A desert planet, one of myriads like it in a vast galaxy. And yet, for some reason, I feel a slight, almost tremulous excitement. Here, crystals sprout straight from the sands, bestowing extraordinary beauty upon this inhospitable world. A planet with intelligent crystalline life. The scientist in me rejoices, the humanist even more, realizing that these amazing creatures have not yet fallen victim to the mindless cruelty of the Goa'uld. True, their own capacity for violence is somewhat alarming.
— No one is to touch the crystals. They contain enormous energy.
- Yes sir.
"Send a signal to base. We need to transport the gate out of this region. I could easily hide my glider here and establish a scientific base. A race of crystals like these is truly astonishing. If there were a standard procedure for the SGC, for a crystal, like O'Neill, to donate blood and undergo tests... Essentially, become human. The crystal performed a direct transmutation: energy into matter. It could even change into human clothing. In essence, crystals are capable of doing almost anything Merlin's device can do at will. It's an instinctive atomic forge. And they most likely also read electrical impulse signals, which is what allowed them to gain speech." I stepped back. "Step back."
After which, just in case, he activated his energy shield.
"I'm monitoring your readings. I assume you're a silicon-based life form, but you have a lot of energy. If you understand me, you can change your color spectrum."
The crystal began to change its structure, trying to imitate my face.
— Okay, that's fine too. Hello. It's a friendly greeting. I'm Sareh.
"Unity," the entity replied.
"Is each crystal your body, or do you possess individual thought and abilities? Like me and those people?" I asked, pointing at the Jaffa.
"I am aware of my existence, but in your language there is no possibility of 'infecting' me.
— Are you talking now?
— Yes.
"Excellent. I am Szarekh, a representative of the Goa'uld race. However, the body you see in the optical spectrum belongs to the human race. Races are different types of intelligent life. Our life is carbon-based. Within our bodies is a static charge of energy that allows us to control various architectures. Frankly, I wasn't planning on giving a lecture, but this is all I can give you."
"Amazing," the crystal's voice rang out. "Our abilities allow us to imitate each other."
— So you all look the same, at least in the visual spectrum.
"Yes," the crystal confirmed.
— So you considered this the most advanced form of existence you had seen?
— Yes.
— Interesting. Can energy leave the crystal?
- Yes. So we explored our world, studied it, but we never encountered creatures like you.
"I, too, have never encountered beings like you, only heard stories. Some members of the human species, flesh and blood, can undergo a process known as Ascension. Flesh becomes energy and obeys only the mind."
- This is amazing.
"I agree. But I'm not capable of such a thing. I know where a representative of such a people might be, but I don't know the address of the gate. So, if you want to meet, I can't help. Goodbye. I want to establish an outpost here to establish communication. Is that okay with you?"
- No, we'll be interested. We're very curious.
"Yes, yes, but don't get close to me with your energy. Your energy will come into contact with mine, and that will lead to the end of my life cycle. That's why I have this sphere of energy around me; it protects me from harm."
"It's imperfect. It doesn't work well." He noticed the crystal with my face on it.
"I know. We just need to develop a common language to discuss broader topics. I don't have the resources yet, but I will soon. So bear with me."
- How many?
"How do you measure the passage of time? We measure it by the cycle of day and night. This is the basic unit of measurement for the planet. Time is a rather specific indicator, since day and night function differently on different planets."
— We notice the absence and presence of light. It nourishes us.
- Excellent. I'll be back in a few nights. Maybe even sooner.
I give myself a thumbs up for excellent diplomatic skills. I wasn't fried, and the Jaffa didn't shoot anyone. Yes, that's already an achievement. We need to send someone from Urvashi here. Local scientists. Yes, they don't measure up to the standards of 21st-century Earth scientists, but I'll let you in on a secret. Aristotle systematized all the laws of logic. So the difference between scientists of Aristotle's time and those of today is only the vast wealth of knowledge accumulated by the latter over two thousand years of scientific research. So there's no point in dismissing my scientists as incompetent. They will become so if the crystal kills them.