Chapter 2
Hank Landry shook his head as he hung up the phone. He'd been trying for the past hour to get through to someone at the Pentagon but he'd been stonewalled every shot. He'd even tried Jack, but attempting to reach the man was near impossible at times. He'd settled with leaving a message for both Jack and Major Davis and would call back again once the briefing was over.
He pressed the local intercom. "Keep me informed of any changes," he told Walter.
"Yes, sir."
Hank walked into the briefing room, pleased to see SG-1 was ready and waiting for him. This was their second briefing in less than three hours. He could tell that they weren't too enthused about it.
Hank couldn't say he was, either.
He glanced over at Doctor Jackson and Teal'c who were seated to his right and Colonels Mitchell and Carter who were seated to his left. He eased himself into the seat at the end of the table and clasped his hands. "So, what can you tell me?"
"Both Jack and Cassandra are fine," Jackson said. "They've been set up in VIP rooms for the time being."
"And? Do we have any leads on what the hell caused all this?"
"As you're aware, sir, Colonel Mitchell and Teal'c brought in one of the men for questioning," Carter said. "There was no form of ID on him, so we're trying to run a background check based on the materials that we discovered with him. The lab is also working to identify what substance is contained in the vials we brought back with us."
Hank wasn't very comfortable with the idea that someone out there was willing to drug his people. And by the sound of things, these men had a connection to some kind of government or corporate agency. Heaven help them if they had some kind of relationship with the Trust.
"Did you get any sense of what kind of people we're dealing with based on your confrontation with the man we have in custody?" he asked Jackson.
"He wasn't going to tell me." Jackson paused. "You're thinking it might be the Trust."
"From what I understand, we're not entirely sure if all of them were ever found."
Carter nodded thoughtfully. "It's a possibility that we've considered. We know that the Trust were infiltrated by the Goa'uld and have connections across several government agencies and affiliates. We've never been able to confirm just how many people were involved with the Trust or how many could have been taken as hosts."
"Not to mention, Ba'al acting as the de facto leader of the Trust," Jackson added. "For all we know, the real Ba'al could still be here on Earth."
"Yet, it is also possible that Ba'al could remain on another world," Teal'c said.
"Which doesn't help us," Mitchell mumbled as he leaned back in his chair. "So, basically, these Ba'als are just going to keep on a coming like cockroaches. You kill one, and you've got five more that take the sucker's place."
Hank sighed. What Colonel Mitchell was saying was all too true. He was aware of the connections the Goa'uld had to Farrow-Marshall, Procyon Media Enterprises, Hammel Technologies and so on and so forth. He knew the Goa'uld had gotten as far as penetrating the Russian government. Thankfully, that problem had been taken care of through Colonel Chekov and Russian President Mikailhov. He didn't even like to dwell on what had happened to Kinsey. At least Kerry Johnson within the CIA had been working for months on coordinating between agencies trying to root out any bad apples that might be spoiling the bunch. But even her efforts might not be enough.
"Let's just say these men are connected to the Trust in some way," he started. "Why would they want a clone and a girl from another planet?"
"Ba'al and Jack have some pretty heavy history," Jackson said. "If we are working under the assumption that Ba'al is running what is left from the Trust, maybe he's looking to seek some revenge through the clone."
"I don't think so, Daniel," Carter said. "If Ba'al found out that General O'Neill had been cloned, why wouldn't he have moved before now? Plus, that has nothing to do with Cassandra."
"Perhaps the opportunity had not yet presented itself," Teal'c said.
Carter shook her head. "No, I just don't think that is what is going on here."
"Do you have a theory?" Mitchell asked.
Hank leaned forward and waited expectantly. Colonel Carter's contributions were well known throughout the SGC; Hank had witnessed it himself. He was confident that even if she couldn't tell him outright what was going on, she could help shed some light on viable possibilities.
"Well, I can't say for sure, but it could be as simple as a matter of intel," she said. "Both General O'Neill's clone and Cassandra have important links to the program and to us. It's possible that Ba'al or the Trust are looking to get information that they can use now that they've been seriously undermined."
"It seems rather elaborate when they have connections to the NID," Jackson said. "Wouldn't it just be easier to use the connections they already have?"
"Not with the CIA monitoring them," she countered.
Jackson nodded and looked down at the paperwork in front of him. Hank took the move as his concession in the matter. The remaining members of SG-1 remained quiet, their gazes focused at the head of the table. Hank didn't answer their silent questions; he took a moment to pause and consider their options. They didn't have much information at the moment, but he had enough experience to know that this was something they couldn't just sit on. They'd proceed ahead and when more intel came, hopefully from their prisoner, then they could reevaluate their position.
Hank sat a little straighter in his seat. "Okay, first we'll —"
He stopped upon hearing a quick rapping at the door. Chief Sergeant Walter Harriman was standing just outside the briefing room. Hank hoped he wasn't interrupting with news of another "son" of Doctor Jackson.
"Chief," he said.
"Sir, I just got word from General O'Neill's office. The secretary informed me that he's in a very important meeting right now, but she'll have him call you when he's available." Both Walter and Hank paused when they heard some snickering from SG-1. The laughter quickly subsided as Hank urged Walter to continue. "I also have the preliminary reports from the lab on the man that SG-1 brought in."
"Good," Hank urged him to step forward by beckoning him with his hand. He took the report from Walter and flipped it open. "Keep me apprised of anything new."
"Yes, sir," he said before scurrying out of the briefing room.
Hank took the opportunity to skim the report while SG-1 waited for him to address them. He took his time, making sure he didn't miss something important. He was glad he did. Frowning, he tapped his finger on a section of the report before sliding it over to Colonel Mitchell. He motioned with his hand for him to give it to Colonel Carter.
She accepted the report and started to read through it. She frowned. He was certain he saw some of the color drain from her face.
"He's not a Goa'uld," Hank said. "But at this point, I'm far more concerned about what's in those vials."
Jackson shot a worried look over to Carter. "What's in the vials?"
Carter pushed the file away from her, almost as if the distance she was creating would protect her somehow. "Preliminary reports show the presence of the organisms that comprise nishta."
Mitchell and Teal'c turned to Carter in surprise. Jackson's face fell. "You can't be serious."
"She's right," Hank said gravely. He kept his gaze focused on Colonel Carter. "What I'd like to know is how and why these people got their hands on this stuff."
Carter remained silent.
"Sam?" Mitchell asked.
"When I was heading up R&D over at Area 51, I was consulted by some researchers working on creating various forms of biological and chemical warfare to use against the remaining Goa'uld or any other enemies. As a last resort," she added quickly. "They were being developed in order to subdue enemies without mass murder or unnecessary casualties."
"So, basically brainwash your enemy." Daniel tore off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. There was no attempt on his part to hide the scowl that had formed on his face. "Sam, if this is used against…"
"I know, Daniel. I know it's dangerous." She shifted uncomfortably. "But the benefits far outweigh any risks. We were hoping to eventually develop this to help mental patients or those afflicted with personality disorders."
"And you really believe that?" Jackson asked, his voice low.
Carter looked affronted. "Of course. It wasn't being developed to act in the way the Goa'uld used the organism. Our scientists have been working to adapt the organism into a tamer, safer form in conjunction with some of our known compounds. It isn't fully organic or inorganic. In fact, the patient —"
"Or victim," Teal'c said coolly.
"The patient," Carter said, continuing, "would never become fully pliant. We know that nishta inflects the tissues of its host, which then makes the host open to suggestion. We also know there are different kinds of nishta, some of which are stronger than others. As I've just mentioned, our scientists were working on a mild variant of the organism, mainly established on immunities in General O'Neill, Daniel, Teal'c, and myself based on our encounters with Hathor, Seth, and Apophis."
"They used us?" Jackson stared at her, his mouth open.
"Old tissue samples taken after our various encounters." Carter leaned forward, her gaze bordering on pleading. "Daniel, I didn't know about this until I started working at Area 51. They must have held onto the samples until our technology reached a point where they could use them."
Hank tried to remain patient, but patience had never been his strongest suit. "You said immunity."
"So, none of you all could become infected again?" Mitchell asked.
Hank noted Carter wince. "Not exactly. By changing the properties of the organisms, the scientists essentially created a new form of nishta."
Jackson groaned and he leaned back in his chair, his frustrated gaze now on the ceiling. Teal'c seemed to mirror his sentiment in a more controlled and cool manner.
"Colonel Carter, if this substance is discovered by dishonorable individuals, it could be used against the Jaffa or those in this very establishment," Teal'c said.
"I know and believe me, the scientists I consulted were aware of that possibility. Certain fail safes were put into place." She paused. "Used in a medical setting, this drug could help psychiatrists in hypnosis therapy or help people with various problems and illnesses. A simple suggestion could help them overcome some barrier they couldn't tackle on their own."
"Only problem is that I doubt the MIB in the other room wanted to help Jackson get over a caffeine addiction," Mitchell said.
Hank caught Jackson glare at Mitchell and he feared this briefing would soon get out of hand. This was not the time and place for them to debate the merits of an engineered drug. "The fact of the matter is this potentially dangerous drug is in the hands of people that could be in league with the Trust."
Carter nodded. "I know, sir."
"Somehow, this drug has switched hands from Area 51 to the Trust or some other group, and that's just not acceptable." Hank hated the complications this new development brought to the table. "These men were after Cassandra Fraiser and Jack O'Neill's clone for a reason."
"You're thinking they were going to use the drug on Jack and Cassie?" Jackson asked. His face paled. He understood.
"I don't know what they were planning, but I don't like the connection," Hank said. "If Ba'al had a hand in these attempted kidnappings, if that is even what they were, then we could be looking at possible spies and or plants in the form of people that you know."
Teal'c's eyes widened. "As has happened with the Jaffa High Council."
"Oh my God," Carter said, following his reasoning. "It could start with someone like General O'Neill's clone or Cassandra, and then they could be used to get to the rest of us. We could be looking at a foothold situation."
"Jackson's brush with our prisoner here might not have been just an accident," Mitchell muttered. "Isn't that just dandy."
Silence settled over the table as they all thought about the grim reality of their current situation. Hank knew one thing for sure. He wasn't just going to sit by and allow the SGC to go to hell in a hand basket.
"No one is going to compromise the SGC," Hank said, allowing the anger to flow through his voice. "Colonel Carter, I want you to get over to Area 51 and find me some answers. I want to know who's been involved in the nishta project and who's had access to its stores. I'll contact Agent Barrett and have him meet you there. You'll be coordinating with the NID on this one."
Carter nodded before she stood. "Yes, sir," she said as she made her way to the exit.
Hank turned to Teal'c. "I believe you have a meeting this afternoon?"
"Indeed. I am scheduled to meet with the High Council to discuss matters of Jaffa security." He clasped his hands behind his back and stood a little straighter, though Hank caught some conflict in his off-centered gaze. "If you require my assistance, I can remain."
"That won't be necessary, Teal'c. We need to make sure we maintain strong relations with the Jaffa Nation. Report back in when you're finished."
"That I will." He inclined his head in a slight bow before he ventured toward the exit. Mitchell and Jackson exchanged a furtive look as they waited orders.
"Doctor Jackson, why don't you talk to Jack's young clone and Cassandra Fraiser. I'm sure they would like some reassurances and I feel they'd be comfortable talking to you." Hank paused and tapped the table as he thought. He didn't want them to be interrogated but they really needed any relevant information that could shed light on what was happening. He settled for something simple. "See what you can find."
"Right." With that, he was gone.
That left Hank and Mitchell.
"I assume you're going to send me on some exciting fandangled mission," Mitchell said with a smile as he clapped his hands.
Hank chuckled. "If you could only be so lucky." He allowed the mirth to leave his voice and got down to business. "Colonel Carter, Doctor Jackson, and Teal'c all have strong emotion connections and investments in Cassandra Fraiser and the young Jack O'Neill."
"You need an objective eye on this case."
"You got it." Hank hated to make it seem like he was going behind their backs, but he needed someone with a little distance and perspective to look into any activity Cassandra or Jack's clone had been conducting over the past few months. For all they knew, Cassandra and the clone had already been compromised and this was just an elaborate set up to get to SG-1. Hank couldn't let personal relationships get in the way. Not with something this serious. "Be thorough."
Mitchell's smile faded and he nodded. "Yes, sir."
"And do some preliminary checks on the base personnel here in the SGC," Hank said as he started for his office. Mitchell stood as he walked away. "Anything suspicious –anything at all – I want brought to my attention. One can't be too careful."
"Don't you worry about it, General. After reading all those files for potential members of SG-1, I have a good idea where to start."
"Good. Keep me apprised of anything you find." Hank entered his office and quickly checked for any word from Jack or the Pentagon.
Nothing.
Setting his jaw, Hank started to dial the guards in the holding area. He wanted some answers. And he wanted them now.