Hours later, Sam is asleep and my legs are not responding because they are asleep too. I have been thinking and have come to only one conclusion, they need each other. And I plan on helping them, but first I need answers, which I cannot get while sitting here.
With Teal'c's help, I placed Sammie onto a cot next to Jack's pod. After placing a sleeping bag over her, I leave the chamber. As I leave the chamber, I notice that there are more people here than there was earlier. I realize that many of them are the scientists from the Prometheus and that they probably were in the way on board. Major Longo scored another point in my book.
"Teal'c, I would like to speak to you and Dr. Jackson, but I would rather not leave Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill unguarded."
"Fear not General Hammond. Six SF soldiers will be taking my place once I leave my place." He waved his hand and the six SF soldiers appear out of nowhere.
"Gentlemen, whatever you hear from this chamber will not be spoken about. EVER. Do you have any questions?" I ask.
"No Sir." They respond.
"The only people allowed to enter are I, Teal'c, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Frasier, and General Carter. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." They responded and took their places.
As Teal'c and I moved away from them, one of them spoke up. "Sir, is Colonel O'Neill going to die?"
Teal'c and I turn around and stare at the young officer. "Not if I can help it soldier."
"Good sir. Because I want to shake his hand and thank him for what he does for the rest of us." The soldier smiles then snaps to attention and gives me crisp salute, which I return while Teal'c nods. With that we head off to find Dr. Jackson.
"General Hammond, this is not Atlantis." Dr. Jackson says.
"You said that once already Daniel. What I want to know is what this place is." I say.
"From what we have been able to discover, this was a satellite outpost left to defend earth after Atlantis left. This outpost also was home to the second gate. So far we have determined that the ice shifted about 10,000 years ago and caused the gate to slip into the cavern we discovered it in."
"What about the lost city of Atlantis Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.
"Well according to some of the computer files we were able to retrieve, the Ancients took Atlantis and headed off to the heavens; I am fairly certain that the lost city of Atlantis is really a city ship which left Earth thousands of years ago."
"And you believe that they left this…outpost here in order to protect Earth." I ask.
"Yes sir. Also the Antarctic gate is the original gate for this planet. The gate we found in Giza was brought here by Ra when he came here. We had just finished the carbon dating of the gates a few months ago and I remember Sam telling me about it."
"General Hammond, this is Prometheus."
I reach for Teal'c's radio and respond. "Prometheus this is Hammond."
"Sir, our limited sensors have detected another ship entering our atmosphere and heading for your exact location, ETA is 4 minutes."
"Can you identify it Major?"
"Sir…it's the Asgard. It is Thor; he is sending an Asgard IDC."
"Thank god. Send a message to the SGC. Inform them that Thor has arrived."
"Understood sir."
Before I can say anything else, Thor appeared in front of us.
"Greetings General Hammond, Daniel Jackson, and Teal'c of the Free Jaffa; I am sorry for interrupting your discovery, but I must see Colonel O'Neill, this second download can possibly kill him if I do not hurry." The alien said.
"Of course Thor, this way" I led the little alien into the chamber where Sam and Jack were. Sam was still deep asleep on her cot.
"Is Major Carter injured?" Thor asked.
"Major Carter is suffering from a broken heart Thor."
"I am unfamiliar with 'Broken Heart' disease General Hammond."
I laughed, "It is not an actual disease Thor. It is an emotional response. Samantha loves Jack Thor. The only thing that will help her is for Jack to get well and for the President to bend some rules."
"Now I understand. If it helps General, O'Neill…loves Major Carter too. He has said so to me many times, but said that your government's rules do not allow it. I would suggest you find a way change that." The alien examined the pod for a few minutes before he spoke up again. "General, under the circumstances I believe that both Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter would be better treated on board my ship."
"Do what you can Thor."
"If you need to contact me, use this. I have landed my ship next to the Prometheus and have extended my cloaking shields ten kilometers over the surface of the ice to prevent anyone from detecting us." Thor handed me a communication stone before he was gone along with two of my best officers.
"TEAL'C!" I shout.
A moment later Teal'c and all six of the SFs enter the chamber; Teal'c looks around and sees that Jack, Sam, and Thor are gone.
"Thor took them to his ship Teal'c. There is nothing to worry about." I say.
"Very well General Hammond. What did you want to see me about?"
"Teal'c, I would like you and Bra'tac to take the cargo ship you came here in and take it Area-51. I would like Master Bra'tac to return to the SGC and brief Dr. Weir and the others. Also, I need Bra'tac to contact Jacob Carter and get him here ASAP. Once that is done, I want you to come back in one of the F-302s and take charge of this outpost until further notice. Also I want you to make sure that Dr. Jackson doesn't do anything stupid."
"Understood General Hammond, I shall return as soon as possible." With a bow, Teal'c turned to leave.
I then turned to Captain Taylor, who is now the senior officer besides me at this outpost. "Captain Taylor, I am leaving you in charge of this outpost until Teal'c's return. I am going to take Prometheus back to Nellis Air Force Base for repairs. I am leaving a contingent of personnel on the surface to continue working on the construction of an air strip and support structures. Once major repairs are complete and supplies restocked, Prometheus will return here to assist in anyway possible."
"What about the Asgard ship, sir? Someone will eventually see it."
"Thor has expanded his cloaking field in a ten kilometer area around us, no one will find you. Dr. Jackson will remain as well as his scientific team. They will be working on the computers and translations. Once he returns, you will be taking orders from Teal'c."
"Teal'c sir?"
"Yes Captain, Teal'c will be in charge of this outpost until further notice. Do you have a problem with that?"
"No sir. It is just that I was under the impression that the IOA did not like Teal'c very much."
"That kind of thinking is above your pay grade Captain. But I will say that the IOA is not very welcomed by the President or me right now. Also, the President trusts Jack O'Neill, and Colonel O'Neill trusts Teal'c with his life. If you have any problems with that, then get your ass back to the SGC and clean out your locker!"
"Status report Walter." I ask as I walk onto the bridge.
"Sir, atmospheric thrusters' ready, sublight engines are at stand by. All hull breaches have been sealed." Walter reported.
"Very well" I opened the internal communication channel for the ship. "This is General Hammond! All hands ready for liftoff."
"Open a channel to Thor's ship."
"Aye, sir. Channel open."
"Thor, this is General Hammond."
"General Hammond, greetings. Is there some sort of problem?" Thor's voice says.
"No problems Thor. Prometheus needs to return to base to restock and make some repairs. I thought you might want to know. Also, Teal'c and Master Bra'tac have taken their Al'kesh to one of our bases and Teal'c will be returning later on in another aircraft." I say.
"Thank you for informing me General Hammond. With your permission, my ship will be remaining here for the foreseeable future so that I can help Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, and also your scientific teams working on the Alterran Outpost. I will adjust my cloaking field to allow Teal'c to return as well as the Prometheus and any other vessel that you deem worthy to enter."
"Thank you Thor, I appreciate it. I will talk to you soon." I then closed the channel and order Prometheus to launch.
Once we were in orbit, my communication officer spoke up. "Sir, I am getting a signal from SGC. They request a video conference."
"Put it on screen 4." I cross the bridge to screen four and am surprised when I see Dr. Elizabeth Weir in a business suit.
"General Hammond, Master Bra'tac has already been debriefed and is trying to contact the Tok'ra and Jacob Carter as we speak. Teal'c is already en route back to Antarctica in one of the new X-305 Cargo Ships. None of the F-302s were available at the time due to that we are still at DEFCON 2."
"Thank you Dr. Weir. Did Teal'c happen to load up any supplies?"
"Yes, the X-305 was already loaded when Teal'c arrived. Also General, the President needs to see you in the Oval Office immediately. He said you can beam into the same spot you left from." Weir said.
"Thank you Doctor."
"Anyway word on Colonel O'Neill?"
"Thor has taken Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter to his ship where he has assured me they will be fine. Thor's ship, The O'Neill II, is on the ice in Antarctica and has requested that he remain for the foreseeable future."
"That is interesting. Any idea why?" Weir asked.
"None, but knowing Thor, he'll reveal his plans soon enough." I said.
"I hope so. I really do want to meet the Asgard one day. Good work General, we'll talk to you soon."
"Thank you Doctor, Prometheus out." I closed the channel. Taking a breath, I ordered my communication officer to inform the White House that I would be arriving momentarily.
"Major Longo. I am placing you in command of the Prometheus. Return to Nellis, finish repairs, restock on supplies and then load up anything else the Antarctic team might need. Once done, return to the Antarctic Outpost. You will continue to command Prometheus; however the overall mission falls to Dr. Jackson and Teal'c."
"Understood, sir, what about you?"
"I have been ordered to brief the President." I turn to face my communication officer. "Are they ready for me Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir."
"Excellent. Major Longo, you have the ship. Walter, once on the ground, return to the SGC and see how damage Kinsey caused by this three month review process."
"Aye sir." Walter mumbles.
"Excellent. Airman, when you are ready. Engage." I so love Star Trek. I think as I am beamed down from the Prometheus.