The Power Behind

SG-1 are asked by the Tok'ra to rescue a creature known as Mujina. The last of its species, Mujina is devoid of face or form and draws its substance from the needs of those around it. The creature is an archetype - a hero for all, a villain for all, depending upon whose influence it falls under. And the Goa'uld Apophis, understanding the potential for havoc Mujina offers, has set his heart on possessing the creature. About the Author Steven Savile has edited a number of critically acclaimed anthologies, including Elemental, Redbrick Eden, and Doctor Who Short Trips: Destination Prague. He also compiled Smoke Ghost & Other Apparitions and Black Gondolier and Other Stories, the collected horror stories of Fritz Leiber. He is the author of the Von Carstein Vampire trilogy (Inheritance, Dominion, Retribution) set in Games Workshop's popular Warhammer world. He wrote the best-selling original audio novel Torchwood: Hidden for BBC Audiobooks, as well as a novel based in the Primeval universe. He has also written for Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and four incarnations of The Doctor. TEASER: Teal'c roared. Fifty feet from the gate the blue water of the event horizon ripped out of the aperture. The way home was open. O'Neill had done it. Teal'c saw the colonel go down again. The sucking silence that followed was hideous. Then both Carter and Daniel Jackson were yelling this time the sound was primal and filled with fear for the fallen O'Neill. Teal'c ducked beneath a wild burst of fire from a Jaffa weapon, and ran, hard, fast, keeping low, his arms and legs pumping. A burning man staggered across his path. The flames consumed him, turning his flesh to blistered sores. Teal'c fired once, putting the Jaffa out of his misery, and was past him. He ran to O'Neill's side and gathered him into his arms. The colonel shuddered once, violently, and opened his eyes. Go! he rasped. Indeed, Teal'c said, rising. He watched Daniel Jackson's back disappear through the gate and followed him. We do not leave men behind, O'Neill. That is the law. But O'Neill had lapsed into unconsciousness.