Chapter 11
"Welcome back," Hank said.
The three teams exited the Stargate and started down the ramp, bringing with them an unhappily bound woman. She sneered at him.
She looked like Fraiser. Hank couldn't really tell the difference either way.
"We lost Coleman," Jack said, sounding tired. He passed him a handful of files. "Care of Colonel Howard. Those are the latest medical results on all of us."
"I still want to have a look at you," Carolyn said. "Just as a precaution."
Hank nodded. He wasn't taking any chances. Between the Prior attack, the incident on the planet, and the nishta problem, continued exams seemed the best course of action. "Report to the infirmary," he told them, his gaze lingering on Mitchell and Daniel. "Jonas Quinn is already being examined." He leaned close to Carolyn. "And when you're done with Fraiser, get her down to holding. I want her under guard."
Carolyn nodded and left, leading the teams toward the infirmary. Hank hoped they could nip this problem in the bud soon.
"They were rats?" Hank asked.
"Close enough," Jack said.
"They were a species we've never encountered before, sir," Carter said.
"None of them followed you to the base?" Hank asked.
Teal'c raised his head. "They did not."
"Nope. As soon as we made it onto the medical site, Howard shut down the Gate. We had the pleasure of listening to hundreds of those things hurling themselves at the iris," Jack said with smug satisfaction.
The truth was if he never saw a rat again, it would be too soon. The entire time they'd been examined Carter had prattled on about the acid-something the creatures kept spitting and how it was impossible that a living creature could wield something that strong without corroding its insides. Jack had said they were alien. Then, Daniel had jumped into the mix, and he'd just gotten fed up by that point. While the two of them debated the topic, he, Mitchell, and Teal'c had talked baseball.
Jack grinned. Reminded him of old times.
Hank wasn't done with the conversation. "Is it possible they were the reason why the Gate was previously locked? Or could the Ori have placed them there as a trap?"
"I'm leaning toward the latter," Jack said, picking at the edge of the table.
"It's possible the Prior picked this particular world because they knew of the threat and they knew we'd follow," Mitchell added.
"They had Janet," Daniel said. "They knew we'd take the bait. They have no limits."
The Goa'uld didn't have limits, either. But at least when they threw something at them, it was an asteroid or some funky alien technology. Not alien rats.
Jack scowled. "Nice way to get us out of their hair, wouldn't you say?"
"I've locked that particular planet out of the dialing computer," Hank said. "We shouldn't have any more incidents."
Jack hoped that was it. They didn't need any more problems.
"How about your investigation into the Nishta Project. Got anything new?" Jack asked.
Hank sighed. "Agent Barrett reports that he is still being stonewalled in his investigation."
"That's a shocker," Jack said, groaning. This just wasn't acceptable. "I want to talk to him."
Hank paused, eyeing Jack closely before finally giving way. He called for Barrett and waited for the NID agent to arrive.
Jack leaned back in his chair, assessing his friends and old teammates. They all looked as tired as he felt. Now that they had Fraiser in custody, he was tempted to let them take five. But he still had nothing concrete to use in his meeting with the IOA. And he was running out of time. He had less than two days to gather some intel – any kind of information – that could help smack these pencil pushers into using some common sense.
Jack didn't bother to straighten himself when Barrett entered the room. The NID agent took a seat next to Carter – not surprisingly – and waited to be addressed.
"What can you tell me about the Nishta Project?" Jack asked.
"Not much," Barrett admitted. "The NID seem to have wiped out any trace or connection with Joseph Owens other than what we've already uncovered. Aside from our source, Area 51 denies any link between Owens and the Nishta Project." He shook his head. "I've gotten in touch with some of my contacts in Washington and in the White House but they haven't been able to tell me anything."
"Who are these contacts?" Hank asked.
"I'm afraid I can't reveal my sources," Barrett said.
"Of course you can't."
"General O'Neill, I need for my sources to come through. They are not going to be forthcoming if they know that I've violated our trust."
"Let me guess. These contacts aren't exactly legal," Jack said.
"Like I said, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty," Barrett said evenly. "Don't worry," he added. "I won't reveal any information about the SGC."
"I'm telling you it would be a whole lot easier if we could just use the nishta on Owens to get some answers," Jack mumbled.
Everyone stared at him like he'd said the most offensive thing ever.
Daniel glared at him, a mix of anger and disbelief. "You can't be serious?"
"Hey, I never said we'd do it. I'm just saying."
"That would make us no better than the Goa'uld, the Ori, or the people we're trying to fight in our own government," Daniel said, his face tense.
Jack shrugged, but felt a little more relaxed inside. That sure sounded like the Daniel he knew. "We'll just have to keep digging for answers," Jack said, hoping that would placate Daniel and the rest of them.
But Daniel had already jumped onto something else.
"I don't understand," Daniel said. He licked his lips and leaned forward, moving into Barrett's line of sight. "Owens' work on the project was under a presidential order. That would mean this is linked directly to the President or the Vice President. Can't you find out if this is connected to them?"
"It's not that simple, Doctor Jackson."
"I'm not saying it is. I'm just pointing out the most logical step."
"I'm sure Agent Barrett is looking into everything, Daniel," Carter said, offering him a small supportive smile.
"I've already been in touch with General Hammond several times," Barrett explained. "He's running into similar roadblocks, even with his clearance."
"Hammond reports to the President and the Joint Chiefs," Jack said. "And he works as a consultant for me." If George couldn't get any answers…well, Jack didn't want to think about it.
"The man doesn't know the meaning of the word retirement, does he?" Mitchell said with a chuckle.
"General Hammond said he was going to try a few other avenues before he flies out to Colorado," Barrett said. "Meanwhile, I'll check in with my contacts and see what I can do."
"Thank you, Agent Barrett," Hank said. They watched him dismiss himself before he was escorted back to his office. Hank returned his attention back to the briefing room. "Anything else?"
"Janet's obviously brainwashed. I'd like to talk to her, see if I can help her remember," Daniel said.
Hank didn't say anything, and Jack couldn't blame him. Neither Jack nor Hank thought that was the best idea, given the fact they were still waiting to conclusively verify Jonas, Mitchell, and Daniel weren't going to go nuts on them.
Daniel sighed in frustration. "Look, you can keep me on guard. Send a whole troop with me. But if I can get through to her, we could get some valuable information on the Ori."
Damn, Daniel knew how to push all the right buttons. Jack glanced over to Hank.
"All right," Hank said. "But you will remain under guard, and you will report to Doctor Lam for your bi-hourly exams. Dismissed."
Daniel jumped to his feet and practically ran out of the room. If Jack had blinked, he would have missed him.
"How's Jonas?' Jack asked, still staring at the empty spot Daniel had left behind.
"Communicating with First Minister Dreylock and looking for anything additional that will help both our worlds fight the Ori. So far, neither of them is exhibiting any symptoms that would indicate a plague or what happened to the Sodan."
Jack turned to glare at Mitchell.
"I haven't developed a taste for brains, if that's what you're thinking," Mitchell muttered.
Not yet, anyway, Jack thought to himself. His gaze fell to Carter. "And that stuff you brought back with you from Area 51?"
"Still under examination," she said. "Doctor Lee is working with the biochemical staff to try to figure out its makeup."
"Lee?" Jack frowned. "What the hell kind of scientist is he, anyway?" Seeing that he wasn't going to get an answer, Jack continued. "Whatever. I think we should check on their progress."
"Actually, sirs, I'd like to head back to Area 51 and see what breakthroughs Doctor Emerson might be making," Carter said, eyeing both Hank and Jack hopefully. "Her research could help us with our own pursuits."
"Agreed," Hank said.
"You're not going alone," Jack added.
"I'll go with her," Mitchell said.
Jack glared at him again.
"Aw, come on now!"
"Colonel Mitchell, I agree with General O'Neill. You need to stay on the base." Hank raised his hand, trying to ease Mitchell. "Just a precaution."
"I will accompany Colonel Carter," Teal'c offered.
"Perfect," Jack said. Teal'c was intimidating enough for all of them. He nodded to Hank, and the both of them rose to their feet. Mitchell and Carter followed suit. "Get down to Area 51 and see what you can find. Mitchell, you come with me."
"Where we going?" Mitchell asked, following Jack out of the room.
"We're going to pay Lee a little visit and see if we can 'urge' him to work a little faster," Jack said, smirking.