Warnings and disclaimer in chapter 1.
Enjoy.
"Doctors," Hammond greeted as he made his way into the briefing room. Dr. Fraiser and Dr. Lee were on their feet immediately. He waved them down and took a seat himself. "Report."
"Yes Sir," Dr. Lee started. "We were finally able to synchronize our power supply with device and we were able to turn it on. It went into sort of a command mode, probably so they could specify what they wanted it to do before it started. Of course everything was in Ancient so the translations are taking a bit longer."
"Doctor?" he turned to Janet, know Dr. Lee had a tendency to get sidetracked.
"The device itself acts like a database," she told him. "There is a tremendous amount of information, but we believe we have found the specific sequence regarding Major Carter and Dr. Jackson."
"So we can change them back?"
"Once we determine exactly how they were changed we should be able to reverse the procedure. There is a small problem though."
"What?" Hammond asked. Janet looked back at Dr. Lee, motioning for him to continue. Hammond fixed his gaze on the squirming scientist. "Doctor?"
"Power Sir," he finally managed to get out. "Turning the device on and searching through the database is relatively simple. But for the actual transformation, it will take more power than we can currently get."
"How much more," he asked.
"We're working on modifying a Naquadah reactor to be compatible with the device. If we can get the calculations correct, it should be enough to power the transformations."
"We should be ready within a few days," Janet said, bringing the General's attention back to her. "We should start making preparations to bring Daniel and Sam back to the mountain."
"Didn't we relocate them for their own mental well being?"
"Yes Sir," Janet agreed, "but that was for an unspecified amount of time. Now that we have a more firm timetable it's best to get them back so we can proceed as soon as we're ready."
"I'll make the arrangement," Hammond said. "Dr. Lee. Get the reactor working. Dismissed."
"Carter," Jack snapped. "What did I just tell Daniel about pacing?" She stopped mid stride, sparing an apologetic glance at them. She calmed down for a few minutes before pacing again. "Carter." Sam bristled her fur indignantly before turning toward Daniel. "Don't even think about it," he warned. She paused for a second. Jack could see her thinking about disobeying the order before she gave a resigned huff and sat down, the occasional twitch of her tail the only sign of her aggravation. Daniel looked over from his perch and gave her a questioning mew. She shook her head. Daniel nodded and returned his attention to the other side of the enclosure. She laid her head down, her eyes never leaving Daniel. Jack followed her gaze to the other Black Panther.
It had been a day since General Hammond had called telling Jack they were almost ready to change them back. To say they were excited was an understatement. Daniel could hardly sit still and Sam had seemed to overcome the weakness that had enveloped her since the Jaffa stabbed her. Jack and Teal'c had contentedly watched their teammates run and play, enjoying their days of sunshine and open places. They all knew when they returned to the mountain things were going to get tense again.
When they arrived with the cages, Daniel and Sam had refused to get in. Sam had laid down, Daniel with his paw around her until their message was clear. They were not going to be split up. Janet and Chuck had debated how to proceed, eventually deciding sedating the cats would not be in their best interest. They agreed the best thing would be to put the cats in the same cage for the trip to the mountain, but since there was no cage large enough the SGC decided to make their own.
The sudden influx of people made the cats upset. When they retreated to the far side of the enclosure Jack decided to go with them while Teal'c stayed to supervise the construction of the cage. The extra distance did little to relieve their anxiety though, as they both wanted to see what was happening and yet wanted to be as far away as possible. Daniel had been pacing so much Jack finally snapped, sending the panther away. He didn't go far though, just jumping up on a rock where he could see everything.
Daniel suddenly tensed, a low growl escaping his mouth. Sam's head shot up, a questioning roar directed to Daniel. He distractedly answered her, his attention focused on the far end of the enclosure. Jack shifted his own gaze there, but could see nothing so he refocused on Daniel. After a few minutes Daniel relaxed again, turning to look at Sam. Sam nodded, allowing her head to fall again. "Teal'c," Jack thumbed is radio. "What happened?"
"Metal supports overbalanced and fell over."
"That's it?" he asked. "Daniel almost jumped out of his skin."
"It created a rather unexpected commotion."
"How's it going?"
"We are proceeding according to schedule," Teal'c told him.
"Keep me informed." He released the radio, surprised to see Sam's head slightly canted toward him. "We're you eavesdropping Major?" Sam looked at him guiltily. "You know you're more than welcome to wander over and take a look for yourself." She quickly got to her feet. "You just can't jump up with Daniel." She roared and turned to look at him fully. "It's not my fault you went and got yourself gutted." She growled menacingly. "Don't make me get Janet," he threatened, a smile gracing his face. She huffed and started pacing again. "Carter," he complained, but she simply ignored him. He smiled and leaned back in his chair as he watched his two teammates.
"Colonel." Jack jumped at the unexpected voice.
"Doc," he greeted her. "You're getting sneaky."
"I have my moments," she smiled, holding out a bag to him. "Thought you might be hungry."
"Thanks." He opened the bag to find a burger and fries. A low growl was heard as he pulled the burger out. "I am not that hungry," he said at her amused look. "Carter," he grumbled, turning back to the glass.
"It's okay Sam," she laughed, moving to put her hand on the glass.
"How exactly did that start?"
"You started it," she said. "Well, Teal'c is technically the first person who used it as the peace signal, but he says you used it first so you get the credit." Sam seemed satisfied and turned back toward Daniel. "No jumping," she yelled, seeing Sam about to jump up on the rock next to Daniel. She sagged in defeat, instead lying down next to the pool. Daniel looked down, mewing softly. Sam simply shook her head.
"Is this how they were before?" Jack asked. The last few hours had seen a drastic change in the cats' behavior. They were much more restless than before.
"Worse," she replied, grabbing a chair next to Jack. "This is just them being irritable." She sighed. "Sam wasn't too bad considering she was injured, but Daniel made up for it. He got extremely aggressive; almost to the point we worried he would attack someone."
"Did he ever attack Carter?" he asked hesitantly.
"No," she replied quickly. "It was the opposite. He became extremely protective of her."
"Isn't that good?" he asked.
"Normally yes," she agreed, "but Sam needed care. Care that Daniel couldn't give her."
"And he wasn't making it easy to get to her," he concluded, connecting the dots in his mind. "Did he attack anyone?"
"No, but it got close a few times. Daniel was always able to reign himself in. It was like he was unable to distinguish friend from foe, seeing danger everywhere." She sighed. "The hand gesture has been a lifesaver."
"How so?" he asked.
"We think Daniel became so aggressive because he thought they were in danger. We're not entirely sure how their senses or perceptions have been changed, but anything they didn't deem friendly were considered harmful. Eventually they were able to recognize me and calmed down, but it took longer and longer each time.
"When Sam woke up after you arrived she felt a presence but didn't understand it was Teal'c. Daniel picked up on her mood and it escalated from there. Teal'c remained calm, simply pressing his hand to the glass. Eventually Sam realized who it was and calmed down. Daniel followed suit and the peace signal was born."
"So they trust anyone who knows the secret handshake."
"Not quite," Janet explained. "They seem to be able to recognize select people, namely myself, Teal'c, you Colonel, and to a lesser extent Dr. Yeager. If these people vouch for strangers, they are cautiously allowed."
"So without having to worry all the time they are more relaxed and peaceful," Jack concluded.
"It would seem so," Janet agreed. Suddenly the cats tensed up again, Daniel staring at the far end while Sam walked back to the window. She mewed softly, curling up by the window. "Soon Sam. Just a little while longer." She turned back to the Colonel. "I should be getting back."
"Thanks for lunch Doc."
"Anytime Sir," she said, smiling before leaving. Jack sighed, throwing his garbage in a nearby can and retook his seat.
"Soon guys," he said softly, wondering if he was trying to convince them or himself.
"Easy," Jack warned as the cage wobbled slightly. The cats growled their discomforted, but didn't get up from their crouched position. The cage steadied and the group continued their trek. They slowly made their way through hallways and out to the parking lot. "Steady," Jack warned again as they loaded the cage into the waiting transport. He backed out of the truck so they could secure the cage. As soon as they were done Jack and Teal'c moved back into the truck.
"It will take us a few minutes to get ready to roll Sir," Reynolds told them.
"Thanks," Jack told him while Teal'c nodded his appreciation. Reynolds nodded before pulling down the privacy flap. "Well kids," he started, surveying his team. The cats took that as a sign that they could get up and move around.
"O'Neill," Teal'c indicated the remaining seats in the truck. "It would be prudent to secure ourselves as well."
"Right." They sat down, putting on their seat belts. They could hear activity around them and they could see Janet and Dr. Yeager climb into the cab. A quick thumbs up from Reynolds and the truck roared to life. The trucks jerked forward and the gentle swaying was enough to put all occupants into a light sleep.
"Sir." Jack jerked awake at the call. It took him a few seconds to realize they were stopped, and a couple more to realize who called him.
"Walter," he greeted, jumping out of the truck.
"Colonel O'Neill," Walter insisted. "General Hammond needs you in the briefing room Sir." Jack opened his mouth to argue but then he caught the look in Walter's eyes.
"Teal'c," Jack locked gazes with him. He nodded in understanding. He turned and all but ran toward the mountain, barely aware Walter was keeping pace. He rushed into the elevator. "What happened?"
"We've had a couple of visitors," Walter explained. "From Area 51."
"NID?" Jack asked. While he rationally knew they couldn't keep this a secret forever, he hoped they would be able to change Daniel and Sam back before word got out.
"They have orders," Walter said enigmatically. Jack sighed and punched the button for level 27 a bit harder than needed. Orders didn't mean anything. While they had taken down the majority of the rogue NID organization, Jack knew they would never fully be rid of them. The elevator opened and Jack ran down the corridor. He stopped short of the General's office, casually walking the last few steps. The door was open and he could see Hammond in a spirited debate with two Officers. Hammond motioned him forward.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Jack asked as he stepped into the office.
"Not at all," Hammond replied angrily. "These gentlemen were just leaving."
"I'm sorry, General," the lower ranking officer, Major Cherbik, said, "but our orders were specific. We are not to leave this facility without what we came for."
"Then allow Sergeant Harriman to show you to your temporary quarters because this meeting is over." His tone left no room for arguing. Walter deftly snuck through the office and soon was leading the officers from the office. When the men were out of sight he allowed his body to relax and turned to Jack. "Colonel," he greeted, motioning to a chair in front of his desk.
"They here for Carter and Daniel," Jack asked immediately. Hammond shook his head and slid a folder across his desk. Jack scanned the papers, his eyes widening as he read. "The device?" he finally asked, putting the folder down. "What do they want with that?"
"They are interested in the genetic information the archive holds."
"So we change Carter and Daniel back and they can play with it all they want."
"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Hammond explained. "Dr. Lee is confident he can generate enough power to use the device, but in doing so there is a possibility the device will be damaged. That is a risk they are unwilling to take."
"So what are Daniel and Carter suppose to do?" Jack ranted. "Live merrily in a zoo until they decide they've learned everything they can from that damn device? How long will that take? A month? A year? A decade? They can't do this. The longer they stay as animals the further from human they become. Everyone agrees on that."
"My hands are tied Jack. I'm doing everything I can but until these orders changeā¦"
"I know Sir," Jack interrupted, "and I appreciate everything you're doing, but you know the NID could care less about Carter and Daniel."
"It won't come to that son," Hammond promised. Jack nodded. He knew Hammond wouldn't let his friends stay like that regardless of his orders. "But," he continued, "If we were able to somehow minimize the risk of damaging the device, there would be no grounds for these orders."
"Sir?" Jack asked, unsure where the General was going with this.
"Perhaps," he said, choosing his words very carefully, "some of our allies who are more technologically advanced and who would be willing to share their knowledge. Perhaps we'll even run into an old friend." The light clicked in Jack's head.
"We did promise to tell Jacob when we were ready to switch them back," Jack mentioned. "It wouldn't hurt to let him have a look at the device before we try."
"I assume Teal'c will want to remain here while you retrieve Jacob."
"Yes Sir," Jack quickly answered. They might not be after Sam and Daniel yet, but Jack wasn't about to take any chances with the NID around.
"Do you need any backup for this mission," Hammond asked.
"No, I can handle this one solo."
"Very well. You'll leave as soon as you're ready." Jack nodded and left the office. He headed directly for one of the large, rarely used storerooms that had been converted for the cats. The low growls told him they beat him there.
"O'Neill," Teal'c called him over to a corner they had made into an observation area. Glancing around he could see various crates and boxes stacked up to allow the cats to climb and jump, and a large open area they could run a little bit. A bunch of old mattresses were piled up in the corner for them to sleep on. Not quite as good as the zoo, but much better than the isolation rooms.
"We're almost ready," Janet told him as he approached. "We just need to do a few last minute checks."
"Hold that thought Doc," Jack interrupted. He quickly explained about their visitors and why they were here. He could see Teal'c tense with the news, while Janet looked over to the cats worriedly.
"What are we going to do Colonel," Janet asked.
"How long can they stay in the mountain before we need to get them back outside?" Jack asked.
"Well, we are much more prepared to deal with their specific needs, have much more experience, but any long term confinement will have a very serious negative outcome."
"Ballpark figure for me Doc."
"Less than a week," Janet told him after thinking for a few minutes. "Maybe more depending on their reactions."
"Hopefully I won't take that long," Jack said mumbled quietly under his breath. "I'm going to see if Jacob had any luck researching this device or Artemis. In the meantime use this time wisely. Doc, get together with Lee. If it's the power fluctuations they're really worried about, they might lose their ground if we can get that under control. Get the whole science department on it if you need to."
"Do you really believe they will abandon their mission so easily O'Neill?"
"No," Jack admitted, "but right now they have Orders. Orders Hammond is already fighting. If we can keep their actions above ground, we can keep blocking them. Make them go underground and we might get blindsided."
"Then I shall maintain my vigil from enemies both above and below."
"Right," Jack replied.
"Good luck Sir." Jack nodded at the Doctor, gave one last look at his teammates and left the room.
