Disclaimer Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.

"Lookie, lookie, another day, another planet," Jack quipped, stepping away from the gate as he reached up and adjusted his ball cap.

"It could be worse, Jack," Daniel said, following the colonel down the short set of steps.

"And how's that, Daniel?" Jack asked, turning to watch Carter and Teal'c make their way through the gate and down the stairs.

"General Hammond could have been serious in his threat not to let you out of your office until you did all your paperwork," Daniel answered as the gate snapped shut.

"Considering you've generated half of it, you should be in there with me," Jack said. "Carter, where are we going?" he asked, calling out to his second in command, putting aside the banter to get down to the brass tacks of the mission.

"The MALP showed naquadah readings over that way, sir," she called out, pointing off behind the gate.

"Then that way we'll go," he answered. "Teal'c, take point."

They fell into their normal pattern, Teal'c in the lead with Carter behind him, followed by Daniel and Jack bringing up the rear. P4C482 was just your run of the mill planet. The stargate was set in the middle of a large plain covered knee deep in golden grass, dotted with the occasional batch of colorful wild flowers.

The air was warm and mild and reminded Jack of a picturesque Summer's day. Unfortunately, he knew the most innocuous days were usually the ones that snapped up to bite you in the ass. But, it looked like the other members of his team had the same idea, they were all alert, cautiously scanning the horizon as they walked.

It took them three hours to reach Carter's sample site, their only real delay coming when they had to ford a wide stream. Whomever had lived here before they'd abandoned the planet had built a bridge of sorts, large stones set in the stream a pace apart. It wasn't exactly graceful, but it did allow them the ability to cross without wading.

Their destination was another kilometer away. It was a high hillside, the sparse green grass scattered among four caves, their black maws dotting the hillside like the vacant eyes of a skull.

Jack was no geologist, but he knew that those caves weren't natural, rather man-
There was an air of sadness and desperation around the place, almost as if all the souls of those who'd perished here still lingered.

"Ya know, Carter, I have a feeling that the Goa'uld abandoned this place for a reason," Jack said, taking of his cap and scratching his head.

"I know, sir," she replied, holding out the scanning wand of one of her doohickeys. "And it's possible that the mine is totally depleted."

"It is also possible that the Goa'uld who administered this mine left under duress, with much of the naquadah resources left intact," Teal'c said.

"That too," Carter agreed, smiling at the towering Jaffa. "There's enough of something left here to set off the sensors on the UAV. We just need to determine if the naquadah here is worth mining."

"Ok," Jack sighed, seeing his hopes of getting home in time for dinner fading by the minute. "Any idea how long it will take you to find out whether this place is a waste of time?" he asked, knowing all too well just how annoyingly thorough his second in command could be. If she got too carried away, he'd have to have Teal'c drag her back to the gate. Jack had deliberately planned a day trip and they had only minimal supplies with them. Enough food for a couple of days, but no tents or sleeping bags.

"Not as much as you might think, sir," she said, setting her scanner down on the ground. She reached over her shoulder to unclip her pack from her vest. "Presuming, of course, that Daniel and Teal'c don't mind working a scanner." She pulled open her pack and drew out two more doohickeys.

"Carter?" Jack asked, raising his eyebrows at the odd idea of his Jaffa and linguist doing double duty as scientist.

"We can read the TV schedule, Jack," Daniel said. "And none of us are stupid enough to get between you and a Blackhawks' game." He leaned over and took one of the scanners from Carter.

"Indeed, O'Neill. Major Carter's calculations indicate that if all of us ascertain the levels of naquadah in this mine simultaneously, we will be able to accomplish our mission in half the allotted time."

"And be home by the time the puck drops," Carter said, grinning as Teal'c helped her put her pack back on.

"Don't I get one?" Jack asked, both hurt and amused by their plans.

"With all due respect, sir, no." Jack raised his eyebrows at her adamant declaration. "The general wouldn't sign off on it. Something about budgets and replacement costs," she said, grimacing slightly.

"Oh well," he shrugged, sauntering over to a large boulder. "Someone's gotta keep watch." He sat down and made a show of making himself comfortable while the trio stood there. "Chop, chop. Daylight's a-wastin'," he urged. They looked at each other and shrugged, then headed towards the caves. "Stay within sight of the opening," Jack called out. "I'm in no mood for spelunking."

*****

Do you want Sam hurt? Daniel? Or Teal'c?

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