Tolbena
By
Jennaya
The Planet Laboratory
"Carter," Jack said as he sat up rubbing his head.
"Sir," she responded, sitting up slowly.
"Where's Daniel?" he asked.
"I don't know. He was here when I went to sleep," she responded looking around.
"Well, he's not here now," Jack said as he walked over to the backpacks. He ran his hand over the object he was hiding, as the door slide open.
Olran walked into the room and over to O'Neill putting his hand on O'Neill's shoulder. Jack grabbed the object and spun around, caught Olran by the neck, holding the tent post at an angle ready to thrust it in. "Colonel O'Neill, I mean you no harm," Olran started.
"Yeah, where's Daniel?" Jack demanded.
"He is safe. He's been returned home to your world," Olran assured him.
"What's it going to take for Carter and me to get out of here?" Jack questioned still holding the tent post in a threatening manner at the alien's neck.
"That is what I have come to talk to you about," Olran answered, easily removing himself from the Colonel's grip.
Jack looked dumbfounded and let the tent post fall to the ground. So maybe it wasn't such a good weapon after all. "What do you mean?" He asked hesitantly.
Olran gestured with his hand. "If you will follow me, I will explain what has been happening." The three walked out the door and then out of the building.
Jack didn't know what to think at first. At least the alien hadn't hit the button on his belt. But how he got out of his grip so easily, he didn't know. He looked at the trees and wondered for a moment. What would people on Earth, think of blue and purple trees? Tired of waiting for Olran to explain, he spoke up first. "So, where are we going?"
"To the Stargate, but first I would like you to see something on the way. If after I show you it, you wish to leave, you may," Olran said leading the way.
"I'm sure we're going to want to leave," Jack stated sarcastically.
"Perhaps Colonel, but please, there is something you must know first," Olran answered as he lead them up the path.
As they got to the top of the hill, Sam exclaimed, "Colonel, this looks just like…,"
"Yeah, it kind of does, doesn't it Major? What's going on here?" Jack demanded from the alien while looking at the machine.
"This device is patterned after the one on Latona, it is a universal Sentinel*. It will destroy all Goa'uld in the universe," Olran explained, looking both the humans in the eyes. He truly hoped Meshall was right, and they were the ones to give their technology too.
"So, why haven't you activated it?" Jack asked with concern in his voice.
"Because, you see, Colonel, we are no longer corporal beings. We have no structured physical bodies, as you have. We can't operate the device," Olran responded.
"Why are you showing it to us?" Sam asked almost afraid of the answer.
"This Sentinel requires two people to activate it. We have been searching for the right beings for a long time, and believe we have found them in you," Olran looked from her to Jack.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked pointedly.
"I assure you, Colonel, there will only be a momentary feeling of pain as the machine activates," he explained.
"What exactly does that mean?" Jack asked louder.
"Once activated, this device will rid the universe of all Goa'uld symbiotes, even Anubis. But those activating it…shall also perish," Olran answered forlornly.
"NO WAY!" Jack shouted shaking his head. That was not what he wanted to hear.
"The tests we performed were to determine your reaction to the Goa'uld, and your characters. We had hoped in you, we had found allies to rid the universe of Goa'uld once and for all. The choice is yours Colonel, Major. If you choose not to, you may leave," Olran told them stepping out of the way. They could now walk down the path to the Stargate and he wouldn't stop them.
"Wait a minute," Sam started. "You said all symbiotes. What about the Tok'ra and the Jaffa?"
"They too, shall perish. Any being with a live symbiote will die," Olran stated gravely.
"You want us to kill the Tok'ra and the rebel Jaffa?" She said incredulously.
"I don't know about that, Olran. They're our allies," Jack stated.
"We cannot distinguish genetically between them, and each symbiote a rebel Jaffa carries will eventually take a host becoming a Goa'uld," Olran reminded them. "It will be a painless death for the host and symbiote. I assure you. We have worked with the Asgard for many centuries, trying to undo the genetic manipulation the Goa'ulds have done to the Jaffa. But there is no way. I'm sorry for that, truly I am. The choice is yours. I will be at the Stargate when you have made your decision. If you choose to do this, I'm sure you will want to say goodbye to your friends first," Olran bowed then turned and headed for the Stargate.
"Carter, what do you think? Will it work?" He asked her as they moved around the machine studying it.
"Sir, you can't be seriously thinking of doing it. I mean wiping out the Tok'ra?" She said indigently.
"I don't know. We've been looking for a way to rid the universe of the Goa'uld for a long time," he replied, as he walked around the machine again.
"The Goa'uld, yes, but not the Tok'ra or the rebel Jaffa," Sam said with convection.
"What do you think is going to happen to the rebel Jaffa, as symbiotes become scarcer to obtain? Even now, they'd prefer to die then take the Tritonen," Jack reminded her
"But my father…,"
"I know, that's one of the wrinkles I see in this plan," he answered looking back at her. "The other one is that I don't want you to die."
"Sir, if we're going to kill off all the Tok'ra, and the rebel Jaffa, I'd rather not be around to see it," she replied honestly.
"So what are you saying? Will it work and do you want to do this?" Jack asked directly.
"Yes, from what I can tell and know of the Latona's Sentinel, it will work. I don't see as if we have much choice, sir," Sam said looking him in the eyes.
"I don't either," Jack said grimly. "Maybe we should go and inform the General what to be expecting."
"Yes, sir," she replied as they headed towards the Stargate. "You know, sir, Teal'c and Bra'tac should make it through this unharmed, since they don't have symbiotes anymore."
"Alive maybe, but not unharmed," Jack's voice was low, and he looked away from her.
"What do you mean, sir?" Sam was confused by his statement.
"Rya'c won't make it through," Jack said softly.
"Oh, yeah," Sam responded, almost as softly. They walked in silence as they made their way to the Stargate.
"What have you decided?" Olran asked gently, as they walked up to the Stargate. He already knew by the looks on their faces.
"Well, we need to call home, and tell the General what's going to happen, first," Jack stated.
"Very well, thank you Colonel and Major," Olran said as he stepped aside to allow Carter to dial Earth.
"This is O'Neill. I need to talk to Hammond," he stated into the MALP's camera.
"Colonel O'Neill, we'd thought we'd lost you. There's been no contact, and we haven't been able to establish a wormhole to your destination for over 52 hours. What's going on?"
"Well, about that, sir, I'm sorry. It was out of our control. Are Daniel and Teal'c all right?" Jack asked.
"They're both in the infirmary, but Doctor Fraiser assures me, they'll both be fine. What's going on?" The General asked again.
"Sir, the local inhabitants have a device that will wipe out all the Goa'uld from the universe," Jack started.
"That sounds positive, Colonel. Are they willing to share the technology?" Hammond asked, but his gut said there was something more.
"Yes, sir, but there's a couple of problems," Jack answered.
"What type of problems?" Hammond asked with suspicion.
"Well, for starters, when it's activated every symbiote in the universe will be wiped out, including the Tok'ra and the Jaffa, sir," Jack informed him.
"I see. You said a couple of problems, I take it there's more," Hammond demanded to know the rest.
"Yes, sir, you see it takes two humans to make the machine work. Carter and I are going to…make it happen," Jack said looking back at Sam.
"What exactly do you mean Colonel? Major?" Hammond demanded.
"What he means sir, is that both Colonel O'Neill and myself, will also be killed by the machine," Sam answered without emotion in her voice.
"I see. I'm not sure I can authorize this," Hammond replied not sure he'd heard all the evidence yet.
"The decision has already been made, sir. Sorry but this is just to inform you of what is about to happen," Jack answered.
"Colonel, there's got to be another way. I am ordering you and Major Carter to come through the Stargate right now. Then we'll send through a scientific team. Let's see if we can find a way to activate this machine without human lives being lost," Hammond ordered. He wasn't going to lose two good officers like this.
"No sir," Jack said.
"Excuse me Colonel?" Hammond retorted.
"The locals have searched for a long time to find someone who can run the machine. Anyone coming through the Stargate would have to undergo…tests. Carter and I, are the only two people who have ever qualified," Jack informed him.
"What do you mean by tests?" Hammond questioned.
"Let's just say to determine a person's character. General, the Asgard are involved in this too. They say there is no other way and I believe them," Jack answered.
"Colonel O'Neill, I'm not comfortable losing two of my best people on this assignment," Hammond shook his head.
"I understand that, sir, but this is what we do. We save the planet. This time we get to save the universe as well," Jack answered.
"And just who is going to be around to save the planet next time?" Hammond demanded.
"With the Goa'uld out of the way, Earth should be fine," Jack said trying to convince himself too.
"What about the replicators?" Hammond reminded him.
"Well, Thor said we wouldn't be seeing them for a few thousand years.** I don't think Carter or I would be in a position to help, when they do come back around. Sir, please don't make our final act to defy orders," Jack requested.
"Colonel, I don't like this. The Tok'ra and rebel Jaffa are our allies," Hammond stated.
"I understand, sir. I'm not too keen on it either. Believe me, if there was another way or if I could do this alone, I would've already sent Major Carter home," Jack told him.
"Sir, the technology is not something we would be able to understand. It's on the level of the Ancients and more advance than anything the Asgard have. I agree with Colonel O'Neill, this is the only way," Sam stated keeping her voice even.
"Major, it sounds like we are dealing with something similar to the Sentinel," Hammond replied.
"Yes, sir, we are. It's a similar technology, but way more advanced," Sam answered.
"If it's similar to the Sentinel, then we should be able to figure it out, and not lose people in the process," Hammond stated with authority.
"No sir, as I said, it's too advanced. We would not be able to do that," Sam argued.
"You're talking about wiping out our allies, when you activate this machine," Hammond reminded them.
"General, I don't see any way around it. With the exception of a couple of Tok'ra, we wouldn't be losing much there. The rebel Jaffa, well, that's a different story. Unfortunately, there's just no alternative this time," Jack argued.
"How do I know you're not under the influence of some alien technology, and you would not be killing people instead of the Goa'uld when the machine is activated?" Hammond argued with him.
"You're just going to have to trust us, sir. We're doing this of our own free will," Jack stated.
"I see, Colonel, and there's nothing I can say to change either of your minds," Hammond didn't like this, but he trusted SG-1 to do the right thing.
"No, sir," Jack and Sam stated in unison.
"Well, it's been a pleasure knowing and serving with you both. God speed and good luck, Colonel, Major," Hammond replied sadly.
"Thank you General, the same is true with you," Sam stated trying not to let the tears wanting to fall impart into her words.
"Yes, sir. Oh, General, would you do one thing for me?" Jack asked.
"Anything Jack, what is it?" Hammond replied honestly.
"Tell Teal'c…I'm sorry," Jack barely got the words out.
"Sure son, I'll tell him," Hammond promised, without the full weight of Jack's request registering yet.
"O'Neill out," he said as he turned off the MALP. The Stargate instantly shut down. "Well, Carter, shall we do this?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, braver than she felt. They walked in silence for few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. I'm walking up this hill to my death and not just my death but the Colonel's too. I'm going to be killing my dad and some friends when I do this. I can't believe I actually agreed to it. I don't want my dad to die, but I know if he were here, he would do the same thing. There's one thing I want before I die, Sam thought. She looked at her CO out the corner of her eye, wondering what he would think. She wasn't sure she had the courage, but this was the last chance that she'd ever get. They kept walking towards the machine in silence, as she struggled to find the words.
Jack wondered what she was thinking in her last few moments, but didn't want to pry. He was afraid of the answer. If she asked him for something, he didn't know if he could go through with this. He had to continue thinking of her as his second in command and not Sam; otherwise, he'd not be able to do this. And this was what they'd been trying to do for years; looking for a way to rid the universe of the Goa'uld. They couldn't let this opportunity to go by. He slowed a bit to watch her as she walked ahead. If only, he thought…if only life had played out differently. If only they hadn't left their love for one another in that room. He admonished himself for his thoughts. She had moved on with life, and had someone waiting for her at home. So why exactly was she walking up this hill with him to their deaths? There was no way, Sam…err Carter, could still want him. So, he wouldn't say anything; he'd play the professional soldier to the end.
Sam slowed to allow him to catch up with her, not being in a particular hurry as it was. She wondered what he was thinking about, but was afraid to ask. Years ago, she would have, not now. Now they had grown apart, she'd even started dating someone…Pete. He hadn't even crossed her mind when she made her decision. She wondered what the Air Force would tell him and her family, why her body wouldn't be returned for burial? It was a sobering thought, and suddenly, she needed to know what the Colonel was thinking, so she spoke first. "What are you thinking, sir?"
"Why you agreed to do this?" He stated with little emotion in his voice.
"Well, the same reasons you did. I suppose," she answered trying to remain calm.
"Well, me that's easy. I'm a broken down, old soldier, with no one waiting for me at home. You on the other hand, have someone waiting back on Earth." He stopped her and turned her to face him. "Sam, I have to be sure this is what you want. I can get someone else here to do this thing."
"With all due respect, sir, no you can't. I'm the one that has to do it. As far as someone at home, I hadn't even thought of that," she lied.
"Well, you need to think about it," Jack said more sharply than he meant.
"This is what we do. We save the world and the universe. I've made my decision, so unless you've changed your mind, we should get going." Softly she added, "Besides, the person I want isn't at home."
"I haven't changed my mind. I just needed to make sure you're okay with it, Sam," he replied, letting go of her.
Sam turned walking towards the Sentinel, thinking. Well, there I told him, he has to make the next move. They continued to walk in silence, both afraid of saying anything to the other.
Olran watched silently as the pair continued in their own thoughts, he shook his head, disbelieving what was about to finally happen. They reached the Sentinel a few minutes later. "You will both need to stand on opposite sides and hold the white bars. It will only be a second before the machine activates. If either of you lets go, it will power down," Olran instructed.
"Well Major, I guess this is it. It's been both an honor and pleasure serving with you, Sam," Jack stated.
"It's been an honor and a privilege serving with you too, sir…Jack," Sam agreed and smiled her beautiful smile at him.
"Shall we save the universe one last time?" Jack asked, as they both took a step forward. Taking a deep breath they nodded to the other then both firmly grasped the white bars in front of them. A white light emanated from the machine and engulfed both of them.
*Episode – The Sentinel
**Episode – Unnatural Selection
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