Free SG1-17 Sunrise by J. F. Crane

couldn’t help thinking back to Daniel’s talk of war, plague, and disaster. There was definitely something post-apocalyptic about the dark, empty skyscrapers that loomed along the outskirts while the city’s tiny heart flickered with the plasma-glare of 180” screens hanging from the sides of buildings.
    Rhionna kept them far away from the light as she led them through the city, and Jack was grateful—if only because he was spared from having to watch more of the god awful soap being pumped out into the streets.
    “You’d think they’d get bored,” Carter murmured.
    “Beggars can’t be choosers,” Daniel said. He was a couple of steps in front, head turning from side to side as he tried to take it all in at once. “If this is the only entertainment they can get, the only culture permitted…”
    “It is the only culture they want,” Rhionna said, glancing back at them. There was anger in her dark eyes, a flare of frustration. “They are like animals at the trough, eating only what they are given, without question.”
    “But you question,” Daniel said. “What makes you different?”
    Her expression sharpened and she looked away. “What I have seen,” she said with a frown. “What I will show you.”
    It was the truth, Jack thought, but not the whole truth. There was something she wasn’t telling them.
    Up ahead, a knot of people suddenly appeared around a corner. Rhionna stopped dead, breathing something under her breath. It was difficult to make out details, but Jack knew a soldier when he saw one and instantly raised his weapon. Teal’c and Carter did the same, only Daniel lifted empty hands. “Daniel,” Jack hissed, jerking his head in a get-behind-me motion.
    Daniel ignored him, of course. “Who are they?” he said to Rhionna.
    “The Elect Guard. Stay here.” Over her shoulder she glanced at Jack. “Lower your weapon.”
    “I don’t think so.”
    The soldiers had also stopped, taking up a defensive posture as one man detached himself from the group.
    “Captain Tanner,” Rhionna said, walking toward him.
    “Brother Camus thought you would have some hand in this business,” the captain said. He spoke quietly, more anxious than angry. “Would that I had not discovered you.”
    “Then look with blind eyes, Captain,” she said. “I am taking them to the Badlands.”
    Badlands?
Jack exchanged a look with Daniel who just shrugged.
    The soldier spared them a glance. “Tonight? Rhionna—they staked three in the Burn just yesterday. Three found in the tunnels. It’s not safe.”
    “This is my only chance to show them.”
    “But to what end?”
    “To…” She hesitated. “They need information. Does not the Message teach that we should help those in need?”
    With a snort, Tanner said, “I had not thought you paid so much attention to the Message, Rhionna.”
    “Only when it is in my interest to do so.” Reaching out, she touched the man’s arm. “They seek
Sciath Dé
. If they can find it…”
    The captain looked from her face back toward SG-1. “You have no reason to trust them; did they not come from the Other Place?”
    “Tanner, you know we must question all we are told. Everything we know of the Other Place is told to us through the Message. How can we trust it?”
    He looked down at his boots, thinking. At Jack’s side, Carter mouthed ‘Other Place?’ When Tanner spoke again, it was in a voice so low that Jack could barely hear him. “Very well, this night my eyes are blind to you and my men will keep their silence. But go quick, Rhionna Channon. The Elect fear these strangers.”
    “I know,” she said. “And that is why we should trust them.” She squeezed his arm. “My thanks, Captain Tanner, to you and your men. I know what you risk.”
    Then she turned back to Jack and beckoned them forward. “We must hurry. This way.” With that, she disappeared around a corner.
    Carter broke into a jog to follow, Daniel and Teal’c on her heels. Jack brought up the