SG1-16 Four Dragons Read Online Free Page A

something you really want. Better yet, something that you really need — ”
    “For crying out loud, Daniel, it’s not going to happen so give it a rest,” Jack yelled loud enough for everyone in the mess to turn around. In the ensuing silence, a pin could have dropped.
    Game over and fail. Time for the direct approach. “Jack, it’s important. Trust me on this. You want to find the Lost City, don’t you?”
    “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not quite the idiot you think I am.” Jack took one look at the folks still in the mess and they went back to minding their own business. “I know all about Dixon’s latest Chinese ruins find.”
    “We can’t randomly jump from one planet to the next, searching for clues,” Sam added. “It’s not a good use of our resources.”
    Daniel leaned forward, desperate to get them to understand. “This isn’t only about Chinese ruins. Colonel Dixon said they found some Ancient writing as well. If I’m going to make any sense out of that tablet, the more Ancient writing I can see, the better.”
    “Yet Major Carter is correct,” said Teal’c. “In choosing destinations that contain Ancient ruins that might aid in your research, should we not be more cautious with our choices?”
    Jack’s head shot up and he stared at Teal’c.
    “As Teal’c says, you must choose with care,” Bra’tac said. “Time is of the essence. There is word amongst what is left of the Fifth Column that Anubis is once again on the rise.”
    Daniel shook his head. “But this could be significant. If there’s a link between — ”
    “Fine then,” said Jack. “We’ll go.”
    Daniel’s jaw dropped. Had he really, finally, won a round with Jack O’Neill? “You’re serious.”
    “Sure.” Jack grabbed the plate of Boston Cream pie out of Daniel’s hand and set it down. “If Hammond approves the mission, we’ll leave at…,” he checked his watch, “how’s oh eight hundred in the morning sound?”
    Daniel jumped from his chair, his mind already racing ahead to the books he’d need to pack for reference. “This is great. I’ll just collect — ”
    “Not so fast.” Jack waved his fork. “Yes, SG-1 is going to P3Y… whatever. They’ve already found a ring platform, and if there’s one, there could be others, so SG-13 shouldn’t babysit the dig alone. Carter and Teal’c will watch their sixes.”
    “Now hold on a second,” Daniel said as he snatched back the plate. “What about us?”
    “Oh, we’re going, too. Give me that.”
    Daniel surrendered the plate. “If we are going, I’ll need to grab my lexicon. Dr. Balinsky’s initial report seemed to indicate early pre-dynastic writing… Though it could be Xian — ”
    “You won’t need it,” Jack said, his mouth full.
    Not liking the sound of that, Daniel pulled the plate back. “You want to explain why?”
    “Not really,” Jack said.
    “I think I deserve an explanation.”
    Jack dropped the fork and stared back at Daniel. “Fine. You want an explanation? You’ll be busy with… other things. My reason? I’m still not convinced you’re as mission-ready as you think you are.”
    “What… what are you talking about?” Daniel stammered, not believing his ears. He turned toward Sam for support. “Only days ago, I covered your back when Sam and I planted explosives on Baal’s new ship.”
    “That’s not the same thing,” Jack said, warning Sam off with a look.
    “As what?”
    “Just forget it,” Jack replied. “No ancient relics for you. Oh, sure, we’ll go. But you and I are going to find a nice secluded place to get in some target practice.”
    “You want to explain to me why?”
    “Trust me,” Jack replied, snatching the plate from his hands. “I have my reasons.”
    Stunned, and more than a bit angry, Daniel watched Jack demolish his cake while silently planning to sneak in a few useful books on Xian dynasty language. Playing soldier wasn’t going to get in the way of what he wanted — needed