Changing of the Guard 3: Be All That You Can Be 15/22 [PG13] xover
Ecolea (ecolea@WT.NET)
Tue, 25 Sep 2001 19:57:12 GMT
Chapter 18
"Looks like Zippy's been playing with his new toys," O'Neill
commented, dryly, as they flew over the ghostly silent buildings
of what had once been a Maya city. They'd come around the far
side of the planet, flying low and hoping to avoid the sensor
grid of Zipak'na's ship which sat parked above the remains of a
step pyramid. Below, corpses lay bloated in the streets and
swarms of insects blanketed everything like a dark, seething
carpet which pulsed and writhed obscenely.
"Doesn't make any sense," Samantha shook her head, staring out at
the devastation. "Why destroy your own world?"
"Arrogance," Methos said quietly. "Zipak'na had no idea what
those weapons could do, so he tested them on the nearest
inhabited planet. The one right beneath him must have looked
pretty good."
"Sounds about right for a Goa'uld," Daniel nodded, turning away
from the sight.
"Probably salivating over the possibilities right now," O'Neill
added. "Anybody wonder who's at the top of his Christmas list?"
"The Tau'ri would be the most likely choice," Teal'c rumbled
softly. "He will see them as the cause of his disgrace among the
System Lords.
"More than that," Methos lips thinned in response. "If he
succeeds he'll gain prestige and allies. Entry back into the
hallowed halls and highest ranks of the gods. It's a threat they
can't ignore."
Cassandra tapped O'Neill on the shoulder and he turned to face
her. "I thought you said Earth was a protected planet? Won't an
attack by Zipak'na constitute a violation of the treaty?"
"It is," the colonel nodded. "And normally it would. But Zippy's
outside the chain of command now. An exile with a death sentence
on him."
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed. "The Asgard would not view the System
Lords as culpable. And Zipak'na may now feel that he is strong
enough to defend even against the Asgard."
"Even if he doesn't launch an attack on Earth," Jacob interjected
from the pilot's chair. "Like Methos said, the System Lords can't
help but pay attention. The power balance will have shifted."
"We screw up your plans again?" O'Neill asked, sounding a little
too cheerful.
The Tok'ra frowned. "Not yet, but you're getting there. We've
worked very hard to stabilize things so we can infiltrate the
major players. But you guys just keep shaking things up and that
makes it difficult to plan ahead."
"Sorry," O'Neill responded, not the least bit recalcitrant. "Love
to help you out, but as I recall the Tok'ra haven't told us what
their plan is."
"It's fluid," Methos said with contempt. "Or was that Inanna's
plan? The one where you infiltrate here, collect information
there, and passively destabilize while sabotaging any major
alliances." Jacob's head shot around and he stared in amazement.
"Don't be a fool, Jacob. Selmak," Methos went on scornfully. "The
Tok'ra were Inanna's tool from the beginning. You were never
meant to overthrow the Goa'uld. Just keep them busy and out of
her hair. And if you had succeeded while she lived she'd have
destroyed you as well, once you'd served your purpose. Mother was
a clever woman. Don't forget she murdered Tok'ra and in one fell
swoop annihilated his forces. And Father was no slouch when it
came to planning," he added bitterly.
The Tok'ra's eyes glowed for an instant and Selmak nodded. "I
will remember that, Methos. May we hope to have your unique
insight in further discussions? I am certain the Council would be
pleased to consider whatever strategies you have in mind."
"No," he said bluntly and looked to Jack. "Someone else owns the
exclusive rights."
"We are nearing the landing site," Teal'c informed them.
"Gear up, people," O'Neill clapped his hands. "Oh, and somebody
get that Goa'uld out of storage."
***
They approached from the south, carefully making their way
through the rain forest. It was eerily silent, as if waiting
breathlessly for another attack.
"O'Neill?"
Jack frowned and reached for his radio. "What are you still doing
here, Jacob?" The older man was supposed to be pulling back to
wait for them out of range.
"Just taking off now. Everything all right?"
He looked at Cassandra and the compliant Kabra'kan marching
blithely along beside her. "Just fine. I'll give you a call when
the rates go down. O'Neill out." He cradled his gun and moved up
the line to Methos' position. "I take it she hasn't always been
able to do that. Cassandra," he added at the Immortal's vaguely
confused stare.
"No," Methos shook his head, glancing back. "If she had I
wouldn't be here." O'Neill nodded thoughtfully and Methos smiled
in amusement. "Don't worry, Jack. Cassandra's no danger to us. If
she wanted power she'd have long since had it by now."
"I guess," the colonel nodded, roughly wiping his brow. "She
seems to be handling all this pretty well, though."
"Yeah," Methos agreed, ducking under some branches. "I shouldn't
be surprised, but I am. The last time I saw Cassandra she
threatened to tear my head off with her bare hands. And she meant
it. Cierdwyn must be really good. Maybe I should make an
appointment."
"Too late," O'Neill smirked. "The time for that was before you
signed up."
"Don't remind me," Methos commented snidely. "I'm already ruing
the day."
The terrain changed suddenly as they reached the outskirts of the
ziggurat and Methos, who'd taken point, signaled to the others to
wait as he hunkered down, pulled out his field glasses and
surveyed the area.
"Seems quiet," he murmured to O'Neill as the colonel silently
eased in beside him. "They must all be inside the ship." He shook
his head and put away his binoculars. "Lousy security."
"What's to secure?" O'Neill asked rhetorically. "Everybody's
dead."
"It's sheer arrogance," Methos snorted. "They obviously don't
consider anyone but their own kind to be a threat. I think I'm
insulted."
"You would be," O'Neill muttered then quietly gathered everyone
together to discuss the situation. "Daniel," he looked to the
archaeologist. "There any way in other than the front door?"
Jackson could only shrug. "The temple appears to be a facsimile
of the Castillo at Chichen Itza, or vice versa, anyway," he added
looking slightly befuddled. "But there are variations. This
Castillo is more massive. The width of the base, the height of
the superstructure and the decorative--"
"Shut up, Daniel," O'Neill ordered, gritting his teeth. "Just
answer the question. Is there another way in?"
"No."
O'Neill stared at him. "No? That's it? Just, no?"
"No," Daniel reiterated. "Not if it follows the typical Maya
pattern. Their temples were built for specific religious
functions, not everyday use. But as I was trying to tell you,
this one appears to be slightly different from the Maya temples
we do know of and that may be directly related to the fact that a
Goa'uld actively uses this one."
"And that would mean?" O'Neill asked tiredly, looking as though
he'd rather be anywhere else.
"A back door maybe?"
"Thank you." Jack turned to Cassandra. "Ask Zippy's little
brother if there's a back door, please."
Smiling, she did as he requested though the answer was
sufficiently vague to be annoying. Maybe. He didn't know. More
importantly, he didn't care. Gods had better things to do with
their time then check the exits apparently.
O'Neill sighed in complete disgust. "Anybody else got an idea."
"There might be some caves around here," Methos suggested. "The
terrain is similar to that of Guatemala."
"Thanks, Pierson," O'Neill deadpanned. "I was trying not to think
about that. Wanna help me build another road?"
Methos squinted, frowning confusedly then shook his head and went
on. "What I mean is that when I was there, way back when, a local
guide took me into one of the temples through an underground
passage. The temple itself was immense and buried under the
jungle, but the way in was clear. He also claimed the god had, in
days gone by, often set up housekeeping there. Not to interfere
with the sanctity of the temple precinct, the locals would bring
food and gifts to the threshold of his lair whence the servants
of the god would appear to collect their offerings -- seemingly
out of thin air. I can't be certain because all I had was an oil
lamp, but there was a circular design of some sort laid into the
ceiling. It could have housed a set of transport rings."
"That would make sense," Daniel nodded. "Only the god's house
would need a delivery entrance. The other temples would just be
copies of the exterior."
"It seems we have a plan," O'Neill nodded appreciatively.
"Teal'c, take Daniel and see if you can find that back door. Once
we're inside we'll let drool boy here use his head. After that,
we'll play it by ear. Anyone else? Questions? Words of caution?
Good advice? Stock tips?"
Cassandra raised a hand. "What if Kabra'kan's brain wave pattern
won't get us past their security field?"
"Good question," O'Neill grinned. "Hear that, campers? Somebody's
paying attention." The others said nothing, since his response
had been solely for Cassandra's benefit. They already knew the
drill. "We retreat, Cassandra. Meet up with Jacob and try to
approach this from a different angle, hopefully. We're here for
reconnaissance. If we have the opportunity to get in and complete
the mission we'll do it. If not," he shrugged. "No hard feelings,
we just back out."
She nodded her understanding, looking somewhat relieved, then
settled back with Major Carter to keep an eye on the Goa'uld.
Nearby, O'Neill and Methos settled in to watch and wait while
Daniel and Teal'c were out searching.
"Do me a favor," Jack leaned close and spoke quietly to Methos.
"Stick to Zippy's brother like glue. No matter what happens I
want him dead before we leave here."
Methos considered the request for a moment. "You don't want to
try and save the host?"
"Trust me on this one," O'Neill whispered sadly. "Whoever that
poor guy was, he wants us to kill him."
Methos swallowed hard. For thousands of years Kabra'kan's host
had lived in psychological isolation watching crime after crime
committed by his hands, seeing others reacting with fear and
horror to his face. Methos could do more than imagine it. He'd
lived it -- and without the excuse Kabra'kan's host had. He
nodded once, accepting the charge.
"He dies today, O'Neill. You have my word on it."
***
They made their way, carefully, down the tunnel. O'Neill and
Methos in the lead, Teal'c and Carter bringing up the rear. The
passage itself seemed primitive, but eventually they reached the
section directly beneath the temple and the floor turned to well
worn stone lit by torches. A few minutes later they saw it. A
sparkling blue-green energy veil offering death to any who tried
to pass through it. Unlike other Goa'uld security barriers SG-1
had encountered this one didn't prevent entry. Quite the
opposite. Anyone could pass through it. Getting to the other side
alive was the problem. It was designed to scan for brainwaves.
Those it recognized left its grip unharmed, those it didn't might
be left dead or worse.
Methos peered through the veil. "Looks like the rings are just
beyond there," he twitched his chin in the general direction.
"Good," O'Neill nodded, turning to Cassandra. "You're up."
"Come, Kabra'kan," she said, leading the Goa'uld past the others.
"You have important prisoners. You must see Lord Zipak'na. We
have information he needs. You want to lower the security
shield."
"Yes," the Goa'uld murmured, moving forward.
He slid easily through barrier pausing on the other side.
"Lower the shield," Cassandra repeated and Kabra'kan turned with
a smile.
He barked an order and the shield dissolved. Then all hell broke
loose as he grabbed Cassandra's arm.
"Shield up! Jaffa, kree!" he shouted, dragging her toward the
rings.
Almost instantly O'Neill started firing and the others, with one
exception, dropped back to cover him as guards suddenly appeared
through the rings rushing the corridor.
Gritting his teeth Methos judged their chances. Not good, he
thought and flung himself into the barrier, unwilling to let the
Goa'uld have Cassandra. Fire seared his mind as Methos hung
suspended in the veil for what felt like an eternity. Blind, deaf
and mercifully unconscious he fell to the floor a moment later,
dying quickly as his brain forgot to tell his lungs to breath.
Several yards away, Jack cursed silently as more Jaffa appeared,
firing easily through the shield. No way were they going to make
it if they didn't leave now, he decided. "Let's get the hell
out!" he shouted, offering cover fire as one by one they pulled
back.
The corridor grew silent as the fighting moved well beyond the
barrier and out into the rain forest.
"This one is dead, my lord," a guard informed him after checking
the nearby corpse.
"Of course he is," Kabra'kan grinned widely at Cassandra, shoving
her toward the remaining Jaffa.
"Gag her," he ordered. "And bring her to my laboratory."
"Yes, my lord!"
The Goa'uld turned to leave, caught in mid-step as the corpse
which lay sprawled on the floor suddenly rose up, drawing a
wicked looking sword as it raced toward him. Kabra'kan whirled in
alarm as the Jaffa brought up their weapons, firing
simultaneously until once again the so-called corpse fell to the
floor.
Kabra'kan came forward only after his guards had thoroughly
disarmed the body. He stood over it, waiting patiently for any
new signs of life. And there it was, he thought a moment later,
brows rising in wonder and avarice as the lips parted, the lungs
inhaled and the eyes suddenly opened wide.
"Damn," Methos muttered, staring coolly up at Kabra'kan. "Jack's
going to be so disappointed."