You Don't Know Jack!
By Livi2Jack
Summary: What if Mini Jack is not a clone? Fragile Balance Re-written!
Category: AU, angst, adventure
Rating: T
Season Seven: 703 Fragile Balance
Characters: Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter, Teal'c, Daniel Jackson, Hammond, Col. Reynolds, Asgaard High Council
Pairings: None
Warnings: Language, situations
A/N: Written for Plot Bunny Challenge on Yahoo's Stargate (Plot) Bunnies From J. Toth. httpcolon/groups.yahoodotcom/group/StargateBunnies/
DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1" and its characters are the property of Sony Pictures, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.
A New Beginning
Samantha Carter looked at the ID card, recognizing it as her CO's. "He's a boy, Sir."
The kid was annoyed. "As it turns out, Carter ... yes, I am ... for the moment."
Somewhat amused, she replied, "Do I know you?"
"Come on ... it's me."
Major General George Hammond told Major Carter, "We tried to contact Colonel O'Neill, even sent someone to his house."
She looked sternly at the young man. "Do you understand how much trouble you're in right now? Impersonating a military officer is a federal offense."
The boy bent his head in frustration and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I am not impersonating anyone. I am Jack O'Neill."
Looks of disbelief accompanied more interrogation. The kid claimed he was O'Neill. The previous night, the kid claimed that he had gone home and awakened to find himself in a fifteen year old body. The others found that difficult to believe until he spouted off information only Colonel Jack O'Neill could have known. Top Secret information poured out of him with the usual Jack sarcasm. Each adult was stunned to hear it from a teenage boy who insisted vehemently that he was Colonel O'Neill.
The group conferred outside the holding room and decided that the only way to know was to run a DNA test. It came back confirming the kid was telling the truth. It was an exact match, no room for discussion. General Hammond called a briefing.
In the briefing room, Dr. Janet Fraiser, chief medical officer, said she had expert analysis just returned that confirmed it. To be sure, she sent a sample off to the Tok'ra to see if they could make any further determination. They had confirmed it was indeed Colonel O'Neill, without a doubt. No doubt at all, according to Selmak who would come by later that day.
General Hammond decided to call Thor. As usual, he wasn't answering the 'phone' from the Hall of Wisdom on K'tau. So General Hammond ordered Colonel Reynolds to keep trying. General Hammond went to call the President. In the meantime, someone had to feed the Colonel; after all he was a growing boy.
"You know, uh, I think you two are enjoying this just ... a little too much," Jack snarled stabbing his fruit loops.
Sam smirked, "Well ... you are kinda cute."
"That's 'Sir' to you." At that, Sam lost the smile rather quickly. "And being trapped inside a scrawny little body isn't my idea of cute, Carter."
Teal'c tried the diplomatic approach. "Does possessing a younger body not have certain advantages, O'Neill?"
"No. Not seein' it. What do you mean?"
"Do you not experience increased health and vitality?"
"My 'vitality' was just fine, thank you."
Carter chimed in, "I think what Teal'c is saying is valid. How many of us wouldn't trade everything for the chance to be young again ... live our lives over?"
"Yeah, well, I don't plan on staying like this."
"Well, in the meantime, may I make a suggestion? Try enjoying this as much as we are ... Sir."
An outraged Colonel O'Neill stood up and leaned over the table, glowering at Carter. "That's insubordinate, Major. In the future, you will keep a respectful tone. Dismissed."
As the entire commissary watched, Sam cleared her tray and left the room. Teal'c kept his face impassive. He had never seen O'Neill react so emotionally. But then, children often did over react.
"I don't want to hear it, T." Teal'c continued to stare back, silently. O'Neill stabbed at his bowl of cereal, looked around, and exploded. "Okay, WHAT!"
"I have never seen you react so…emotionally, O'Neill. While this is stressful, you have been in worse situations."
"And so, therefore, what?" Jack grumbled.
"Consider that the developing body has an effect on the mind and the emotions."
"My mind is fifty-one years old, T. This scrawny body, I don't plan on keeping."
"Indeed." Teal'c rose, leaving his tray on the table. He nodded to the SF guards who were watching over O'Neill.
Later that afternoon, the Team took Jack back to his house to search for clues as to how such a thing could have happened. They rifled through his house, even his underwear drawer. Jack was put out at the invasion of his privacy. He was more upset realizing his favorite leather jacket was too big to be used for years. In a snit, he threw it across the room. It landed in a heap on his bed.
Suddenly, Teal'c turned on a lamp, which shined right in O'Neill's face. The flash of light triggered a flashback. Jack remembered some green dots floating around and then an Asgaard face.
"Whoa," Jack exclaimed.
Teal'c turned his head slightly toward the young O'Neill. Daniel also diverted his attention to the boy from the chest of drawers to the boy. Sam's attention focused on to them as well.
"Either I'm ... remembering a particularly bad dream ... or the Asgaard paid me a little visit last night." Jack tried to remember more in his mind's eye. However, the memory eluded him. He sank down on the bed with his hands over his eyes. Then he got angry. "What could they possibly gain by shrinking me? I just saved their skinny grey butts from the Replicators. And this is the thanks I get?"
"Granted, the Asgaard owe you a great debt, O'Neill." Teal'c saw the boy's erratic emotions and tried to re-focus the Colonel on the facts. "However, they may think they have done you a favor to repay that debt."
"What?"
"Teal'c's got a point, Jack." Daniel pushed his glasses up his nose and started to speak rapidly. "We know they clone themselves so that each consciousness can live for hundreds if not thousands of years. They value their own individual continuity. Let's face it. You were coming to the end of your career and your life very soon by their standards."
"I see where you're going, Daniel," Carter jumped in. "They pre-empted the problem and figured they would do something anyway, why wait?"
"This I would not have agreed to," Jack snarled.
"Perhaps that is why they did it without your participation," Teal'c studied the ceiling rather than let his friend see his pity. But, Jack didn't miss a thing.
"Is that pity I see there Teal'c?" Jack asked in soft but deadly tones.
"All Jaffa children know without being told. It is unacceptable. They are born with the knowledge. It will not be tolerated."
"What? What are you babbling about?"
"Kek."
"What?" Jack looked to Daniel for translation.
"Death. Death? You mean death?
"Weakness. We use one word for both. For if one is weak, one may as well be dead."
"You are thinking that now I am a weak boy, so I need your pity? Is that it, Big Guy?" Jack looked from one to the other of his teammates. "Get this through your heads. It's more important to have a strong mind. I still have my mojo. As to this runt body, it's temporary." He got up and stormed out.
Bra'tac's words haunted Teal'c. His Jaffa Master had taught him well. O'Neill was right. A warrior's true strength came from his heart and his mind. Listening to the discussion around the briefing room table, Teal'c wondered if the Tau'ri understood that simple fact. To hear General Hammond explain it, O'Neill had just lost his position.
"While no one doubts that you may continue to be a valuable asset to the SGC, seasoned combat veterans, pilots, and senior staff are not going to respect the opinion of a boy."
"I'm not a boy, sir. For the moment, I just look like one."
"You're putting me in a difficult position, Jack. Try to understand."
"No offense, sir, but you aren't the one who went to bed watching CNN and woke up as part of the MTV generation."
"This is exactly why Major Carter will run the F-302 briefing."
"Sir, those men in that room need my expertise. I've flown that bird more times than anyone else, and did it in combat. Plus, you know, if they're gonna be working here, they're gonna ... have to start gettin' used to ... you know ... unusual things happening."
"But not today, Jack, not today. Dismissed."
After taking a break, Jack wandered back to Daniel's lab. He had to find a way to make everyone stop seeing the boy and see the man. His feet led him to Daniel, who was pouring over a computer terminal with Teal'c. For a moment, he stood there admiring their abilities. Jack knew he had the finest minds on his team. Teal'c was as smart as or smarter than both Daniel and Carter, but he never abused that fact. He was approachable and even tempered, actually a man of infinite patience.
Patience, where did his patience go today? Maybe Teal'c was right. Maybe this kid body was affecting his mind. He had a place here nevertheless. He had to assert the right quickly to that place or he would lose it. Jack made the decision, turned on his heal, heading for that F-302 briefing.
After a brief scuffle in the hall outside the briefing room, Sam came out to call off the guards. Jack shrugged his uniform back into place. Generously, he offered to forgo filing charges against the SF involved. He barely looked at Sam as he barged into the room.
"Sorry, I'm late." Jack stood before the group of pilots. "What'd I miss?"
Sam shrugged, "We were just covering the 302's flight capabilities."
Putting his hands in his pockets, Jack nonchalantly remarked, "Well, then, I'm just in time. Here's what you need to know."
"Major, is this a joke?" The Captain slouching in the front row was irritated.
Carter drew in a deep breath and replied, "No ... this is ... Colonel O'Neill."
The pilots looked at each other and smiled tolerantly. No doubt she was playing a practical joke.
"I'm only gonna say this once, so I'd suggest that you listen up."
The Captain scoffed not buying into the joke, "Whatever you say ..."
With authority only a CO can pull off, Jack leaned over and eyed the miscreant saying, "Hey! I realize it doesn't actually say 'Colonel' anywhere on my uniform, but it should."
The men in the room began to realize that the young boy was the real deal. The smirks disappeared. The Captain looked at Sam again for confirmation. She nodded in the affirmative. Instantly, the entire groups sat up a little straighter.
Apologetically, the Captain said, "Yes, sir."
Taking a deep breath, Jack began the lecture. "Now ... velocity is key during engagement with a glider. Now, your instincts are gonna tell you to floor it, because it's faster and more maneuverable, but you've got to stay in control." Turning his head to see the screen behind him, he was displeased with the slide. "Uh ... oh, yeah ... and the, uh, inertial dampeners only compensate 90 percent when pulling negative Gs. So the real trick is knowing your enemy so you can anticipate their next moves."
By then, the pilots were busy taking notes. Satisfied, he took his rightful place behind the podium, picking up the remote mouse. With the manner of an old pro, Jack began the computer presentation. With a click of the mouse, the screen rolled to a new diagram.
"Okay ... Death Gliders 101 ..."
"He really took over the briefing and they listened to him?" General Hammond tried to get his mind around this development. Jack was right. He could still command the respect of a roomful of seasoned pilots. Go figure. "I understand your loyalty to Colonel O'Neill, Major, but…"
"Sir, once they understood it was Colonel O'Neill, every man in there straightened up and behaved accordingly. The Colonel always did have a command presence and still does apparently," Major Carter reported. "Sir, I recommend that he be accompanied by an officer to start such meetings. After a while, it will become routine around here."
"Major you are forgetting one key piece of the puzzle. He can't go off world like that. He'll have to take a position here on the base. And then, we have to keep an eye on him at all times. We can't have him running around loose in a colonel's uniform off the base."
"Yeah, he might get picked up for truancy, sir." Carter managed to stifle a giggle.
"As funny as you think that is, it represents a security risk, Major. You'll do well to keep that in mind."
"Yes, sir, sorry, of course you're right. Sir, with your permission, I think I have a solution."
"I'm willing to listen to any proposal that solves this mess."
"Well, sir, why not send him to the Alpha Site? He can command the base there and never has to worry who sees him in uniform." She paused. "And then we'd have him somewhat contained, feeling useful, and within reach whenever we need him."
"It's the 'somewhat contained' that has me worried, Major. But I'll give it some thought." Hammond reached for the phone, as Carter made her retreat. Once she was out of earshot, Hammond dialed. "Yes, there are some avenues we are considering, sir. But I recommend we hold off until we have a chance to review this for a few more days. He's under guard. Yes, sir. I understand. Of course he's a risk. A teenager with the knowledge of the Stargate Program and our most secret issues is no laughing matter. Yes, sir, his body does have an effect on his emotions and his judgment. No, he won't be allowed to compromise the Program. Yes, sir, whatever it takes."
Colonel O'Neill sat in his office. It was unused. Mostly Jack took care of business on the way to one briefing or another, or from a phone in whatever office or lab people caught him in. His aide fielded the regular calls and made his calendar. Jack usually wrote his mission reports late at night in the quiet of the Briefing room, where he could see the Stargate. He claimed the chairs were more comfortable. No one contradicted him.
Jack liked watching the activity below and in the control room. Many evenings he was the O.D. or the Officer On Duty, so Hammond could go home to his grandkids. Jack's duties around the base were to take up the slack from Hammond and Hammond's aide. Hammond handled the administrative matters. Jack dealt mostly with mission personnel and issues related to their activities. Consequently, Jack faced a stack of memos to read that had been waiting well for …years? No, his aide had handled it, only passing along the more urgent items.
Jack's eyes wandered to his computer. Impulsively, he called up his 'Space Invaders' game. Lost in the action, he didn't hear Daniel come in.
"Oh that's going to solve lots of problems, Jack"
Instantly, Jack flipped the screen and looked up annoyed. "What do you want, Daniel?"
"Just wanted you to know that Teal'c and I finished our data search on alien abduction incidents. We found 19 incidents identical to your experience except the people didn't return as kids. All the same stuff as you described: green glowing globes, Roswell greys, floating, and cold. You know the drill."
"So it was the Asgaard?"
"Pretty much, yep," Daniel rocked back on his heels, hands in his pockets. "Okay, well ..." he sighed. "There's no easy way to tell you this so ... I'm just gonna come right out and say it."
Jack gave him a patient look waiting for the inevitable verdict of disaster.
"Well ... as you know, the Asgaard depend on cloning technology ..."
Cutting Daniel off, Jack snarled, "Oh, for cryin' out loud... "
"You weren't cloned."
"But I thought that's what they did. They clone a new body and transfer the consciousness."
"But not this time."
"What?"
"What?"
"And, so, therefore, what?"
"It means this is a huge significant breakthrough for the Asgaard. They suffer from grave medical conditions due to thousands of years of cloning. Ultimately, cloning will lead to the fall of their civilization if they can't solve the problem of diminishing returns in their cloning technology."
"Looks like they just did," Jack smiled ruefully. "And they tested it out on me?"
Daniel shrugged, "I would say so."
"Okay, I've heard enough. I want to speak with Thor…directly."
"How are you going to do that? SG-3 says he isn't answering the phone."
"That's because the right person isn't calling. C'mon." Jack launched himself out of his chair and out the door muttering, "I'm so gonna kick his skinny grey ass."
Jack barely managed to knock on Hammond's door before barging right in. Hammond looked up from the files in front of him.
"Is there something I can do for you, Jack?"
"Yes, there is, General. Remember that deal we made?"
"Deal?" Hammond looked confused.
"The one where you agreed to …buy back my soul?"
"Sure, Jack, what's on your mind?"
"Daniel here is sure it was the Asgaard. General I want to speak to Thor."
"We are still trying to reach him, Jack. SG-3 is still on K'tau."
"Yes, but I think he'd answer if I were calling."
"I can't send a boy off world. Request denied."
"Look, I know you don't think I am ... who I am ... but, as far as I'm concerned, I am ...who ... I am." Jack momentarily looked confused. "Oh I see. You don't care as long as you have me locked up here."
"Give me some credit, Jack. We don't know who or what you might be facing out there."
"On K'tau? Oh puh-leeze…er sir. Just give me a 9 mil and my P-90. I can take care of myself…and anyway, SG-3 and my team will be there with me."
Hammond stared at him not even bothering to dignify that request with an answer.
"Sir," Carter interjected from the doorway. "We have the test results back from the genetic analysis by the Tok'ra."
"Come in, Major. What did they say?"
"You're probably not feeling the effects yet ... but, something is happening to your body at the cellular level. Basically, your genetic structure is growing more unstable..."
"Oh for crying out loud, Carter…" Jack put two fingers together to indicate she should condense the information to the important part. Sam took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Unable to meet his gaze, she looked down for a second before continuing.
"Colonel ... you're going to get even younger." Carter looked at Hammond instead. "Sir, in the next 48 hours, he is going to regress another 25 percent to become about 11 years old."
"We have to stop this from happening again!" Jack was distraught.
"How do we know they aren't finished doing …I don't even know what to call this." Hammond looked to Carter for an answer.
"Exactly why you can't keep me around, hanging me out to dry, so you can use me as bait if they come for me again. You can't hope to intercept one of those Asgaard beams. C'mon, sir," Jack's steely eyes bored into his commander.
"A zat."
"Thank you, sir."
Five minutes later, SG-1 had geared up and stood waiting for the kawoosh to form. Each chevron seemed to lock into place with deliberate slowness. Jack was anxious to get on with it. He had a few choice words for the Supreme Commander of the Asgaard, heck the whole High-faluting Council. At last the seventh chevron locked and the wormhole to K'tau engaged with a splash.
The control room radioed SG-3 by relaying the signal via the M.A.L.P. The SGC used K'tau so frequently, Hammond arranged with the village elders to let a M.A.L.P. stay by the Gate. By now, they took it for granted that the 'elves' as they termed the SGC teams were a permanent part of their lives. K'tau people adhered to basic Norse mythology and worshipped Freyr as their god and protector. They had no idea that Freyr was a Roswell grey alien in a big space ship. As far as they could understand, the SGC people were his elves. As such they were entitled to use the Hall of Wisdom any time. That's where the Asgaard phone was.
Colonel Reynolds radioed the all clear. So Jack barreled through. The others scurried to catch up. As a fifteen year old, Jack had plenty of energy. Keeping up with him was an effort. Soon enough, they reached the village. Some of the townspeople stood by watching as more elves made their way to the Temple that housed the Hall of Wisdom. As the group made their way down the main street, each team member noticed the stares at Jack. Carter nudged Daniel who agreed quietly.
By the end of the shopping district, the headman of the village, Elrad, met them with his greeting party. They seemed curious. Jack was in no mood to spend time with the villagers, but Daniel stopped to greet them and be polite. Jack knew it had to be done. Like a teenager, he was completely frustrated being so close to his destination and unable to complete his purpose. Teal'c noticed Jack's uncharacteristic lack of patience.
"Greetings, Elves. Your friends are still in the Hall of Wisdom but have had no luck today. You are here to join them?"
"Yes, Elrad," Daniel answered respectfully. "We are. It's important that we speak with Freyr."
"Thor, Daniel, I want to speak with Thor."
Daniel shot him a look that said, 'quiet.' Instead he said, "Elrad, Colonel O'Neill has news for Thor and is anxious to impart it. I hope all is well with your people?"
"Thank you, Daniel. Yes, we are well. We confess that we are surprised Colonel O'Neill didn't come with you. Is he well?"
"I'm just peachy, Elrad, thanks for asking."
Elrad studied the boy not comprehending. "And who is this fine young man? We have not had the pleasure of meeting your young ones."
"I'm not a 'young' anything, Elrad. But, I am getting younger by the minute. Sorry but I need to go talk to Thor."
"That would be Flayman Elrad to you, young man." One of Elrad's acolytes took umbrage at the familiarity and tone from the boy addressing the village leader.
"Daniel."
"Jack."
"Tell them and let's get on with this shindig."
"Do you really think that's wise?"
"Daniel!"
"Elrad, I don't want to shock you, but he is Colonel O'Neill." Eyes turned to Jack trying to comprehend. "Thor, at least we think it was Thor, made him young again."
Gasps went around the assembly which had collected in the street to listen.
"Yeah, well, I don't plan on staying this way, excuse me folks." Teal'c reached out an arm and yanked O'Neill back into line with the rest of the Team. His sunglasses flew off his nose, revealing the most surprised look on his face. "And what do you want?"
"Courtesy, O'Neill. Now apologize to Flayman Elrad for being rude."
The look on Jack's face was priceless. He shrugged himself loose and paused, bending down to pick up and dust off his sunglasses. Then he apologized.
"Sorry, Elrad. I am not myself today." He put his sunglasses back on. "I know I look like a boy, but I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill." (Daniel whispered in his ear… "the elf…say it Jack.") Jack managed to say it. "I'm Colonel O'Neill…the elf… you have always known. Thor thought he was doing me a favor by making me young again."
You could have heard a pin drop on that muddy street.
"You have received a great gift if this is true!" Elrad studied Jack in disbelief.
"Well, right now, I'm on my way to exchange it for… socks. I need new socks."
None of the villagers understood the reference so Daniel added, "he wants to be put back the way he was." Murmurs of disbelief met that claim.
"What?"
"Sir, most of us would give anything to be able to do it all again with what we know now," Carter replied. "Elrad is right. It is a great gift and you want to throw it away."
"Carter, I'm stuck in a scrawny little body. I'm a kid again, getting younger all the time. And oh, right, I'm growing another zit. Can we please get on with this before you have to change a diaper?"
Carter startled at that notion. "Me, sir?"
"Move out, that's an order."
Jack pushed his way through the crowd which began to part for him. The team moved on after him. Once inside the temple, Jack removed his hat out of respect and padded down the aisle to the altar. The Team joined him as he put his hand on the stone. The white light of an Asgaard transporter beam engulfed them and deposited them in the underground chamber where a hologram of Freyr's Norse avatar began his pre-programmed welcome.
"Reynolds, can you shut that thing off!" Jack saw SG-3 sitting around the cavern eating lunch.
"On it Jack," Reynolds motioned one of his men to pull out the control panel and move the stone to the dialing position. "We put it back to re-boot it, hoping it would reset and we could finally reach them." Still no holoimage of the real Freyr appeared. The avatar freeze framed.
"Oy. Here, let me." Jack walked over to the thing and shut his eyes to concentrate. Holding the stone he re-positioned it. Immediately, a hologram of Freyr bending down wiping his butt appeared before them. It took everyone a moment to realize what Freyr was doing. Since Freyr had his head between his legs he didn't see them. Jack cocked his head to watch. He whispered to Daniel as Freyr closed his skin flap, "that explains a few things."
Freyr heard him and startled. Then he got mad and switched off the communication. With a smirk, Jack ambled back over to the control panel. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and moved the stones again. This time he called up the view of the High Council in session.
"Sir, how did you do that?" Carter walked over to look at what Jack had done with the stones.
"I learned this from the download I took of the Ancient's Repository of Knowledge."
"But didn't Thor get all that stuff out of your head so you wouldn't die?"
"Shhhhhh!" Jack pointed to the hologram. Then he stepped up on the center platform round and a light came on to transmit his image to the High Council.
"Hi guys!" O'Neill waved. The council members hissed realizing that O'Neill was addressing them. "Remember me? COLONEL JACK O'NEILL? HMMMM?"
Murmurs passed between the Council members. "I need to speak with Thor. Is he around?" Jack motioned his hand in a circle before himself. The High Councilor operated his data pad. The light above O'Neill shimmered. Louder murmurs swept the Council Chamber.
Of to the side, the rest of the expedition could only hear O'Neill's end of the conversation. Carter saw Reynolds's questioning look and shrugged with a frown.
"Colonel Jack O'Neill of Earth…Welcome to the Asgard High Council Chamber," intoned the High Archon.
Appearing as a hologram to the Asgard, O'Neill began, "Yeah, listen, thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I assume you can see me."
Carter and Daniel shared a look.
"Yes."
"Is Thor around here, you guys all kinda look…" O'Neill got a look from the Chief Councilor then clapped his hands tentatively in front of himself, swinging them all too casually to his sides.
The Chief Archon replied, "He is not."
"Okay," O'Neill looked away towards the team and half-smiled. "Well, then, I need a favor. I want you to make me big again. The raging hormones, the zits, the runt body…they don't work for me."
"It is not that simple," answered the Chief Councilor
"Yes it is! You've got the technology, don't you?" Jack rubbed the hairs at the nape of his neck. "I saved your little grey butts from the Replicators, and now I want your help. Just fix the damn body!"
Carter and Daniel winced. Daniel whispered to Reynolds, "little grey butts?" Reynolds rolled his eyes.
Carter sighed, "Yeah."
The Chief Archon was unmoved, "Unfortunately, we cannot."
"Okay, at the risk of sounding like the petulant inferior race…why not?"
The Asgard spoke amongst themselves in their own language. Jack lost his patience.
"C'mon, fellas, you owe me. I'm getting younger. Fifteen years old isn't the last stop."
"We are all greatly disturbed that this situation cannot be averted. We wish there was a way…" the High Councilor shrugged, "but there is not."
"You mean you are going to leave me like this?" Jack was more than irked. "What could you possibly gain by doing this to me?" He looked over at Daniel, "feel free to jump in here anytime, Dannyboy."
"Don't call me that, sonny," Daniel huffed. "I didn't like it before and I certainly don't now." But he did step on to the platform with Jack. "I take it you can't reverse the damage?" Daniel looked around the chamber, not recognizing anyone. "Thor?"
"He is not present, Dr. Jackson."
"Then, would you explain how this happened and why?"
"We have recently been advised that one of our former geneticists had been released from his confinement. We believe he had a hand in this matter. Thor is attempting to apprehend him as we speak."
"Former…as in?"
"The Asgaard in question was caught performing unsanctioned experiments on humans many years ago. He was removed from his position."
"What, you have sanctioned experiments?" Jack was put out.
"Loki, believed…"
"Loki?"
"The Norse god of mischief," Daniel patiently explained to Jack.
"He believed that O'Neill held the key to our cloning problems."
"They think I'm special," Jack preened to Daniel.
"But he is more than that."
"You just discovered something?"
"Actually, we have known for sometime. When the clinical trials began, Loki made an unauthorized but fortunate experiment for the Asgaard. He abducted O'Neill. But his inept methods resulted in this regression in form."
"Fortunate experiment? Yeah, that's what I'd call it…NOT!" Jack became incensed. "So that's why he got kicked out of the science club?"
"No, he had performed these experiments over thirty years ago, we eventually caught him."
"You mean you folks have been doing this for thirty years?"
"Jack, I think I see where this is going."
"Knock yourself out, Daniel."
"So, around thirty years ago, what did Loki do, that caused his removal?"
"He cloned humans with the Ancient's genome, transferred their consciousness to the clone bodies, and stored their original bodies in a facility we recently discovered."
"Stored as in?"
"What you would call 'cryogenic' preservation systems. We have recently revived many of the specimens to return them, but it is problematic."
"What?"
"Nearly forty years have passed. Some of the clones left in their places are now dead. So we have no consciousness to return to those bodies. And those that are still living we had to remove."
"You abducted more people? What for?"
"To retrieve their bodies for analysis and to transfer their consciousnesses to their original bodies."
"What?"
"However, some of the originals suffered damage during the previous cloning techniques and are unstable."
"What?"
"Jack, he's saying that this body you are in IS your original body. The older body was a clone."
"What? I want to be put back in the real me!"
"You are in the real you, Jack. This body is your original body. The older body wasn't your real anything. Worse, they damaged the original, to boot."
Jack looked down at himself in horror, then at Daniel, then at the High Council. He could hear Carter sucking in her breath and groaning.
"Where's my 'other' body?"
"It has been destroyed during the analysis."
"You can't just leave him like this, he's going to regress to being 11 yrs old," Daniel reported.
"Yes, we are aware. However, we believe we have a solution to the defect caused during the original cloning procedures."
"That's good," Jack sighed blowing out his cheeks in relief. "Why didn't you say so sooner?"
"We took this long to make certain the procedure worked before we attempted it on you. We were going to return to retrieve you, O'Neill," the High Councilor stated patiently.
"I should hope so, considering all this man has done for you." Daniel pushed his glasses back up his nose and turned back to check Sam's reaction. She seemed relieved. "They can put you back to your real age, Jack." He patted Jack on the shoulder. Jack glowered.
"No, Doctor Jackson, but we can stabilize him at his current level of development so that he will age at a normal human rate."
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"I just said what?"
"Well don't do it again."
"We offer our apologies, O'Neill for any inconvenience."
"Yeah, that's what I'd call it, an inconvenience," he snarled sarcastically. "You can't return those people, not just yet. You didn't do it, did you?"
"We just returned them to the SGC, O'Neill."
"WHAT!"
"Jack!"
"Daniel, so help me…"
The beam of light changed. Jack and Daniel disappeared. SG-3 and Sam exchanged worried looks. But by then, both men were back. Instantly, the group reappeared in Freyr's Temple, having been effectively kicked out of the Hall of Wisdom.
"Sir, I am sor…"
"Don't say it, Carter." With that, Jack stormed out back to the Gate, muttering it was the last time he saved their sorry asses.
"Now, what Daniel," Carter asked?
"Now we go home and deal with it."
"Actually, no, Dr. Jackson. I have orders to route Colonel O'Neill back to the Alpha site. But you two and Teal'c can go back to the base after we have gone through."
"What's wrong, Colonel?" Daniel huffed as they trudged back to the Gate watching Jack fairly skid up to the DHD.
"Colonel O'Neill! Wait!" Reynolds hustled up to the DHD and grabbed Jack's hand.
"Reynolds's, I don't hold hands with men, unless there's something you want to tell me?"
"Sorry Jack, I have orders. We go to the Alpha Site first."
"Oh….oh. I get it. I'm a security risk. That's just peachy." But he lowered his hand and stepped back. By then the rest of the Team caught up. Reynolds began dialing the Alpha Site, when Jack unloaded his zat on Reynolds and each of the Team in succession, until he got to Teal'c. Their eyes met. Jack saw the sympathy in his friend's eyes.
"I shall not impede you, O'Neill."
"Thanks." Jack studied the Jaffa for signs of deception and found none. Then, Jack began to dial one of the planets he knew. "I'm going to wash my trail. Don't bother to follow."
"On the contrary, I wish to accompany you. I can be of assistance."
"I can't ask you to do that, T."
"You did not, O'Neill." Teal'c put his hand between Jack's and the DHD.
"I can't go back. They are planning to kill me."
"Indeed."
"Are you sure about this?"
Teal'c finished dialing a Gate address O'Neill didn't recognize. His eyes met Teal'c's with a question.
"I have my own resources, O'Neill. Fear not." Placing his hand on the center of the DHD, Teal'c saw the kawoosh engage. "Follow me if you wish to live." With that, Teal'c walked resolutely to the event horizon and stepped through.
Jack didn't wait for a second invitation.
As SG-3 with Major Carter and Dr. Jackson returned from the Alpha Site, General Hammond watched from the window of the briefing room. His face was set in a grim expression. All the returnees from the Asgaard had been dispatched to the Alpha Site. The security of the Stargate program had been maintained by Presidential order. Hammond didn't like it. But he wasn't paid to like it. He had done some damned distasteful things in his time. This was one of the worst.
As of 1700 hrs this day, Hammond had resigned.
The President refused the resignation. Instead he ordered the SGC to hunt down O'Neill. The boy presented the greatest security risk to the planet as long as the Goa'uld or anyone else could capture him and extract information. In the meantime, all access codes were changed. Computers randomly re-generated all passwords. Since Jack went AWOL, his official possessions were confiscated. As far as the rest of the world knew, Jack O'Neill was officially Missing In Action (M.I.A.).
TBC