackson to his side to aid him. He allowed that as well since Daniel Jackson was favoring one leg considerable.
But Daniel Jackson did not continue with his words.
Teal'c glanced at the other man and found Daniel Jackson's face shadowed and his eyes lost to the darkness, and he wondered if the man's thoughts remained with the dead. Or perhaps he worried that this might be the fate of his own world? In either case, he seemed distant, and Teal'c gave him the respect of silence.
#
Wandering in darkness-a lamp to light the way. Well, a flashlight actually, since they didn't have a lamp like Diogenes had had. And it wasn't broad daylight in Athens. He wasn't sure either of them was looking for honesty, either, or even that one honest man who'd tell them the truth.
What was the truth here, anyway?
A world destroyed by the Goa'uld-not by Teal'c. No, this had happened a long time before even Teal’c had been born. But Teal'c had said he'd done this to other planets. He'd done worse, maybe. Killed in the name of a god. That was honest enough. And what kind of courage did it take to admit such things? And to want to change them?
Frowning, Daniel let his thoughts idle since Teal'c was leading the way, and Daniel had the suspicion that he wasn't really helping Teal'c so much as being allowed to help. With his ankle aching at every step, Daniel was glad of anything to lean on and take the weight off that leg-and, god, he needed a distraction from that, too.
He glanced at Teal'c, then back at the floor. Walking in the darkness, a few more things became clear.
Teal'c had done an amazing thing. Going against cultural conditioning required a level of conviction that most people lacked. Daniel knew how difficult it was to step outside the accepted norms-the threat of expulsion from a group echoed back to the most primal fears. But, really, in order to be worried about getting thrown out, you had to be part of the group in the first place. For it to matter, you had to have more than a spot at the edge of things. So was that something Teal'c knew about?
Teal'c certainly wasn't like Sam or Jack, both of whom wore their uniforms with the assurance of someone who didn't think twice about the cultural ramifications of identity and belonging and group acceptance. But Teal'c seemed aware of those nuances.
And that betrayal of his god had to come from somewhere, had to have deep roots, if fact. There were also all those soft corners on all Teal’c’s hard edges to consider. Which left Daniel wanting to stare at Teal'c and ask things he had no business asking. Which was pretty much what he'd been doing so far anyway.
Pressing his lips tight against all of that, he tried to remember he'd been taught manners at some point. But he kept thinking-was this being an outcast something they had in common?
Damnit, if he could only forget the look he'd seen in Teal'c's eyes as the man had stared at those ruins.
God, to have caused that someplace else and know it and live with that? To feel it every day? That was one thing Daniel knew about that-because it was his fault Abydos had been hit so hard.
He wanted-really wanted to blame Teal'c for Abydos. They'd fought for freedom on Abydos, and then Daniel had stupidly opened the door again to the Goa'uld. But keeping doors closed hadn't done much good here, so maybe it really was the Goa'uld who should be blamed. And monsters like Apophis.
His fingers curled with the memory of seeing that…thing with Sha're, and his stomach muscles clenched, and it was all he could to keep himself from screaming. God, he wanted so bad to hate something other than himself-and blame something else. But that wasn't honest, either.
Honesty had to matter. So did the truth. If those things didn't mean anything, then neither did his work. He couldn't accept that. So when he got back around to everything, yes, part of what had happened on Abydos was his fault, but part wasn't. For part of it, he could hate Apophis-and he hated the First Prime of the parasite that called itself a god. But it wasn't Apophis' First Prime who walked next to him. Not anymore.
It was, however, going to take some time for that thought to move from his head down into a visceral knowledge.
But then another thought fit into place.
He looked at Teal'c and said, "The Goa'uld don't want us to be friends, do they? I mean, not us us, but Jaffa and humans-Tau'ri? They indoctrinate the Jaffa with the belief that humans are slaves, and therefore less than. You don't mix at all, do you?"
"There is a saying on my world-strength comes from strength."
"So hanging around a slave…?"
"Leaves one weak-it is death."
"That would explain why guides aren't kept around for long. But, you know-right now, I really like the idea of anything that would piss off the Goa'uld, no matter how small it is. Petty, I know, but there it is."
Teal'c paused and glanced at him. Shadows danced over Teal'c's face. They'd walked far enough to find another door fractionally cracked opened, and the warm light slanted in, showing how big and solid the guy was. All muscles and grace and power.
The inappropriate humor began to lurk in his eyes-Daniel caught it again this time. "The art of revenge requires learning that which will extract the most pain from the one upon whom vengeance is to be served."
Daniel decided there might be a few more good reasons to be glad they had Teal'c on their side. Then he found a smile because he could hear Jack grousing up ahead, and not on the radio. He glanced at Teal'c. "Looks like we're going to end up learning more about each other from missions-not from any kind of training."
Teal'c paused and turned to face him, and Daniel stared back because of the way Teal'c was staring at him. Was that-approval? Had he passed some kind of test he hadn't known about and still didn't know about? Maybe it was the not-freaking-out-too-bad-so-he-was-okay test? Jack had seemed to have one of those, too. Oh, hell, it didn't matter-but if some sort of ritual was required now, he was going to have to talk Teal'c out of it if it involved blood.
With a small smile, Teal'c gave one of those bows that reminded Daniel of the Japanese custom of bowing to indicate everything from an insult to deep honor. Damnit, there really had to be some strong Asian influences with the Goa'uld, which meant he was going to have to expand his research and his library.
"Daniel Jackson, I have much to learn from you."
Blinking fast, Daniel stared at the guy. "Really?"
"I believe you are correct-the Jaffa and Tau'ri have long been kept as enemies so that the Goa'uld may exploit each of our people. This must change. We are the ones who can begin this change."
Teal'c held out his right hand.
Palms damp with a sudden wash of sweat, Daniel stared at Teal’s dark hand. He wasn't ready for this-but when had he ever been ready for anything in his life? Looking up, he put out his hand to grab Teal'c's, but Teal'c shifted and gripped Daniel's arm by the elbow. Ah, a Roman influence-oh, great, more gods. But, of course, Apophis was the Greek name for the Egyptian deity Apep, which meant the Goa'uld had screwed with Earth's mythology every way they could.
Teal'c's grip tightened and Daniel winced. "I pledge to you my strength and skills, Daniel Jackson. And to do all that I may in any cause you undertake as yours."
"I-I can't offer you the same. Not now. Not when…but, this does mean something to me. That you make this offer. And-I like to keep an open mind about most things."
"That is wise, Daniel Jackson."
"Yeah, it happens sometimes-I wish it happened more often."
Teal'c released his grip and they started walking again, and Daniel bit the tip of his tongue. He wasn't going to ask this-not now, not when they'd almost found some common ground. But he glanced over at Teal'c and the words spilled in a hot rush, "Why? That's all I really want to know-why…? No, I'm sorry-I shouldn't-"
"Daniel Jackson, not all questions have good answers. I did my god's bidding. If Apophis was pleased, my people did not suffer and my men did not die. It is not answer enough to satisfy, but all else that I have to offer is my life-my hand, my weapon."
"I know-god, do I know. I just-did she…does it hurt? When they…" Throat tight and thick, he swallowed and couldn't voice the rest of the things he saw now when he closed his eyes at night.
But Teal'c answered, his voice low and kind. "Yes. Greatly."
Daniel let out a breath. "Thank you. For being honest."
"It is your right to know. But, know this was well-unlike the others chosen but not taken for a host, your wife lives, Daniel Jackson. "
"Where there's life, there's hope? I'd like to believe that."
"As would I. For now, I would like to leave this place."
Daniel stopped and stared at Teal'c. He'd almost died here so of course he'd like to go. But Daniel realized with a jolt that he'd never heard Teal'c express a preference about anything-not the food he'd been given, or the clothes, or the small room, or the guards who were still following him around the base.
He was smiling before he knew it and this time the smile didn't feel stiff. And he realized just how tired he was-tired of walking, tired of his ankle hurting, tired of holding the blunt truth back even. "Y'know, I'm a little tired of being lost, too."
"We have never been lost, Daniel Jackson."
"Only misplaced?"
Teal'c's smile showed in the glint in his eyes and the curve of his lips. He gave the smallest of nods-ah, the good one, the one that means you're not too much of an idiot and I really do agree.
They started back to where they could hear Jack and Sam talking, and beside him, Teal'c's deep voice rumbled a comforting, "Indeed, Daniel Jackson. Indeed."
Next to him, he heard a short breath let out in a hard huff, and clothing rustled. Daniel Jackson said, "Be nice if they had emergency lights. Hey, Sam, just one thing…"
Teal'c heard the click of the radio call button released and the staccato of O'Neill's weapon firing came over the radio, and then Daniel Jackson muttered, "Just couldn't wait, could he?" Activating his radio again, Daniel Jackson said, voice bright and quick, "Never mind-kind of dark, isn't it, guys?"
After a moment's pause, Captain Carter answered, "Daniel, there should be a flashlight in your pack."
"Yeah-about that...kind of lost my pack. But I might have…hold on." More clothing rustled, a dry rasping sound, then a thin beam of light flared and blinded Teal'c. He put a hand up to shield his eyes, and the light danced away, darted into the darkness where the beam bled into nothing.
The beam kept moving, so Teal'c stepped forward, wrapped a hand around Daniel Jackson's wrist to force the light to steady. "We still lack a clear path to the Stargate."
"I have an idea." Daniel Jackson pushed the flashlight into Teal'c's hand and dug into his vest pockets. With a smile, he pulled out something small, and opened his palm to display a glass bead. "It's a marble-it's Jack's, and uhm, no, don't ask. However..." Squatting down, Daniel Jackson set the marble on the floor and rolled it away from him. The glass bead curved a path to the left. "Downhill-we go that way."
"O'Neill, we are starting back to the Stargate."
"Roger that. We're heading back as well. Meet us there. And, Daniel, I'm going to want to hear more about these walls of yours."
Rolling his eyes, Daniel started walking. He tilted his head, and Teal'c thought he must be following the faint, fading sound of the glass rolling across the metal floor.
They could see the floor now-gray and dull-and Teal'c held the beam of light before them as they followed the rolling bead. This was indeed a hallway with a slight incline to the floor.
Vision adjusting, Teal'c glimpsed walls-far enough apart that he could not reach them if he spread his arm, but near enough to be within reach of the narrow beam of light. The walls ended at the height of perhaps two men. Above that, the light could not penetrate, but Teal'c had glimpsed that high ceiling and could envision a maze within a larger room. A large dome, perhaps, with the Stargate at the center of it-not as large an area as he had expected, however. It was unsettling to go from seeming open spaces to this open-ceilinged ramp
He realized that a faint dimness was filtering in from one side, and Daniel Jackson was moving toward it. "Daniel Jackson?"
He put enough command in the word that the other man hesitated and glanced back. Daniel Jackson jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the light. "We should take a look."
"Have you not seen enough of this world, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c had.
Daniel Jackson's steps, however, kept moving to where a crack of daylight glittered. "Well, it's on our way-sort of. And when you shot out the projection, that might have taken out the other defenses-doesn't it feel cooler already? Chilly even? And that breeze has stopped."
"This may mean air is no longer circulating and we have a limited supply of oxygen."
"Well, that's a good reason to make sure this is an opening then. Besides, Jack didn't say 'hurry back.' And we do have those standing orders to explore."
Teal'c could not fault this reasoning, even if he did not fully agree with the assessment being made. O'Neill had said to meet at the Stargate-that should be their objective. However, he had little choice but to follow since Daniel Jackson was already well ahead of him and approaching the line of daylight.
The light came from between sliding doors that had opened a very small distance and then stopped.
"Daniel Jackson, I would urge caution."
With an absent nod, Daniel Jackson continued to study the doors. He did not touch them. He looked at Teal'c and lifted one hand and one finger. "No grabbing this time. There is such a thing as ducking, and if I get hit with those darts that shot out lasts time, you'll have a lot easier time getting me out of here than I did dragging you."
Meeting Daniel Jackson's stare, Teal'c considered this plan. He found it flawed.
They knew of the danger-he had a clear memory now of the click of a mechanism activating and an equally clear reminder of the pain that could be inflicted. His skin burned, and a deep, cramping ache had settled in his muscles. Even his symbiote twisted and coiled within him, sluggish and slow. But avoiding any projectile required superior reflexes and speed. He had not seen Daniel Jackson demonstrate such skills.
Teal'c knew his own reactions were also somewhat impaired. Given time, he would heal. He did not believe Daniel Jackson would survive an encounter with these darts. Other than physical restraint, however, which might end with Daniel Jackson harmed, Teal'c saw no other option.
He braced himself to move fast should the need again arise. "You will use even greater care, Daniel Jackson."
"Oh, you bet I will." Turning back to the door, Daniel Jackson rubbed his hands together and touched one finger to the door. Then he jerked his hand away.
"There is some difficulty?" Teal’c asked.
"No, no-just being…" He put his hand on the door again. "…prudent. But there's nothing. The last time the wall pulsed, as if it was coming alive. This time…nothing."
Shifting to the side, Daniel Jackson slid his hand down the opening. He put his fingers into the gap and began to pull, as if to force the doors wider. Teal'c watched for a moment. Nothing happened, other than that Daniel Jackson shifted his grip and managed to admit a fraction more light. With a sharp gasp, Daniel Jackson released his hold, then dug his fingers deeper into the gap and began pulling again.
Satisfied that Daniel Jackson did not require immediate removal from the vicinity, Teal'c put the flashlight into a vest pocket and leaned his staff weapon against the wall. He took a position on the opposite side of Daniel Jackson.
Pausing in his efforts, Daniel Jackson glanced at him. For an instant, something sharp and hard glinted in the blue eyes. The emotion passed-and Daniel Jackson gave a small, abrupt nod, as if he had decided something. Teal'c decided his help had been unwelcomed, but had been deemed acceptable. That was sufficient.
Fitting his fingers into the opening, he added his efforts to those of Daniel Jackson. They forced the doors wider, then Daniel Jackson straightened and moved to get Teal'c's staff weapon-which he inserted into the opening to use as a lever. Hand lifting, Teal'c's pressed his lips against the protest that rose within him. A weapon was a weapon-not a tool. However, this was indeed a practical approach. So he put his full weight into dragging these doors apart, and let Daniel Jackson put the weapon to use as if it were a farmer's staff.
The doors gave with a sound like a man expelling his last breath-a soft gasp that was nothing more than the mechanism fulfilling its function. But cold trickled down the back of Teal'c's neck, and light spilled over them, warm and blinding. Teal'c threw up a hand to shield his eyes.
He felt more than saw Daniel Jackson move to stand next to him-and he heard another soft breath let out with a soft word. "Wow."
Blinking and squinting into the light from two, pale-blue suns, Teal'c looked out of the doorway and over a vast forest. He realized there was more here.
Daniel Jackson seemed to see the same things at the same instant, for he let out another breath. Then he began talking. "Has to have been a thousand years for those pines to get that big and nature to reclaim this much. Which means this city's been dead a very, very long time."
Teal'c could only nod.
They stood a distance above the ground, and before them a small platform opened onto stairs that led up and down the side of the structure. Below them, within areas of the forest, the skeleton of twisted metal and stark, pale stone pillars revealed the bones of what had once been great buildings.
Teal'c pointed to the horizon and to the uneven dips in the landscape. "The bombardment began there, against the far mountains. It spread in this direction. The largest buildings were the immediate targets. Smaller craft landed then, there and there." He pointed to where dry plains edged the forest, stretching out either side of the city-an excellent location for deployment of ground troops. "Several battalions would have spread out in wide flanks, driving survivors to the city center. Those injured would be put to death. The rest would be taken for slaves, or to be used as whatever god who brought destruction to this world decreed."
"The Goa'uld?" Daniel Jackson glanced at him and Teal'c nodded. Daniel Jackson looked at the hidden ruins again. "It's like Aketaten. It's called Tell el-Amarna now, but it was Akhenaten's capital-a city build to change Egypt to monotheism. For all we know, he might have been trying to change their belief in the Goa'uld-he certainly wanted the Egyptian pantheon gone. But Akhenaten ultimately lost. Only the desert, not the forest, took Aketaten back. It's the same, though-this is what happens when it's not about defeating an enemy, but about eradicating a culture."
Turning from the ruins, Teal'c stared into the darkness of the building. He swallowed once, and wished not to do this, but the words must be spoken-the truth must be said to honor those who had died. To right the injustice done. "Daniel Jackson, in disarming this illusion, I have destroyed the last remnant of these people." He turned to face Daniel Jackson, braced for the hot flash of condemnation in the man's eyes-the sharp accusation which he deserved. He had acted with too much haste. He had not considered all possibilities. He had believed Daniel Jackson unworthy of a place with O'Neill, but he had proven himself to be the unwise addition to SG-1.
Daniel Jackson did not look at him-his stare remained fixed on the barren woods. But he shook his head and said, "No. This isn't part of anyone's culture. It's a tombstone-or maybe the illusion of one. It's a warning, if we'll hear it. Knowledge carries responsibility, and these people chose to ignore that. They knew about the Goa'uld, or they wouldn't have built this. They knew others were dying-being put to death and having their homes made into prisons. But they wanted to put a big door up and act as if the horror going on elsewhere couldn't touch them. So-no. You didn’t destroy their legacy."
Lifting a hand, he gestured to the trees below them, then looked at Teal'c. "That's their legacy. Buried fragments and dust. It'd take a lifetime to piece anything together. But it doesn't take any time to understand the message they left. An iris isn't enough. Hiding isn't enough. We can't look away from what's happening. Not when we know."
"In my lifetime, Daniel Jackson, I have caused such destruction as this. At the whim of a god, I have brought worlds to an end. Because it was willed."
Daniel Jackson turned and put his back to the ancient destruction. "But not because you willed it. That's the difference, Teal'c. And that difference has to matter. There's a phrase we use on Earth-to make amends. It's not about saying how sorry you are that something happened, or having regrets. It's about feelings so deep and strong that you change how things are done. You change. This has to change."
"Daniel Jackson, some things cannot be amended."
"True. But how do you find out what those are if you don't try in the first place?" Daniel Jackson looked out over the ruins again. A breeze, cool and dry, lifted and carried the scent of the pines and dirt to them. "We should ask Jack about coming back to at least look around out there."
Teal'c followed the other man's stare out the doorway. It seemed unlikely that any return to this world would be allowed-nor would it be wise. There might be other traps lurking.
Daniel Jackson's eyes narrowed, and he looked up and put a hand on the frame of the open doorway. "These must have been emergency exits-or maintenance doors. They'd have to come in to fix things, and when you shot out the device creating the illusion, it must have popped a trigger to open these. Maybe sent out an alarm, but then the power shut down and it all stopped. Funny, there's no writing anywhere."
With sudden sharp need, Teal'c wanted to be gone from this place. Daniel Jackson's words had taken on a bleak tone that Teal'c had no wish to hear from this man.
"We must go." Pulling out the flashlight, Teal'c took his staff weapon from Daniel Jackson and started in the direction they had been heading before. He did not look back, but when he did not hear Daniel Jackson's steps behind him, he slowed his pace. He allowed himself to stumble, and that did bring Daniel Jackson to his side to aid him. He allowed that as well since Daniel Jackson was favoring one leg considerable.
But Daniel Jackson did not continue with his words.
Teal'c glanced at the other man and found Daniel Jackson's face shadowed and his eyes lost to the darkness, and he wondered if the man's thoughts remained with the dead. Or perhaps he worried that this might be the fate of his own world? In either case, he seemed distant, and Teal'c gave him the respect of silence.
#
Wandering in darkness-a lamp to light the way. Well, a flashlight actually, since they didn't have a lamp like Diogenes had had. And it wasn't broad daylight in Athens. He wasn't sure either of them was looking for honesty, either, or even that one honest man who'd tell them the truth.
What was the truth here, anyway?
A world destroyed by the Goa'uld-not by Teal'c. No, this had happened a long time before even Teal’c had been born. But Teal'c had said he'd done this to other planets. He'd done worse, maybe. Killed in the name of a god. That was honest enough. And what kind of courage did it take to admit such things? And to want to change them?
Frowning, Daniel let his thoughts idle since Teal'c was leading the way, and Daniel had the suspicion that he wasn't really helping Teal'c so much as being allowed to help. With his ankle aching at every step, Daniel was glad of anything to lean on and take the weight off that leg-and, god, he needed a distraction from that, too.
He glanced at Teal'c, then back at the floor. Walking in the darkness, a few more things became clear.
Teal'c had done an amazing thing. Going against cultural conditioning required a level of conviction that most people lacked. Daniel knew how difficult it was to step outside the accepted norms-the threat of expulsion from a group echoed back to the most primal fears. But, really, in order to be worried about getting thrown out, you had to be part of the group in the first place. For it to matter, you had to have more than a spot at the edge of things. So was that something Teal'c knew about?
Teal'c certainly wasn't like Sam or Jack, both of whom wore their uniforms with the assurance of someone who didn't think twice about the cultural ramifications of identity and belonging and group acceptance. But Teal'c seemed aware of those nuances.
And that betrayal of his god had to come from somewhere, had to have deep roots, if fact. There were also all those soft corners on all Teal’c’s hard edges to consider. Which left Daniel wanting to stare at Teal'c and ask things he had no business asking. Which was pretty much what he'd been doing so far anyway.
Pressing his lips tight against all of that, he tried to remember he'd been taught manners at some point. But he kept thinking-was this being an outcast something they had in common?
Damnit, if he could only forget the look he'd seen in Teal'c's eyes as the man had stared at those ruins.
God, to have caused that someplace else and know it and live with that? To feel it every day? That was one thing Daniel knew about that-because it was his fault Abydos had been hit so hard.
He wanted-really wanted to blame Teal'c for Abydos. They'd fought for freedom on Abydos, and then Daniel had stupidly opened the door again to the Goa'uld. But keeping doors closed hadn't done much good here, so maybe it really was the Goa'uld who should be blamed. And monsters like Apophis.
His fingers curled with the memory of seeing that…thing with Sha're, and his stomach muscles clenched, and it was all he could to keep himself from screaming. God, he wanted so bad to hate something other than himself-and blame something else. But that wasn't honest, either.
Honesty had to matter. So did the truth. If those things didn't mean anything, then neither did his work. He couldn't accept that. So when he got back around to everything, yes, part of what had happened on Abydos was his fault, but part wasn't. For part of it, he could hate Apophis-and he hated the First Prime of the parasite that called itself a god. But it wasn't Apophis' First Prime who walked next to him. Not anymore.
It was, however, going to take some time for that thought to move from his head down into a visceral knowledge.
But then another thought fit into place.
He looked at Teal'c and said, "The Goa'uld don't want us to be friends, do they? I mean, not us us, but Jaffa and humans-Tau'ri? They indoctrinate the Jaffa with the belief that humans are slaves, and therefore less than. You don't mix at all, do you?"
"There is a saying on my world-strength comes from strength."
"So hanging around a slave…?"
"Leaves one weak-it is death."
"That would explain why guides aren't kept around for long. But, you know-right now, I really like the idea of anything that would piss off the Goa'uld, no matter how small it is. Petty, I know, but there it is."
Teal'c paused and glanced at him. Shadows danced over Teal'c's face. They'd walked far enough to find another door fractionally cracked opened, and the warm light slanted in, showing how big and solid the guy was. All muscles and grace and power.
The inappropriate humor began to lurk in his eyes-Daniel caught it again this time. "The art of revenge requires learning that which will extract the most pain from the one upon whom vengeance is to be served."
Daniel decided there might be a few more good reasons to be glad they had Teal'c on their side. Then he found a smile because he could hear Jack grousing up ahead, and not on the radio. He glanced at Teal'c. "Looks like we're going to end up learning more about each other from missions-not from any kind of training."
Teal'c paused and turned to face him, and Daniel stared back because of the way Teal'c was staring at him. Was that-approval? Had he passed some kind of test he hadn't known about and still didn't know about? Maybe it was the not-freaking-out-too-bad-so-he-was-okay test? Jack had seemed to have one of those, too. Oh, hell, it didn't matter-but if some sort of ritual was required now, he was going to have to talk Teal'c out of it if it involved blood.
With a small smile, Teal'c gave one of those bows that reminded Daniel of the Japanese custom of bowing to indicate everything from an insult to deep honor. Damnit, there really had to be some strong Asian influences with the Goa'uld, which meant he was going to have to expand his research and his library.
"Daniel Jackson, I have much to learn from you."
Blinking fast, Daniel stared at the guy. "Really?"
"I believe you are correct-the Jaffa and Tau'ri have long been kept as enemies so that the Goa'uld may exploit each of our people. This must change. We are the ones who can begin this change."
Teal'c held out his right hand.
Palms damp with a sudden wash of sweat, Daniel stared at Teal’s dark hand. He wasn't ready for this-but when had he ever been ready for anything in his life? Looking up, he put out his hand to grab Teal'c's, but Teal'c shifted and gripped Daniel's arm by the elbow. Ah, a Roman influence-oh, great, more gods. But, of course, Apophis was the Greek name for the Egyptian deity Apep, which meant the Goa'uld had screwed with Earth's mythology every way they could.
Teal'c's grip tightened and Daniel winced. "I pledge to you my strength and skills, Daniel Jackson. And to do all that I may in any cause you undertake as yours."
"I-I can't offer you the same. Not now. Not when…but, this does mean something to me. That you make this offer. And-I like to keep an open mind about most things."
"That is wise, Daniel Jackson."
"Yeah, it happens sometimes-I wish it happened more often."
Teal'c released his grip and they started walking again, and Daniel bit the tip of his tongue. He wasn't going to ask this-not now, not when they'd almost found some common ground. But he glanced over at Teal'c and the words spilled in a hot rush, "Why? That's all I really want to know-why…? No, I'm sorry-I shouldn't-"
"Daniel Jackson, not all questions have good answers. I did my god's bidding. If Apophis was pleased, my people did not suffer and my men did not die. It is not answer enough to satisfy, but all else that I have to offer is my life-my hand, my weapon."
"I know-god, do I know. I just-did she…does it hurt? When they…" Throat tight and thick, he swallowed and couldn't voice the rest of the things he saw now when he closed his eyes at night.
But Teal'c answered, his voice low and kind. "Yes. Greatly."
Daniel let out a breath. "Thank you. For being honest."
"It is your right to know. But, know this was well-unlike the others chosen but not taken for a host, your wife lives, Daniel Jackson. "
"Where there's life, there's hope? I'd like to believe that."
"As would I. For now, I would like to leave this place."
Daniel stopped and stared at Teal'c. He'd almost died here so of course he'd like to go. But Daniel realized with a jolt that he'd never heard Teal'c express a preference about anything-not the food he'd been given, or the clothes, or the small room, or the guards who were still following him around the base.
He was smiling before he knew it and this time the smile didn't feel stiff. And he realized just how tired he was-tired of walking, tired of his ankle hurting, tired of holding the blunt truth back even. "Y'know, I'm a little tired of being lost, too."
"We have never been lost, Daniel Jackson."
"Only misplaced?"
Teal'c's smile showed in the glint in his eyes and the curve of his lips. He gave the smallest of nods-ah, the good one, the one that means you're not too much of an idiot and I really do agree.
They started back to where they could hear Jack and Sam talking, and beside him, Teal'c's deep voice rumbled a comforting, "Indeed, Daniel Jackson. Indeed."