An hour later, SG1 had returned and been cleared by Dr Lam before debriefing. Hannah was distracted and zoning out as she rubbed her hand across her forehead as her head started pounding again. So much for having a pain free day… Hannah thought to herself before she brought her attention back to the briefing.
"The Galarans haven't perfected the memory implant technology to the point where it would have widespread applications, but from Colonel Mitchell's experience, it sounds like they're well on their way." Sam told General Landry who sat in his usual chair at the head of the table.
"If they succeed, it could artificially accelerate their technological advancement." Daniel argued in a slightly negative tone.
"I think that's the point." Mitchell said.
"I'm saying it could be dangerous." Daniel started, Hannah was right if there was an ethical dilemma Daniel would find it. But in saying that he wasn't wrong in his arguments he just didn't realise his argument was falling onto deaf ears where the military were concern.
"We're hardly in a position to judge, Doctor Jackson. For the past nine years, SG-1 has been routinely employing technologies that are well beyond our level of advancement." Landry countered.
"The Asgard are busy rebuilding, which means they haven't been around to do much protecting. The Galarans probably feel like they need to play catch-up." Hannah offered.
"In all likelihood, that is the reason they are seeking a relationship with the Tau'ri. They are undoubtedly aware of our success against the Goa'uld." Teal'c added.
"So what exactly do they want? I mean aside from our goodwill and fellowship." Landry asked.
"Well, right now they have no interstellar capability except for the gate itself. They've been working on hyperdrive technology, but without much success." Sam told him.
"And they want to offer this memory device in exchange for our help." Landry said.
"Well, the Emissary was reluctant to get into specifics. I think he wanted to whet our appetite for the technology before we started bargaining." Daniel said, he didn't mention the 4 hours of listening to all the advancements of the Galarans.
"Well, it worked. The Joint Chiefs are already salivating over the idea of training jet pilots in a matter of days. We need to set up another meeting." Landry said.
"No need, sir. We've already been invited back for a reception in honor of the scientists who developed the memory implant technology." Sam told him.
"I'm hoping there'll be dancing." Mitchell said with a smile of enthusiasm, Landry looked at him in surprise which made Mitchell add "Sir"
"Well then you better put on your dancing shoes in case Colonel" Landry teased. He laid his hands flat on the table and stood up. Hannah, Mitchell and Sam stood out of protocol.
"I expect a report in the morning Dismissed" Landry said to them.
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"O'Neill I'm starting to think you don't coordinate your wardrobe with the rest of us on purpose" Mitchell joked as she met SG1 in the gate room she was wearing MARPAT* woodland BDUs while SG1 were dressed in solid green BDUs all matching one another. Her hair neatly pulled back into a ponytail and her jacket button up to her neck and her boots beautifully polished she looked her part.
"You're air force and I'm not. Different set of dress codes Sir" Hannah said with a shrug. She felt naked without a Kevlar vest or a gun but Mitchell had ordered her to not pack any weapons or to wear a TAC vest as they wouldn't need it.
"Then please tell me you haven't hidden and weapons on your person"
"You gave me a direct order and I obeyed but if you feel the need you can frisk me" Hannah offered.
"No I trust you" He said as the Stargate activated in front of them.
*MARPAT: is Marine pattern, its digital camouflage pattern used by the USMC check out Wikipedia and SG3 in season 9 and 10 wear the woodland fatigues
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The Galarans set up the reception in an outdoor a courtyard with a large pool. They were dressed in formal attire, making Hannah feel underdressed in her BDUs but at least she was comfortable more comfortable than she would have been in Dress blues. Mitchell had spent most of the function with Dr Varrick, while Hannah, Sam, Teal'c and Daniel stayed with the Emissary making the social rounds with dignitaries and other scientists.
"No, it's not that I don't appreciate the potential of the technology, it's just that we're talking about your memory, here. It's fundamental to your identity. If you can't trust it, you're lost." Daniel explained he was arguing the side of danger about memory implants.
"Your memory is already less objective than you think it is, Doctor Jackson." The Emissary countered.
"Well, he's got a point. I mean, just ask any cop who's had to take eyewitness testimony." Sam said.
"Yeah, but there's a difference between getting a license plate number wrong and not knowing if the four years you spent in college ever actually happened." Daniel argued.
"Yes, but that would never be the case, because everyone receiving the treatment would be aware of what they were getting." The Emissary explained diplomatically he didn't seem interested in a healthy ethical discussion.
"So long as the technology is not abused." Teal'c stated.
"Well, that's a risk with all new technologies." The emissary said.
"Easily said by one who has not been the victim of such abuse." Teal'c said in his usual stoic tone. The Emissary smiled having his dose of the argument.
"Excuse me." he said as he walked away.
"Wow you guys really know how to kill a party" Hannah said dryly as she finished her drink and placed on a tray of a waiter passing.
"I feel like they don't even care about the downsides of what this technology could do in the long term" Daniel said.
"Of course they don't they are looking for results and obviously there would be a screening of who would get what information and speaking as someone who has four individual's memories lodged in her head if you know the distinction between yourself and the memories then there are no issues" Hannah said with a shrug.
"You have implants that regulate your memory emgrams and assists you in making yourself separate it's not the same" Daniel countered.
"Well it's not going to stop the Military from using it no matter the downfall of a few individual imagine how much time and money it would save in training alone to just pass experience and knowledge on" Hannah said Mitchell came up to the group and joined them sans Dr Varrick.
"How's it going?" Sam asked him.
"I don't think diplomacy is my thing." Mitchell said slightly puzzled.
"Oh, that's what you're doing." Daniel said dryly, Hannah and the other shared knowing smiles before they at looked to Mitchell.
"What?" Mitchell asked innocently.
"Nothing, nothing." Daniel said as he took a drink from his glass.
"On that not I'm going to find the ladies room" Hannah said with a nod she stepped back from the group and headed into the main room hallway and found the bathroom. She didn't need to use it but it was a good excuse to take a break and splash water on her face to freshen up. She looked at her watch hoping the party would end soon so she could have some shut eye.
Hannah exited the bathroom and stopped just out of the main hallway when she heard Mitchell call to Dr Varrick.
"Why would they do that? You're the one that figured it out." Mitchell said. Hannah peeked quickly into the hallway and assessed she was better off waiting them out.
"Which means they no longer need me. I know where this is coming from. It's the general staff. They want to control the technology without any interference from civilian scientists. I swore I wouldn't let that happen… Why am I telling you this? You're a military officer yourself. If you get your hands on the device, the same thing will happen on your planet." Dr Varrick stated matter of factorly.
Hannah felt awkward for eavesdropping but she didn't have any other exit but the way she came in and knew if she passed them Mitchell would notice and she really didn't want the attention.
"Hey, I'm not a big fan of misusing technology on any planet. And I might be able to help you out." Mitchell offered. Smooth… Hannah thought as she rolled her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Dr Varrick asked.
"Well, obviously your government is keen on forming a relationship with mine. That gives us some leverage." Mitchell offered.
"You'd use your influence to help me?" Dr Varrick asked in a slightly flirtatious manner.
"I could try." Mitchell said with confidence.
"Well. I really don't want to go back out there. Maybe you could do me a favor and walk me home? It's not far, but I don't like to walk alone at night." Dr Varrick asked.
"Really" Mitchell said, Hannah shook her head was he really clueless the woman threw the invitation with an ego boost combined. Dr Varrick chuckled.
"Don't they have crime on your planet?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah" Mitchell said stupidly Hannah heard his footfalls leave and she peeked around the coast was clear. She headed back out into the courtyard and found Sam, Teal'c and Daniel.
"You were gone awhile" Daniel said as she rejoined them.
"There was a line" Hannah stated plainly.
"Really?" Sam asked skeptically looking around at the small crowd that was slowly dwindling.
"No, I was just spying with my little eye Mitchell's attempts and 'Diplomacy'" Hannah said with a smile.
"Oh boy" Sam said shaking her head not impressed at the news of Mitchell and his 'diplomacy'.
"Don't worry I didn't see anything inappropriate except that he's left for the night without saying good night to us" Hannah told them in a low voice.
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A loud knock sounded at the door of Hannah's lodging. Hannah pulled her BDU pants and her tank top on as she headed to the door. The pounding continued seemed not only be from the door but her head as well. Another headache and no Tylenol it was not going to be Hannah's day.
"One moment" She said as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes it was 3:30am in the morning. She pulled the open and two Galaran security guards stood blocking the door way. "Yes?" she asked.
"You have been summoned by the Emissary immediately there has been an incident." One of the guards said.
"Give me 2 seconds" Hannah told them. She moved to the lounge in the room and pulled on her boots lacing them up quickly and picked up her jacket putting on. "Ok let's go" she said. The guards stepped back and let her out and then they moved one in front and one behind. Hannah brushed her hair back into a ponytail with her fingers as she walked with the guards.
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Hannah was ushered into the Emissary's office along with Sam, Daniel and Teal'c. The Emissary is already behind his desk. The only missing player was Mitchell.
"Emissary, what's going on? Where's Colonel Mitchell?" Sam asked.
"He's been taken into custody." The Emissary informed them.
"Why?" Daniel asked.
"He killed Doctor Varrick." The Emissary said.
Sam, Daniel , Teal'c and Hannah all exchanged looks f shock and disbelief at the news that had roused them at such an early hour.
"What?" Sam said still reeling with everyone else.
"That's insane." Daniel protested.
"When we found him, his blood alcohol level was extremely high. I suspect it was probably some kind of unpremeditated crime of passion. We all know they left the reception together." The Emissary said, he was right there was nothing subtle about Mitchell and Dr Varrick's exit the previous night.
"That's hardly evidence" Sam stated.
"We also found her blood on his hands, and his fingerprints on the murder weapon. But most importantly, he confessed." The Emissary told them.
"He confessed?" Daniel repeated.
"We would like to see Colonel Mitchell" Sam stated plainly, the Emissary nodded in agreement.
"Of course I can arrange that for you" the Emissary told them.
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They were taken to the jail; Hannah took note of everything she saw from security systems and the guards. It was a pretty low level security they had in operation. Even the cells were empty except for the one where Mitchell was held. He didn't move, he just sat on the bench inside his cell. He'd been stripped of his BDUs and dressed in dark short sleeved shirt with matching pants. He didn't acknowledge their arrival. He just sat on the bench staring at nothing completely withdrawn.
They waited for the Emissary to leave but two guards remained. Hannah kept looking around before she pulled on the bars testing their strength. Sam shot her a disapproving look and a slight nod to step back.
"Cam, what happened?" Sam asked Mitchell delicately. Mitchell's brows drew together and his eyes became glassy with tears he was trying hard to not to shed.
"I don't know. I mean, the whole night is just a blur." He said his voice strained, he was distraught and had guilt written on his face. He looked at his hands as if he was reliving the memory as he recalled it for them. "I just remember feeling this insane anger. I don't know why. I picked up the statue, and I hit her with it. She was lying there, helpless, and I uh…" he choked. Daniel stepped forward.
"It wasn't you, okay? These people can implant memories." Daniel told him.
"Yeah, I've been trying to tell myself the same thing all morning. It doesn't stop me from still seeing her face. What if I told you everything that happened to you yesterday was a false memory? How would you know the difference?" Mitchell asked them he looked at them as if hoping one of them would have the answer for him. Daniel and Sam looked deeply concerned as did Teal'c and Hannah but they didn't have an answer for him.
"We got incoming" Hannah stated smiling to the guard who was standing closer to her. Four more soldiers came up to them. One stepped forward.
"The Emissary would like to speak with the prisoner now." He said.
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"We need to talk about this so-called evidence you have against Colonel Mitchell." Sam said to the Emissary they all stood in his luxurious office. Hannah stood to the back next to Teal'c while Sam, Mitchell and Daniel stood in front of them facing off the Emissary who used his desk to put space between them.
"That won't be necessary. Colonel Mitchell is free to return to Earth." The Emissary informed them.
"I'm what?" Mitchell asked shocked it was a sentiment shared by all those in the room bar the Emissary.
"I'm trying to convince the Cabinet to maintain your diplomatic status, but I may not succeed." The emissary said he shook his head like it was a task too great to conquer at the time.
"Whoa, wait a minute. If they think I'm guilty, why are they letting me go?" Mitchell asked.
"They believe it is in the best interest of inter-planetary relations to put this difficult business behind us, as quickly and as quietly as possible." The Emissary answered plainly.
"Colonel Mitchell has been falsely accused." Teal'c said.
"Which means there still could be a murderer out there." Daniel added, it didn't sway the Emissary's opinion he believed Mitchell was guilty but wasn't willing to sacrifice the benefits of the alliance to prosecute Mitchell.
"Let's be realistic, here. Very few people have access to the memory device. Even fewer have the skills to manipulate it in this manner. And none that I can think of have any motive. Colonel Mitchell should be grateful. Under our rules of evidence, he would be convicted of this crime." The Emissary told them.
"I should be grateful to walk away and have this memory stuck in my head for the rest of my life?" Mitchell said angrily he stepped toward the Emissary. Hannah exchanged a look with Teal'c he gave the slightest shake of his head signalling not to step in yet.
"All right, then. If you agree to close the matter, we can have the incident removed from your mind and replace it with a memory of a pleasant, uneventful evening." The Emissary offered.
"Just like that. Forget it ever happened." Mitchell stated.
"Precisely. On the other hand, if you insist on a full investigation, I won't be able to protect you. If the evidence continues to point to your guilt, you will be subject to the full force of our laws. And the penalty for murder is death." The Emissary said, Sam stepped up to Mitchell's side. She leaned in closed and spoke to him quietly.
"Cameron, we need to be really careful, here. We have no idea how their legal system works. We don't know what kind of rights—" she warned him in a low voice.
"Sam. I need to do this. I want to know what really happened." Mitchell replied emphatically. He nodded to the Emissary and left with the guards.
"I assume you'll have to inform your government" The Emissary asked.
Hannah touched Sam's arm "I think it's best if one of us stays here with Mitchell" she said in a low voice.
"I agree I'm sure the Emissary won't mind" Sam said, the emissary just gave a waning smile and nodded his consent.
"Of course we want to resolve this as soon as possible"
"I volunteer to stay" Hannah said, it surprised them all by volunteering. "What? I think I can babysit a Colonel" Hannah told them.
"Ok, well we should head back" Sam said to Teal'c and Daniel.
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Hannah stood in front of Mitchell's cell. He back in his withdrawn state sitting on the bench. She pulled on the bars which seemed to unnerve the guard behind her as he twitched ready to move.
"You know I could bust you out" She told him, he didn't look her way "Though collateral damage would be pretty high trying to get to the gate" she added she smiled at the guard behind her and winked.
"I'm not going anywhere and you are ordered to behave" He told her as he rubbed his hands together.
"You aren't really in the position to order me Sir but understood" Hannah said, she slid to the floor outside the cell and used the bars to prop her back not looking at Mitchell she sighed
"You should head home"
"What and miss out on the party?" Hannah asked she looked over her shoulder at him.
"There has to be something you can do besides sit on your ass down here with me" he told her.
"Well I'm not a very good diplomat unless the trade negotiations are based on drinking the other dignitaries under the table and I'm waiting for Sam and the others to come back and negotiate a pass to look at the memory gadget. So there isn't anything I can do until then besides sit on my ass." Hannah told him she rubbed her forehead trying to push the headache that was still pounding a racket in her head. Mitchell watched her rub her forehead a motion he'd seen her do on and off for the last few months.
"Look don't twist yourself in knots over something you may have not done" Hannah told him with an exhausted tone.
"You don't understand" he said in a low voice, Hannah turned around to him and shot him an incredulous look.
"Really? You forget who you're talking to?" Hannah questioned, Mitchell cursed and shook his head. Hannah of all people knew exactly what he was going through. Being she had the memories of four individuals in her head besides her own. She probably remembered in finite details the necessary evils each one of those people had to perform.
"Sorry I didn't mean…" he started.
"Don't sweat it Sir" Hannah said shrugging. "So I made little over $2000 the other night"
"What?"
"Dr Flynn has deep pockets and doesn't know when to cut his losses. So I set my limit at $6,000 for a car"
"That's not much" Mitchell commented thanking her silently for not trying to make him talk about Reya or how all he could think about and see in his mind was his hands in blood and killing her.
"Yeah well I'd prefer not to spend all of it since I don't know if I'm sticking around or not" Hannah said with a shrug.
"What are you talking about?" Mitchell asked.
"Nothing is ever permanent" Hannah defle
"Right, well you're in luck I know a good place that sells second hand cars and parts. I go there for all my spare parts for my mustang fastback. I'll take…" he stopped realising he couldn't make any promises.
"I hold you to that when we get out this jam" Hannah answered, she rubbed her right temple as her headache persisted.
"You alright?" Mitchell asked concerned.
"Headache" Hannah admitted as she rubbed her right temple.
"You've been having those a lot lately" he said, Hannah frowned at the fact he had noticed and now of all times was mentioning it.
"Nothing but overexertion, tension headaches whatever… it's nothing to worry about Sir" Hannah said throwing a smile at him. "Anyway Ford Fastback what year?"
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Hannah and Mitchell had lapsed into sitting in amicable silence after discussing cars for over half an hour. She had tried to distract him as best she could even though she knew he was torturing himself over being Dr Varrick's murderer.
The silence stretched until two guards came and told they were summoned to Dr Varrick's laboratory. When they arrived at the lab they saw was there Sam with a guard escort of her own with Dr Amuro and Dr Marell. The two doctors were busy studying computer displays at the control console for the chair Hannah assumed. The guard standing to Sam's left turned to her.
"Doctor Marell and Doctor Amuro will be conducting the analysis. Now, if there's anything else you require?" he asked her.
"As a matter of fact, there is. I understand that a sample of Colonel Mitchell's blood was taken when he was arrested." Sam said to him, Hannah moved around to the computer consoles getting a closer look at the systems
"In order to determine his blood alcohol level, yes." The guard answered.
"We'd like a portion of that sample sent back to Stargate Command. Just to corroborate your results, of course." Sam said adding the last part to keep it friendly.
"I'll see to it." he said he turned to leave when Marell looked up noticing the full room.
"You can take the guards with you." Marell told the head security officer.
"This man has been accused of murder." He said gesturing to Mitchell.
"I don't want them in my lab." Marell bit out. The officer nodded and gestured his men leave. Hannah noted that the guards just relocated to outside the doorway.
"Are you fellas sure you want to be left alone with me?" Mitchell asked Amuro and Marell.
"Doctor Varrick was our colleague. If we thought for one minute you actually killed her, we wouldn't be helping you." Dr Amuro told him. He eyed Hannah who stepped back from the consoles she was looking at.
"Then who do you think did kill her?" Sam asked.
"Reya was going to do everything she could to oppose the militarization of the project. So, they got rid of her." Marell told him, Hannah stepped forward again as the four of them continued to talk. She couldn't help herself she studied the readouts as best she could as she had only the barest understanding of their language.
"Can you prove the memories false?" Hannah asked interrupting the conversation. Amuro turned around to her.
"Well, unfortunately Doctor Varrick was the most qualified to do this work, but…" Amuro drawled out the word 'but' as he tried to find the words.
"I'm sure you'll do fine." Mitchell said.
"Please" Amuro said gesturing to the Chair Mitchell nodded and followed Amuro onto the platform with the chair. Hannah stepped back from the control console she was looking at as Marell moved in front of her.
Carter stood next to Marell at the control console while Amuro connected the electronic leads to Mitchell's head. The display in front of Marell comes alive with various complicated wave patterns.
"Brain activity is extremely fluid. We can't read a memory like opening a drawer and pulling out a file. Patterns shift and mutate. One memory colors another." Marell said explaining what they were seeing.
"That's why it's so difficult to create a successful graft. You have to be careful not to cause too many inconsistencies." Amuro added. Marell typed furiously and the wave patters changed dramatically on the screen until he stopped and looked over at Mitchell who was in the chair ready.
"All right, Colonel. We need to establish a baseline. What I've done is identify a series of key memories from your childhood. These are seminal moments. They stand out like signposts, and they influence everything that came after them. I'm going to activate one now." Marell told him. Mitchell closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair.
Hannah watched the combination Marell keyed in and then looked back at Mitchell. He seemed to fidget in the chair as he relived the memory in his mind. He explained what he was seeing in his mind a memory about his father and a couple of other childhood memories.
After the fixed a baseline, they ran a calibration on the equipment and then played through the memory of Dr Varrick's murder. Hannah watched the Doctors work she couldn't understand what they were looking for, when comparing the base line to the memory of the murder. Every time they played the memory Mitchell showed more signs of distress as he relived the memories.
Hannah watched his vitals that were being displayed and nudged Sam pointing to Cam's BP and heart beat. "I think we need a break" Hannah said in a low voice to her. Sam nodded in agreement and turned to say something when Amuro spoke.
"We must be missing something." Amuro said to Marell.
"We've been through it three times" Marell said exhausted and agitated.
"What's the problem?" Sam asked.
"Well, maybe we should run another diagnostic—" Amuro started but he was cut off by Marell who stood up.
"It's not going to change the result!" he spat angrily gesturing to the screen. He left the room muttering "I need some air."
"So far, we can't find any evidence that the memory is false. According to these results, Colonel Mitchell really did murder Doctor Varrick." Amuro told them, Hannah took the seat next to Amuro.
"I don't understand" Hannah said to him, he shot her an exhausted look as he stopped the memory playing Mitchell giving him a break.
"What don't you understand?" he asked being patient with her.
"Do you have a scan of person's brain memory scan thingo where the memories have been spliced?" Hannah asked him, "I'm just wondering what exactly you are looking at"
Sam left her and Amuro looking over complex wave patterns of memories of past test results. Amuro explained in depth exactly what he was looking for and pointing out past failure grafts.
Hannah took it all in letting it sink it this level of science was just out of grasp with her headache. She kept her focus best she could when Sam came in without Marell.
"He's taking a break I suggest we do the same" Sam said, she looked to Hannah "I want you to go back to Earth and give General Landry an update on the situation"
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After an hour stop over on Earth, Hannah updated General Landry then she headed for a quick shower and meal. When she returned to Galar she was escorted to the Varrick's lab. Mitchell was back in the chair. Hannah moved to Sam's side.
"What's going on?" Hannah asked in a low voice.
"Dr Marell believed that if Mitchell had a memory with similar content and emotional resonance he could compare that memory with the one of Dr Varrick" Sam explained in a low voice.
"And?" Hannah asked. She wished she hadn't stopped for a meal as she had missed a major development in the situation.
"They are working on the inconsistencies in the Dr Varrick memory" Sam told her, Hannah made an impressed 'hm' noise and slowly walked over peeking over the Doctor's shoulders as they worked. Marell was conversing with Mitchell making progress. When Mitchell's eyes snapped open he looked at them amazed.
"It was him." Mitchell said pointing at Marell who looked at him in disbelief.
"Are you sure?" Sam asked.
"Positive. It was Marell." Mitchell said as he ripped the leads off his head and stood up.
"That's impossible. If he killed her, why would he be helping us? I mean, he wanted to reveal the identity of the murderer more than anyone." Amuro said.
"What if he doesn't know?" Sam asked.
"What, you're saying he killed her and then implanted the memory in Colonel Mitchell?" Amuro asked.
"And then erased it from his own mind." Hannah said.
"Is that possible?" Mitchell asked.
"Theoretically yes, but—" Amuro said.
"This is insane! I loved her!" Marell said.
"But she left you, didn't she. And you never got over it. Then you saw me leave the party with her." Mitchell told him.
"Look, it's impossible!" Marell told them his tone was certain and sincere.
"Well, there's one way to find out for sure. If he really did erase his own memory, he would have had to replace it with something else. We can check for anomalies the same way we did with Colonel Mitchell." Amuro told Marell.
"Go ahead. You won't find anything." Marell told them.
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Mitchell's memories were restored to their original state and the memory of Dr Varrick's murder was taken from his memory. The Emissary was happy with the results as the treaty stayed in contact. Hannah was sure all of SG1's reports on the events of Galar were unflattering to say the least. As Dr Marell had his memories erased and given a get out of jail free card for Dr Varrick's murder. It didn't sit well but it wasn't their place to kick a stink in Hannah's opinion. Mitchell took it the hardest and the exercise seemed to solidfy Daniel's opinion that memory technology was too dangerous to no matter what benefit could be gained of such a device.
Hannah punched the elevator button for 'up' from level 21. She was ready to put her feet up with Laura and relax. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes for a moment but when she heard foot falls she stood up and opened eyes seeing Mitchell standing at the elevator he was dressed in civilian clothing.
"Hey" he said, the elevator doors opened.
"Hey" Hannah said getting on the elevator with him. "Surface?" she asked as the doors closed.
"Yeah" Mitchell said, she punched the button and the elevator ascended to the surface.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"Sure" Hannah replied.
"How do you deal with all the memories of other people. I mean I don't know what the Tok'ra or the ancients did exactly but having Sam's and General O'Neill's memories there has to be things they wished to forget. Actions they regret-"
"I try to disassociate with the memories. They aren't me and I didn't personally experience what they did or make the choices they made. So in a way I don't own them but I do try to learn from them and the knowledge of what they have learned. I get the hindsight of their mistakes and victories" Hannah told him she gave a casual shrug.
"You make it sound so easy. When I thought I killed Reya and that I'd have that memory for the rest of my life I couldn't…" Mitchell stopped unable to finish the sentence.
"It's not easy but it helps that I have my own personal tech support to help me" she joked pointing to her head reminding him of the implants.
"Right I forgot" he said with a smile of his own.
"Yeah it does all the hard work while I reap the benefits. But there are times when it gets to be a bit much" Hannah admitted. Mitchell nodded as he understood on a level of his own.
"So you need a lift home?" he asked changing the topic.
"Nah Lt Fischer is giving me a lift" Hannah said they lapsed into an awkward silence for about four floors when Mitchell spoke again.
"Look I want to thank you" he said awkwardly. Hannah looked confused.
"For what? I didn't do anything"
"You did, you were there" he said, he didn't want to come right out and say that he was happy it was her and not Sam or Daniel who sat outside his cell. He could only imagine them pushing him into talking and opening up.
"Well if you want to show your appreciation you can take me shopping for my car. I believe you promised me a place that sold the best second hand cars and parts in Colorado Springs" She said with a sarcastic smile.
"That I can do" he told her.
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