March 17, 2005 – Othalla

"My findings have concluded that the genetic makeup of an offspring of O'Neill would hold valuable information that would likely solve the problem of clone degradation in the Asgard. If we are to honor this treaty with the humans of Earth, why would we not seek something of such value in return, rather than an empty promise of primitive assistance should we require it?" Loki questioned the Asgard High Council.

"O'Neill has no living offspring, Loki, so such a request would be for naught. Also, it was O'Neill's 'primitive assistance' that is the reason we are here to discuss this issue. If O'Neill were to produce another offspring, we could pass along such a request, but the Council will have no part in coercing him using the treaty that was negotiated in good faith," Freyr responded.

Sitting in the room listening to the proceedings was Snotra. She had argued for months that arming Earth could well create a new enemy the Asgard might eventually have to fight, or that the Earth humans could end up destroying themselves. There were some on the Council that were sympathetic to her argument, but not enough. Hearing Loki's plea, she suddenly had an idea that could get Loki what he wanted while at the same time swinging the opinion of the Council in her favor.

"Loki."

"Yes, Snotra."

"Come. We have much to discuss."

March 21, 2005 – Colorado Springs, CO

It has become their routine that they would have lunch together in one of their offices whenever they weren't both too busy, so Janet grabbed a couple of plates with their usual fare and headed to Jack's office.

Along the way, she was contemplating the last few weeks. She could honestly say she has never been happier. She'd known all of the sides of the man over the years, so she shouldn't have been surprised by any of it. But the tender, loving side she saw with Cassie had a whole different feeling when it was directed at her. She really didn't see that coming, and was so in love with him at this point that she didn't ever want to have to live without him. Approaching his office, she heard him on the phone with someone, and not wanting to interrupt, she waited patiently outside.

...

Inside Jack's office, he continued his conversation.

"Jack, we've got a location on the two at-large Aschen. It's not good. They are in Shenzhen, in Guangdong province. They working in a small building on the outskirts of the city."

"Shenzhen? I'm familiar with it, unfortunately," Jack grumbled. He didn't like where this was going at all.

"Borren apparently has some materials left and is trying to make more of the bioweapon. The Chinese government is assisting, wanting to get their hands on it, too."

"Those idiots believe he'll just hand it over, and not just release it right in their faces?"

"It looks like it. Look, Jack, we need to take them out, and if the building has their research, it has to go too. I need you to find me someone you can trust to make the hit. I don't have to tell you it…"

"I know, sir. Completely unofficial, no backup, top level classified. Been there, done that. I'll do it, sir. I'll never ask that of anyone under my command, especially when I am perfectly capable."

"Jack, you're the General now. It's time to let others do the fighting."

"Sir, with all due respect, you contacted the SGC, which means it's my call. You could always have a black ops team go in there."

"I know, but we don't know what kind of Aschen technology or defenses they might run into. Stargate Command is familiar with anything they might encounter. It really needs to be your mission."

"I understand, sir. But Stargate Command isn't made up of assassins. These people aren't trained for it, or even psychologically profiled for fitness. I have been. I've done too many of these before. I can deal with the aftermath. Not to mention, I'm in better shape than before I joined the program. I couldn't ask someone else to do it."

"Damn it, Jack. If something goes wrong, I have no idea how we would be able to get you out of there."

"I've been there before too, sir. But you can always ask Thor if need be. I would just have to go on the assumption that there would be no rescue."

"I may regret this, but fine, Jack. God, how did Hammond put up with you all of those years?"

That brought a smirk to Jack's face.

"Have no idea, sir. When do I ship out?"

"You'll transport to the Pentagon at 1930 tonight. You will be fully briefed when you get here."

"Got it, sir."

Jack hung up the phone with a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. He'd done his share of assassinations, but that didn't keep them from haunting his dreams or his soul. Not to mention, if he got caught, once again there would probably be no rescue. And the Chinese wouldn't be gentle with him, that was for damn sure. He knew as soon as Hayes mentioned those two Aschen again what the plan would be, and he sunk so far into the depths of himself that he didn't even hear the familiar clicking of the heels of his favorite doctor approaching his open door.

He was snapped out of his funk by the lovely sight of the woman he loved. Yes, he knew that. It had probably been a long time coming. And, no, he wasn't going to scare her off by telling her.

"Hi, Janet. Sorry. I didn't hear you coming."

"It's fine, Jack. Hungry? I brought lunch."

"Sure, thanks," he replied, and sat there picking at the food. He didn't even go for the cake.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, I just got a call about a mission. I leave at 1930 tonight."

"Oh? Anything you can tell me about?"

"No. Top level classified. I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Jack, I've been in the military for a long time. I understand. If there's anything you can talk about, I'm here for you."

He gave her a soft smile. "I know, Janet. Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me."

They ate in near silence, and Janet went back to work.

...

It was nearing the end of the day, and Janet couldn't help but keep dwelling on what she overheard earlier. She only heard Jack's side of the conversation, but it was enough for her heart hurt for him. She knew that he was to go to China and assassinate two targets with no backup, and possibly no rescue. By the dejection in his voice, she knew he would be a mess when he came back, and she was determined to support him however she could.

At 1800, She accompanied him home where they immediately made love almost desperately, both uncertain about Jack's immediate future. Afterwards, Jack showered and packed his bag.

"I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll make it as quick as I can."

"I know, just take care of yourself."

"You too, and tell Cassie I'll see her when I get back."

He gave her a breath stealing kiss, followed by a long, tender one.

"See you soon."

"Bye, Jack."

March 23, 2005 – Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

Jack was sitting on the plane, waiting for it to land, wearing one of his best suits, playing the part of an international businessman. He was to fly to Hong Kong, where he would meet a guy by the name of Zheng Hao, who would take him to get geared up and get him near the facility. He wished he could have just taken his ship, but they couldn't afford it falling into Chinese hands if this all went to hell. Jack exited the plane, and there was a man waiting for him at the door to the terminal.

"Nǐ hǎo, wǒ de míngzì shì Zhānmǔsī Wēi ěr kè sēn. Wǒ zài xúnzhǎo yīgè rén Zhèng Hào de míngzì," Jack greeted the man, introduced himself as James Wilkerson, and told him he was looking for Zheng Hao.

"Nǐ hǎo. Wǒ shì Zhèng Hào," Zheng Hao replied, identifying himself.

"Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?" Jack asked him if he spoke English.

"Yes, I do, Mr. Wilkerson."

"Thank God," Jack muttered.

Jack showed his paperwork to the guards, and then Hao led him to his car and drove him out of the airport.

"Is it safe to talk in here?"

"Yes, this is my personal car."

"How far is the safe house from the destination?"

"Around seven kilometers."

"And you'll be waiting there with the car when I'm finished, right?"

"I will."

"Good, let's get this over with."

They got to the safe house, and Jack immediately looked over his gear and the recon, coming up with a plan. Now, he just had to wait until dark to get going.

Jack left as soon as the sun began to set. He stuck to the trees at first. He would always complain about trees on his SG missions as a joke, but also because they reminded him of all of his missions like this one, where the cover they provide is a blessing and the only thing you can really rely on.

Luckily, the trees ran almost all the way up to the facility. There was about 500 yards of open, grass covered ground between the trees and the building, so he decided to climb one of them to get a look around with his binoculars. There was a guard at the front door, Chinese Army, and no sign of the Aschen. He got down from the tree and crawled on his belly in the open field to get a look at the back of the building. Another guard, no Aschen. In the back, there was a little alcove right next to the door that the cameras didn't cover, but to get to the alcove he would be in view of the cameras for a brief moment. He was wearing a Chinese Army uniform, so he hoped the brief sighting wouldn't alarm anyone.

Jack crept his way to the building in the camera's blind spots, and then made his way into the alcove. The guard must have heard something, since he immediately turned around and stepped toward him. Jack grabbed his collar and pulled him in, punching him in the face. Then he spun him around and choked the life out of him without making a sound. He searched him for any keys or anything he might need. He found nothing, so it should be pretty straight forward getting inside. He cocked his silenced Beretta and walked in the door.

His first objective was to eliminate the two Aschen. That way, if he failed to complete the mission, hopefully the research was too advanced for the Chinese to do anything with on their own. He had yet to see any sign of them, though. He opened a door on his right and saw two Chinese soldiers sleeping on cots. The first one was lying on his side, his back to the door. He tried to distance himself from his actions as he came up behind him and sliced open his throat. The other soldier was lying on his back, so Jack covered his mouth with his hand before ending him the same way.

All of the other rooms were empty, and there was no second floor, therefore he concluded that there must be a lower level. He saw a soldier guarding the staircase going down. He was smoking a cigarette, and Jack waited to see what he did when he finished it. The guard dropped the butt on the floor to step on it, and as soon as he looked down, Jack was behind him and snapped his neck.

He dragged the dead guard into one of the rooms to keep him out of sight, and then headed downstairs. The bottom floor was one big lab with no other rooms. He spotted Borren and the other Aschen immediately. Now, he was looking for guards, but didn't see any. He aimed his Beretta at the unnamed Aschen and fired, the bullet entering the back of his skull, killing him instantly. Jack then exited his cover behind a cabinet and came face to face with Borren.

"Colonel O'Neill!?" It was the most emotion he'd ever seen from an Aschen. It was like he saw the Grim Reaper, and, well, he has.

"Boring. It's General, now. You didn't think you would get away from me, did you?" His voice was gravelly and his eyes hollow.

"You see, I could almost thank you. My life is much better now than it was before you assholes showed up. But then I get called away to take care of this."

"I surrend…"

Jack fired his bullet right into Borren's forehead, the soft tick of the shot from the silenced pistol barely audible in the large lab. After that, he went around and placed his C4 on all of the samples and equipment. None of it could be allowed to survive the explosion. He noticed the screens showing the cameras were down here, and no one was even watching them. He saw that the only guard left was the one at the front door, so Jack went upstairs, walked right out the door, and shot the guard in the temple. Then he went back inside, set up the rest of the C4, and walked out the front door. When he got back to the trees, he pulled the trigger, and the building went up in a huge pillar of fire.

He made his way back toward the safe house, only to notice three vehicles parked there. Still in the trees, he pulled out his binoculars and looked to see Zheng Hao being thrown into the back of one of the cars.

Damn it. I'd better get the hell away from here.

He ran straight into the woods. He knew he couldn't stay here. They will have the whole forest surrounded. But for now, it was his only cover as he tried to come up with the ever critical plan B.