Free Rebellion by Bill McCay Page A

roll down without problems-not to mention big trucks. Daniel was so angry, he flung himself out of the howdah before the mastadge stopped moving-and nearly got himself stomped on. After managing the avoid the mastadon-like beast's huge, klutzy feet, Daniel began running for the ramp. "What the hell are you guys do-" He skidded to a stop after confronting something he hadn't noticed in his anger. There was a military presence around the pyramid. Marine troopers in desert camouflage were aiming rifles at him. Slowly, Daniel spread his arms to show that his hands were empty. "Hey, guys. No gun, see? I speak the same language you do, right? You can't shoot me. I'm the translator."
    An all-American civilian type with the word executive written all over him came storming down the ramp. "What are you people playing at-Lawrence of Arabia on mutated camels? You could have gotten hurt, wandering into a construction zone." "Yeah, well, we didn't see any warning signs up about getting crushed or shot," Daniel retorted. "Our only clue was the explosion when you blasted our pyramid." "Your pyramid? I believe our Mr. Draven made it clear that we required unlimited access to the StarGate." "But we didn't know unlimited access'
    meant blowing holes in an eight thousand-year-old monument so your bulldozers could roll. The least you might have done is given us some warning." The executive looked at Daniel as if the Egyptologist were something extremely unpleasant he'd scraped off his shoe. "You must be Jackson." "Daniel Jackson, Ph.D. And you?" "Eugene Lockwood. I'm the UMC site manager. And right now we're preparing the site." "Way to go, Lockwood. You've got a start on your truck route, and all it cost you was any goodwill Draven built up among the people who live here. Take a look at them." Daniel gestured to Kasuf and the other Elders, who stared at the wreckage Lockwood's plans had created. Their expressions were critical, to say the least. "On the other hand, the sooner we get into production on the mine, the sooner UMC can offer things this world needs." Lockwood nodded toward Kasuf and the Elders. "You might tell them that." "I'll tell them that-it's about time you turned up!" Daniel was looking over Lockwood's shoulder at a newcomer to the confrontation.
    Jack O'Neil was not in a good mood. "I got here as soon as I heard that UMC requested a security team for their ... alterations." "Your guys nearly shot us when we came to investigate the blast," Daniel accused.
    "A calm, laid-back investigator like you?" O'Neil raised an eyebrow.
    "How could that be?" One week later, Skaara took his seat for Daniel's third English class. Actually, it was a joint teaching effort, with Daniel and Sha'uri at the front of the room. What concerned Skaara was the growing number of empty seats. He counted only half as many students as had appeared at the first class. Daniel noticed it, too. "Is it something I said?" he asked, trying to make a joke of his misgivings.
    "I may not have the world's greatest accent in your language. That's why I asked Sha'uri to join me." "It's not your teaching-or your accent," one of the students apologized. "It's the classes those others are giving at their camp." "The camp" had quickly crept into the vocabulary of everyone in Nagada. In mere days, Lockwood had created a tent city on the rocky plateau that supported the StarGate pyramid. A constant stream of material seemed to be transiting over from Earth. In addition, the security force of Marines commanded by Jack O'Neil had taken up defensive positions. Although the Marines offered far more protection than his home guard unit, Skaara had maintained the watch on the pyramid. It was more of an exercise for the young men, but Skaara had gotten reports of a continuing trickle of Nagadans visiting the encampment. "So what have they got that we don't?" Daniel asked.
    "Prettier teachers? Or are they grading on the curve?" He waved his hand. "I'm sorry. I'm making bad jokes-and