ANCIENT LEGACY

"Unscheduled offworld activation!"

The announcement rang through the halls of the SGC and in General Jack O'Neill's office. He looked up from his paperwork and grimaced as the speaker blared the message again.

Was a team due to check in or return? He didn't remember seeing that on his daily schedule. Searching the top of his desk for said schedule, he came up empty-handed. A quick survey of his in-box produced the same result.

Wait. He had used a piece of paper to make that airplane while listening to someone in Pentagon scheduling rattle on about tomorrow's top brass visit. Reaching for his trash can, he discovered someone had emptied it. On second thought, he was sure it was still on his desk—somewhere.

Meanwhile, a third message reminded him that someone was dialing in and he should probably go see who it was. Which sounded a lot more exciting than reviewing files for the meeting with the brass.

He quickly left his office and headed down the stairs to the control room.

Arriving at Walter's side, he glanced over the tech's shoulder. "What've you got, Walter?"

"No IDC, yet, sir. SGs 3 and 9 are offworld, but not due to check in until tomorrow."

At that moment, Daniel Jackson came bounding up the stairs, coming to stand alongside Jack.

"Hey, Daniel. What are you doin' here?"

"Hey, Jack. Just wanted to see who was dialing our gate. SGs 3 and 9 aren't due to check in yet, so—"

"How do you know that?"

"It was on this week's schedule. Remember, we talked about it in Monday's briefing?"

"Yes, Daniel, I remember Monday's briefing," Jack said with mock patience as he glared at Daniel.

"Receiving IDC, sir. It's the Tok'ra."

"We haven't heard from them since Jacob died," Daniel stated.

"Oy." It had only been a couple of months but it still hadn't been long enough for Jack.

"Jack?" The voice held some urgency and Jack saw that Daniel was looking at him with eyebrows raised. "Don't you think we should . . . " Daniel's hand turned in circles, index finger rotating as if that completed his sentence.

"Oh, I suppose," Jack replied with a sigh. "Walter, open the iris."

"Yes, sir." The reply was quick, as was Walter's hand as he pressed it to the screen.

Metallic whirring accompanied the iris retraction, revealing the blue event horizon. Several seconds ticked by and Jack exchanged a glance with Daniel. Two figures suddenly emerged from the wormhole, taking two steps before coming to a stop facing the armed SFs.

"I don't believe it," Daniel said as he stared at their visitors.

"Well, there's something I never thought we'd see again," Jack stated. "Just like a bad penny," he muttered under his breath.

There on the ramp stood Anise.

Daniel and Walter both looked at Jack expectantly. Jack rolled his eyes, then bent and grasped the microphone. "Stand down."

The SFs relaxed and lowered their weapons as the visitors continued to stand on the ramp. As the wormhole shut down, Jack turned and headed for the stairs with Daniel on his heels. They entered the gateroom, and, as Anise caught Jack's eye, she dipped her head and began descending the ramp with her companion, a young man carrying a small leather case.

Jack noted that she hadn't changed much--no signs of aging, which was to be expected he decided. Her sense of fashion hadn't changed, either; she wore a tight-fitting leather skirt and low-cut leather top along with thigh-high boots.

"General O'Neill, Doctor Jackson, it is a pleasure to see you again," her dual voice intoned.

"Yes, it's always a pleasure, isn't it, Daniel?" Jack turned slightly to look at his friend.

"Welcome to the SGC," Daniel said, ignoring Jack. "It's been a long time since we've seen you."

"Yes, it has. I have been doing research, which is why I have come. May we continue our conversation in the briefing room?"

"If we must," Jack replied. "After you." He made a sweeping motion with his arm.

She dipped her head again and began walking towards the stairs, followed by her companion. As Jack fell in beside Daniel, he whispered, "Mark my words, this will not end well."

Everyone had taken seats around the briefing table--Anise and her companion on Jack's left and Daniel on his right.

"This is Paresh, my assistant," Anise said. "Paresh, this is General Jack O'Neill and Doctor Daniel Jackson."

"I am pleased to finally meet you," the young man added. "I have heard much about you."

"All good, I hope," Jack commented with a smirk.

"What brings you to the SGC?" Daniel asked with a sideways glance at Jack.

"We have made what we believe is an important discovery and are in need of your assistance," Anise replied, pinning Daniel with her gaze.

Jack looked from Anise to Daniel and back, not liking the implication of that request. "What kind of assistance?"

Her attention moved back to Jack. "Actually, it is Doctor Jackson's help that we require."

The anxiety that had begun when Jack had first realized who their visitor was quickly hitched up a notch at her statement. His bad feeling was getting stronger.

"How can I help you?" Daniel asked.

"We have discovered some ruins that are Ancient in design."

Jack watched Daniel's eyebrows shoot upwards at that statement. Anise turned to Paresh who was opening the case he had brought. He pulled out a small device and handed it to Anise. She took it and pressed a pad on the top. A screen lit up, revealing a picture of some type of writing on what looked like stone. She handed the screen across the table and Daniel reached for it, holding it reverently as he began scrutinizing it.

The briefing room remained silent while Daniel continued to examine the writing on the screen. Until Jack couldn't stand it anymore. "Daniel?"

Daniel lifted his head and looked at Jack, eyes wide, as though he just realized Jack was there.

"Care to share, Daniel?"

"Uh, well, it's Ancient, but it's a variation I've never seen."

"Can you read it?" Anise asked.

"Maybe . . . some . . . a little."

The room went quiet again. Jack's glare was wasted as the other man had returned his attention to the screen.

"Well, what does it say?"

"I'm not really sure. It talks about great power and something being hidden. It'll take some time to work it out." Daniel looked across at Anise. "Have you been able to decipher any of it?"

"Very little. That is why we are seeking your help—your expertise with Ancient is well-known."

"This looks like only a portion of the entire text. Have you brought the rest for me to look at?"

"No. The writing covers an entire wall in the ruins. We did not want to risk bringing images of the entire wall, for fear of what would happen if they fell into the wrong hands."

"Oh?" Jack was interested now. "Why would someone be interested enough to steal it?"

"We are aware of the events that occurred on Dakara. However, there are still goa'uld out there, Ba'al included, who are searching for other Ancient technology that would help them rebuild their power and possibly give them an advantage over all others."

"And you think this writing describes Ancient weapons?" Jack asked.

"Yes, we do. We believe it is extremely urgent that we decipher this writing and locate any weapons or other technology before someone else finds it."

"Well, I'm going to have to see more to be able to decipher it," Daniel pointed out.

"Which is precisely why we wish for you to accompany us to the ruins."

There it was, Jack thought, the other shoe dropping. It gave Jack some small satisfaction to have the Tok'ra—especially Anise—come running to them for help, or more precisely, Daniel's help. But at the same time, there was no way he was going to send Daniel offworld with this woman, treaty or no treaty.

"Daniel is pretty valuable to the SGC. I don't think we can spare him right now."

"Jack?" A glance at Daniel revealed pinched eyebrows and a set jaw. Daniel wasn't going to let this go easily.

"No, Daniel." Like that's gonna work.

"Jack, this could really be important."

"It's always important, Daniel. We need you here, so, no."

"General O'Neill," Anise interrupted, "The council feels this is most urgent and wishes to remind you of the treaty between our people."

"Jack, there's nothing urgent for me to work on here. I think I should go."

"Daniel, Carter's off playing at Area 51 and Teal'c's off working with Bra'tac getting the Jaffa organized. And I have a big meeting with the brass tomorrow, which means SG-1 is unavailable."

"Doctor Jackson will be well-protected while he is with us," Anise placated. "You need not send a team with him."

"Not gonna happen. Daniel's not going anywhere without backup."

"SG-7 is the next team in line for a mission—they could go with me," Daniel suggested.

Jack suddenly wondered how they had gone from Daniel not going to deciding which team was going to accompany him.

"That would be acceptable, General. But we must hurry." Anise didn't give Jack time to disagree. "How soon can you be ready to leave, Doctor Jackson?"

"Just give me a couple of hours to get some things wrapped up and I'll be ready to go."

"Now just hold on a minute," Jack ordered. When he had everyone's attention, he turned to Daniel and saw the eagerness in his eyes. He already knew what the answer would be but he asked the question anyway, hoping Daniel would at least take a minute to think it over. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, Jack." The answer came without hesitation. So much for thinking it over. Daniel continued, "We need to figure this out before one of the goa'uld becomes aware of it."

Daniel paused, seeing the concern etched on Jack's face. "I'll be fine, Jack."

Jack sighed deeply and looked from Daniel to Anise. He knew what the answer would be if they took this to his superiors; with the prospect of more Ancient weapons looming, they wouldn't be able to get Daniel through the gate fast enough. He was stuck. "All right. Daniel can go with you, accompanied by SG-7. But I'm only gonna say this once—he'd better come back in perfect health or you can kiss that treaty goodbye."

Anise looked suitably chastised. "You have my word, General."

Stepping to the doorway of the room, Jack silently observed the man who was stuffing books into his pack like a kid who was just told he was going to Disneyland. Jack had tried to think of an argument that would keep Daniel here, but none of his ideas sounded convincing, even to himself.

Jack always worried about his team—and they were still his team, even if he wasn't going through the gate with them anymore—whenever they went offworld without him. And now, not only was Daniel going through the gate without him, he was going without the rest of SG-1, too. He really had a bad feeling about this. There was just one argument he hadn't ruled out and it was time to give it a shot.

He strode nonchalantly into the room and stopped next to Daniel's desk.

"Daniel."

Daniel paused in his packing and looked up. "Hey, Jack. Almost ready." He went back to organizing his pack, sticking some power bars into one pocket.

"Uh, Daniel." Daniel looked up at him but didn't stop his packing. Jack forged ahead. "Are you sure you want to go off with her? Alone?"

Daniel did stop then and gave Jack his full attention, so Jack continued. "You know, seeing how the snake has a 'thing' for you?"

Daniel's eyebrows climbed past the rim of his glasses. "A 'thing'?"

"Yeah, you know—the 'hots'?"

Daniel's face twisted into a grimace. "I'd forgotten about that." He paused. "That's just . . . disturbing."

"I know!" Jack agreed.

"Thanks for reminding me, but I'm still going." Daniel returned to his packing.

"Well, you can't blame me for trying."

Jack could see Daniel trying to suppress a smile. Securing the closures on his pack, he faced Jack again.

"I'll be fine, Jack. SG-7 will be with me. If there really are more Ancient weapons out there, we need to find them before the goa'uld do."

"I know," Jack agreed softly. "I just wish SG-1 were going with you and the Tok'ra weren't."

Daniel placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "So do I."

A short time later Jack and Daniel were standing at the foot of the gate ramp, along with Anise, Paresh, and SG-7. The seventh chevron locked into place and the liquid cloud whooshed outward from the gate, settling into the rippling event horizon.

"Well, you kids behave yourselves and don't forget to call home," Jack said.

"I didn't realize we were going to summer camp, Jack," Daniel replied with a smirk.

"Playing in some ruins is probably like going to camp for you, Daniel," Jack retorted. Turning to the leader of SG-7, he instructed, "Major, check in is in twenty-four hours—don't be late."

"Yes, sir," Major McKenna responded.

The members of SG-7 moved into position, surrounding Daniel and he glanced back to see Jack smiling.

"Hey, Doctor J," Lieutenant Carson said as he took his place beside Daniel, "We've got your six."

And apparently my three and nine as well, Daniel thought looking at his escort. This was definitely Jack's doing. "Hi, Luke, it's good to have you along."

"Lookin' forward to it," the lieutenant replied with a smile.

"Let's move out," Major McKenna ordered, moving into position in front of Daniel.

Jack watched as Anise and Paresh led the way, followed by McKenna, Daniel and SG-7. Just before stepping through the gate, Daniel turned and gave a nod of his head to Jack. Then they were gone and the gate shut down, leaving the room silent. Jack continued to stare at the inactive gate for a few seconds, remembering the private conversation he'd had with Major McKenna. Do not, under any circumstances, leave Daniel alone, even for a second. At the first sign of trouble, yank him out of there—and be prepared for a fight if you do. And don't trust the Tok'ra. Other instructions had been given, but those were the most important. Jack turned and headed for his office, wishing he were going with Daniel instead of preparing for tomorrow's meeting. Sometimes being "the man" sucked.