LET'S BRING OUR PEOPLE HOME.. ..NOW!

~ ≈ Δ ± Ξ Σ Φ Ψ Δ ≈ µ Π ~

ℷ

"..Any questions?"

"Yes Doctor Jackson, how do we actually get into the tunnels? The entrance is covered by a thick brick slab."

"Good question Major Griff. I've been thinking about that.."

"Well?"

"Jack em.."

How were they gonna get into the tunnels because the entrance cover stone, a thick brick slab, was amongst thousands of others that have stood the test of time, throughout millennia all neatly aligned and carefully balanced, slotted together without grout, dowel or dovetail, a glueless wonder. Each slab probably weighing half a ton, at least.

"Daniel Jackson the stone must be removed the same way it was situated there."

"It was probably pushed into place, you think we should pull it out of place?"

"It appears to be the only way."

"Yeah but it was probably pushed into place by fifty slaves. Doctor Jackson isn't there a secret entrance, you know buttons to press or em, levers to pull and it automatically slides open."

"I have seen nothing such as you describe Major Griff."

"I was describing an easy way in Teal'c."

"That it more favourable."

"Actually Major Griff going off everything we've examined I think the stone slab itself is the secret entrance."

"Okay, right then. Colonel so how about blowing it?"

"I wouldn't recommend that Major Griff, we might end up bringing the whole structure down."

"Yeah I'm not saying we should blow it up, I'm just saying maybe use a small amount. A very small amount, C4, strategically placed, get the job done easy."

"You're right Major that would get the job done, but the rock samples SG-14 brought back showed high metal content, including naquadah and niquadria. It might only take a small amount to set off a chain reaction."

"Yep, this structure, as massive as it is, all looks completely solid, but its only held up by the way the stone is laid into place, if we disrupt the structure we run the risk of bring it down around our heads."

"Yeah point taken Colonel, Doctor Jackson."

"Colonel Carter, when fishing in Minnesota O'Neill drives a particular vehicle. The front of this vehicle is equipped with a machine, a winch, a wincing.."

"T it's a winch."

"Yeah Teal'c, I'm sure the General uses that to haul in all the really big fish he catches."

"You betcha!"

Everyone was laughing.

"Sam as it stands we've found the entrance to the tunnels but to clear the way we need to remove the masonry block covering it."

"T do you think you could cut a hole through that rock, that stone slab?"

"I do O'Neill."

"Without blasting everything around it?"

"I am positive O'Neill."

"That's that then. Cut a hole into it, shove a grappling iron down there so it comes out the other side, at the back of the brick, fan the iron out, stick a cable tensioner on it, that's gonna take care of push effort from the back of the slab.

We need a heavy duty air craft cable winch, the clevis hooks need to be replaced with shot which can be delivered into this type of stone block. An air hydraulic riveter should do the trick. The whole assembly needs to be securely mounted onto the stone ledge.

Rivet a couple of shots ten inches into the rock, you should be able to winch the whole thing out."

"Sir you're saying put more than one cable on it?"

"Yeah, what do you say, five, one with the grappling iron straight through the centre and one pegged into each corner."

"Sir you mean attach the four corner cables on to the main cable?"

"Perhaps not the main cable, but I'm sure Siler will work something out."

"General do we have a winch strong enough?"

"Siler's a dab hand at rigging, I'm sure he can put something together. Just needs to convert the cable end of the winch into a shot piece capable of being punched into rock using a riveter."

"So basically we punch slugs into the rock and sort of winch the whole slab out?"

"That's the plan Major Able."

"Sounds good."

"That should do Sir."

"Hopefully. It'll be very interesting to see whats down there."

"Actually Jack we can feed it through to you, if you keep the StarGate active we can stream a feed through to you."

"Yeah but what happens if something goes wrong and you need to dial out quickly to get off the rock?"

"Sir you can just shut the wormhole down."

"Nanonuts! Nanonuts Carter."

"Yes Sir, the time it takes to first shut the wormhole down and start to Dial up again."

"You're running the show Colonel, we can wait until you get back to view it. Everyone watch your backs!"

"Thank you Sir!!"

"We go at O ten hundred. Weapons check when we fall in. That will be all thank you."

"Colonel!! General!!"

~ ≈ Δ ± Ξ Σ Φ Ψ Δ ≈ µ Π ~

The Room emptied out leaving SG-1 and General O'Neill to open discussion.

"Where we up to with the floor plate?"

"Sir as soon as Major Harper gets back I'll send the samples out to Groom Lake."

"Okay. Carter I was thinking, we're not talking to these Nebulium?"

"They're not allowing for that Sir."

"No, really not. Why don't you take Harper's Team instead of 9?"

"Come to think of it Sir that's probably a better choice under the circumstances."

"You know you're gonna have to stand them down for an hour or two."

"Yes Sir in hand, two hours stand down. Timed exactly with Mission commencement, I'll have that in hand Sir. I'll let you have the amended Mission Statement in about thirty minutes."

"Okay, I'll be in my office, thanks. Do you want 9 in play?"

"Maybe not. Tunnels, confined spaces, to many Ops.. ..it could get over crowded, not always helpful Sir."

"My thoughts Colonel."

"Sam why don't you go with another Team?"

"Ideally I would, SG-9 are prepped but as the Generals pointing out, SG-5 have had first contact with the Nebulium, valuable experience for today's seek and retrieve Mission."

"Oh yeah, that's important."

"Very important Daniel Jackson."

"Nobody takes their goggles off in those tunnels."

"Yes Sir, uncomfortable but appreciate the necessity."

"Everybody comes home via quarantine!"

"Sir I'm set with Colonel Brewster at the Beta Site. He'll have Teams on standby for escort into quarantine for post Mission medical."

"Splendid. Carry on Colonel."

"Thank you Sir."

~ ≈ Δ ± Ξ Σ Φ Ψ Δ ≈ µ Π ~

"Sir we're clear of the Gate, you can go ahead and launch."

A U.A.V. ripped out of the horizon, upstream and high, heading straight for the pyramid. It had been programmed to circle the structure whilst the Mission was in progress. General O'Neill wanted to ensure no surprises crept up on his people.

"Okay Sir its doing its job."

"I can see that Colonel. Are you receiving the feed alright?"

"Yes Sir its coming through clear."

Each Unit had been issued with a compact receiver. They we're able to monitor the streaming video in real time.

"Its all quiet here General. Just like the M.A.L.P. indicated, no movement whatsoever. SG-8 are standing the Gate so if necessary they'll relay critical information back to The SGC."

"Okay Colonel, keep it tight, watch your back, don't get hemmed in. Make sure your goggles are on tight. Try and get in and get out as quick as possible. Good luck!"

"Thank you Sir, I'll be in touch."

"Copy that Carter, O'Neill out!"

The StarGate disengaged exposing the strike force to a foreboding quietness and slim chance of retrieval. They proceeded with extreme caution.

The SG Units left the causeway and fanned out. SG-5 went east to the right to make a broad sweep round the perimeter. SGs 1, 17 and 2 and Sergeant Siler headed left to make their way round to the back north west side of the pyramid, up to the third storey, sixtieth stone slab along. Possible entrance to Daniel's salvaged map of tunnels.

As determined by video footage, there was no other way than to use grappling hooks and wires. They scaled the back wall of the pyramid up to the third storey.

They were looking to locate a particular stone slab, only slightly distinguishable in the images Daniel and Teal'c had examined. It was a bland bleached barely white stone slab. There was only one such stone slab to be found in that vicinity of the pyramid. However it took SG-17 a fair amount of time to spot the slab, they pretty much all looked the same, especially on the darker side of the pyramid. To find it they ended up counting out the stones.

"Colonel, here it is Ma'am."

"Good work Major, hold on there we're coming up."

As predicted the entrance was found exactly where Daniel had Plotted.

Teal'c immediately began to push and tug and prod the stone slab with his staff weapon. He prepared to make a hole through the stone so that they could insert a grappling hook.

He let rip the whole nine yards. Twenty seven feets worth of aimed nadquadaic plasmic energy, skilfully cutting an undisrupting hole through the sixtieth stone slab on the north face three tiers up on the 377 pyramid.

Siler had had the forethought to bring along an air-lifting bag. As it stood, moving the slab would be met with complete resistance. The sand granules that had built up over thousand of years, seeping in around all sides of the slab, served as an adhesive load holder, increasing the pulling power needed to remove the slab by at least thirty percent.

Sergeant Siler scrapped into the crevice between the sixtieth slab and the one directly above it. He placed the air bag into the gap and slowly sprayed pressurised air into it. The bag inflated enough to loosen the cemented sand so that he could used the air gun to blast away the build up. He repeated the procedure for the other three sides. Overall he succeeded in ridding the granulous patina, making for an altogether easier operation.

It was all going according to plan.

"Lie down!! Everyone!!"

"Teal'c?"

"Quickly!! I insist!!"

Without further consideration Colonel Carter, Daniel and Sergeant Siler dropped down to the ground and lay there face down. No questions asked, Major Griff followed suit and instructed his men to do so too. Colonel Carter shouted at SG-17 ordering them to get down.

"There is a strong wind attacking from the north east!"

Major Able was slower off the mark, but seeing Teal'c in the process of kneeling did the same. He quickly lay himself down on the ground shouting at his men.

"Hit the deck quick! Hit the deck!!"

SG-17 were not quick enough. An exceedingly strong gust of wind blitzed the north wall of the pyramid, creating a mini sand storm as it passed.

Zimmerman and Dunn went down.. ..all the way to the ground. They were blown away good and sharp. The high speed wind crashed into them all, blowing over those who lay flat and tipping over those who had been standing. Efforts to keep balance against the rebounding wind waves were useless. Both men were blown clear, down three storeys to the sandy ground below.

The wind, though still wailing and gusting over head, was moving on and becoming faint. The SG Units and Siler stayed lying flat and clinging on, hoping for the best.

"It has passed!"

They all jumped up to check their numbers. Colonel Carter and Major Able we're shouting down to the blown away men, they received whispered groans in answer.

"Major Harper come in!!"

"Colonel we're all clear."

"Theres been an accident. Report to our position ASAP."

"Colonel!"

"Airmen Zimmerman and Dunn have fallen off the pyramid, they're down and injured. You should be able to get to them quicker than we can get back down to the ground. Major watch out for twister strength winds!"

"Almost there now Ma'am."

He sounded out of breath.

"Let me know. Out. Major Fielding you heard that?"

"Yes Colonel."

"Two men down! Send Nurse Berry over to check on the men. Dial up the Beta Site now, explain to Colonel Brewster whats happened, ask him to send a Team through to carry the Airmen back to the Beta Site, to medical quarantine. Quarantine for everyone coming off 377."

"Dialling, and Nurse Berry's on her way now Colonel."

"Out. Major Harper send Lieutenant Friez over to cover for Sergeant Berry at the Gate."

"En route Ma'am."

Who could have known. Strong and violent winds blowing blizzards at the back of the pyramid. The rest of the weather on P7X 377 was stuffy, close and hot.

Teal'c stood ground to face the threat. He took up position another forty slabs forward, running east along the wall. Colonel Carter volunteered Major Penhall of SG-2 to stand with him. They would provide early warning of any further west ways squaller of violent easterly blowouts.

"Sergeant can we step it up please."

"Yeah Colonel. Its giving way a lot easier now, I'll have it out pretty soon."

He had spread oily grease on the ground to enable better movement. The last fourteen inches of width extraction were a doddle. Open saysaSiler. The slab slid out. As the stone cleared the setting there was a popping sound and a rush of foul and stale air. Everybody felt sicken by the smell. Sergeant Siler jumped back to try and avoid the full gulp of bad air he'd just breathed in.

unfortunately for him he jumped a little to vigorously, falling from the third tier to the landing below. Thank goodness there had been no billowing winds to blow him further out. Luckily, though unfortunately, he landed on stone one level down. He briskly stood up and began rubbing his arm, his shoulder, his leg and his head. He called out.

"I'm alright. I'm alright!!"

"Sergeant your arm, how is it?"

"No its alright Colonel, I can move it."

"How is it?"

"Its not broken."

"Okay, you're head?"

"Em, no its okay."

"Sergeant just concentrate on taking in deep breaths. Major Harper?"

"Yes Colonel?"

"Send a man up to escort Sergeant Siler off the pyramid and back to The SGC, via the Beta Site. He can make it through the Gate himself, em, Medical will be standing by. Let them know.. ..possible concussion."

"Sergeant Jones is on his way Ma'am."

"Okay. Out. Are you alright down there Sergeant?"

"Yeah Colonel I'm fine thanks."

"Okay.. ..but keep on with your deep breaths."

Colonel Carter quietly indicated to Sergeant Dickers of SG-2 to keep an eye on Sergeant Siler. A bad concussion if left unattended can be a killer, literally.

"We'll give it a few minutes, let some fresh air get into these halls. Major Griff can you hold back until Sergeant Jones gets here to pick up Sergeant Siler."

"Yeah will do Colonel."

Colonel Carter waved Teal'c and Penhall back to the entrance.

"Colonel I'll have my men wait just inside the entrance here, in case theres another blast of wind. In fact Colonel shall I set up a secure wire for Siler to descend by?"

"It will be a lot safer than this precarious set up we used to get up here. Are you punching it into the wall?"

"Yeah will do. I'll do all the wires so we can use them to get down later. Especially if we're got more people coming back with us."

"Yeah good thinking Major. We're taking off now, we'll leave tracks for you to follow."

"Right behind you Ma'am, as soon as.."

"Major Griff perhaps you can attach a wire to yourself while you work."

"Teal'c I'll do that now, thanks."

Teal'c smiled and bowed to Major Griff.

Major Griff bowed back at Teal'c.

~ ≈ Δ ± Ξ Σ Φ Ψ Δ ≈ µ Π ~

The tunnels were dark and non to high, no more than five feet five. Spacious though, enough for three abreast. The floor was very sandy, light powder sand at least eight inches deep, below that presumably more stone masonry. The low ceiling was made of more burnt beige coloured stone blocks, the upper side of which comprised the tier above. The tunnels were lined with the same style stone slabs to be found making up the outside structure. Although the stone itself was cool to touch, the air within was heavy, hot and smelly.

Colonel Carter instructed everyone to avoid kicking up the powdery sand saying it would particulate the thick air with sand residue making the air even more unpleasant for the Team on six.

Twenty feet into the entrance tunnel, by Daniel's reckoning, they needed to take a left turn, they did so, onto a steep incline.

The stench was rancid and the tunnels were very dry and very warm. The heat was obviously being kept in by the thick stone slabs surrounding the tunnels on all sides. Wearing the goggles was making things even more uncomfortable.

They must have gone down two storeys before the tunnel bottomed out and continued flat and straight for awhile. Everywhere there was silence. Right turn, straight on. Left turn, straight on. Down another level and straight on. And on and on. Turning and descending for at least thirty minutes.

They had been monitoring for radiation, there was none. They were within tunnels encased in the construction masonry, separated and shielded from the main cavern of the pyramid. The air was clean and uncontaminated, despite it's dirty smelly odour.

They turned again left and continued on straight.

"Colonel Carter I am detecting an anomaly."

"Teal'c what is it?"

"Ahead and to the right."

Colonel Carter gave the halt sign. She signalled to Daniel to follow her and Teal'c.

They went ahead thirty paces and turned right, off their map route. Not far down the tunnel they came against a very strong electromagnetic force field. The field had a slightly visible saffron tinge. It repelled them completely.

The Colonel advised Teal'c not to blast it. She was sure his staff force would be rejected but certain the noise would travel and serve to warn of their presence.

"Colonel Carter here."

Teal'c was whispering and peering through the force field looking at something about eighteen feet away.

"I can see skeletons!"

"Goa'uld??"

"No Daniel Jackson."

"Oh gawd.."

"No Colonel Carter.. ..they appear to be the skeletons of small humans with skulls similar to those in the images of the ancient Maya contained in your database Daniel Jackson."

"Where I can't see them?"

"They are there, on the ground along the left wall some eighteen feet from here, on the other side of the force field."

"I can see them Sam."

"Yeah am seeing them too. What do you think?"

"Teal'c's right, judging from the size of them and shape of their skulls.."

"You think these are some of the slaves who built the pyramid?"

"Well they must be.. ..I can definitely say they're from Mesoamerica. What do you think they're doing here?"

"It seems they were attempting to escape. And were unable to penetrate the force shield. They have laid undisturbed for a great length of time."

"Teal'c if that's the case why didn't they go back once they found out they couldn't get out?"

"Daniel they could have had a lot more to fear by going back. They were obviously frightened for their lives, they hadn't adjusted to being captured. Who knows what they thought.. ..hell!"

"I'll say Sam."

"Oh its so awful, they've not even been buried."

"Perhaps sad Colonel Carter but fear not, that factor would not prevent their souls from passing to a higher place."

"Nice observation Teal'c. Okay well theres nothing we can do, they're on that side of the barrier we're on this side, and we've got people to find. Lets push on."

They continued on descending deeper into the bowels of the pyramid. Following the tunnels woven about the structure's outskirts.

Teal'c detected many more force shields. All of them impenetrable and all of them seemingly to the right of their progress. Dividing them from the entrances to the cavern within.

The Colonel issued a halt signal and went to check ahead with Daniel and Teal'c, and to also privately discuss the progress.

"Daniel this is leading nowhere!"

"Yeah but this is the way Sam."

"Daniel its leading nowhere and its clear these tunnels have never been used before."

"Well thats understandable."

"Even So Daniel, I'm certain we're going nowhere. None of our people have come down this way, been up this way.. ..in or out of the tunnels, they're not down here. No Nebulium have been along this way. Its just.. ..okay how much further have we got to go?"

"Actually not that far. Not that far according to how long we've been going. Look this is whats left. Its not long."

"Colonel Carter I too feel certain we will not discover the missing people along this route but it is important that we investigate all of Daniel Jackson's mappings."

"You're right. Come on Daniel lead the way, but I have a strong feeling the missing are not down here."

"Colonel Carter I will go on ahead?"

"Yeah Teal'c that's a good idea, take SG-17, Able and Evans. If you detect any more of these force shields can you check and confirm, I want them all marked on Daniel's chart."

"I will."

Teal'c and SG-17 picked up the pace and hurried on forward. He'd studied Daniel's map and had it firmly imprinted in his mind. He wouldn't lose his way. They passed a few more force shields, fields, checking out each one, noting its location and confirming its impenetrability.

It was all very tiring for all of them. Stooping for such a long time was real hard and painful on the legs and difficult on the back, but they were all determined to find the missing people so they carried on without complaint.

Teal'c, Major Able and Captain Evans hurried back to the main group.

"We have completed the journey."

"What have you found?"

"We have found nothing."

"What??"

"We have found nothing."

"Well wasn't there another entrance?"

"Daniel Jackson there is no other entrance."

"That can't be right."

"That is exactly right."

"Yeah Doctor Jackson it's a dead end, theres nothing there."

"Well how about if we push out another stone slab?"

"We thought about that but as Teal'c pointed out, doing that would end us up back outside again."

"Erm.. ..err.."

"Daniel?"

"Yeah just err.. ..theres no way in?"

"Daniel Jackson there is no possible continuation. Perhaps you would see for yourself."

"Yeah I'd like to, err, Teal'c, I'd like to."

"Colonel Carter?"

"Yeah lets see it. Major Able, Captain, remain here with SG-2, we'll be back shortly."

Teal'c, Colonel Carter and Daniel took off to find the route's end. Daniel checked all over. As Teal'c and the remainder of SG-17 had said, there was no way to continue. The map ended there and it was clearly a dead end.

Daniel was extremely upset about this. He'd been absolutely convinced there was something to his map. Teal'c too had been quite certain that they were on the right track with the map, though not necessarily with this particular route.

SG-1 returned to join up with SG-2 and two of SG-17. The strike force had struck out. They began the uncomfortable journey back up to the entrance at the sixtieth stone slab of the north west wall three tiers up from the ground.

Radio communication was impossible. The manufactured electro-magnetic waves emitted by the many force shields they'd encountered put paid to any chance of radio communication with the Teams outside the pyramid.

Three quarters of the way back along the route Colonel Carter had everyone take up positions in response to the movement she'd detected up ahead. They switched off their torches and in silence prepared for an encounter.

SG-1 were on point. The noise from ahead was quiet and muffled but the moving lights were bright. They were very close now.

"Identify yourself!!"

"Colonel Ma'am."

The quiet voice of Major Harper identified SG-5 to be in the tunnels and searching for SGs 1, 2 and 17.

"Major?"

"Colonel, you'd been gone over an hour forty, no radio contact, we em.."

"Good. Thanks Major. Very good. You had our backs there."

"Yes Colonel."

"Wheres the rest of your Team?"

"They're on the third tier Colonel, guarding the entrance. I'm here with Lieutenant Allens."

"Very good. Okay lets go, we need to get out of here as quick as possible. We've come up with nothing, lets go."

"I think were at ground level here Sam."

"That's about right Doctor Jackson. I've been timing it. We've covered about three quarters of the way back."

"I believe we will come across no more force shields."

"Yeah that's right Teal'c, you didn't start to register them until we got further down."

"Seems pretty advanced shielding Colonel?"

"Well Major Griff we now know they can create force shields. You're right, seems the Nebulium are fairly well technologically advanced. Come on lets pick up the pace. By any stretch of the imagination this hasn't been an easy journey and I know it's a real pain having to stoop down like this, but the faster we move the quicker we get out of here."

~ Ψ Γ √ χ Λ Φ Ω Δ √ ∞ ≡ ~

:: Mission Accounts ::

© Richard Dean Anderson all rights reserved June 2006