I had been saving several interesting looking objects that looked like ancient only genes could turn on. With several of them on the desk, I went one by one and turned them on, documenting them, experimenting on them, and ultimately trying to figure out what they did, why the Ancients built them.

Day three found me tinkering with a pear shaped green thing. I figured out by reading the instructions that it was a personal shield device. Way cool. It turned on and after careful study, attached to my chest, forming some kind of bubble around me. I called Cow-lick, oh ok, I will call him by his real name, Sheppard. I called Sheppard to help me test the personal device.

"Well what do you want me to do?" he asked after I explained the instructions.

"I don't know, maybe threaten me with bodily harm," I said, shrugging.

Sheppard shrugged and tried to punch me. When I opened my eyes I saw him holding his hand, wincing in pain. It worked – I was okay! So he tried kicking me, same thing. Tried to throw things at me. Bounced off and fell on the floor. And then we got the bright idea of shooting me. Oh yes, if this could stop a bullet, move over Superman, Sam Carter I am coming for you!

"Wow," Sheppard said in awe. He looked at the gun, and at the still smoking bullet that lay at my feet. "I want one."

"Well, when we are done, we can see if Dr. Weir will let you use one."

"Sweet." Sheppard holstered his gun and turned bright eyes to me. "Hey I have another idea we can try."

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"

I looked up to where Dr. Weir was yelling over the balcony. Sheppard stood beside her beaming. I have to admit, it was pretty cool to still be standing after being pushed off the balcony. I walked up the stairs and saw Dr. Weir was grilling Sheppard.

"Look, it was my idea," I said. Well not the throw me off the balcony idea, but the try to see if it works idea.

"To throw you off the balcony?"

"Well I shot him first," Sheppard supplied.

Dr. Weir looked like she was watching a tennis match. "You what? Wait, I don't want to know."

We smiled at each other and followed her into her office. I looked around for a cup of coffee, all the experimenting got me thirsty. Taking some, and giving a mug to Dr. Weir, I brought the cup to my lips and….

"Oh crap."

Sheppard and Dr. Weir looked at me. I stared at my empty cup and the liquid pooling at my feet. The device didn't just protect the wearer from outside harm, but also from the ability to introduce anything from the outside. I could grasp and hold, but I couldn't intake and ingest.

The gene is a curse!