"Jack, the President wants you to try and use the box again. He feels it's just too important to not try and figure it out. If you can learn to control it – and if others can as well, it could give us a real advantage over our enemies." George sounded sincere but Jack knew the General was trying to convince himself as much as him. He knew the dangers and how easy it was for something like that to get out of control.
His first reaction was to simply agree – to go try it, find out it didn't work (surprise, surprise) and then come back to the SGC. He realized in time, however, that that would look suspicious. There's no way anyone would expect him to give in so easily.
"And if I don't agree Sir?" he asked.
"I'm afraid you have no choice Jack. The President doesn't feel that there's any harm to you so you don't really have a reason to refuse. It's not invasive or harmful. They're not going to perform experiments – they just want you to hold it and show them how it works."
"But I don't know how it works", he said, running his hands through his hair. "All I know is that every time I've touched it I've hurt someone."
"Not every time Sir", Carter spoke for the first time in the discussion. "Remember when we first experimented and you thought of – ice-cream and cake. Nothing bad happened then."
"Actually nothing happened at all", he explained. "Other than the fact that I had a nice, relaxing nap."
"But still, no one was hurt Colonel. It was only when you thought there was a threat that it - affected – other people."
"Affected? That's a nice way of putting it." He turned to the General. "Have Knightly and the other guy come out of their comas yet?"
Hammond grimaced. "Well – not yet, although the doctors are hopeful."
"Yeah – hopeful! See Carter – I hurt them badly and could do it again."
"Look Sir – I promise I'll stay with you and we'll monitor it closely. If you feel any negative emotions -"
"The NID will be there Carter. What kind of emotions do you think I'll feel?"
"Yes Sir – we can make sure they're not there, at least that they're not in the room. It will only be a couple of the scientists from Area 51 and myself. It should be okay."
"Famous last words Carter!" Jack answered. By the look on Hammond's face – and Carter's – he'd been convincing enough. " Okay – let's get this show on the road! I want to get this thing over with and then never see that damn box again!"
This time there was no trouble on the way to the airport – and they made it just fine to Area 51. When Jack exited the plane he was hit by a blast of hot desert air.
"Oh yeah – I forgot what this was like!" he said. "Can't say as I've missed it!"
"Were you ever stationed in Nevada Colonel", Carter asked. She'd never really heard much about his service other than about his time in Iraq.
"Just for a year before Sara and I were married." He grinned. "Gotta say that as hot as it was – being close to Vegas, when you're young and single – had its advantages!"
"Hmmm", she grinned back. "I can just imagine!"
"Oh, I hope not Carter", he waggled his eyebrows.
She stopped and looked at him. "You forget Sir – I was once young and single. And I've also been to Vegas!" With that she moved forward until she got to the car that was waiting for them.
He narrowed his eyes and watched her walk away. Oooh Carter, he said to himself. You bad woman you! He smiled – quite loving the thought.
When they arrived at Area 51 his favorite person was there waiting for them. "Simmons", he nodded, noticing that the guy still had the remnants of a black eye. "Sorry about your – " he waved his hand in the direction of Simmons' face.
"I'm fine O'Neill but I'm sorry about what happened. I feel like it was my fault."
"Yeah – well – any idea yet who it was?" Jack was trying hard to be polite, although he was actually enjoying the black eye. He'd wanted to give the man one for a long time.
"No – but we will. We're still searching. Uh – where's the -"
"Little black box?" Jack smiled – a thoroughly insincere expression. "Carter has it."
"Yes Sir", Carter stepped forward, holding a simple, plain carry-on bag. "It's in here."
"Good. I suggest we make our way down to the lab and get going. I expect you'd like to get out of here as fast as possible O'Neill."
"Faster", Jack answered. "But let's go."
The three of them entered into the cool of the air conditioned building. Simmons clearly knew exactly where he was going so the other two followed him, although Jack kept his eyes open. He still didn't trust everyone and he really didn't trust the man walking beside him. Best to keep on his toes.
He was proud to see that Sam was doing the same thing. Good for her, he thought. She was one helluva soldier.
Soon they arrived at the lab – where a geeky looking scientist was waiting. Jack also noticed a recliner – much like the one Sam had had at the Alpha site. Oh yeah – this was going to be fun!
He settled himself comfortably – or as comfortably as he could with Simmons in the room. He sat there quietly as he was hooked up to monitors and was strapped into the chair.
"Is this necessary", he asked as his arms were strapped down.
"I'm sorry Sir", Carter answered with a smile. "We just don't want you to get hurt."
"Carter, I'm not the one you have to worry about. I think you should be worrying about Simmons there. You know what we said about negative thoughts!"
Suddenly the Colonel looked nervous, although after a moment he relaxed. "I don't think so Colonel. Just keep telling yourself that it's not worth losing your career over."
"Hmmm", Jack seemed to consider. "Well, I was thinking it was time to start a new career anyway -"
"Colonel!" Carter laughed. "There we're almost ready. I just – have – to – there! Okay Sirs, he's all set. Now Colonel O'Neill, we're giving you a bit of a relaxant – just to calm you down. In a few minutes I'll then give you the box and ask you to think of something – nice. After that we'll have you try doing a few things."
"Carter you said the NID wouldn't be here. Simmons is NID."
"Uh" Carter turned her head and looked at Colonel Simmons.
"I'm not leaving", he said.
"Oh, I think you'd better Colonel", O'Neill said. "You wouldn't want me to be thinking you were a threat!"
"He's right Sir", Sam said. "It would be better if you went into the other room. We need to keep Colonel O'Neill calm and – uh –"
"Okay Major", the NID Colonel said angrily. "But I'll be watching on the monitor." He turned on his heels and strode from the room.
"See Carter, I'm feeling much more relaxed already."
"Yes Sir", she grinned. She could tell that the Colonel was feeling good and relaxed. It was just about time to try him with the box. "Okay Colonel, now's the time to start thinking of something nice. Just relax and think pleasant thoughts."
She watched him for a while and was a bit unnerved when he just stared at her. Finally, with a blink of his eyes, his face broke into a smirk – although he continued to stare. "Uh – are you thinking of something good Colonel."
"Oh yeah!" he said, his grin widening.
She could feel her face flush but continued to check the various monitors and straps – more as a way to avoid his stare than because she needed to. "Okay, it's time Sir." She walked over to the small table where she'd place the carryon bag, opened it and took out the box. She looked at it briefly and frowned – and then shook her head as if she'd imagined something. She turned and walked over to the Colonel – who seemed to be staring at her –
"Sir!" she said sharply.
He blinked again and had the grace to look apologetic. "Sorry Carter", he mumbled. "Must be the drugs."
She had to bit her lips to stop from grinning. "Here Sir", she reached her hand, presenting the box to him.
Jack looked at the box with a scowl – looking like the last thing he wanted to do in the world was touch it. He finally opened his hand – his arms were still strapped to the chair – and waited for Carter to give it to him.
Carter gently laid the box in the Colonel's hand and stepped back, waiting for it to open instantly – like it had done on all previous occasions. Nothing happened. She continued to watch – hoping it would snap open at any second.
"I don't know what's wrong Sir", she finally said when it still hadn't changed. "Are you doing anything differently this time?"
"Nope", he said "Well, except I'm only thinking good thoughts – but that didn't seem to matter before."
"Here", she reached down and gently removed the box. "Let's try it again." She waited a few seconds and placed the box in his hand. When nothing happened she frowned. "I can't figure this out. It should work."
The door to the room suddenly burst open and Simmons rushed in. "What's going on? What the hell are you playing at O'Neill?"
"Uh – nothing?" Jack looked in surprise at the other man. "As you can see Simmons, I'm just sitting here, all tied up with nowhere to go."
"Why isn't it working?" Simmons practically shouted.
"How should I know? I've never known how the damn thing worked in the first place – so why do you think I'd know what was wrong with it. That's for the scientists to figure out."
Simmons turned to Carter. "What's wrong? Why isn't it working?"
"I don't know either Sir. As Colonel O'Neill said, we've never been able to find out how it worked in the first place so I don't know why it's not opening."
"Maybe the battery died", Jack suggested.
"Battery?" Simmons looked at Carter. "Could that be it? Can we simply give it more power or something?"
Carter almost groaned in frustration. "Sir", she said slowly, as if explaining to a child. "We don't know if it even has an energy source, let alone batteries. We have been unable to open it or examine it. It is impervious to X-Rays, CAT scans, MRI's – or any kind of test or probe we've thrown at it. All we know is that it could be used to shut down the Stargate – and that when Colonel O'Neill touched it it opened – at least it did until now. We know nothing else."
"It's out of wishes Carter", Jack grinned. "See, I told ya!"
"What the hell are you talking about O'Neill?" The NID Colonel was livid, sure that he was doing this intentionally.
"I figured that it was kind of like a magic lamp – you know, the kind the genie came out of. Well, it only had three wishes – otherwise the genie'd get bored. After that – pfft! I was pretty sure that the box would only be good for a few times and then – "
"Pfft!" Carter finished softly, trying to hide her smile.
"Exactly!" Jack beamed at his 2IC. "Isn't she amazing Simmons?" he said to the Colonel. "Smart – very smart."
"But not smart enough to figure out what could be the most important piece of technology we've ever found!"
"Well hey", Jack defended the woman next to him. "If the Asgaard -" He stopped suddenly – his face going blank.
"What about the Asgaard?" Simmons frowned. "What do they have to do with this?"
"Nothing", Jack replied. "I just meant that if the Asgaard thought she was so smart she could help them with the replicators, then who are we to say any different!" Jack swallowed. He'd almost blown it.
Simmons immediately lost interest in the Asgaard or in how smart Carter was. He took the box out of Jack's hand and examined it carefully. While he was doing that, Jack looked up at his Second – only to see a strange expression run quickly over her face.
Her eyes suddenly got big and she looked at the box – and then at Jack. He kept a totally innocent expression on his face and stared back at her. Her mouth opened but then snapped shut as Jack gave an almost imperceptible shake of the head.
Sam took a quick breath – which caused Simmons to glance up at her. "What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing – just a pulled muscle. I moved too quickly."
He glared at her for another second and then resumed his examination of the box.
Sam stood stony faced, waiting for Simmons to finish. 'You sneaky devil, she said to herself, thinking about Colonel O'Neill. What did you do? She was sure, by this time, that there would be no use in continuing to test the box or to have the Colonel try it again. She knew it wouldn't work – that it probably never had worked and was nothing but a plane box. She only hoped that the Colonel hadn't planted something inside which would be discovered when the scientists got to playing with it. She could just picture him putting a tiny Homer Simpson figure inside or something.
"We'll take a break and O'Neill can come back later and try again. In the meantime I want our scientists to look it over."
"That's a good idea Sir", Sam said, "I can hel -"
"No Major", he smiled. "You've done enough. I think my scientists can handle it just fine."
Sure they can you slimy weasel, she thought. "Of course Sir", she smiled (the most insincere smile on earth she was sure). "Just let me know if there's anything you need."
Once the Colonel was unhooked they were shown to a small lounge where they were able to grab a coffee and sit down. Sam wanted nothing so much as to ask the Colonel what he'd one – but knew she couldn't trust the walls here at Area 51.
"I hope we don't have to stay here too long Carter", Jack complained. "I'm missing hockey you know!"
"I'm sorry Sir", she smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure it'll be pretty quick – especially if the box doesn't open."
"Yeah well – I can't say as I'm upset that it didn't. That thing gives me the creeps. Someone could get hurt!"
"Do you think you blocked it from opening Colonel?" Sam wanted to look around, to make sure the NID guys were getting everything, although she was careful to look and sound as if she didn't' know they were being recorded – or watched.
"Not intentionally", he replied. "I mean – I was thinking good thoughts. I certainly wasn't trying to keep it from opening. I just wanted to get out of here quickly."
"Well, maybe you were right after all. Maybe its battery is dead."
"Really?" he said, sounding pleased. "You don't think it's a wish thing?" he then went on to ask.
"No Sir – I think it's more likely that it's the power source. Unfortunately I can't find out what that is. And we haven't yet found a way to open it."
"Oh." Jack stood there, looking at his Second. "So, how about cake?"
"Cake Sir?" she asked.
"Yup – cake. Nothin' else we can do right now Carter but wait, and if we've gotta wait, we might as well enjoy it!"
"Okay Sir", she grinned. "Cake it is."