Colonel Jack O’Neill crouched low in the dark antechamber, his snub-nosed weapon’s strap pulled taunt against his body. It had been just over a year since he had last visited this planet, and even now he couldn’t shake the events that had transpired.

The Goa’uld had been ravaging this world’s surfaces for a strange green ore, and when PX4761’s supply had depleted, they’d moved into greener and more fruitful pastures- earth. Once the SGC had become involved it hadn’t taken long to discover the Goa’uld were using the ore, or Kryptonite as it was now known, to make portable stargates.

SG1 had eventually defeated the Goa’uld responsible with the aid of an extraordinary kid named Kent, but it had been a mission that had almost gotten several of the team killed, including the farmboy. Now, here were SG1 back on the planet on a scouting mission.

Just two weeks earlier an aerial drone had been sent through with shocking results- the Goa’uld and Jaffa presence was gone. More reconnaissance had been provided, and finally Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal’c had been given a green light to check out the situation.

Jack wasn’t convinced the Goa’uld had simply moved on, not even after the death of their system lord. His lack of confidence in the supposed ‘intelligence report’ showed in his brusque demeanor. “Would you two mind hurrying up?” He whined like an impatient football fan, but beneath his façade of sarcasm lurked the mind of a battle hardened and extremely competent soldier.

“Jack, I um…I think I’ve discovered some kind of interface that connects with the planet’s central systems…” Daniel Jackson rose from his stooped position and gently pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “It’s just like the one we encountered when we came here before…it hasn’t been activated in decades, maybe longer, but I think it’s worth investigating.”

“Indeed, I believe it is most similar to the one young Clark Kent was able to activate on our last mission here.” Teal’c added helpfully in his cavernous tones.

“Oh, for crying out loud!” O’Neill had wanted to confirm the planet’s status and be home for supper, but Daniel as always was on a roll. “How long?” He asked with a wry look, knowing the archeologist could take weeks once he dug into a new find.

“Well, I can’t translate most of the symbols on this…but I think it’s something big.” Daniel stalled, knowing Jack hated long and tedious archeological digs, and was lucky his hesitance worked to his advantage.

Clambering down the steps in the dull shadows, Major Samantha Carter appeared with her weapon slung carefully over her shoulder. This world’s Goa’uld occupational force may have long gone, but the locals had not. It had been a painful lesson they’d learned on the last trip after Daniel had been shot by an incensed group of locals. Vigilance on this world was a necessity.

“Carter, find anything?” O’Neill put his attention on his second in command.

The Major caught her breath and then nodded, beads of perspiration trailing down her face from a brisk run across country. “I think I found a whole lot more than we bargained for, Sir.”

O’Neill became instantly attentive. “Good ‘whole lot more’ or bad?”

“Remember when we encountered the natives here last time, Sir?”

“I doubt the chunk out of Daniel’s shoulder blade will ever let him forget,” Jack glanced at Jackson who squirmed suitably at the memory, “And your point is, Carter?”

“Well, Sir,” Sam moved in closer, “those aren’t the only inhabitants of this planet. I just spent the last hour with a woman called Maya, and she had some pretty interesting stuff to tell me about the Goa’uld. It seems the new system lord for this area pulled his Jaffa troops off this planet about two months ago, but he left a pretty deadly legacy behind.”

Teal’c raised a brow in bemusement. “It is not like a system lord to leave behind any of a world’s population. They are either taken as slaves, hosts, or their world is destroyed.”

“Yeah, well, he may not have destroyed this planet, but he’s killing its occupants.” The Major sighed as she continued, “Apparently, he somehow poisoned the water table. It’s a slow acting toxin, and the people here are dying pretty horrifically, Sir.”

“Why do I get the feeling you expect something from me, Major?” O’Neill knew his people well. Carter wanted an offer of assistance for the locals, but could they be trusted? “Just why do you believe this stranger so much, anyway? I mean, we show up out of nowhere and they’re willing to talk to us?”

Sam shook her head. “Actually, no Sir, they aren’t. Only Maya was willing to speak. Her people are pretty distrustful after what the Goa’uld did to them. They live and hide in underground chambers originally meant to house the planet’s technological and ecological control systems. Now their water is tainted they’re dying slowly, but they’re still too proud and wary to ask for help.”

Daniel’s brow furrowed as he listened. “So, who are the people who took shots at us last time? Are we dealing with two totally different sub cultures?”

Sam nodded. It was pretty hard to explain all she’d learned in ten minutes, but she needed to get her point across. “The inhabitants who attacked last time live above ground. They’ve been affected by the meteor rocks that once littered the countryside, and they’re pretty hostile to newcomers…”

Jack rolled his eyes, “You don’t say!”

Major Carter ignored the comment. “They’re effectively mutants; something similar to several transformations we’ve seen on earth in Smallville since the meteor shower. The poison is affecting them too, though…”

O’Neill pulled off his cap and scratched his head. Something was very wrong about the whole situation. “So, why didn’t the Goa’uld destroy this world when they left? Why the poison?” He paced inside the age old obelisk edifice the team had been checking out. “They have the technology to do much more…we’re missing something…”

“Should we not at least offer to relocate these people to a place with a fresh water supply, O’Neill?” Teal’c stole a glance at the man he held great respect for, and knew that despite his sometimes odd nature, Jack would do the right thing.

“If, and I say, if General Hammond agrees, then I don’t see why we can’t offer these people an uninhabited world to relocate too.” Jack still appeared uncertain, “I still don’t buy what’s going on here, though.”

Sam whirled grasping her weapon as a scratching sound reverberated behind them, but when a rodent scurried from the gloom and then vanished into a corner, she turned back to her superior. “Sir, I don’t think Maya’s people will want to move from this planet. From what she told me they’re still trying to decipher their ancestry from all the ruins and random obelisks. Not to mention the Goa’uld originally came here offering help, and look where that led. I don’t think they’d trust us.”

Jack was getting frustrated. “So, let me get this straight, Carter. You want me to try and help a people who don’t actually want to be helped?”

“Um, Jack? We could always ask General Hammond to send a medical team through to try and neutralize the toxin…I mean; it’s just an idea…” Daniel looked over the top of his glasses, and then reflexively glanced back at the alien console he’d been studying. “Perhaps then once they get to know us, we could work on decrypting these symbols together. I still have a feeling this is something big.” Jackson pointed to the time ravaged device and squinted in anticipation.

“How big?”

“Big, Jack…We could be looking at an entire civilizations records and scientific studies. And remember, hundreds of years ago these people were far more advanced than us.” Daniel raised a brow and waited to see if O’Neill took the bait. When the officer appeared skeptical he played his last card, “Of course, there is someone who I feel could translate it a lot faster than I can…”

Teal’c guessed first. “You wish to involve the teenager, Clark Kent?”

O’Neill gave in. He didn’t know why but it just seemed like he was the only one in SG1 to be thinking straight today. “Have you guys been drinking the water around here? Because you sure are talking crazy!” He slapped his cap back on his short graying hair and shook his head. “Hammond would never buy bringing a civilian kid back here on purpose, not even our extra terrestrial farm boy friend!”

“Sir, I think Daniel has a point. Clark is no ordinary civilian, and as long as we bring a couple of extra SG teams in for back up I don’t see the locals being a threat. Janet and Helen could bring a team through to deal with the toxin while we investigate these ruins more thoroughly.” Carter joined her companions’ argument, leaving O’Neill to stand on his own.

The Colonel edged towards the opening they’d all entered by. It was getting dark outside and they needed to either call in, or head back through the gate. “Alright, I’ll speak to Hammond, but I’m not expecting him to say yes anytime soon…” I still don’t get why the Goa’uld didn’t level this place…If the Kent kid can fathom that one this whacked out mission plan just might be worth the risks…

Smallville, Kansas
Present Day

Clark picked up the football and tossed it effortlessly over the entire Kent herd grazing in the lower field. The ball narrowly missed a water butt and spun gracefully straight through a tire the teen had set up weeks earlier. He’d been practicing this way ever since making the school team- even though with his gifts he really didn’t need to.

“Nice throw, but um…shouldn’t you be a little more careful who sees you?” Daniel Jackson ambled across the pasture with both hands in his pockets. He was wearing civilian clothes and smiled affably as Clark looked up, startled.

“I didn’t hear a car…” Clark frowned and scanned the farm in a split second, searching for the vehicle his acute ears should not have missed. There was nothing.

“I walked up from Hickory Lane,” Jackson explained as he saw the expression of frustration on his young friend’s face, “I hope I’m not intruding?”

Clark shook his head. In truth, he was bored with football practice and was intrigued as to why the SG1 team member had called in unannounced. It had been over a year since their last encounter, and Clark doubted the archeologist was here now just for a passing visit.

The teen couldn’t hold back his first thought, even though he knew he shouldn’t really mention the alien race out in the open. “Is it the Goa’uld? Are they back?” He whispered as he led Jackson towards the barn and more privacy.

Daniel took of his glasses and absentmindedly cleaned the lens with a cloth from his pocket as they walked. “No, it’s nothing bad, at least I hope it isn’t.” He glanced around and then followed Clark up the loft stairs. “We recently returned to PX4761, and it would seem the Goa’uld presence has moved on. They didn’t do so without poisoning the locals though, and so we’ve sent a medical team through to try and help…”

Clark glanced out of the open barn shutters and inhaled. There was some part they wanted him for, and he knew it, but what? He crossed his arms and turned to face the slightly nervous Jackson. “So why have you come to me? I don’t know about medicine here, let alone on a far distant planet.”

“Because you know about some of the technology and Kryptonian style language form left behind there.” Daniel edged forward, unable to hide his excitement about his discovery. “We found another obelisk, Clark, like the one we encountered before, and there’s an active console in there. Major Carter is working on it right now. She’s become pretty adept at hotwiring alien machinery…”

Jackson unzipped his jacket and gently tugged out a computer print out. The whole page was scattered with pictographs and symbols that few people on earth had seen the likes of. He handed it to Clark whose hand shook slightly with apprehension.

“When Sam found reference to the house of El, I thought you might want to see this…”

Clark paused. He had anticipated the SGC wanting him as a kind of translator, but he hadn’t expected this. “You found references to my biological family again?”

Jackson nodded and gestured diffidently to the center symbol. “I was particularly interested in this representation. The spacing and lettering are similar to the word father, but it’s not the same.”

Clark’s gaze fell on the paper once more and then his eyes widened. A cold chill seemed to sweep through the open shutters suddenly, but there was no breeze, and even if there had been, Clark shouldn’t have felt it. He gulped and turned away from the scientist before him. This was something he had thought about facing ever since Lex had discovered the strange map and Lionel had unearthed the second crystal, but he hadn’t expected to have to deal with it quite this way.

“It’s the Kryptonian word for crusade…” He muttered the words and they barely came out a whisper, so deep was his shock at seeing the symbol from an off world source. “I don’t know if I can help you. I’m not sure I’m ready to discover this part of my heritage…I could hurt people if things go wrong…” All this time he had wanted an end to his inner turmoil, and end to the not knowing, but what if all there was to discover was more badness? What if I go with them and come under Jor-El’s influence again? “I’m different now. I’m not the Clark you knew a year ago…things happened…”

Daniel was confused and wasn’t afraid to show it. “Different? I don’t understand?”

Clark took a seat and sat forward with a sigh. “I can’t explain, but it has to do with my real father. I once ran away because of him, but I thought I was rid of his influence…”

“He contacted you again? After you came to PX4761 with us?”

Clark didn’t want to talk about it. It was like no matter what course he tried to take with his life, Jor-El forced it back to his agenda. “He did more than contact me!” The teen was angry, not really at Daniel, but the archeologist was just pushing too hard. “You just don’t know what it’s like to lose three months of your life and then wake up naked in a field, acting like some zombie with no memory!”

Jackson unexpectedly smirked. It was an expression Clark had rarely seen on the scientist, and it startled him into silence.

“You’d be surprised, Clark. You see, I do know what it’s like to wake up naked with no memory…” This time it was Jackson’s voice that trailed, and he moved to the nearby railing, gazing over at the barn’s interior rather than face the teen.

Some part of his mind had gone back, back to the time he had literally died and then ascended to some higher plane of existence. Friends had been lost and then found again, but sometimes an empty feeling still came back to haunt him. Would he, could he ever be the same? Was this how Clark was feeling?

“I…” Abruptly, Clark realized he’d actually hit a raw nerve with Jackson. In all his own self-denial and worry, he had never thought a human could undergo anything remotely like what he had- but he had been wrong. “I’m sorry,” Was all he could finally say, “I guess I never thought beyond my own issues…”

Daniel turned back then, and the haunted expression from seconds earlier had been replaced with his usual quirky, insecure demeanor. “It’s okay; it’s a long and very complicated story, just like yours. Let’s just say we um…have something in common.”

Clark nodded and decided it was time to make a choice. If he stayed behind while Daniel returned to the planet, then he would always wonder what he could have learned. Maybe if he could uncover the mysteries on PX4761, he could help that world’s tortured population too, and that was something he always strove to do- help.

Remembering a sketch he had made a month or so ago, Clark stood and rummaged through the papers on his rather untidy desk. Eventually, he came to the crude, but effectual drawing he had scribbled. He offered it up to Jackson. “I have a feeling this is connected to the crusade in the records you found, but I don’t know how…”

Daniel took the paper and held it up to the light, scrutinizing every pencil stroke Clark had made as if it were some national treasure. The passion in his attitude showed just how important the drawing was to him. “I’ve seen this before…It’s in the database we found, I just didn’t know it was connected to your origins…”

Clark knew it was a make or break moment, and he seized the opportunity with the enthusiasm that would one day make him far more than just a farmer’s son from Kansas. “If I come with you back to the planet, when would we leave? I have plans with Chloe and Lois on Saturday…”

Daniel smiled. “We could leave right now. Jack and everyone else is already off world with the medical team.” He looked at Clark over his glasses, “We should be back in a couple of days, and if not you could always come back…I mean two girls…”

The Kent grin appeared, but Clark was quick to correct Jackson as to his motives. “Hey, being off world definitely sounds more fun than Lois!” When Daniel seemed surprised, he explained, “Lois is the most annoying, sarcastic, over-confident girl I’ve ever met! She is however, my friend Chloe’s cousin, and that means I put up with her…barely…”

Daniel frowned. There was just something to the kid’s voice that said he meant every word, but still subconsciously liked the girl. Maybe he just doesn’t know it yet, the archeologist mused. “What about your parents?”

In truth, Clark had no clue how they would react to his wanting to wander off with SG1 again, but he did know Jonathan and Martha had accepted that he would have to do things that no ordinary son would. Jonathan’s words echoed in his mind, ‘You can be the world's greatest hero or it’s most mild-mannered citizen, but the only person who can write your story... is you.’ Perhaps today was the beginning of the road that led to that story.

“I guess we better go ask them,” Clark gulped and led Jackson towards the Kent family home and the beginning of his destiny.

SGC, Cheyenne Mountain
The Next Morning

The barren gray walls of the hidden complex seemed to make the tunnel shaped passageways last forever. Clark remembered them as if his previous visit had only been a week or so ago instead of a year.

The sensation of being entombed was overwhelming, and yet comforting too. It was like being back in the tiny metallic space ship that had borne him far across the galaxy and beyond. Clark felt a warm sensation at the memory of his biological mother’s voice as she had placed him inside the craft. Will I learn more of Lara from this sister world?

Daniel noticed his companion’s far away look as he pressed the elevator button to take them down to the gate control room. “Thinking of home already?”

Clark smiled sheepishly, “Kind of, but not my Kansas one.” He looked around as the doors swished open to reveal a bustling military presence. “Just tell me I don’t have to wear fatigues like the rest of you guys?”

Jackson cocked his head slightly. “Well I don’t think we can force you, but…”

“Force him to do what?” Major Samantha Carter looked up from the computer screen she’d been studying and walked over to the pair. She nodded to Clark and smiled. “I hope Daniel’s not been boring you with his findings?”

Clark shook his head. Daniel Jackson was so enthusiastic about his job that he tended to get pretty long winded sometimes, but on this occasion Clark was all ears. “No, I’d like to learn more…”

Sam grimaced jokingly. “Never tell Daniel you want to learn more,” She strode back to her console. “Actually, I was just going over all the data that I brought back with me this morning. Care to take a look?”

Clark and Daniel moved closer to the monitor. Most of the facts and figures were about the toxin that had been released, but thankfully Janet Frasier and Helen Bryce were now working on that problem. Clark knew both women to be pretty competent doctors, so he left that particular crisis in their hands, and looked further down the screen. There was more information about the Goa’uld, and the new System Lord that had taken over after Amon had been killed.

“Sobek?” Clark read the name out loud. He had heard of some of the more prominent Goa’uld lords because they usually had the names of Gods belonging to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, but this one escaped him.

Jackson was only too eager to help. “Sometimes it’s written as Sebek, Sochet, or even Suchos. Often known as the Egyptian god of might and power, Sobek was a man with the head of a crocodile who protected the king.” He paused for a second, “it’s kind of ironic, but Sobek was supposedly the God who controlled water…except now it would seem he’s poisoning it.”

“It doesn’t make sense that he’d just add the toxin to the water and just leave…” Clark pondered, “Is there anything else you brought back I could help translate, and maybe discover his motives?”

Major Carter flicked a stray blonde hair away and hit escape. The screen changed to several digital photos of the newly discovered obelisk. Its finely crafted walls appeared pitted with age, and their perfect angles now had unsightly chunks missing from the edges where time had taken its toll.

“It’s hard to believe this planet was once a neighbor of Krypton. How could it become ravaged so quickly, even with the meteor shower and the Goa’uld presence?” Clark struggled to accept the imagery, even though he’d already witnessed it first hand. “How could people with such superior technology be reduced to living like they do, their structures gone or in ruins?”

Daniel looked to Carter. This was her department; she after all was the astrophysicist of the group.

The Major took up the challenge willingly. “You have to understand the Goa’uld didn’t do most of the damage, Clark. The initial explosion of Krypton and ensuing meteor deluge smashed the planet up pretty badly, and then the passage of time did the rest…”

“But the meteor shower was only 15 years ago!”

Sam sat on the edge of her desk. “To you it’s been 15 years, but on PX4761 and Krypton, had it not been destroyed, it would have been an eternity ago. Remember relativity…As your ship sped away from Krypton at the speed of light the passage of time slowed- in your own solar system things are much older than the 15 earth years that have passed.”

Clark knew all about Einstein’s theories, but it was still hard to grasp that even if his world had not been destroyed, his biological parents would have been long gone by now. “When we go through the gate that doesn’t happen because we aren’t traveling from one point to another, more like jumping the gap?” He asked.

Sam crossed her arms and smiled. “Something like that. The wormhole technology removes the distance from point A to point B, kind of like using a Star Trek transporter.” She winked and Daniel groaned at the comparison.

“So, um can you interpret any of the symbols on the obelisk?” The archeologist attempted to get the conversation back on track.

Clark sighed as he stared at the pictures. Even when Sam zoomed in for him it was just no good. He shook his head. “Maybe when I see them first hand I’ll know more.”

Daniel had hoped they would at least discover something with just the images, but it had been a long shot at best. “I guess we better go gear up to go meet Jack, Teal’c and the med team then…”

“I really don’t have to change, do I?” Clark grimaced.

Sam winked at Daniel. “Well…the fatigues do offer a limited amount of protection. I mean you’re an easy target in civilian clothes. Don’t forget, once you’re on PX4761, you’ll only have you’re abilities for a short time.”

“I hate uniforms…”

Sam smiled at Jackson as she led the teen away to grab some gear before going off world. She was definitely enjoying teasing Clark, but then Sam’s humor was nothing compared to what Jack would say once they got to their destination.

* * * *

Clark reappeared around fifteen minutes later in the gate room. He wore the same green fatigues that SG1 regularly donned, but had still placed his dark blue jacket back over the top in an obvious show of rebelliousness.

Daniel couldn’t help but smile as Clark ambled towards him. “Not um…exactly standard issue…”

“I told you, I hate uniforms!” Clark looked down at the clothes he now wore and was thankful they hadn’t tried to force a weapon on him. Still, after their last trip together they probably knew better than to offer.

Major Carter appeared in full kit from the same door Clark had and nodded to the pair. “All set?”

Both men nodded, but Clark couldn’t help but gulp as he glanced from the officer and then back up to the gate that was about to be fired up. He wasn’t afraid, more like apprehensive of what he might find the other side in the remnants of the obelisk’s technology.

Sam noticed his watchful gaze and placed a hand on his forearm. “Clark, SG 4, 6 and 7 are on the planet to provide cover and protection for you and the medical team. Stay close and under their cover, okay? Promise me no heroics? We just don’t know how long you’ll be invulnerable out there.”

Clark nodded, but couldn’t take his eyes from the mesmerizing watery whirlpool as the gate’s iris was opened, and its shimmering center burst into activity. If he were to witness it a hundred times, Clark doubted he would ever grow weary of the alien artifact’s beauty.

“Shall we um, get moving?” Daniel prompted.

Sam gripped her weapon and took the lead, vanishing into the miasma that would literally tear apart her cells and reassemble them millions of miles across the galaxy. Clark followed next, pausing only at the perimeter of the swirling maelstrom.

The teen hadn’t thought about it before, but as he sensed the wormhole’s almost magnetic pull, it reminded him of the thing that had taken him to Jor-El in the Kawatche caves. He shivered; unnerved by the similarity of the electrifying sensation the gate gave of.

“Is everything alright, Clark?” Daniel moved to Clark’s side, “amazing and yet scary, isn’t it?” He asked knowingly. “No matter how many times I go through, it’s always captivates me…”

Clark watched as Jackson hopped into the center of the phenomenon to encourage him, and then with one leap he joined the archeologist on a journey into the unknown realms of space.

The trip across the universe was almost instantaneous. No sooner had Clark felt the cool chill of the Stargate than he had arrived on PX4761.

Carter and Daniel were waiting for him, along with Colonel Jack O’Neill and Teal’c. They were at the gate they had departed from last time they’d been here. Hopefully, they wouldn’t need to make such a hasty retreat on this occasion.

O’Neill took one look at Clark’s attire and pulled a bemused, almost sarcastic expression. “Nice to see you again, Bucko. I see your taste in clothes hasn’t improved…”

Clark didn’t take offence. He had long since learned the Jack had a very strange and derisive sense of humor. O’Neill, Lois and Chloe would have made one heck of a team if there was ever a competition for snark.

“Indeed, it is most pleasing to have you with us, Clark.” Teal’c bowed his head slightly and Clark smiled back. It felt both weird and reassuring to be in another alien’s presence, especially one as honorable as this ex-Jaffa. As ever, Teal’c stood stoically at attention beside O’Neill, staff weapon in hand.

“So,” Carter split up the reunion, “has anything new happened while we were back on earth, Sir?”

O’Neill frowned and instinctively patted a hand on his gun’s barrel. “Nothing several clips of ammo and a few well trained men couldn’t handle.” He gestured off into the distance, where two large marquee sized military tents had been erected. “We set up camp for the med team over there, and within the first couple of hours our local mutant boys had sprung an attack. Don’t these people know we’re here to try and help them?”

“Have Maya or her people been in contact?” Carter appeared concerned about the newfound friend she had made. It had been difficult to convince Maya of their integrity, and yet her people seriously needed help with the toxin.

“Nope,” Jack signaled furtively with a gloved hand, and several concealed soldiers appeared from the perimeter of the nearby forest, “Maybe the sentries have put them off, but I have to give the docs protection priority out here…”

“Will we still be able to investigate the ruins more thoroughly?” This time it was Jackson who spoke. He didn’t want to have to give up on his quest now, and he guessed from Clark’s expression that he didn’t either. It would be a disappointment after what they already knew.

“Are you nuts?” Jack would never understand Jackson’s frequent urges to go get killed over some relic. He was however used to them. “I’ll send Harris and Harper from SG 4 with you guys, but I want you back before nightfall. No Indiana Jones stunts, ya hear me?” O’Neill gave Clark a pointed stare, “And that goes for you too, Kent!”

Somewhere on PX4761…

Clark walked in the middle of the group of U.S. Airforce personnel as they made their way through the small forested area. It felt strange that he may need protection, and he flexed an arm, wondering just how long he would have super strength in this most bizarre of environments.

“Are you alright, Clark?” Daniel had spotted the teen stretching and was curious as to what the problem was. After all, out in space, anything was possible.

Clark fell back slightly until he was instep with Jackson. “I was just trying to guess how long I’ll be ‘different’ out here.” He admitted, “Last time I was here the Kryptonite and Goa’uld beating I took played a part in my weakening…”

Daniel sighed. “I sorely hope we don’t have to find out how long it takes.” He pointed into the clearing ahead, “There’s the obelisk. Let’s hope Maya’s people join us. With their help we could discover so much…”

Clark followed the scientist’s gesture and was taken aback by the size of the structure. It was far bigger than he had anticipated, and was at least four times the height of the obelisk they’d originally discovered a year ago.

The damage to the stone colored edifice appeared less severe now that he was so close to it, but its weathered condition gave away its true age.

Clark squinted, attempting to kick in his x-ray vision and scan the interior. His eyes obeyed instantly, switching into the new mode as if he were still on earth. Great, my powers are still going strong; he exhaled, but was soon frustrated. His eyes might be working, but something within the construction was stopping his search.

“Is there lead in the obelisk?” Clark paused as they reached the end of the trees camouflage. He didn’t know why, but it was like a thousand concealed eyes were upon him, burning into his back.

“Um, no…at least, I don’t think so…” Daniel’s brow furrowed and he spun around, suddenly sensing the same presence as the kid at his side. The scientist in him told him it was simply imagination, but the training and experience he had made his right hand slip cautiously over the sidearm strapped to his thigh.

Even Carter’s eyes narrowed and she skimmed the surroundings for natives as they skirted the tree line, and headed for the structure’s single access point. She let her left hand slide down and placed her finger smoothly over her weapon’s trigger. “Harper, Harris, I want you two to stay outside and keep our exit clear.” She motioned with a finger for the pair to split up and take cover, and they obeyed without question.

Harper vanished to their left, taking up a position in what looked like an Elm for maximum weapon’s coverage of their immediate area. Harris slipped to the right, finding a natural earthy dugout and using it like a wartime trench.

“Do you think it could be Maya or her people?” Clark glanced around, but even using his x-ray vision on the lush green forests and shrubbery around them afforded him no clue as to who might be watching.

Carter shook her head dismissively. “If there is someone out there, it isn’t Maya. I think we better hurry.”

Daniel took a hasty dive for the opening with the hint that he definitely agreed. “I’ll second that…”

Clark followed the archeologist into the structure, ducking as the low doorframe hindered his path. Sam brought up the rear, still clutching her weapon expectantly. If someone was outside, it made sense they could be inside also.

The interior was in darkness, and was only illuminated when Daniel hit a small battery unit’s on switch, powering up several makeshift lights they’d arranged on SG1’s last visit.

Once the fluorescent glow brightened their surroundings, Jackson led Clark down a secondary tunnel to the chamber containing the console. The air was musty, and even though the room had obviously once been a white hi tech world, it now gave off the aura of a civilization long dead- just like Krypton.

Clark felt a chill cross his broad, sinewy shoulders. The chamber was like the one where he had activated the central government database on his last trip here.

This time, Sam had already hotwired the console, so they wouldn’t need Clark’s ‘key’ to access it. The imagery and pictographs glowed on its steely white surface, even though SG1 had not supplied it with a power source.

“It seems to still be drawing energy from the planet’s core somehow.” Sam offered before Clark could ask the question. “So far though, all we’ve managed to gain from it are random files and images. Daniel thought you might be able to help as you gained far more consistent answers from the first console.”

Clark ran his palm over the advanced mechanism and let it rest on the cool steely surface. “I spoke to it, and it recognized me…” He was obviously entranced, “I think the key gave me access though…”

“Try again, talk to it,” Carter urged, “last time it wasn’t already active.”

Clark licked his lips and felt his heart begin to pound in his chest. Could finding out the truth be as simple as asking this machine a few questions? It was far larger and more sophisticated than the first. What if it still contained everything about the house of El?

He cleared his throat nervously, even though he didn’t need to. “I am Kal-El of Krypton, where am I?” His words seemed to echo through the sub chamber, and everyone held their breath.

“DNA recognition accepted…” Clark jumped back as he sensed a tingly sensation beneath the hand he still had resting on the console. “This is the central government database no 1. Welcome Kal-El…” The voice was familiar- the same voice that had greeted him at database 1571.

Taken aback, the teen gulped in air before gasping to Daniel. “What should I ask first?”

Jackson knew Clark was desperate for answers about his heritage, but they needed to concentrate on the Goa’uld threat before all else. “We need to find out if this active database has been registering anything since the meteor shower. Primarily information about Goa’uld activities here…”

Clark nodded, disappointment tinged with understanding showing in his expression. “This is Kal-El…do you have records pertaining to the Goa’uld, or post meteor shower invasions to this planet?” he tried to keep his tone authorative, even though it was essentially a computer he was talking to.

“File system is fragmented due to system wide down time and secondary unit failures. All errors logged. Cause recorded as irreparable system core damage…”

“You have no files containing the word Goa’uld, Amon Ra, Sobek, System Lord, Jaffa…” Daniel probed, but was cut off by the slightly annoyed automaton voice.

“You are not authorized to access this data…”

Clark asked the same questions and was rewarded with more courtesy.

“Retrieving one hundred forty four login accesses by System Lord Sobek…”

A beam appeared from the ceiling and formed into a holographic screen. A list appeared of every time Sobek had accessed the database. Every entry save the first twenty or so led back to one set of files.

“You won’t let humans in, but you let a Goa’uld access your entire system core?” Carter was noticeably riled that such an apparently secure system could be breached so easily- but not by her.

The machine’s screen blinked. “You are not authorized to access this data…”

“I guess Sobek is better at hotwiring than you are,” Daniel pulled an apologetic smile and then pointed a little too closely to the virtual screen. His forefinger slipped straight through the holographic imagery and he jerked his hand back impulsively. “I don’t think we should worry about the how he did it right now anyway…” Jackson’s still extended hand began to shake, “We should worry about the why…”

Clark hadn’t moved. His eyes had stayed cemented to the entries the moment they had materialized. Sobek hadn’t been delving into just any file that remained on the system; he’d been scanning and accessing every single file that pertained to the house of El.

“Why has Sobek been viewing these files?” Clark barked at the machine, afraid of his lineage once again.

“Unable to comply, insufficient data.” The voice seemed to mock.

Daniel patted the teen on the shoulder. “You need to be a little more indirect with your questions. Why not just open up the files?”

Clark didn’t like that idea. With well over one hundred accesses it could take too long to sift through everything. Still, they had to start somewhere. “Open file ‘El 567’.” He asked for the entry he thought looked like a good starting point.

“All files in this disc sector are text and digital image only. I will not be able to give or receive vocal responses. Do you wish to continue?”

“Continue…” Clark waited until the holographic screen presented him with a large page of Kryptonian style text. It was not however, what he was used to reading.

Each line contained symbols and pictographs like nothing he had seen before. He stared, hoping it would all somehow gel into place if he waited long enough, but it didn’t. He sighed and instead focused on the words he did understand. It was not what he had expected.

“What is it? Can you read it?” Major Carter looked expectantly to both Daniel and Clark. She was getting edgy again for no apparent reason.

Daniel shook his head. He understood a few words, but not enough to decipher any true meaning.

Clark knew more, but his brain had abruptly shut down- at least that’s how it felt. He was reading about things far away in the past. Achievements by his father, Jor-El, that had been archived here for all eternity. Achievements that may now be used to end the future of mankind.

Clark?” Daniel prompted this time, becoming concerned by their teenage charge’s lack of response.

“It’s about my father…” Clark touched the surreal image like Jackson had; letting his fingers ebb through the computer generated text. “He was a scientist, a man of vision. If I trust these records, he was nothing like the person that imprisoned me…” he gulped, “But there’s more…I can’t make everything out…”

“Try Clark, it’s important!” Carter didn’t want the kid to let his reverie overcome their mission objectives.

Clark touched a sensitive key and the page turned. He studied it, and then several more before making any further assumptions. Finally, he thought he understood enough to give a small narrative, even though his nerves had been shaken to their very being by what he now knew.

“The files contain my father’s work. The ship he made to save my life, and the project he worked so hard to complete before that. I don’t truly understand the scientific wording in the files, some words I can’t even put a meaning to, but…He was working on something he called ‘The Phantom Zone Projector’.”

Carter was suddenly hooked. Any security issues she had were pushed to the back of her mind. Here was another alien technology that needed unraveling, and she wasn’t about to let Sobek be the only one with knowledge of it. “Any idea what this ‘Phantom Zone’ is?”

Clark nodded, and his pained expression should have told them there was more badness to come. “It’s really hard to explain, but it’s kind of like a separate dimension. The projector my father was working on opened up a way to go there. From what I can tell Krypton eventually planned to use my father’s device to send criminals there…”

“So why do I get the impression this is not a good thing?” Jackson fidgeted with his glasses as he became both intrigued and a little apprehensive. After all, if an indestructible kid was looking freaked, maybe he should too.

Clark looked to the dust covered floor, “Because I know what it’s like from experience…I think I’ve been there….”

“You what?” Carter gaped.

“Remember when I told you Jor-El imprisoned me, and I came back with amnesia?” Clark looked to Daniel who nodded sympathetically. “Well, I didn’t recall anything about where I’d been, not until now. The descriptions in these files jogged hidden memories I guess…It was just so dark, an endless black void with nothing but the voice, booming in my head…it’s an evil place…”

Clark whirled back around as an impulsive thought hit him. He tapped more keys; some so hard had they not been made from a Kryptonian metal derivative they would have shattered. Additional screens flicked by at lightning speed- so fast Daniel and Sam could barely catch a glimpse. Clark read every file, and every notation, skipping only the words he did not fully comprehend. When he finished he’d turned pale.

“I don’t think my father did any of those things to me,” His voice cracked, and he felt the sudden urge to sit down before his knees gave way. Carter led the obviously dazed teen to a nearby plinth that would support his weight. “He sent me to earth, and he left me instructions on how to find something hidden there too…knowledge for me to embrace…”

“That’s what the map you drew was for? The one from Lex’s artifact?” Daniel was starting to piece little chunks together, but there was still a hole the size of the Titanc to be filled before everything became clear.

Clark nodded. “I think so. My father wasn’t evil…”

Carter rolled her eyes. “Look guys, I hate to sound like Jack here, but what the heck are you two talking about?”

Clark cleared his throat and tried to start at the beginning. “Jor-El didn’t just send me to earth. He prepared for it too. He even chose who my adoptive parents would be. When I grew old enough he also left me a legacy there. I don’t know what it is, but this map,” He pulled the crude sketch from his jacket, “this map leads to it, along with three crystals.”

Daniel grimaced ruefully, “So um…if your father didn’t take over your life, who did?”

Clark stood up, testing his legs. Some of the shock had abated and he found he could stand again. He opened up several image files. “From these records I can find only one account of someone being sent to the phantom zone.” He pointed to a picture now rotating on the virtual screen. “His name was General Zod. He apposed my father’s work and eventually led some kind of uprising. If anyone would hate the house of El, it would be him.”

“And you think he somehow masqueraded as Jor-El from inside this ‘phantom zone’ and was able to manipulate you through it?” Sam probed.

Clark felt woozy again, but only from what he was discovering. “I’m sure he did. Normally people in this zone don’t age, drink, sleep, but they can see what’s going on in our dimension. I think when Krypton was destroyed, the resulting explosion and aftermath somehow gave him limited access to earth, and I think he’s used it to try to get the crystals and his own freedom by manipulating me!” The teen’s gaze dropped again, “If I’m right, he’s hurt and killed people too.”

Carter heard a rustling, probably just another scurrying rodent, but it jogged her responsibilities back into perspective. “Look, I know this may seem heartless, but your family problems aren’t exactly what we’re here for. Why on earth would a Goa’uld System Lord want to access this stuff over and over?”

Clark pressed one final key, and a schematic appeared, along with more fragmented Kryptonian. “He was interested in only two things, Zod, and the technology my father created.” The teen let his forefinger hover over a symbol. This is the last time your Goa’uld came here, and this,” he pointed again, “this is the status of the phantom zone…”

“Wait, um you mean this computer can still monitor it?” Daniel sidled closer, even though he still couldn’t decipher what he saw.

“There’s no point in monitoring it now,” Clark wanted to put a fist through the interface, “The last time Sobek was here, was also the last day Zod spent in the zone…”

Jackson and Carter glanced at one another, uncertain of the implications. It was Daniel who spoke first. “Zod is the only Kryptonian left, apart from you, right?” He stared over his glasses, “Which um, means on earth he would have your abilities?”

Clark inhaled and nodded. “I’m guessing that’s why your Goa’uld poisoned the locals but didn’t level this planet. He might need to come back and access this place again for the technology.”

“It still doesn’t explain why he didn’t take the inhabitants as hosts.” Daniel interjected.

Sam’s mind was working faster. “No, but it answers a lot. Think about it, Daniel. A Goa’uld is virtually omnipotent compared to a human. With the body of a Kryptonian, and all the host’s memories, any planet in our sun’s range would be in big trouble!”

“So would my family…” Clark’s jaw dropped. “Zod knows everything about me. That means he knows I’m the only threat to him and this Sobek. He’ll want to kill me, and if I’m not around he’ll use my family as bait!”

Clark was about to hit superspeed but Carter held her weapon in front of him. It wasn’t really an effective barricade, but it did make the teen pause and think a second before acting.

“Whoa, Clark,” Carter grabbed his forearm, “We don’t know for sure that Sobek has taken Zod as a host, and even if he has, we don’t know his next intentions. His first target might be some other System Lord, not earth, not you, and not those crystals.”

“Except Zod’s powers will only manifest themselves in our sun’s presence,” Daniel added helpfully, “and he does have a grudge against Clark’s family.”

“Zod does,” Sam shot Daniel a look that said ‘hush’, “But Sobek is in control of his body now, remember? He may want earth, but I think your family is safe while ever you aren’t an imminent threat. We need to get back and inform Colonel O’Neill what we’ve found. I think this mission just got scrubbed in favor of finding Sobek, or Zod, or whoever the heck he now is!” Carter grabbed the radio unit clipped to her shoulder, “Harper, we’re coming out, you take point…” Silence followed and then a short hiss, “Harper?”

This time, Daniel’s hand more than touched his sidearm. The scientist flicked off the strap that held it fast, pulled it clear and clicked off the safety. He looked to Clark and they waited for Carter’s next move.

The Airforce Major sprinted to the opening and bobbed her head cautiously outside. Everything appeared quiet- too quiet. She moved to key her radio’s transmit button again, but this time her hand never reached the unit.

A burst of machine gun fire rattled through the forest to her right. She recognized the sound instantly as a U.S. issue weapon. It was Harris, and he was taking fire. “Harris, retreat to the obelisk! We’ll give you covering fire!”

“Too many…can’t get out of the…” More weapons fire followed, and then the area became deathly silent.

Carter edged forward again and slid out on her stomach. She raised her own weapon to her eye, using the sights as a makeshift telescope. Harper’s body lay strewn beneath the tree he’d taken refuge in. There was no sign of Harris, but Sam was pretty sure he was dead. The mutant locals didn’t seem the type to take prisoners. To confirm he thoughts, a round flew over her head and ricocheted off the obelisk, bouncing to her left harmlessly.

Carter didn’t wait to see how quickly the sharpshooter would find his range. She retreated, slithering backwards into the structures opening. Jackson and Clark were waiting as she dropped breathlessly into the stone building’s protection.

“They’re dead, aren’t they?” Clark hated wanton death and violence, and once again he felt like he was the cause. His family had created the technology that was now going to cause panic and mayhem if left in the wrong hands.

Carter nodded, but was less sentimental. “Just like we will be,” She commented wryly, “if we don’t get out of here and fast. I can’t see any of them, but I’m pretty sure those woods are swarming with bad guys. If we poke our nose out there again they’ll take our heads off.”

“What about me? I still have my gifts…” Clark was already climbing up the steps when Carter yanked him back.

“We’re not taking risks. We need to block this entrance somehow, and find another way out!”

Clark looked around frantically. There had to be something he could use to stop the natives getting in, but what? There didn’t appear to be any loose sections, so that left only one option- he had to loosen one.

While Sam and Daniel kept a close watch on the opening, the teen let his hands slide along the stone walls until his sensitive fingers found a ridge. The join in the wall was microscopic; no human eye could have even seen it, but Clark could. The seam was the walls weakest point, and Clark was going to use that to his advantage.

With one punch in the right spot, Clark dislodged the massive stone tablet without smashing it.

“Hurry, Clark, I think the locals are about to rush us.” Carter had dared to take a peek outside, and had been rewarded with a view of several natives emerging from the woods. They were all dressed in rags, but were obviously not as retro as they appeared. They may look like savages, but the weapons they carried gave away they had enough technical knowledge to be very dangerous.

Clark didn’t waste time stopping to answer. He took a firm grip on each side of the wall panel and hoisted it into place over the entrance. “That should hold them…unless they happen to have a crane nearby.” He turned to see if Jackson had found them another way out, but Carter’s next sentence made him reel back around.

“They might not need a crane. These guys have been affected by the meteors, remember? From what Maya told me, some of them are pretty strong and have abilities similar to those exhibited by certain Smallvillians you've encountered in the past...”

To confirm the Major’s fears, harsh pounding noises began to reverberate through the barricade Clark had erected. Small wisps of masonry dust whirled from the tablet’s sides, as it was slowly pulverized to a powdery form by the force being exacted on it from the other side.

Clark winced. He’d forgotten that small fact. “Is there another way out?” He asked Daniel who was now deliberating between two tunnels to their left. Both could be dead ends, or if they were lucky, one might just lead to another exit.

“I’m hazarding a guess here that we should take the first passageway…” Jackson held his sidearm at the ready and took the tunnel he’d suggested before anyone could respond. His two companions hastily followed.

“Anything more than speculation fuelling that guess?” Carter ducked her head as they reached a low ceiling. Clark hunched over even lower to keep up.

“Um…No…” Daniel answered truthfully, and then stopped dead. A scratching sound was coming from up ahead. It was high pitched, like someone grating their nails down a blackboard. “Probably just a rat again.” He offered, but was less than optimistic.

Clark pushed past Carter to the front, still keeping his head bowed. He’d followed them around enough. It was time to take action. “Go back, take the other tunnel…” The teen looked over his shoulder into the darkness. Down here, the strange obstruction to his x-ray vision was gone. Now, he could see far too much.

The noise they had heard was the attackers from the forest forcing their way through a sealed entrance not a quarter of a mile ahead. If they didn’t retreat now, they’d walk right into an ambush. “Take the tunnel, I’ll follow after I make another barricade to buy us time.” It was his first white lie to SG1. There was nothing in this cramped, grimy environment to use as a barrier.

Sam hesitated. She was the one in authority; she was the one who should make the decisions and stay behind when all else failed. Her eyes bore into Clark’s for the longest moment, unsure of a command choice for the first time in her life. “I’ll stay too. Daniel, go check out the other tunnel and pray it’s not got visitors already.” The timbre of her words said there would be no further negotiation.

Jackson nodded and scurried back the way they had just come. His footfalls could be heard long after his silhouette had vanished in the murky shadows.
“You were never going to try and make another blockade, were you?” Sam’s eyes narrowed slightly and she readied her weapon for the looming onslaught. She didn’t know Clark all that well, but she’d seen enough of his character to know he was prepared to sacrifice himself for SG1- or any other innocent life for that matter.

Clark shrugged, his dark blue jacket still looking very out of place atop his green fatigues. “I can’t, there’s nothing to work with…”

A mammoth clattering sound coupled with whirlwinds of dust billowing their way signaled it was time. The blocked passage section had collapsed, and the enemy was within sight.

Bullets began to rebound from the rigid, cold walls all around them. Two hit Clark square in the chest and bounced harmlessly off. It was then he made his choice. Before Sam could even begin to return fire, Clark grabbed her and literally lifted her off her feet. It was something he had once done to Lois, and right now it was eliciting the same amazed expression.

The Airforce officer had so little time to react that she didn’t start to even squirm until the farm boy had moved her behind his towering frame. A multitude of slugs slammed into his back as he used his body as a shield, and then he spun back around to face the shooter. “Major Carter, RUN!” Clark yelled as he stared into the eyes of the gunman.

The pair were face to face now in a part of the corridor wide enough for only one man at a time. Clark glanced over the aggressor’s shoulder, noting there were plenty more to take his place should he fall. That was okay. If Clark could buy Carter and Jackson enough time, he could easily use his superspeed to catch them up.

“Interloper…” The small, grimy man spat out the word in some crude dialect that was similar enough to Kryptonian for Clark to understand.

The teen held up a hand and tried to calm the situation. It wasn’t easy to try and match the colloquial speech patterns, but he wouldn’t fight unless he had no other choice. “We’re here to help, not harm. We know about the poison!”

“LIAR!” The man screamed like a banshee and dropped his rifle, bounding at Clark like a panther springing after its quarry.

Clark didn’t grasp why anyone would discard a weapon until the little man made full contact. It was like being hit by a 747 in a ninety degree nose dive. The pair careered backwards, smashing one of the corridor walls into oblivion.

Debris rained on both of them, but then the real fight began.

Clark grabbed the native’s hair, yanking him to the left in the hope he could scramble to his feet. The man rolled as expected, but then Clark’s grip on him loosened. Mystified, the teen looked to his empty palm as the mutant appeared before him on both feet. Either the man could transport like Alicia, or he had superspeed as well as strength.

Clark sprang up at a speed that matched his opponent. This fight wasn’t going to be easy.

“You are not like us…” The man spat again as he spoke and then punched at Clark so fast he had no way of dodging the blow.

The uppercut hit him right on the jaw, spinning the teen until he almost demolished another wall with his own momentum. He clambered back up, rubbing his chin as he realized he was lucky not to have lost a tooth. These guys are plain nuts, and they don’t need the sun to keep their abilities!

This time, Clark made the conscious choice to make the first move. He supersped to the right, then as his foe followed the movement, he suddenly slowed and dived left and low. The mutant took the brunt of Clark’s impact to his legs and the pair tumbled to the ground, punching and kicking.

The mutant managed to gain the advantage yet again, and this time pinned Clark to the ground with his forearm, squeezing the teenager’s throat until he couldn’t inhale. Clark retaliated with a burst of heat vision, searing into his opponent’s shoulder just enough to sever the muscle and make him literally let go.

The pain alone should have forced the mutant to at least back off, but as Clark pulled himself to a sitting position, gasping for air, the man attacked again. Clark clambered to the tunnel entrance, but felt the evil grip of the man’s hand on his calf as he almost made it.

The sensation was like being grabbed by some bird of prey’s huge talon, and it made him shiver and want to recoil. Instead, he had to try and fight again. He rolled over, intending to burn the man’s hand if he had to, but a harsh crack from the darkness made him pause.

The mutant slumped forward, and a thin sliver of blood dripped from his mouth. “He might have your speed and strength, but he isn’t bulletproof. Now, move your butt, Clark!”

Carter had emerged from the shade, weapon in hand. Clark didn’t argue with her order. He jumped up and joined the Major in a hasty retreat following Dr. Jackson’s path.

Clark could hear the enemy close behind as they raced down the corridor, but he felt strangely breathless after his altercation with the mutant. He stopped as they reached the low ceiling section and had to gulp down some air before once again scooping Carter off her feet.

“We can do this a much quicker way…” He couldn’t resist a tiny grin as he hit superspeed.

* * * *

Clark caught up with Daniel Jackson just as the scientist was about to open some kind of outer door. The controls appeared simple enough, but Daniel hadn’t wanted to chance things until Carter, the tech expert had arrived. He raised a brow as Clark zipped around a corner in a blur and then stopped dead with Sam still in his arms.

“I’ve heard of being taken for a ride but…”

Carter hopped down. “Daniel, shut up…” It was a lighthearted rebuttal.

Clark watched the exchange in bemusement. Apparently, Jack was rubbing off on everyone. He wondered if Teal’c would have gained more sarcasm too, but now wasn’t the place to discuss it. “Maybe I should check outside first?” He offered.

Sam still wasn’t convinced. “Strictly speaking I’m the only one here with military training. It’s my duty to do this.”

Sam pressed the unusually large triangular key inset into the wall and waited. The key abruptly glowed a stark emerald hue, and then the outer door hissed and creaked as some hidden hydraulic system kicked it. The exit slid painfully slowly to the left, revealing a section of open ground with more dense woodland a few metres away. If they wanted to escape, they had to traverse the gap and hope there were no hidden snipers.

Carter gulped and checked her clip. No way was she going out into the unknown without plenty of ammo. The magazine was half empty, so she slammed in a new cartridge and nodded to Daniel. “I’ll go check it out. Cover me…”

The scientist poked his sidearm through the opening as if he were a natural. It hadn’t always been that way. There had been a time when Daniel would have shaken at the very thought of even carrying a weapon- that was of course before he’d ever heard of a Stargate or the SGC.

Sam had every confidence in him now, and rolled out of the opening with her own rifle at the ready. She moved cautiously, keeping up the pace, but also scanning the area around her for any sign of attack. She was almost to safety when it came- the sound of a bullet spiraling down the barrel of a rifle at extreme velocity.

No one else heard the thud as the gunpowder exploded sending the projectile on its way- not until it was too late. No one save Clark. The teen’s ears picked up on the noise at the last moment, and without having time to explain to Daniel he sprang from the exit and out into the open.

Daniel blinked and the teen at his side was gone, leaving behind only a tornado-style breeze in his wake. He focused back on Sam, realizing what Clark must have done, and it was then Clark seemed to rematerialize as he hit the brakes.

The scene played out in eerie silence; only the crack from the weapon finally breaking the hush. Clark barreled into Sam and used his weight to force her to the ground. The bullet ploughed onward, unaware that its intended target had moved. Instead, it hit a far tougher surface, and its nose flattened on impact.

Sam rolled over and was instantly conscious of what Clark had done. There was no time to chew him out over the risky act right now, though. The sniper could still have them in his sights.

“Kent, get into those trees and take cover!” Carter was in full hard-ass mode now, and was barking like Clark was a rookie who needed drilling some more. She was angry with him, but only because he had put his own life in jeopardy to save hers.

Clark struggled to his feet and was appreciative of a hand up from Daniel who had decided to make a dash for it too. There was no point in being stuck behind when the other natives came roaring out of the tunnels- better to die in the open trying to escape.

“Are you okay?” Jackson asked as they ducked behind an ersatz Elm, and finally took shelter from the gunman.

“I’m alright,” Clark panted, “What about Major Carter?”

Sam was still watching the clearing. If anyone tried to cross now she had a clear shot at them, but that advantage wasn’t really of any use unless they intended to stay put, and they didn’t want to do that.

“I should be thanking you, Clark, but I’m not going to,” She still sounded annoyed, “You know why? What if you’d lost your gifts back there? You’re a civilian on this mission and as such fall under my protection, not the other way around!” Carter motioned with her rifle into the shrubbery, “We better get moving before it gets dark. If we’re lucky we might be able to make radio contact with the Colonel. I haven’t been able to get a signal since we entered the obelisk…”

Clark stayed silent. It was nothing new to get chided over his actions, but this time Carter didn’t know how right she was. He simply nodded and followed Carter’s lead.

“No more heroics, okay? It’s imperative we get what we’ve learned back to Jack and General Hammond.” Sam’s voice was softer this time, but Clark wasn’t sure if that was because she was calming down, or simply because the enemy could be anywhere and hear them.

PX4761 Base Camp

Jack O’Neill was worried. He’d never let the other SG teams know it, but something was still nagging at the back of his mind about this planet. Now, to top that, the rest of SG1 and the Kent kid hadn’t called in at the specified interval. It was more than coincidence.

Jack checked his watch for the third time while resting his forearm atop his rifle. “Where the heck are you guys?” He muttered softly and then turned to glance at the two ‘M.A.S.H’ style tents Frasier had organized to try and deal with the toxin.

Frasier and Bryce hadn’t stopped working since their arrival, but unless Maya’s people actually came out in the open to be treated, the two doctors were working in vain. Jack didn’t know if they’d actually even isolated the poison yet, but some feeling in his gut sure wished they’d hurry it along.

A small, but chill breeze ruffled the nearest green tarp marquee entrance and it caught the Colonel’s attention. His nerves were on edge, and when that happened, bloodshed usually followed.

“Lt Samuels?” O’Neill spun on his heels and shouted to the soldier manning the radio, “Has SG4 on the outer perimeter checked in yet?”

Samuels frowned and shook his head, “No, Sir. There only two minutes overdue so I hadn’t reported a problem…”

“Carter, and now SG4…” Jack glanced one more time to the two huge tents, and then to the densely forested areas not too far away. Out here, they may be close to the gate, but they were also sitting ducks. In a heartbeat he made a decision. “Samuels, I want Miller and SG6 and 7 to start packing up the site. I want a two man team to go ahead through that copse and find us an area we can defend more easily, understood?”

The Lieutenant acknowledged his superior and hastened from his seat. He hadn’t gotten more than a few steps when a fiery ball of energy corkscrewed through the air and hit him square between the shoulder blades. The blast burned a hole deep into his spine and left the jagged remnants of his jacket charred and burning. It was a familiar weapons signature to Jack.

“Incoming!” O’Neill took cover and his eyes scoured the wilderness for the Jaffa patrol that was surely attacking. If the Goa’uld had ever left, they were back now.

The camp around him swiftly sprang to life as the remaining two SG teams took up defensive positions. Another ball of energy spiraled into the first marquee, tearing through the material and searing anything it encountered within to a crisp molten residue.

Helen Bryce, clad in fatigues and looking extremely annoyed barged from the tent’s entrance, shortly trailed by two petrified nurses. All hell was breaking loose, and Jack somehow had to maintain control.

“Miller!” O’Neill hollered above the ensuing gunfire and explosions, “Take SG6 and pull the camp out. Salvage what you can!” He gestured back into the woods. “SG7 stays with me to provide covering fire!”

Lt Colonel Frank Miller did a double take. O’Neill was sending them into the heart of the planet with a bunch of woman and a Jaffa patrol hot on their tails. His split second hesitation alerted his superior to his misgivings.

“Miller, move your butt or I’ll shoot you myself!” Jack had no intention of explaining his motives in the middle of a firefight, but there was no way they could make it back to the Stargate. From the direction of the enemy’s weapons fire, the gate was already under the control of the Goa’uld.

This time, Miller acknowledged with a hasty salute and scrambled back to start the evacuation.

Another explosion rocked the camp, and this time it did treble the damage. The Jaffa energy bolt tore directly into several fuel drums that had been brought along to power the encampments mini-generator. The generator barely survived the resulting detonation, but most of its fuel did not.

Jack winced and jumped from his concealed position to let off a volley at the approaching Jaffa. “Snake loving…sons of…” he groused as he rammed home a new clip and then depressed the trigger again.

As he ducked behind the unit’s MALP to reload a third time he found he had company. “Doc, no offence, but shouldn’t you be getting your butt outta here?”

Helen Bryce scowled. Her personality had always been too fiery to mix with Jack O’Neill’s, but today she was already angry without the sardonic edge to his voice. “I can handle myself, Colonel. The question is, can you?” Without hesitating, the doctor pulled out her standard issue 45 and fired, taking out a Jaffa before he could let off another blast at her beloved equipment.

Jack smirked. “Nice shot, Florence.”

“She was a nurse, not a doctor…” Bryce shot back her retort and then noticing SG6 were finally getting Frasier and the gear ready to retreat, she dodged to her left and stealthily moved to join them.

The last thing Jack heard before giving the enemy another taste of lead was the physician grumbling as she ran. “Miller better take care in moving that apparatus. Some of it’s pretty sensitive to have your grunts around…”

O’Neill couldn’t resist a wide grin as he opened fire. Helen Bryce was one hard headed doctor. Heck, he even might get to like her- if they lived.

* * * *

Somewhere to the East…


The woods seemed harshly quiet as the trio carefully picked their way through the thicket-heavy terrain. What had begun as a simple, if not pleasant, jog through a section of woodland had now become a hard-going slog.

Carter still took point, with Daniel bringing up the rear with his forty-five. Beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads like an accumulation of miniature waterfalls- even Clark was perspiring heavily.

“You know, I hate to break the silence, but I’ve been thinking…” It was Jackson, and he was warily scanning the underbrush as he pushed yet more spiky leaves from his path. “If this Lord Sobek has taken over Zod’s body, won’t that leave him vulnerable to Kryptonite, like Clark?”

Carter slowed as she reached a sharp, rocky slope. The prickly brush had dissipated, but they still had more hard work to hike up the incline. “I don’t think so…You have to remember the Goa’uld symbiont can cure a lot of health problems in a human, like my dad’s cancer. I’m betting Sobek didn’t check out those records for so long without doing his homework…”

Daniel shook his head. He should have realized that fact on his own. “So, um basically, this Zod thinks he’s a God, and for all intense purposes, now has the powers of one.” It wasn’t a very comforting thought.

Sam nodded and began the trudge up the slope, carefully placing her boots to ensure good footing. She paused and turned about halfway when she realized no one seemed to be following her.

At the bottom of the gradient, Clark was almost doubled up, clinging to a nearby thorn tree for support. Daniel was at his side, looking both confused and concerned. “Guys? What’s going on?” Carter scrambled hurriedly back down, sending a cascade of stone and earth with her.

Clark looked pale, but he still didn’t confess to the problem. “I just need to catch my breath…”

Sam knew better. When she thought about it, the teen had been unusually silent since they’d exited the obelisk. “Yeah, well from where I’m standing you look like…” Her words trailed off as she realized exactly what he looked like. Without saying it out loud, Carter eyed his trembling frame until she spotted the evidence.

Clark’s dark blue jacket had hid the stain from them effectively, but now as the blood seeped through onto where he held his hand, it was all too obvious what had happened.

“Why didn’t you say something!” Carter was both furious and guilt ridden at what had been going on. She tossed her rifle to Jackson and caught Clark’s arm just as he very nearly collapsed. “Whoa, let’s get you a seat.” Sam barely managed to steer his brawny frame to a nearby boulder he was so weak.

“Um…would somebody mind filling me in on the secret?” Daniel held the rifle in the direction they had just trekked, trying to keep his gaze both on the woodland, and on his two companions.

“That bullet meant for me didn’t exactly bounce off you, did it, Clark?” Sam ignored Clark’s feeble protests and swatted his hand out of the way. A dark sticky patch of blood had formed on the left side of his jacket, just below his ribs.

“I guess I don’t get to keep my abilities here for very long.” He panted a little, every breathe causing a sharp pain, “You should both go. I can’t keep up anymore…”

Carter let the comment fall on deaf ears, and instead pulled off her pack and retrieved a field dressing. She wanted to finally thank Clark for what he’d done, but somehow now it just didn’t seem right. Here he was just a kid bleeding all over the forest floor, and it was her fault. He shouldn’t have needed to take the slug for me. I got careless, and now he’s paying for it.

She couldn’t think of any words to say, so she simply remained silent, pressing the dressing down hard until he winced and raggedly drew in a lungful of air through clenched teeth. “Sorry, but we need to stop you bleeding,” Carter apologized but kept the flat of her hand over the wound while she weighed up their options.

Clark couldn’t climb the slope in his condition, and they wouldn’t get far carrying him- the mutants would soon catch up and finish the game. I won’t leave him behind. I can’t leave him; he’s the only one left who has any chance against this Zod character! Carter was trying to justify her actions in her mind, but the truth was she liked Clark and she wasn’t going to let him die by just leaving him to the natives.

“I hate to get pushy, but I think our mutant friends are getting close.” Daniel indicated movement in the spiky thicket they’d just come through. “I’d say we have about fifteen minutes…” he guessed, and Carter agreed with his calculation.

“I’ll try the radio again, and then we’ll drag you if we have to, Clark.” Sam stood from her stooped position and keyed the unit on her shoulder. “This is SG1 to base,” As her finger came away she sensed the tacky sensation of the teen’s blood on her hand, and more blame washed over her. “SG1 to base, come in…”

The radio crackled, and then a welcome voice finally permeated the woods. “Carter, didn’t I tell you not to go off picnicking out here?” Jack sounded pretty winded, but didn’t elaborate straight away, “What’s your status, you’re way overdue on your call in.”

Sam glanced at Clark. He was putting an arm around Daniel’s shoulder so they could try and get up the slope together. From his gasps and pallor she wasn’t sure if they’d manage it. “We ran into some trouble, Sir,” She admitted, “Harris and Harper are both dead. Clark’s been hurt, and we have a crowd of the locals tailing us. Is there any chance you could send a spare SG unit to escort us back to base camp?”

There was a short pause, then the sound of O’Neill sighing as he responded. “Carter, there is no ‘base camp’, at least not where it was. We had a few visitors of our own in the guise of our friendly, neighborhood Goa’uld. They’ve blocked our path to the Stargate.”

“Did we loose many?” Sam was a good friend of Janet Frasier, not to mention several of the other team members and it made the question all the more difficult to ask.

Jack’s response was curt and to the point. It was unclear whether he was in a hurry to be elsewhere, or because the wanton loss of his men’s lives was on the back of his mind. Losing a comrade never got any easier with time. “We lost all of SG4, plus Samuels, and we’ve got three wounded. We’ve set up a temporary base that we can defend a little easier, but we lost a whole bunch of supplies.” The Colonel’s voice faded as he turned from the mike to bark an order, then he continued, “I’ll send a couple of men to give you a hand Major...How’s Clark doing?”

Sam looked over her shoulder only to see the teen taking faltering steps even with Jackson taking his weight. She finally re-keyed her unit. “Just hurry with that help, Sir…”