My second Sam/Jack-oriented story, as you probably guessed by the plot summary ;) Other Stargate characters will be there, too.

English is not my native language. I apologize in advance for the mistakes and thank you for your leniency.

Enjoy & don't hesitate to leave a comment!

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Cameron Mitchell, Daniel Jackson, Vala Mal Doran, and Teal'c were attending a briefing with Hank Landry and Captain Bradley. The captain, a dark brown hair woman in her mid thirties, was the leader of SG18. All were seated in the briefing room, around the table. Landry's back was facing his office. Cameron was on the general's left, and next to Captain Bradley. Daniel, on the general's right and in front of the now full bird colonel, followed by Vala and Teal'c.

Bradley had come back from her mission earlier in the day, this is why she kept her full black exploration clothing, while the others were in the traditional green battle dress uniform used in the base. The SG18 captain had returned alone, to report interesting news to General Landry. The base commander had decided to request SG1 for a meeting. Samantha Carter wasn't there because fate had sent her to Atlantis, and she had been doing pretty well over there for some time already, as the outpost's new boss.

Captain Bradley kept on introducing the situation to the remaining members of SG1:

"The Enderers have been enslaved by the Goa'ulds for a thousand years. The Goa'ulds left the planet about two centuries ago, for a reason that's unknown to date. Doctor Alden, our ethnologist, says this civilization is similar to our Middle Age. Over the last decade, the people of this planet, at least, those we've met, had become eager to learn more about their past. My team and I offered our help, which they welcomed with enthusiasm. This leads us to this."

Bradley raised her document holder. She opened it and handed out several photos to the audience. The pictures had been taken in a wide room. Some displayed two rows of ten tables. The tables looked firmly tied to the ground. They were large enough for an adult to lie on their glass-like inner surface. A console panel supported by a pillar was located at one side of each table. A glass-like circle was on the floor. The people who would use the console panel would have to stand on that circle. The two rows of tables and console panels were perfectly aligned and homogeneous.

Another set of photos was focusing on the keyboard of the console panels. There was nothing particular to say about the structure, except there was a keyboard, but no screen to look at. The third group of pictures displayed the walls and the symbols that were on it, aligned in what seemed to be texts.

Overall, the room and the installation looked quite sophisticated.

Bradley explained, "We found out this place during an exploration of a forest. It's inside a facility. The facility is itself inside and beneath a hill. Apart from this room, we didn't find anything else interesting. It looks like whoever was in this complex has emptied and sealed it, which makes it difficult to tell what the purpose of the facility could be."

Daniel made a comment, perplex, "It doesn't look Goa'uld. Teal'c?"

"Indeed, Daniel Jackson. I've never seen this kind of installation or symbols before."

Daniel added, "It also doesn't look like a technology a Middle Age-like civilization would use."

The SG18 lady confirmed, "Not the civilization we know today. The civilization that existed on this planet before the Goa'ulds came, perhaps. The language has evolved over the centuries, but Faron, our contact, recognized the writing. The Enderers' ancestors would use it."

Cameron was surprised. "Is it possible that their ancestors were a technologically advanced civilization before the Goa'ulds came into the game?"

Landry said, "Maybe the Enderers' ancestors declined before the Goa'ulds arrived. Or maybe the Goa'ulds defeated them. Either way, centuries of slavery didn't help this civilization rise again."

Teal'c nodded.

Vala enthusiastically suggested, "Now they want to reconnect with their past. We should help them. Plus, we should look into this installation."

Bradley added, "That's why I came back here. Faron's leaders are interested in a collaboration between our people. They have also interesting resources, and we can help them with their past. I think it is worth discussing with them."

The general confirmed, "And I agree with Captain Bradley. SG1, I want you to meet the Enderers, initiate negotiations, and study this installation."

Mitchell and Teal'c nodded.

Daniel had a doubt. "General Landry, maybe we should come with an expert in technologies. Like doctor Lee?"

"Doctor Lee's on another planet with SG7." the general answered.

Colonel Mitchell and Captain Bradley suddenly stood up. Everyone turned to the briefing room entrance, the one near Landry's office.

Major General Jack O'Neill, Head of Homeworld Command, was standing in the doorway, in his blue dress, smiling.

"Hi everyone!" Jack greeted and waved.

Mitchell and Bradley sat back.

Daniel responded, "Hi, Jack. What a surprise! We didn't know you were coming!"

"Well, have some business to talk about with General Landry." Jack explained, approaching the table.

Hank looked a bit confused. "Yes, but not before tomorrow, Jack."

"Oh, really? My aide must have made a mistake in my schedule."

"Well, you'll spend more time here than expected, and it's always a pleasure to have you here, Jack." Landry finished with a smile.

Unlike the men, Vala didn't buy into Jack's excuse. She questioned, looking at him, "Are you sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that Colonel Carter's returning from Atlantis today for her briefings with the SGC and the IOA?"

Indeed, the SGC men seemed to have forgotten this detail, based on their reaction. Or maybe they hadn't, but they didn't understand, or pretended not to understand. The Head of Homeworld Command remained still, trying not to show his embarrassment and trying to stall for time. Vala had read his mind. However, he didn't want to confirm it out loud. Sam and he were keeping a low profile. As a matter of fact, everyone close enough to them could guess they were in a relationship, or at least, guess there was a special bond between them.

Hopefully, Mitchell came up with an idea. He suggested to Landry, "General, maybe we could..."

"I know what you're thinking, Colonel Mitchell, but Colonel Carter can't accompany you on P7X-098." Landry nicely interjected. "Actually, she won't make it to the SGC this time either."

Hank noticed his Washington peer was staring at him, as if he was requesting an explanation. The SGC general precised, "She's having a situation in Atlantis. She dialed us earlier this morning."

Jack's enthusiasm vanished. "Oh... That's... Too bad..." he stammered.

Landry didn't pay too much attention and notified SG1, "Besides, all our experts are currently unavailable. Nevertheless, it shouldn't prevent you from getting a first look at this installation until one of the experts is back. It should be a matter of two or three days. In the meantime, SG1, Captain Bradley, tell Faron and his leaders we're looking forward to the future friendship between our two people."

The lady bowed her head. Then, everyone left the room. Jack followed Hank into his office.