Hannah sat next to Chief Sergeant Harriman as they tried to dial Kellana again between scheduled arrivals of SG teams. "So what do we know about Lt Colonel Mitchell?" Hannah asked Harriman.
Harriman was the best man to ask what was going on around the base. He looked around and covered the microphone on his headset. "Two years ago he was a part of the earth fleet in the dog fight over Antarctica" he told her. Harriman went on to tell her how Mitchell's glider was shot down and somehow he survived the subzero temperatures and recovered to Active duty in less than two years when the doctors claimed he would never walk again. So his reward was a promotion and assignment where ever he wished.
"He's alright" Harriman commented in a low voice. High praise coming from him… Hannah thought she turned as the sounds of footsteps came down the metal and the sounds of a familiar voice. Sam came down the stairs behind Landry into the control.
"Lieutenant" Sam said with a smile, she was dressed in her blue service uniform standing with Landry.
"Ma'am" Hannah said returning the smile.
"Have you made a connection yet?" Sam asked Hannah directly.
"No this is our..." Hannah and Harriman exchanged looks "fourth? No sixth attempt. I doubt it will connect. Lt Colonel Mitchell and the others are gearing up for nothing" Hannah said to Sam.
"Continue dialling anyway, Lt Colonel Carter has a plan B we may have to use" Landry told her. Hannah turned and shut down the gate and turned her attention back to them.
"Plan B Sir?" Hannah asked, Sam gave her the brief highlights and then excused herself to go gear up for the mission.
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"Chevron Four encoded." Harriman called as the Stargate chevron stopped and locked. The gate continued to dial. Mitchell, Vala, Daniel and Teal'c came into the control. All dressed in Black BDU's and weapons. Vala accessorised with a long beige scarf since she wasn't allowed any weaponry.
"I promise you he's lying." Vala said as she played with the ends of her scarf. Hannah smothered a smile as she watched the readouts from the computers.
"About which part?" Daniel asked Vala.
"All of it." Vala stated. Daniel gave an exasperated sigh at Vala's response.
"Chevron Five encoded." Harriman said.
"Yet we have been unable to dial the coordinates to Kellana despite several attempts." Teal'c stated calmly.
"Goa'uld don't do anything for anyone other than themselves." Hannah said turning in her chair to look at Mitchell. They were dialling Kellana again just to prove the wormhole couldn't be established even though the plans had been changed. Landry had ordered one more try even though they had their back up plan in effect.
"Chevron Six encoded." Harriman called.
"Maybe it's in his own interest to stop the Ori." Mitchell suggested. Vala made a derisive noise. The gate spun until it stalled and powered down.
"Chevron Seven still will not lock." Harriman told them.
"All right, we've tried that long enough. Colonel Carter?" Landry said from the back of the room. All eyes settled on him and Sam who was geared up and ready to go. Sam stepped forward.
"We've revised the original plan slightly to expedite matters. The Prometheus is en route and will rendezvous with us at P4C-452. We'll proceed to Kellana from there. Now, considering their unique ability to maintain an active Stargate indefinitely and their force field capabilities, the President has authorized any and all means to complete the mission." Sam informed them, she signalled to Hannah to start dialling the gate.
"Oh, boy. Here I was trying to have a 'nuke free career." Mitchell said in a low voice to Teal'c who stood beside him.
"We've been developing something at Area 51 that General O'Neill believes will be our best chance to stop them right here, right now." Sam said not stopping to respond to Mitchell's comment.
"But you don't agree." Vala said at Sam's reluctance to use a nuclear weapon.
"I agree we have to try. I just don't think it'll be enough." Sam told Vala.
"It's what we've got. Questions?" Landry asked, Vala raised her hand but Daniel grabbed her hand and lowered it quickly.
"No, sir." Mitchell said answering for the room.
"Still no response from the Jaffa Council?" Landry asked Teal'c.
"None as of yet." Teal'c replied.
"Well, we can't wait for Gerak. We proceed as planned. Move out" Landry said, the Stargate activated and wormhole established to the dialled planet. Hannah looked down at her watch, she was late for her medical check up with Flynn.
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It was late afternoon, Hannah sat in the women's locker room. She had finished a gruelling rehab session followed by a long hot shower. It was time to go home SG1 would be off on mission for at least a few days. But she decided to stay just out of convience.
She rubbed her knee not that it hurt but just the oddity of that it wasn't her own bones anymore. She sighed and got up from the bench she was sitting on and changed back into her service uniform. She turned the lock on her locker and picked up her cane and hobbled out. Flynn was already waiting outside and fell into step with her.
"I just got off the phone with the IOA" he told her.
"And that should concern me how?" Hannah asked as they moved to the elevator.
"Since the IOA fund a good portion of the SGC working including myself. I was informed you not only have to pass the physical review board but also a psychiatric evaluation by an independent doctor selected by the IOA. So even if you pass the physical review board you can be kicked back-"
"For being unbalanced? Half baked?" Hannah asked with a wry smile interrupting him.
"Yeah which let's be truthful you are" he teased as he hit the button for down.
"Thanks" Hannah said dryly. "But I'm not surprised by any of this I thought I had to do one for the medical physical review thing" she said waving a hand.
"No but they do require you submit a report on how you were injured. Something you haven't done yet" Flynn said, the doors opened and he stood to the side letting her step on first.
"It's on my 'to do' list" Hannah told him.
"Good we should also talk about your medication" He said Hannah looked at him for a moment before she stuck her hand in her pocket and pulled out a pill container. It only had two tablets left in it she shook it in his face and then handed it to him.
"Here, I was going to get a refill but I might as well not better to kick it before it becomes a habit" Hannah said nonchalantly.
"You like to make things hard for yourself don't you?" he asked, Hannah gave him an odd smile.
"It's just sleeping pills Doc, not heroin unless there's something you want to tell me?" she asked.
"What Level?" Flynn asked not giving into Hannah's bait. He pocketed the near empty prescription.
"22, I'm staying on base until SG1 return" Hannah said leaning against the wall of the elevator as it made its descent.
"I can drive you home if you want" he offered.
"No it's fine. I've got some things I need to get done" Hannah told him
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Hannah finished writing up her last report pertaining to Atlantis. She basically recounted from her last report to her very last movements and Ford's actions with her recommendations about future proceedings. It twisted her up inside as she admitted her mistakes in the fight and taking responsible for her own injuries. She omitted the last few words she and Ford exchanged saying her grip merely slipped before Ford had a chance to pull her up. It was a lie but she knew Sheppard would be comforted in some small way that Ford wasn't too far gone.
She clicked the send button on the report, feeling still tightly wound. She turned her attention to her personal emails. She smiled as she read a couple of emails from Bates she missed him dearly. He had all good news for her she laughed out loud at a few of his comments about readjusting back into life after all the antics of Atlantis and how he was definitely enjoying his R&R. She looked at her watch and sighed as it was past midnight, she needed to get some sleep but found herself completely awake. She decided she would reply to the emails and then turn in for the night. If SG1 had any news she would hear of it eventually it's not like she could do anything to help them.
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Hannah looked up at the sky, glowing red from the impact of wraith weapon blasts on the shield. The room was lit in the glow of the warm colour while white fleck fell from the sky like snow. Slowly drifting and landing carelessly. It seemed peaceful as Hannah turned her head and watched the white flecks touch her skin and glow for a second before disappearing.
She looked up from her hand and saw the nameless woman glowing in an ethereal light like she was an angel. She smiled down at Hannah, her hand plunging into her chest Hannah felt the fire the image blurred and changed. She found her sitting at a work bench in a SGC lab. She felt a hand on her shoulder then a pair of warm lips grazed her neck. She smiled as she knew those lips.
"You work too hard" Coburn whispered in her ear, she turned her face around to meet his that was sitting on her shoulder.
"Just doing my five day grind" Hannah said to him, reached a hand up and touched the side of his face taking a deep breath taking in the scent of his cologne enjoying the heat of him.
"It looks nearly done what is it?" he asked.
Hannah looked to the table there was a device. It was ancient in design but it unlike anything Hannah had seen before. It was intricate in design large and dome like with legs coming off the sides, the middle of the device dipped and opened where crystals stuck out. It had four arches angling up over the centre. "I don't know" Hannah said looking down at her hand she saw a small red crystal ball.
Hannah woke up, with her heart racing, disappointment bloomed in her. The dream had felt so real she felt a sense of loss roll over her. Hannah swallowed her emotions and locked them away as she wasn't alone in the shared Officer's quarters she didn't need more rumours about her going around the base. She wiped the sweat off her brow and got up from the bed. She made the bed quietly leaving the room so as not to interrupt the other occupants.
An hour later a shower, fresh fatigues and breakfast Hannah went to Daniel's office. She needed to look through her journals see if she could find the device she had been constructing in her dream, she ignored her lingering thoughts about Coburn he was gone and as real as he felt in the dream he was never coming back. But she could find the device so she headed to Daniel's office with the assumption he still had her journals on his book case. She reached the office to find the door open; she crept to the door quietly and looked in to find it empty. She looked around the halls no one was around she ducked into the office.
She mused over the messy state of Daniel's office and wondered if he just upturned all his packed boxes and considered himself unpacked or if he was deliberate in his clutter. She moved to the bookcase and scanned the shelves until she found her journals on the third shelf.
She pulled the 20 volumes from the shelf and piled them in her arms and turned to Daniel's desk contemplating if she should remove herself from his office or stay. She looked to the clock on the wall it was 7am, She wasn't sure exactly when SG1 would return but Harriman said it wouldn't be in the next day or so as the Prometheus was going to drop them off at the first Stargate. The mission apparently was a mixed result, Kellana had been destroyed the details would come out in SG1's debrief when they returned.
Hannah decided on staying there was no harm she'd search for the device she had seen in her dream and replaced the books without Daniel ever knowing she was here. She pulled up a chair and started flicking through the pages.
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"Hannah" Daniel said stopping at the doorway of his office, Hannah looked up from the journal she was looking at.
"Dr Jackson" she said, she looked guilty as she closed the book she was looking at. "I thought you and SG1 wouldn't be back for hours"
Daniel's expression fell slightly at her formally addressing him as Dr Jackson instead of Daniel. She was clearly putting space between them.
"Yeah, we were dropped off at the first Stargate." He told her, he noted how she didn't apologise for invading his office. "What you looking for?" he asked her.
"Nothing just reminiscing" she said she picked up the books and returned them to the bookcase. "I'll get out of your way" she said as she returned the last journal to its place. She picked her cane up from the table and moved to leave.
"Is this how it's going to be? Us I mean" Daniel asked her, Hannah turned to him and contemplated his question for a moment.
"Yeah, we have to work with one another but I'm not going to hang around and socialise with you over a cup of coffee" She looked at her watch "Well I gotta go I'm late for an appointment" she told him.
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Hannah spent the next two months on limited duties. She slipped into a routine of training, reading reports etc. She reluctantly worked with Daniel. Their interactions were strained at the best of times. Hannah took her allotment of work and spent as little time in the same room as him. With Vala gone life was a little dull around the SGC. Hannah silently hoped that Vala was alive out there in the Galaxy and not dead. She was missing Vala's friendship.
As she felt isolated which was ridiculous as she was surrounded by people all the time but nearly every time she was at a meeting or in the mess she felt like she was surrounded by invisible walls. She was welcome but not involved entirely, she tried on her part to become involved but she couldn't seem to settle into any rhythm and the SGC had its own cliques none of whom were ready to let her in just yet.
Hannah became grateful for a place off base for it gave her an escape and it felt close to home as she could get. With Laura currently away on the Daedalus it left Hannah to have the apartment all to herself. Chase dropped by every once in a while to keep her company. She enjoyed his company and that they talked about everything else but not work or anything too seriously.
She needed to laugh more as her dreams became more disturbing as the nights continued. She didn't have anyone to confide in, no one she trusted enough with her thoughts and she didn't trust writing it down and having it found. With the upcoming psychiatric review she couldn't risk anyone knowing anything going on in her head. She knew she was being watched carefully so she kept herself calm and collected most days and though her patience was tried she was able to keep herself in control and saved her pent up emotions for the gym with Teal'c and Mitchell.
Her recovery was going smooth, she still had to use the cane her muscle weakness in her right leg she felt was almost gone. She only used the cane to keep Flynn happy though when she was flagging at the end of the day it helped to have something to lean on. Hannah and Sam spent a lot of hours working together on the latest hyper drive systems Sam had designed smoothing out the issues and trying to boost efficacy. It was also their way of bonding again after such a long time apart.
Mitchell had disappeared on an away mission and returned chuffed at being able to show off his new Sodan fighting techniques. Hannah decided it would do her no harm to amuse him by letting him show off with Teal'c. Mitchell wanted to have common ground and she was on his team it was time she got along with the new leader of SG1. She was trying her best to fit back into the group even though they continued without her on missions.
She would be at the briefings beforehand but then spent the rest of her time trying to piece together what was going on and by the time she figured out what was going on the problem if there was one would be resolved. In the end she gave up and just waited for the mission reports to read.
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Hannah sat next to Sam at the briefing table with Mitchell, Carter and Landry were seated at the table. She was late due to the on base Psychologist who was doing her best to get Hannah to open up about her emotions and talk. Hannah held the steadfast opinion if she opened up on anything she'd up in a padded room and a straight jacket before the end of her first hour. Nothing sank a military career faster than opening p about emotions to a head hunter. She wasn't going to give anyone anymore ammunition.
Daniel was standing up presenting his findings from the planet to them. To the side of the room there was a monitor with a live feed of a man with blonde hair and pale complexion. He was in Isolation room one, strapped into a specialized metal chair.
Sam had taken SG5 to check out a black hole some intelligence from the Tok'ra. They assumed the Ori were going to attempt another Beachhead into their galaxy. The mission lucked out on Tok'ra's intelligence about the Ori but instead they found a Lab and Mitchell decided to open up the box and let the science project loose. They had found a clone and instead of possibly treating like a victim they had him in an Isolation strapped to a chair restrained. Hannah couldn't help but feel angered by the treatment of the guy, he was just like her. Not exactly but she now was experiencing what it was like to be on the other side of this discussion she was sure they had about her.
"The log entry said Anubis managed to replicate his pre-ascension DNA using the genetic manipulation device. Then, he combined it with human DNA and was able to rapidly grow our— our friend there." Daniel said pointing to the monitor as he took a seat next to Teal'c.
"The analysis I did suggests that Khalek is significantly more evolved than we are. Much more in line with the human form of the Ancients prior to ascension." Dr Lam said. Hannah smothered a cynical smile as Dr Lam's eyes flickered at her as if the woman wanted to comment further but didn't.
"So he could have all kinds of super funky powers?" Mitchell asked. Hannah remained silent she didn't know this Khalek but it felt like they were making a big leap to convict this man of being evil.
"Well, the subjects Nirrti manipulated demonstrated telekinetic and psychic abilities." Sam said.
"Like the Priors?" Mitchell asked. Hannah sat back and folded her arms.
"The goal of the experiment seems to have been to create an advanced human." Daniel said.
"With a little Anubis blended in." Landry commented.
"You said he used his pre-ascended DNA. Do you think he was doing these experiments before he ascended?" Sam asked Daniel.
"No. See, that timeline doesn't track with the log. Plus it says he had to reproduce his DNA. Which means he was doing all this after he ascended and was sent back by the Ancients. Well, halfway." Daniel explained.
"But this doesn't make any sense. Even a highly evolved human host wouldn't be as advanced as he was. Why bother?" Sam asked.
"Maybe he didn't like being stuck in limbo. Maybe even a small step back to mortality was worth it to him on some level." Mitchell offered
"Perhaps he was attempting to create an even more powerful servant than the Kull warriors." Teal'c added.
"No matter what Anubis' ultimate goal was, Khalek is extremely dangerous." Daniel told them he stressed his words so they took him seriously.
"Options?" Landry said at the head of the table he looked around the table his eyes resting on Hannah, she had remained quiet the whole the debrief . He wondered what she was thinking as she glared at the table not looking at anyone, she was clearly annoyed.
"Put him back in his pod." Mitchell said.
"I doubt we'd be able to get the one from 584 back here." Sam said.
"If we leave him there, others could circumvent the security and find him as we did." Teal'c offered.
"We could post guards." Sam said giving the idea some more merit.
"What about the Antarctica pod?" Mitchell asked.
"Look, I think we need to consider whether we want to preserve him at all!" Daniel told them vehemently it seemed he had already made his decision. Hannah flicked her gaze up at him not believing Daniel would abdicate killing Khalek.
"Hmmm." Landry said sitting back
"Look, the fact is, we don't know how successful Anubis was. Khalek is advanced, yes, but we don't know how far along he actually is. Now, if he is aware of his own state of evolutionary advancement, and I'll bet you anything he is, it is possible the only thing keeping him from ascending right now is that he hasn't figured out how." Daniel said explaining himself.
"What would that take?" Landry asked.
"I don't know. But if he can do it. If—if he knows how or figures out how, at the very least, we're going to have another Anubis on our hands. And at that point, it's going to be too late to stop him." Daniel told them.
"Well he couldn't progress his state of being while he was in stasis." Sam said
"Look, you know I would never suggest this lightly. But he is what he is. And given the danger he poses, I think we have to ask ourselves, what is the point in keeping him alive at all?" Daniel asked them, Hannah sat forward.
"So because he was made in a lab by Anubis we should automatically kill him… sorry destroy since he's a thing not a person" Hannah said cuttingly.
"He's not like us" Daniel argued
"You mean like all of you" Hannah retorted gesturing to everyone at the table beside herself. "Last time I checked I was made in a lab like him-"
"This Khalek has the genetic memories of a very evil Goa'uld" Mitchell said interrupting her.
"Sir, I have the memories of four separate individuals who all made their share of mistakes and bad choices but they don't make me who I am nor does it dictate or influence what choices I make. Shouldn't we give this Khalek a chance?" Hannah asked them
"Have you not been listening?" Daniel asked Hannah in disbelief.
"I have, but unlike you when the time comes if he proves out to be bad experiment I'll pull the trigger myself without hesitation or guilt at least I want to give him the benefit of the doubt" Hannah said with a determined tone.
"Lieutenant" Landry said giving Hannah a look of censure she sat back in her seat. He looked to Daniel "Doctor Jackson .For the moment, we're taking every security precaution we can. I'll contact Washington. Discuss how we're going to proceed. In the meantime, I suggest all of you learn as much as you can, including what Khalek does and doesn't know." Landry told them, he rose from his chair calling an end to the meeting. Hannah, Mitchell and Sam stood up out of military protocol and then returned to their seats when Landry was back in his office.
"So next step?" Mitchell asked.
"Well since Dr Jackson has made up his mind maybe he'd like to talk to Khalek and have his assumptions confirmed so his conscious can be clear" Hannah said her tone laced with malice.
"Lieutenant" Mitchell said in a warning tone.
"Just making a suggestion Sir" Hannah said in a sweet tone but her anger was palpable.
"Well then you can accompany him Lieutenant and then report to me later" Mitchell ordered her. "Dismissed"
Hannah nodded and got up from her chair and left the room. Mitchell exchanged looks with Sam who noticed Hannah's behaviour she was like a coin on caught between her two faces. She managed to remain calm and collected for most days but then there were moments where she lost her cool. Which seemed to be occurring on a regular basis luckily so far she kept it mostly contained bottling it up and saving for the punching bag but this subject had pushed her buttons.
"She's walking a fine line" Mitchell said to Sam with a long sigh. He was fast losing patience with having to deal with her mood swings.
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