I'm trying to fire one active link, then create a pause for 5 seconds, and have the second active link fire. Any ideas? Is there a SQL command that I can run as a "direct SQL" action in my active link?

ARS 4.5.2. SQL Server 7.

a) Create a dumyy table
b) Implemt your active link to run direct sql to update this table
c) Implement a triger to observee the change on this table and pause for 5 secounds by using pl/sql or t./sql utility in Oracle/MS SQl or syb

you could try writing a perl or shell script that would look something like this:
#!/usr/bin/perl
sleep(5);
return(1);

so, do a set fields using $PROCESS$ calling this script.... the script would 'sleep' for five seconds and then return the value '1' to your AL...

Enjoy!