-- Two weeks later -- Planet Othalla - Meeting between SGC and Asgard High Council
"With respect Thor, I'm having a hard time believing that the Asgards are unaware of their whereabouts!"
"Dr. Jackson, that's quite enough." Colonel Davis said admonishingly but sighed as Dr. Jackson then went on the offensive.
"Colonel Davis, it has been two weeks – without a word – without a single clue as to what happened. THEY KNOW Colonel … they simply HAVE to KNOW!" Daniel gestured in angry accusation in the general direction of the Asgards, who were seated above and in front of them in the Asgard Council Chamber.
Teal'c who had been standing quietly alongside his two colleagues in the middle of the Asgard Council Chamber added his own opinion, "I also believe that the Asgards have knowledge that they are not disclosing." His deep voice spoke emphatically and sent out a challenge to the Asgards who sat above them.
Freyr, who curiously to Daniel and the others, had been chairing the meeting --even though Thor was there --responded to the allegation in his soft monotone voice,
"On the contrary, we do not know. We have been actively seeking them as well."
At that point Colonel Davis spoke up immediately, his tone conciliatory, "Of course you have. My apologies on behalf of the SGC and please understand that our emotions are running a bit high due to concern for our colleagues."
Thor watched as Freyr nodded his acceptance of the apology. "We will notify the SGC immediately if we discover any information regarding the fate of the O'Neill's'.
"We also want to be apprised of any information you uncover regarding the identity of whoever instigated the bounty as soon as you get it." Daniel Jackson said insistently.
Freyr inclined his head, "We will, of course do so."
"If we don't hear from you, you can be sure that you'll be hearing from us." Daniel's voice impassioned as his intense face studied the alien group in front of him.
Once again, Freyr politely responded, "I understand Dr. Jackson. This concludes our meeting. I bid you safe journey back."
As Freyr said this, the other Asgard council members all inclined their heads in farewell.
Thor, who had been very quiet through out the whole meeting – almost an observer, stood up from his council seat and made his way down to the floor where the three humans stood.
The small gray alien came to a halt in front of Daniel, his large dark eyes blinked solemnly and it was several long seconds before he finally spoke, "Allow me to escort you part way to the Stargate." Daniel who had been expecting more –something --looked baffled as Thor turned and walked away. The three humans exchanged glances and followed.
Thor led this way slowly down the long intricately arched Asgard hallway that resembled something out of a palace in the Arabian Nights. Daniel had been wondering at Thor's strange quietness through out the meeting.
"Thor, if you DO know something – no matter what it is – you WOULD tell us … wouldn't you? It's been over two weeks and I know that Jack has to be in trouble or he would have communicated with us by now." Daniel's voice rang out hollowly in the cavernous hallway making it sound all the more desperate.
Thor didn't answer, just continued walking. Daniel in perplexity looked first at Colonel Davis then Teal'c, who simply cocked his own head to one side, and raised an eyebrow as they considered the Supreme Leader of all Asgards and his unusual behavior.
Arriving at a hallway intersection, Thor came to an abrupt stop and turned to face them. "This is where I must leave you." He said quietly. Indicating the two Asgards that flanked him he added, "They will take you on to the gate."
Studying each of the humans before him, he finally spoke after a long pause, "I bid you a safe journey." Colonel Davis, swallowed his disappointment as he had also thought Thor had more to tell them, sighed in resignation and said, "Thank you Supreme Leader Thor." before turning to walk down the hall with one of the Asgard escorts.
Daniel didn't give up as easily as he determinedly began, "Thor, Please, I… uhh... WE
simply have to know…" and wasn't allowed to finish as Thor interrupted, speaking emphatically, "There is nothing to disclose." His large eyes blinked slowly as he watched the human react to his comment.
Daniel felt himself lose it – the frustration, the worry; the anger overwhelmed him, as he knew in his gut that they were keeping information from them. His face flushed to an unhealthy shade of red even as his eyes blazed in blue fury, he stepped back from Thor. He didn't trust himself to be close to him and nodding he replied, his words biting, "Fine. FINE. If this is how you want to handle it. We'll find them on our own." Without waiting for a rejoinder, he turned quickly on his heels to stride away.
Teal'c was the last to leave. Thor turned to him and waited, his dark eyes blinking slowly. Teal'c bowed his head in a dignified farewell and turned to follow Daniel when he felt Thor reach out and enclose his hand with both his small ones as he quietly said,
"Safe Journey, Teal'c. Please remember that we are allies."
Teal'c, a bit off balance at the uncharacteristic action, bowed once more and turned to be escorted away by the Asgard ensign that had been waiting.
Daniel was fuming. He had never felt this furious, this upset…this … this… he was at a loss for how enraged he was. His head swam dizzily in his anger. Teal'c caught up to him and walked beside him his own demeanor as always, sublimely collected.
"How can you not be angry? Teal'c?! " Daniel sputtered as he considered the duplicity of the Asgard – of Thor! Someone he had always trusted.
"On the contrary, DanielJackson… I am as you say… very angry." Teal'c responded his deep voice calm and in total contradiction to his statement.
Daniel came to an abrupt stop, his tense face, red and blotchy from his emotions. His blue eyes blazing, his glasses barely on the end of his nose as he stared in consternation at the man who stopped calmly beside him, waiting; as if he was waiting for paint to dry.
"WELL you NEED to work on your displays of ANGER, Teal'c…because "THIS" is how it is supposed to look!!" as he almost comically pounded himself on the chest.
Teal'c raised one eyebrow in acknowledgement, as he uttered his classic rejoinder, "Indeed."
Daniel, feeling as if he could stroke out at any moment, took his anger out on his best friend, "INDEED. Yes! Of course, "INDEEEEED" Good Job there Teal'c… glad to see your working on showing that ANGER!"
This time, Teal'c came to a stop, "DanielJackson why are you raising your voice in anger at me? Am I not on your side in this matter?" His tone was devoid of any emotion except mild curiosity as he waited for Daniel's response.
Now with shame added to his burden of extreme anger, Daniel felt about two feet tall and simply wanted to EXPLODE as he sighed and held his head (he really wondered if he was stroking out….) until he found the words and the ability to speak them, "My apologies Teal'c. You are absolutely correct. I'm picking on you in my worry and frustration. Forgive me, friend?"
Teal'c inclined his head regally in acceptance and resumed his walk.
"Of course DanielJackson. You will feel better shortly." Teal'c said succinctly albeit a little mysteriously.
"Feel better?! Thor wouldn't tell us a thing. Denying all knowledge and all of them looking down on us with their little 'poker faces' I ABSOLUTELY know they were lying. They sooo know where Jack and Sam are." Teal'c simply listened as he allowed Daniel to ramble on and on in total frustration – swearing later to Dr. Lam that he even talked all the way through the wormhole and finished mid-word on the Earth side.
Waiting at the end of the ramp for the travelers to return, Hank Landry watched as Colonel Davis came through first. "Stand down." General Landry told the soldiers automatically as the dimmed lights once again brightened. Colonel Davis halted in front of the General.
"I'm afraid I wasn't much help sir." He said apologetically.
"Nothing new to report?" Landry inquired.
"Absolutely nothing." Colonel Davis replied and added in a quieter tone, "Plus, we may have to do some damage control in our relations with them, Dr. Jackson pretty much accused them of lying to us."
General Landry sighed and quietly replied, "I'm not surprised. He's taking this situation pretty hard."
Both turned to wait for the other two travelers, who appeared at the top of the ramp coming through almost simultaneously.
"…erstand why they won't tell us." Daniel Jackson's voice rang out in the room as he materialized onto the ramp.
Coming down the metal walkway, Teal'c halted and stood in patient silence as Daniel continued talking agitatedly; explaining to General Landry the Asgards denial of any knowledge of the O'Neill's whereabouts.
Suddenly Teal'c interrupted, "DanielJackson, if I may speak." His deep voice commanding immediate attention. Flustered at the interruption, Daniel simply nodded as General Landry said "Of Course, Teal'c. Do you have something to add?"
"I believe so, GeneralLandry. I was given this when no one was looking. It may shed light on the matter of the O'Neill's."
He handed a small object to General Landry, who studied it closely. "Who gave this to you?"
"Supreme Leader Thor" Teal'c said formally.
Daniel simply stared at Teal'c for once… speechless.
Teal'c sensing his upset spoke up quickly, "DanielJackson, He gave it to me as we parted in the hallway in a very covert manner; therefore I had little time to inform you of this until now. I felt it would be unwise to discuss it while on the planet due to the secrecy exhibited by Supreme Leader Thor's actions – it was apparent that I should not speak up until after we had left Othalla."
General Landry handed the object to Daniel, who pulled his glazed eyes from Teal'c down to the object, and regained some of his momentum, "This is an Asgard communication device… it has a message on it. "
General Landry spoke up, "Let's reconvene in the briefing room then in 15 minutes. Call Dr. Lam to join us."
Briefing Room – SGCThor's image shimmered and then steadied as Daniel activated the communications device. The hologram depicted Thor sitting in a large ornate chair, which made his small form look even more diminutive.
"Greetings" Thor began, "First my apologies are offered for any ill-will I may have incurred over my secrecy in this matter. The O'Neill's are safe. They are in hiding and have made an extremely difficult decision – one that may be hard for you to accept. Again, this decision was made by General O'Neill and Samantha Carter – not by me."
Thor paused for a long moment and then continued, "They feel that it is best at this time not to disclose their location to anyone – including the SGC. Please be aware that my own council has been telling you the truth as they too remain completely unaware of their circumstance." Again Thor paused as if he knew that time was needed for the information to sink in for those listening.
Thor then went on, "There is a very valid reason for this secrecy. The O'Neill's' were savagely attacked in their home on the O'Neill moon. Colonel Carter was seriously wounded but has recovered. Their child was not harmed. Somehow their location was discovered and I am attempting to determine if this was done internally. Until I am fully satisfied that I have complete loyalty within the Asgards regarding the O'Neill's' I will not share my knowledge with them or anyone else."
Thor paused and then picked up an object and appeared to be reading off it as he continued, "O'Neill has requested that I say this exactly as he relayed it to me."
Thor stopped to look up, his huge dark eyes blinked as he solemnly repeated Jack's message, word for word:
"Daniel, don't get your BVD's in a wad over this…we're doing it this way to protect all of you as well as ourselves. These guys are playing hardball and I want to keep you out of it if I can. Danny boy as soon as I feel that things have cooled down a bit – you know we'll be in touch. It may be quite a long time before you hear from us because we're playing this by ear. Sam sends her love, as does Jon…I mean Jackson."
Thor paused as he seemed to read ahead and then continued,
"T, ole buddy, you know that Sam and I would trust you with our lives in a heartbeat and having you as a protector for Jon would be an ideal situation. Sam told me that you requested the chance to protect Jon and I gotta tell ya, the temptation to take you up on it was hard to resist. But, that would be selfish and you have your own life to live – your duties to the Jaffa Nation and they do need you now. So… this is the path we're taking.
We're going to ground for a while and try and figure out our next move. Hopefully, we'll see you soon when all this blows over. My Simpson's DVD collection is yours buddy…at least until I get back.
Hank, old friend, please tell the President that due to circumstances beyond my control I will be unable to perform my duties until I can see my family safe through all of this. If he wants my resignation then consider it done. He can contact us through Thor. Oh, and Hank, the same goes for Sam, we are officially requesting an extension on her leave."
Carolyn, Sam and I both send our regrets that we may not make it back for the wedding. Please continue with all plans and know that we will be there in spirit. Take care of Daniel for us. NOW DANIEL, I KNOW you can take care of yourself. That was just a JOKE."
Thor's monotone voice eerily reflected the spirit of Jack O'Neill as he finished his recitation. The image of Thor shimmered and then steadied as he once again spoke, "Please be assured that I will do everything in my power to keep the O'Neill's safe. Their recent encounter was with a rebel group of Re'tu. They managed to kill all but one of the Re'tu assassins – unfortunately one escaped and prompted their immediate re-location. Again, you have my assurance that they are safe at the moment. Farewell." Abruptly the message ended as Thor's image faded away.
Hank Landry was the first to recover as he cleared his throat in preparation to speak. "Well, at least the mystery is solved. Evidently Thor is even keeping their location secret from even his own people."
Daniel nodded in agreement as he mulled Thor's message over in his head as he thought out loud, "Obviously he hasn't disclosed even the fact that he KNOWS what has happened to them. Very strange… he must suspect someone on the inside…." Daniel's mind was racing with the ramifications of what they had just heard.
"I'm sorry but this is unacceptable." Daniel said abruptly as he gazed around the room.
"Dr. Jackson… what are you talking about?" General Landry asked immediately his face reflecting his perplexity.
"I agree with DanielJackson." Teal'c added. "This situation is not acceptable. We must find them and help to protect them."
Daniel stood and began pacing as he talked, "Jack is afraid that we will be hurt by whoever has put this bounty out – but they NEED us. They NEED their friends – this could go on for months… years… they can't live that kind of life -- that kind of existence."
His impassioned words fueled Teal'c to suddenly stand and move beside Daniel as if they were ready at that moment to embark in their search. General Landry stood himself and walked to the window looking down at the Stargate. Finally he turned and responded heavily, "You're absolutely correct -- but how to find them?"
Back on Othalla – the Council Session continuesFreyr looked about the room, studying his associates intently. "The Tauri feel that we know the location of General O'Neill and his family – no matter how often we inform them that we do not."
The other Council members nodded their agreement at this statement.
Freyr was interrupted as an ensign approached and handed him a small crystal.
Accessing it, Freyr spoke up,
"There is a new report – just received." He manipulated the crystal so that it displayed across all their individual panels. Freyr quickly studied it and commented out loud as he did so,
'Reports are coming in from all over the galaxy – the bounty has changed, it is even higher – and now includes both General O'Neill and Samantha Carter O'Neill – and worse – it has changed to the condition of: dead or alive. We will need to notify the SGC of this development."
Nelsgru leaned forward in his seat, his eyes blinked slowly as he added, "Also quite disturbing is the number of people that have been killed – including children – all over the galaxy in the attempts to find and claim this reward; one group simply captured every child on the moon where they believed they were hiding in the hopes of getting the O'Neill child. If our Asgard ship hadn't intercepted their craft they would have all been killed; it's becoming more and more barbaric.
Freyr's monotonic voice rose in pitch, "We must discover who is behind this bounty. Three Asgards were murdered at the out station, SKB-50 before one died he was able to communicate that they were tortured for information on the O'Neill's.
All Council members grew quiet as Thor re-entered the room to take his place in the center as befitted the supreme leader. Freyr quickly manipulated the crystal so that he had the new report displayed as well. "A new development, Supreme Leader".
All waited as Thor read through it quickly.
"Do you wish for us to immediately notify the SGC regarding this information?" Freyr queried.
"No. That won't be necessary, I'll inform them myself." Thor replied quietly.
Freyr's huge liquid eyes sought out Thor who had not once contributed to the Tauri meeting after the initial greetings had been dispensed with,
"Supreme Leader is there something you wish to add on the matter of the O'Neill's?" Freyr waited for his reply but in vain as Thor simply shook his head slowly.
Freyr paused and it seemed as if he was going to pursue the matter before abruptly changing his mind, "If that is all the business we have – then I respectfully submit the closure of this session.
Thor nodded his agreement and watched in silence watched as his colleagues finished up to rise and exit the chambers. Once alone, he removed the crystal from the console at his side and exited the chambers to make his way to his office. Efficiently he inserted the crystal that had recorded the entire meeting – including the part he missed when he escorted the Tauri partway to the gate and sitting stilly he studied the recorded images once again.
Thor watched as the hologram of the meeting faded leaving him alone for the moment with his thoughts. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on him as he stared at nothing, thinking about what he needed to do. Yet what he needed to do and what he wanted to do were diametrically different and it was destroying him. A slow destruction for sure; but he felt it and knew that his psyche could not take much more.
He recognized that he was suffering from bouts of paranoia and he wondered how long it would be before he lost the ability to subdue it. He was no longer certain of whom he could trust among his own people other than Freyr; whom he had yet to approach but would have to soon as he would require his help.
Of one thing he was certain; he needed to erase the knowledge of the future from his brain before he too was lost to the madness that had so far had befallen all who knew it for too long. It haunted him while he rested; his subconscious preyed upon him with images that his conscious mind locked out -- knowledge that no single individual should ever know before his or her time. The temptation to 'change' or 'inform' his associates of certain events was almost impossible to resist – yet, so far, through sheer will, he had done so.
He HAD to hold off – he had to be strong for a little longer. If he lost the knowledge, then he was afraid he would lose the IMPORTANCE of the knowledge and that would be a catastrophe for both his world and the world of the Tauri and on a smaller scale the family of Jack O'Neill. He wanted to retain it for as long as Asgardly possible then he would resign himself to the erasure.
The friends of O'Neill who had been at the meeting today would not give up their search. Their determination in this matter said much of their loyalty to O'Neill and his wife, Samantha Carter. Thor understood it implicitly. He too felt the bond of O'Neill and knew how strong it was. He knew the message that he had given to Teal'c to share with the rest of SG-1 would relieve their worry but Thor didn't have a doubt that they would continue in their quest to locate their lost friends.
Rising up from his chair, Thor moved to a side console in the large room that was his office, manipulating the crystals on the console. A screen illuminated the wall in front of him, blinking steadily. Finally the blinking stopped and a face was displayed.
Thor saw the visage of O'Neill, his lean features more tanned and his hair longer and even more of the silver-color than before; his face creased in concern yet the brown eyes still burned with the indefatigable light that was the trademark of O'Neill.
"Thor, this is not a scheduled communication – is there something wrong?" O'Neill immediately questioned.
"Yes… I need to apprise you of the latest activities regarding the bounty. Please listen." Thor once again replayed the meeting that had just transpired. When the voice of Nelsgru and Freyr described the killings and abductions that had happened, Thor had to pause the transmission to allow O'Neill to recover his emotions as he cursed and threw something that Thor was unable to see.
Samantha Carters' face appeared beside her husband, her hair, also longer and even blonder, bleached by the sun that was strong where they were now hiding. The concern in her face etched lines that had not been there before as she asked,
"Thor have you had any success in discovering who's behind all of this?"
"Regrettably no. I'm afraid without knowing whom I can trust – the situation has become a stalemate. I have proven to be less efficient than I realized in this matter."
Jack and Sam exchanged glances as if they had come to some decision, and then O'Neill asked, "Were you able to pass on the message to the SGC?"
Thor nodded, "Yes. This was done. They should now have the information exactly as you requested it to be sent. "
Jack's face reflected his relief; his guilt over what his friends had been going through had been a tremendous burden.
"It was unfortunate I was unable to convey the information sooner and spare their suffering." Thor said gravely.
Jack shrugged dismissively even as he looked as if he agreed. "Yeah well, you did your best, Thor. Listen, you're gonna have to get some help with this."
He took a deep breath, his tone becoming almost defensive, "Which brings me to the decision that Sam and I have made..." He paused as if he expected a bad reaction from Thor before he finally went on, his dark eyes almost obsidian as they gazed seriously into the screen, "See Thor, we're really tired of sitting on our butts out here – so…I'm coming in."
Thor's usually impassive face registered his alarm at this,
"O'Neill, did you not listen to the meeting? YOU and Colonel Carter are now on the bounty, which has immensely increased the activity. You MUST NOT Do this!"
"Yeah well, Thor, we've been on Goa'uld bounties for years so that's nothing new to us. Another reason for me to come in – we don't want to sit back and WAIT for them to come to us – we're going after the 'head honcho ' – whoever created this nightmare. We want our lives back."
Thor once again felt the burden of his 'knowledge' and fought back the overwhelming urge to share it with O'Neill but he could not.
"What is your plan, O'Neill?" He finally ended up saying.
"We're not ready to get into details yet but it'll just be me -- Sam will stay here with Jon."
Jack didn't mention the two-day battle of wills that had been fought to reach this determination. She had wanted to go with him and his argument that one parent should remain relatively safe had only changed her argument to the position that HE should stay with Jon. Even as stubborn as Sam Carter was known to be – she was as 'an apprentice' to his 'Master' in the craft of pig-headedness.
Yet, even he, 'the master' was challenged to change her intractable mind. So, he had fallen back on his ole stand-by that had made many a team decision in the past: 'paper-rock-scissors'. The woman was 'paper-rock-scissors challenged' – always had been – always would be (especially now with his ability to anticipate her moves psychically -- which she hadn't figured out yet).
Jack continued, "I'll be back in touch once I've got more to discuss. Hey, Buddy, Thanks for passing the info on – appreciate it. Anyway, I'll talk to you at the scheduled time unless something urgent comes up – O'Neill out."
The screen went dark and the lights automatically brightened overhead. Thor sat in silence as he pondered his own options in the complicated situation that he was involved in. Sighing in tiredness, he moved to contact the SGC to relay on the latest development in the bounty when he paused -- hearing a strange noise behind him, but before he could turn, it happened.
Thor never saw the blow that felled him.
