8: New Planet

{Secret Cove, California, Earth}

(Open POV)

"SG-4 went to that code you got from the elder on Onenides. They reported nothing of military interest… unless you find something there, I think it'll be safe to say that this planet is uninhibited."

Jennifer and Aaron nodded, both sitting on the same side of the conference table. Quinten sat alone on his side, feeling a little left out after he'd heard about the party they'd gotten to participate in. But, as everyone noticed, he was still his grumbly self.

"Sounds good to me. I can't see why a place would be abandoned unless there's a reason." Jennifer spoke out, Aaron nodding.

"That's what I like to hear. Pack up. You leave at 1400 hours."

As everyone got up to go get ready, Whitaker looked to Quinten. "And you, Colonel."

Quinten paused in his movement, looking to Whitaker.

"You hold your tongue about Jennifer."

"Yes, sir." Quinten responded, sounding almost sheepish.

"Then you are free to go on this mission to O98-T3D."

"Thank you General."

{1400 hours}

Colonel Quinten Frost stood there, his arms crossed. His weapon rested on his hip, loaded and ready to go. He was tired of waiting. He wanted to stretch his legs and explore another planet that Jennifer's boy toy wouldn't be at. Yes, he was still mad about being knocked out, though it had happened only weeks prior. He frowned even more as he saw Aaron and Jennifer walking in together, talking as if they'd been best friends their entire life.

"Are we ready to go now?" Quinten asked, only getting an eye roll from Jennifer and a nod from Aaron. "Then let's go!"

The Stargate was activated, and off they went on another planetary mission.

{Unknown Planet}

(Jenkins POV)

It wasn't that hard to land after going through the gate, but landing in shifting sand? Definitely not what he expected when he landed. Neither were the others, if he was honest. He saw Jennifer at least land on her back while Quinten landed on his face. When he gained his ability to stand and move through the moving sand, he helped Jennifer up first. Quinten was a big boy, he could save himself, much like Aaron was.

"Thanks Aaron."

"Don't mention it."

Looking around, they didn't see much. Maybe some mountains off in the distance, and what might have been some trees, but all that it had really been around them was sand, sand, and more sand. Not much to really look at.

"Alright… SG-3 said that the area that might be of any interest is this way." Quinten grumbled, which only made Aaron yawn, finding his attitude still rather boring.

"Colonel, when are you going to lighten up? Not everything is here to kill us, and not everyone is dangerous. Hell, Jen pointed out that some people are merely misunderstood because of a language barrier."

"Jen?" Quinten turned towards him, a scowl on his face.

"Uh, yeah? She sometimes prefers the shortened version of her name because her name is long? Oh, that's right. You're not friends with her because you bash her at every moment you can."

Quinten scowled more but didn't say anything, simply turning to head in the direction the previous team had gone. That reaction alone had both Jennifer and Aaron looking at each other. This was certainly a change of events.

After walking for some time, they came upon what Jennifer had told him was like a temple. He watched her perk up and suddenly hasten her steps.

"H-Hey! Wait for me!" He called out, following as quickly as he could. He could hear Quinten grumble behind him. Ignoring him, they further went into the temple, his own eyes gazing about in wonder. "Wow… Hey, Jen, are these what they're supposed to look like when they're still put together?"

He heard her soft "mhm." "You're right. This is exactly what we would have seen back home if weather and natural occurrences hadn't happened. It's amazing, isn't it?"

"It is… But who is this temple worshiped for?"

"Give me a minute to translate and I'll get back to you on that."

"Yeah, go for it. I'm just going to look around." He answered as he started to wander around the temple. He noticed a statue with some offerings of what looked to be ale or beer, as well as some meat that looked smoked. There was a lot here, all stuff any typical guy would like. There was even a little wading pool looking area nearby. It caught him all by surprise, if he was being honest.

"If I am reading this right, it's the temple of Theandrios. He was the God of men and masculinity."

He turned his head to look at her, actually finding this interesting. "Really? What all happened with the God?"

"Well, he was worshiped in hopes that they would grow to be big and strong, enough that if something happened, like a disaster, they could help out without a single worry."

He watched her admire the mural nearby until he started to grow a headache, his hand reaching his temple. He watched her through a haze as she approached the statue.

"He's fairly popular with men, so it doesn't surprise me that there was a temple rectified for him. However, to see offerings still given, though this place looks absolutely deserted… That's a surprise."

He didn't get a chance to respond as Quinten attacked from behind. Quinten's arm wrapped around Aaron's neck, making it difficult to breathe until Aaron slammed his fist backwards into Quinten's nose.

(Open POV)

Both men stared at one another, waiting to see if the other would move first. It was breath for breath until both suddenly charged at one another. Quinten positioned himself to deliver a haymaker, but with Aaron being a bit smaller than Quinten, he managed to shift his position to avoid it. Instead, his fist hit Quinten in the stomach a couple of times, actually making Quinten jump with each bash.

With another twist, Quinten managed to get Aaron to land on the floor after swiping his legs with his own. Landing a few kicks against Aaron's chest and side, Aaron grasped his boot and pulled, sending Quinten to the ground. Quickly moving, Aaron climbed on top of Quinten and started to punch as much as he could into his cheeks. A snap was heard, Quinten's nose breaking. That's what seemed to break both of them out of the trance they were in.

(Quinten's POV)

"Shit dude… You throw a lot of punches… That last one was good though… Get off."

He felt Aaron climb off of him as they both panted a little bit. Until they realized… It was a little too quiet. Looking around, he spoke first.

"Where's Jennifer?"

(Jen's POV)

A soft groan left her lips as she slowly started to sit up. Looking around, even as her eyes were hazy because her glasses were gone, she could tell she was in some sort of cave. She slowly started to move and pressed her hand to the cool wall next to her.

"Must be under the sand…" She whispered softly, squinting to try and make sense of anything.

A hazy figure moved in front of her, making her continue to squint.

"See, I told you women are nothing but evil!" Someone whispered.

"E-Excuse me?" She called out softly. "Do you, by chance, have my glasses? I can't see all that well without them…"

There was silence for a few moments. She could see a few more hazy figures appear, but she couldn't make heads or tails of who they were, let alone if they looked like normal humans, or possibly the first true kind of Alien they'd yet to meet on their… Well… Should be considered second excursion.

"What is your name?"

She blinked, then squinted. "My name is Jennifer. I must have fallen or something, I was with two other gentlemen…"

"You did not fall. We took you from the surface. Tell us, why are you here?"

"Well, my friends don't know how to read Ancient Greek, so they bring me along to translate as well as give them like… A lesson in history."

"You are not here to attack us? Make us your slaves?"

She was taken back by that comment. "W-What? No! For heaven's sakes, I'm just interested in the culture you have! I would never enslave anyone!"

There seemed to be some murmurings until one stepped closer.

"Do you speak the truth?"

"I do! I can't even get any animals to do what I want. What makes you think I could change you into a slave? Besides, you have the advantage. I can't see you at all, and your temple is protected by Theandrios. I wouldn't be able to do anything even if I wanted to."

"You figured out our God?"

She heard some more murmurs before another figure stepped forward. She felt soft fingers brushing against her free hand. With a soft, controlled breath, she didn't pull away. She heard the soft crack of her glasses being pressed to her palm.

"We are… Most sorry…"

She closed her fingers around the frame of her glasses and figured out why they said they were sorry. She no longer had any lenses in the frame of her glasses. She let out a soft sigh, then looked at them as much as she could, though she didn't squint. It didn't help either way.

"It's alright. I needed new glasses anyways. It just means that you'll have to help me to move about this place… If you let me walk around."

"We shall care for you… As long as you tell us stories of the different worlds you've visited."

"How did you-"

"You came through Olympus."

"Olympus? You mean the Stargate?"

"You may call it Stargate… We call it Olympus."

"Actually… That's fairly suiting for the cultures I've seen."

"Then come. We shall guide you."

The same hand that gave her the broken pair of glasses back carefully took her palm in his. Another hand, much larger than the other one, took her other hand. Neither tugged her, but walked in unison to escort her away. Being surrounded by a whole bunch of men, now that she could distinguish voices a little more clearly… Wasn't that supposed to be every woman's fantasy?