Are you sure that this was a good idea? Jack shouted to Sam from the tree he was sheltering behind. Apparently the Jaffa had agreed to the ring transporter operators opinion that they couldnt reach the battle around the Stargate before the Angrezi caught them, so theyd turned around to bloody the nose of the offensive hammering down on them and SG-1 was caught in the middle of them.
I just need another minute or two, she called back. Ive almost got the readings I need.
Behind Sam, Tealc rose up and fired his staff weapon, catching a Jaffa in the upper chest. His target stopped abruptly, legs flying out from under him before he fell back, a crater burnt into his chest. Then Tealc had to drop behind cover again as an Angrezi minitank fired off a rapid-fire zat barrage at the source of the staff weapon fire.
Sonuvabitch! Jack cursed. Someone want to tell those clowns that were all on the same side here?
They probably just saw the staff weapon, Jack, Daniel pointed out. How are they supposed to know Tealcs with us?
Its the principle of the thing, insisted Jack. He turned around to see a pair of Jaffa trying to use the same cluster of trees that he and Daniel were sheltering in as cover to close on the Angrezi. You dont just spray and pray with an automatic weapon. You pick your target and - with two short bursts he dropped the Jaffa before they even realised that their cover was already occupied. - use just enough force to put that target out of the fight.
Daniel shrugged and went back to cowering behind his tree. There was too much lead, well, too much high energy physic flying around for his liking. If this was how Jack felt when there were ruins around and he had to sit around waiting for Daniel to study them well without the occasional gut-wrenching terror that theyd become collateral damage, because that really wasnt much of an issue in archeology then he supposed that he ought to be more sympathetic next time. Maybe bring a rubber ball for Jack to play with. No, that would be bad, the ball would bounce off something ancient and delicate
Got it! Sam called. Were on the right track.
So we can go? Jack asked.
Eh, oh. Yes!
Jack nodded and produced his radio. ONeill to Leonidas. Four to beam up.
The rings descended around Sam and Tealc and then a second set appeared around Jack and Daniel.
Ive always wanted to say th- Jack was cut off as the rings vanished with SG-1. A moment later, a line of Angrezi medium tanks pushed forwards through the forest, driving the Jaffa back in disorder, disorder that the tanks were quick to exploit. The jump infantry might have claimed the title of cavalry from them a few decades ago, but the ethos remained strong within the Angrezi armoured corps.
.oOo.
Its been six thousand years since you fled Earth, Heru-ur observed. Has the invincible Nekhrun finally stopped running?
I warned your father that the Tauri would be the death of him, Nekhrun observed coldly. Hows his health doing now? Rather warm?
The two men were of a similar size and build. Heru-ur moved well, Nekhrun observed. He had clearly not forgotten how to fight and had decades, if not centuries of practise in his body. He himself could not claim to equal it, he had only been inside Ayodhya for a few weeks and for much of the time had left Aydohya in control of his body. No, this would be a test of his own age and experience against Heru-urs strength and power.
They circled each other, both holding their daggers in their right hands, the other hand ready to defend with. Heru-ur lunged in suddenly, and Nekhrun barely caught hold of his knife hands wrist with his own free hand. Bringing around his own dagger, he slashed at the other Goaulds shoulder but Heruur brought his hand up and forced the dagger up, fingers locked around Nekhruns wrist, putting them into a classic test of strength, each trying to bear down on each other.
Nekhrun grunted under the pressure. This was definitely not the terms that hed prefer to settle the contest on. He slammed his forehead forward into Heru-urs nose, feeling bone break under the impact. The other Goaulds grip slackened just enough for Nekhrun to drag his knife hand free and slash at the younger mans arm, drawing blood, before bringing up one of his heavy steel-toe capped boots to kick at Heru-urs groin.
The kick didnt connect he had been slowed perhaps a fraction by the pain of the headbutt and Heru-ur was hardly a tyro in the arts of personal combat. In fact, he managed to get his own blade free and slashed at the incoming kick. The knife blade glanced off the boot itself but slashed through the tough fabric of Ayodhyas pants, inflicting an inconsequential cut as the older Goauld leapt back.
You used to be faster than that, Heru-ur taunted.
So did you I told you to cut back on those heavy desserts, Nekhrun retorted. Do you have any muscle under that fat?
Youre one to talk, accused Heru-ur and he closed in again.
.oOo.
Well that was bracing, Jack said as he and Daniel arrived from the Leonidas Number Five Ring Transporter, which had picked them up while Number Four was busy collecting Sam and Tealc. Do we have to do it again or have you found Heru-urs ship?
Ive got an approximate location, Sam said. Judging by the wind patterns, the particles would have come out of this valley here, she indicated on her map. I should be able to narrow it down with a few more tests.
Are any more of them going to be into a battlefield? asked Jack. Because if so, maybe we should wait until we can borrow a tank to hide in while you do the tests?
You should be alright, Colonel, the ring transporter operator advised. That valleys not had any troops sighted when it was overflown so none of the Angrezi troops have been sent that way. Of course if there is an Alkesh lurking in there then that would make sense, they wouldnt want to draw any attention, I guess.
Oh good, Jack said drily. Shall we go then?
Put us down about halfway along the valley, please, Sam told the operator.
I think Im getting ring transporter sick, Daniel noted as the rings appeared around them for roughly the seventieth time in the last twenty-four hours.
Are we there yet? Jack asked. And then they were.
.oOo.
Does this hurt? Heru-ur asked as he twisted his knife between the bones of Nekhruns forearm.
Nekhruns own knife was out of reach at the moment so he replied by pushing his thumb closer to the younger Goaulds eye. He wasnt making very good ground on that but he had better leverage than Heruur for that particular move and he only needed another inch or so
Gah! Heru-ur declared, finally giving up as the thumb came within a half-inch, yanking the knife out with a vicious twist that pretty much put the arm out of action.
His opponent took a deep breath, held it and then exhaled strongly. If this went on much longer, Ayodhya was probably going to sue him for damage done to his body. Since we seem to be at something of a breathing spot, he gasped, stepping forward slowly. Theres something you should know about us.
Heru-ur shook his head, also breathing hard. What?
I am your fathers brothers nephews cousins former roommate, he said, stepping closer.
For a moment the System Lord looked utterly gobsmacked by the revelation. Then: What the devil are you babbling about? You are my fathers brother! So are half the other System Lords!
And Nekhrun smirked, This is what youd call a distraction. Take a look at your troops!
Heru-ur half-turned his head and Nekhrun took advantage of the distraction to leap upon him like a panther, knocking him to the floor. The two Goauld rolled over and over on the ground, wrestling over the control of Heru-urs knife.
Youre at the end of the road, Heru-ur snarled, butting Nekhrun viciously in the face and then pinning him against the floor. Then he shrieked in pain as Nekhruns teeth closed around his ear and ground down. Spitting out what was left of Heru-urs ear, Nekhrun managed to get his hand free and jabbed him under the ribs.
Are you sure it isnt you thats losing touch with your divinity? the older of the two Goauld grunted, pulling himself free. Heru-ur moved for the knife but Nekhrun kicked it further away. Fighting in the mud like an animal? Real god-like.
The other Goauld tackled him to the ground. Just die! he roared.
.oOo.
There it is? Sam whispered, holding her sensor up in illustration. The strongest trace of the ionised elements is coming from inside that ravine to the right. Theres just barely enough room for an Alkesh to have settled down in there.
Just out of interest, Daniel asked. Now that weve found the ship, what are we going to do about it. Wouldnt we have to get inside it to do any good.
Ah, Jack nodded. Yes, good point. Everyone looked at him expectantly. What?
Do you have any ideas?
He frowned. Hm no. Fresh out of ideas.
I am sure that the Confederacy would be more than happy to destroy the Alkesh with an air strike, Tealc suggested. However, that would not reveal the required information.
And while its clocked we wont even be able to find the hatch, Sam added.
Jack eyed the ravine thoughtfully. How stable do you think those rocks are? We could probably trigger a rockslide if we had a couple of grenades.
You brought grenades to a diplomatic reception? Daniel asked in disbelief.
No, hence the if we had a couple of grenades.
Tealc opened his rucksacks side pocket and pulled out two fragmentation grenades.
Okay, Tealc. You brought grenades to a diplomatic reception?
A fortuitous preparation, ONeill.
yeah, youre right. Okay, kids. Lets go rock-climbing. First one to the top gets to drop the rocks on Mister Alkesh.
.oOo.
Ainur spilled the cup of water he was drinking all over himself as there was a sound like thunder and the Alkeshs hull boomed like a bell. What in the name of the Gods was that!?
His companion Stross stared at the controls. I dont know, but the cloak has failed. He manipulated the controls. Theres been a rockslide half the left side of the Alkesh is buried.
Is the ring transporter functional? Ainur asked quickly. If their god needed to be brought aboard it would not do to fail him.
I believe so, Stross concluded, checking the damage. The cloak only failed because it wasy physically penetrated to such an extent. Our hull remains intact.
Ainur nodded. Good. We should move and reactivate the cloak. Prepare for take off. I will select a new landing site. Leaving Stross to carry out the work, he brought up a map on his own terminal. The nearest site is too exposed to their aircraft. There is another valley further north that will suffice. He looked up and saw Stross staring at the door into the cargo bay of the Alkesh. Stross?
I think hes looking at me, Jack told him, stepping through the doorway covering the pair with his P90. Carter followed, her own rifle raised. Now why dont you put your hands on top of your heads and play nice or this conversation will get a lot less pleasant.
Ainur gulped and obeyed, followed a moment later by Stross. Who are you?
Colonel Jack ONeill, US Air Force, Jack introduced himself and saw their eyes go very satisfying wide.
The Tauri?
Uh-huh.
Stross and Ainur were very meek as Jack marched them one at a time back to the cargo hold for Tealc to tie up.
What the Goauld tell their Jaffa about us? he asked Daniel quietly. These two looked just about ready to wet themselves when they recognised me.
Uh, do you remember that British TV show that I introduced you too.
The one with the red space ship?
No, the one in Elizabethan England. Blackadder.
Oh yeah, that was pretty good. But whats that got to do with us?
You remember the Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells?
Jack nodded. Sure hey!
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
I just need another minute or two, she called back. Ive almost got the readings I need.
Behind Sam, Tealc rose up and fired his staff weapon, catching a Jaffa in the upper chest. His target stopped abruptly, legs flying out from under him before he fell back, a crater burnt into his chest. Then Tealc had to drop behind cover again as an Angrezi minitank fired off a rapid-fire zat barrage at the source of the staff weapon fire.
Sonuvabitch! Jack cursed. Someone want to tell those clowns that were all on the same side here?
They probably just saw the staff weapon, Jack, Daniel pointed out. How are they supposed to know Tealcs with us?
Its the principle of the thing, insisted Jack. He turned around to see a pair of Jaffa trying to use the same cluster of trees that he and Daniel were sheltering in as cover to close on the Angrezi. You dont just spray and pray with an automatic weapon. You pick your target and - with two short bursts he dropped the Jaffa before they even realised that their cover was already occupied. - use just enough force to put that target out of the fight.
Daniel shrugged and went back to cowering behind his tree. There was too much lead, well, too much high energy physic flying around for his liking. If this was how Jack felt when there were ruins around and he had to sit around waiting for Daniel to study them well without the occasional gut-wrenching terror that theyd become collateral damage, because that really wasnt much of an issue in archeology then he supposed that he ought to be more sympathetic next time. Maybe bring a rubber ball for Jack to play with. No, that would be bad, the ball would bounce off something ancient and delicate
Got it! Sam called. Were on the right track.
So we can go? Jack asked.
Eh, oh. Yes!
Jack nodded and produced his radio. ONeill to Leonidas. Four to beam up.
The rings descended around Sam and Tealc and then a second set appeared around Jack and Daniel.
Ive always wanted to say th- Jack was cut off as the rings vanished with SG-1. A moment later, a line of Angrezi medium tanks pushed forwards through the forest, driving the Jaffa back in disorder, disorder that the tanks were quick to exploit. The jump infantry might have claimed the title of cavalry from them a few decades ago, but the ethos remained strong within the Angrezi armoured corps.
.oOo.
Its been six thousand years since you fled Earth, Heru-ur observed. Has the invincible Nekhrun finally stopped running?
I warned your father that the Tauri would be the death of him, Nekhrun observed coldly. Hows his health doing now? Rather warm?
The two men were of a similar size and build. Heru-ur moved well, Nekhrun observed. He had clearly not forgotten how to fight and had decades, if not centuries of practise in his body. He himself could not claim to equal it, he had only been inside Ayodhya for a few weeks and for much of the time had left Aydohya in control of his body. No, this would be a test of his own age and experience against Heru-urs strength and power.
They circled each other, both holding their daggers in their right hands, the other hand ready to defend with. Heru-ur lunged in suddenly, and Nekhrun barely caught hold of his knife hands wrist with his own free hand. Bringing around his own dagger, he slashed at the other Goaulds shoulder but Heruur brought his hand up and forced the dagger up, fingers locked around Nekhruns wrist, putting them into a classic test of strength, each trying to bear down on each other.
Nekhrun grunted under the pressure. This was definitely not the terms that hed prefer to settle the contest on. He slammed his forehead forward into Heru-urs nose, feeling bone break under the impact. The other Goaulds grip slackened just enough for Nekhrun to drag his knife hand free and slash at the younger mans arm, drawing blood, before bringing up one of his heavy steel-toe capped boots to kick at Heru-urs groin.
The kick didnt connect he had been slowed perhaps a fraction by the pain of the headbutt and Heru-ur was hardly a tyro in the arts of personal combat. In fact, he managed to get his own blade free and slashed at the incoming kick. The knife blade glanced off the boot itself but slashed through the tough fabric of Ayodhyas pants, inflicting an inconsequential cut as the older Goauld leapt back.
You used to be faster than that, Heru-ur taunted.
So did you I told you to cut back on those heavy desserts, Nekhrun retorted. Do you have any muscle under that fat?
Youre one to talk, accused Heru-ur and he closed in again.
.oOo.
Well that was bracing, Jack said as he and Daniel arrived from the Leonidas Number Five Ring Transporter, which had picked them up while Number Four was busy collecting Sam and Tealc. Do we have to do it again or have you found Heru-urs ship?
Ive got an approximate location, Sam said. Judging by the wind patterns, the particles would have come out of this valley here, she indicated on her map. I should be able to narrow it down with a few more tests.
Are any more of them going to be into a battlefield? asked Jack. Because if so, maybe we should wait until we can borrow a tank to hide in while you do the tests?
You should be alright, Colonel, the ring transporter operator advised. That valleys not had any troops sighted when it was overflown so none of the Angrezi troops have been sent that way. Of course if there is an Alkesh lurking in there then that would make sense, they wouldnt want to draw any attention, I guess.
Oh good, Jack said drily. Shall we go then?
Put us down about halfway along the valley, please, Sam told the operator.
I think Im getting ring transporter sick, Daniel noted as the rings appeared around them for roughly the seventieth time in the last twenty-four hours.
Are we there yet? Jack asked. And then they were.
.oOo.
Does this hurt? Heru-ur asked as he twisted his knife between the bones of Nekhruns forearm.
Nekhruns own knife was out of reach at the moment so he replied by pushing his thumb closer to the younger Goaulds eye. He wasnt making very good ground on that but he had better leverage than Heruur for that particular move and he only needed another inch or so
Gah! Heru-ur declared, finally giving up as the thumb came within a half-inch, yanking the knife out with a vicious twist that pretty much put the arm out of action.
His opponent took a deep breath, held it and then exhaled strongly. If this went on much longer, Ayodhya was probably going to sue him for damage done to his body. Since we seem to be at something of a breathing spot, he gasped, stepping forward slowly. Theres something you should know about us.
Heru-ur shook his head, also breathing hard. What?
I am your fathers brothers nephews cousins former roommate, he said, stepping closer.
For a moment the System Lord looked utterly gobsmacked by the revelation. Then: What the devil are you babbling about? You are my fathers brother! So are half the other System Lords!
And Nekhrun smirked, This is what youd call a distraction. Take a look at your troops!
Heru-ur half-turned his head and Nekhrun took advantage of the distraction to leap upon him like a panther, knocking him to the floor. The two Goauld rolled over and over on the ground, wrestling over the control of Heru-urs knife.
Youre at the end of the road, Heru-ur snarled, butting Nekhrun viciously in the face and then pinning him against the floor. Then he shrieked in pain as Nekhruns teeth closed around his ear and ground down. Spitting out what was left of Heru-urs ear, Nekhrun managed to get his hand free and jabbed him under the ribs.
Are you sure it isnt you thats losing touch with your divinity? the older of the two Goauld grunted, pulling himself free. Heru-ur moved for the knife but Nekhrun kicked it further away. Fighting in the mud like an animal? Real god-like.
The other Goauld tackled him to the ground. Just die! he roared.
.oOo.
There it is? Sam whispered, holding her sensor up in illustration. The strongest trace of the ionised elements is coming from inside that ravine to the right. Theres just barely enough room for an Alkesh to have settled down in there.
Just out of interest, Daniel asked. Now that weve found the ship, what are we going to do about it. Wouldnt we have to get inside it to do any good.
Ah, Jack nodded. Yes, good point. Everyone looked at him expectantly. What?
Do you have any ideas?
He frowned. Hm no. Fresh out of ideas.
I am sure that the Confederacy would be more than happy to destroy the Alkesh with an air strike, Tealc suggested. However, that would not reveal the required information.
And while its clocked we wont even be able to find the hatch, Sam added.
Jack eyed the ravine thoughtfully. How stable do you think those rocks are? We could probably trigger a rockslide if we had a couple of grenades.
You brought grenades to a diplomatic reception? Daniel asked in disbelief.
No, hence the if we had a couple of grenades.
Tealc opened his rucksacks side pocket and pulled out two fragmentation grenades.
Okay, Tealc. You brought grenades to a diplomatic reception?
A fortuitous preparation, ONeill.
yeah, youre right. Okay, kids. Lets go rock-climbing. First one to the top gets to drop the rocks on Mister Alkesh.
.oOo.
Ainur spilled the cup of water he was drinking all over himself as there was a sound like thunder and the Alkeshs hull boomed like a bell. What in the name of the Gods was that!?
His companion Stross stared at the controls. I dont know, but the cloak has failed. He manipulated the controls. Theres been a rockslide half the left side of the Alkesh is buried.
Is the ring transporter functional? Ainur asked quickly. If their god needed to be brought aboard it would not do to fail him.
I believe so, Stross concluded, checking the damage. The cloak only failed because it wasy physically penetrated to such an extent. Our hull remains intact.
Ainur nodded. Good. We should move and reactivate the cloak. Prepare for take off. I will select a new landing site. Leaving Stross to carry out the work, he brought up a map on his own terminal. The nearest site is too exposed to their aircraft. There is another valley further north that will suffice. He looked up and saw Stross staring at the door into the cargo bay of the Alkesh. Stross?
I think hes looking at me, Jack told him, stepping through the doorway covering the pair with his P90. Carter followed, her own rifle raised. Now why dont you put your hands on top of your heads and play nice or this conversation will get a lot less pleasant.
Ainur gulped and obeyed, followed a moment later by Stross. Who are you?
Colonel Jack ONeill, US Air Force, Jack introduced himself and saw their eyes go very satisfying wide.
The Tauri?
Uh-huh.
Stross and Ainur were very meek as Jack marched them one at a time back to the cargo hold for Tealc to tie up.
What the Goauld tell their Jaffa about us? he asked Daniel quietly. These two looked just about ready to wet themselves when they recognised me.
Uh, do you remember that British TV show that I introduced you too.
The one with the red space ship?
No, the one in Elizabethan England. Blackadder.
Oh yeah, that was pretty good. But whats that got to do with us?
You remember the Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells?
Jack nodded. Sure hey!
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.