Jack's day is turning out less than peachy.
Teresa Esposito- originally a civilian working at NORAD as a confidential clerk back at the Mountain and his miracle worker of a secretary- called in sick this morning, leaving him all alone to handle a rather daunting stack of files. One of these days he really oughta make that No Paperwork Ever decree official and be done with it.
He reaches for his mug and takes a sip, grimacing at the foul bitter taste. The airman from the temp pool may be a whiz at typing but can't seem to brew a proper pot of klah to save his life.
A piece of cake would balance it out nicely but the kitchen oven designated for desserts broke down last night and Siler hasn't finished giving it a complete overhaul.
Now he's waiting for the next inconvenience to round out his day.
His mom Ellen always said trouble comes in threes, usually whenever he, Mac and Allison got entangled in mischief as kids. A faint smile crosses his lips at the memories.
The klaxon's strident in his ears. "Unscheduled offworld activation!"
Ah, there it is.
Activity in the Gateroom's at a fever pitch, techs hunched over their computers and armed SFs lining up on either side as reinforcements. Harriman's monitoring the situation, as always the unflappable Gatekeeper in the midst of chaos.
He acknowledges Jack's arrival with a respectful nod. "Sir, they've just locked onto chevron four. The iris remains closed and holding."
"Any idea who's knockin' on our door?"
"Not yet, sir."
Daniel jogs up to join them. "What's going on?"
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"Seven chevrons locked and encoded," Harriman states. "Incoming wormhole from Tarraka. Four IDCs confirmed, belonging to SG-9."
Daniel's brow furrows. "Shouldn't that be five? Becky's with them."
A shiver runs down Jack's spine. Trouble comes in threes. "Open the iris."
Razor-sharp, tightly-coiled panels unfurl and the Gateroom's washed in blue light. Presently Begay emerges, along with a medium-sized man in ornate robes with dusky skin and glossy black hair. Goodwin, Holt, and Grogan bring up the rear.
No sign of Becky.
The event horizon winks out behind them.
Daniel sighs and closes his eyes, as if already expecting the worst and just bracing himself for confirmation.
Begay steps off the ramp and salutes crisply. "General."
Jack returns it. "Major. You're back early."
"I'm aware of that, sir. I wish I had better news to report." Behind him Holt discreetly clears his throat and he hastily smooths his stricken expression. "General, this is Master Barranco of the Tarrakan Weavers' Guild. Guildmaster, this is General-Governor Jack O'Neill. I believe you've already met Dr. Jackson."
The Tarrakan offers a nervous bow. "My Lords, I wish the circumstances were more fortuitous but I offer the greetings of my people to yours. As well as my own profound sorrow for what has happened to Lady Rebecca."
Jack rocks back on his heels, trying to curb his impatience. Diplomacy's never been his strong suit. "And that is...?"
Barranco swallows nervously at the armed SFs and says nothing more.
"All due respect sir," Begay says with a glance around the Gateroom. "It's better we continue this in private."
"Understood, Major. Let's head to the briefing room."
Okay, so the proverbial third shoe just dropped.
If the clench in his gut's anything to go by it's gonna be a doozy.
Daniel listens to Begay's report and Barranco's halting narrative with a familiar sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. The bottom of his world dropping steadily from sight, his worst nightmare coming true.
Begay's team is admirably calm and professional. Only the faint consternation in their eyes betray their shared concern for Becky's well-being.
The Tarrakan is more visibly shaken, keeping his eyes downcast and fidgeting with a necklace of blue beads in his hands.
"Are you well, Guildmaster?" Daniel gently inquires. "Anything I can do to help?"
He flushes, tucking the necklace further into his robes. "My sorrow for the unseemly display of emotion, Lord Daniel. I fear much of the responsibility for the abduction of Lady Rebecca rests on me."
"You are not at fault here. Rest assured we'll do everything in our power to find Penarra and bring her back to you. Any information you can provide in the meantime would be welcome."
He looks dubious. "Everything occurred with such haste, I do not think I can recall much."
"I'm sure you're aware of more than you realize. Every detail helps, such as the symbol the Jaffa guards wore on their foreheads."
Barranco blinks in surprise. "Why, yes. Perhaps a stylus and parchment can be procured?"
Daniel reaches into the mission folder on the table and tears off a section of paper, handing it over with a pencil from his shirt pocket. After examining it with clear interest Barranco sketches out a stylized horned design, one he recognizes with a rising sense of panic.
He swallows. "Um, Jack? I know who abducted Becky." Holding up the drawing for everyone to see.
"It is the symbol of Ba'al," Teal'c notes with a frown.
Jack sighs and closes his eyes. "Oh, well now that's just peachy."
Daniel sips at a cooling cup of klah and sets it on the long table in front of him amid the scattering of reports, printouts and star charts describing Ba'al's domain. Over the past few hours the debrief had turned into full-blown planning for a rescue mission.
Janet and Mac have been called in, as part of the previous conspiracy against Norris. Along with SG-9, SG-2 and Cameron Mitchell- newly transferred in from Alpha Base and currently unassigned to a team- have volunteered their services.
With Jack's usual disregard for protocol in favor of results the whole thing's become one large brainstorming session. Everyone adds their two cents into the mix regardless of rank or division, bouncing ideas back and forth.
Sam's standing to one side of an onscreen tactical display. "Just entering Ba'al's domain won't be easy. Every Gate-accessible planet has garrisons of Jaffa, and the ships in his fleet regularly patrol interstellar space. With intel from Norris they may already be expecting us no matter where we go, with orders to shoot on sight."
"So we can't just waltz in and ask to borrow a cup of sugar, huh?" Jack quips.
"Afraid not, sir."
"Rhetorical question, Carter."
"I knew that. Sir." Her smile is impish, mirroring his smirk.
Daniel rolls his eyes. Their banter's downright adorable in other circumstances but right now it's just this side of irritating. Becky could already be in grave danger as they speak.
Mac rubs his chin thoughtfully. "So how are we gonna sneak in and out anywhere with no one the wiser?"
"That's the 64,000 fav question alright," Jack agrees. "Any ideas?"
A flash of light and an Asgard with a light blue-gray complexion appears in front of them. "Greetings to all. Supreme Commander Thor and the High Council are aware of the situation with Dr. Grahme. On their behalf I wish to provide assistance."
Jack beams at him. "Hey, Baldur. Great timing. Got something fast and sneaky we can borrow?"
"In fact I do. A courier ship, named the Rebecca Grahme." Eyebrows lift all around the table at the name. "It is the newest and swiftest in our fleet, outfitted with the latest updates in cloaking and beaming technology among other improvements."
Sam's eyes light up. "Would it be possible for you to share information with us?"
"Yes, Colonel. I have been authorized to meet with your scientists. Rest assured your physical requirements will be adequately met during the voyage."
"It is a pleasing symmetry, using a ship with such a name to effect her rescue," Teal'c muses.
Jack grins. "I think so too. Okay Baldur, you've got yourself a deal. When can we take it for a spin?"
"Whenever you are ready to leave. It has been in orbit above your planet for several days now."
Sam's brow furrows. "But we haven't picked up anything on our sensors, and we've recently increased their sensitivity to sniff out cloaked ships."
Baldur tilts his head to one side and gives a sort-of smile. "An excellent demonstration of the effectiveness of the new cloaking technology, is it not?"
Daniel can't shake the feeling there's another contingency they ought to be considering. If Becky were here she'd figure it out. Extrapolation and anticipation are her two strongest talents, coming up with scenarios no one else has even considered.
Such as the possibility they're being set up, he realizes with a start. It took both the Astria and the drones as well as the Prometheus and F-302s to fend off the invasion by Anubis. With the three strongest ATA carriers gone there won't be anyone available to assume the chair in Huy-Braesealis.
The implications send a shiver down his spine. "Jack, with you and Mac offworld the settlement will be vulnerable to attack."
"You mean in case Ba'al's distracting us with a wild goose chase halfway across the galaxy and sends part of his fleet here?" Jack rubs his chin. "Good point. Guess we'll need to call in reinforcements while we're gone."
Sam bites her lip. "Sir, about that. Who's going to assume temporary command of the NEDF?"
"Way ahead of you kids for once. Got just the folks in mind." He clicks on his radio. "Choi? Fire up the DHD, I gotta make a long-distance call."
The next day a sleek and streamlined Jumper emerges through the event horizon, turning neatly and landing just outside the hangar. Reminiscent of the first expedition to Huy-Braesealis.
Jack utters a low whistle. "Sweet, huh? Makes our version pretty clunky in comparison."
"This is one of the ones they found with the city," Sam supplies. "Apparently they can be flown with the mind. Or at least you can, sir, since you have the ATA gene."
His eyes light up. "Huh. Maybe I can get lessons when this is over. C'mon campers, let's go and say hi."
A ramp in the rear of the ship lowers and six people emerge. Everyone except for the Pegasus natives in the familiar expedition uniforms, albeit a bit worse for wear in places.
Daniel finds himself relaxing a fraction. Just the people Becky would've requested.
McKay looks around, sniffing the air with disdain. "Exactly the same. I was expecting a few more improvements since we left."
Behind him Beckett mutters "Och, Rodney," and rolls his eyes.
Sam's smile is tight and faintly ironical. "You haven't changed either."
Sheppard and Lorne are grinning as they step forward and salute. "General, Dr. Weir sends her warmest regards and offers of assistance on behalf of Atlantis Colony."
Jack returns it. "Good to see you too, Colonel. Thanks for taking my call. Heard you're up to some interesting stuff at your end."
"I'm afraid mostly true, sir. I'd like to introduce Teyla Emmagan of Athos and Ronon Dex of Sateda, my teammates and Pegasus Ambassadors while we're here. Guys, this is General-Governor Jack O'Neill, Colonel Samantha Carter his second-in-command, and Teal'c of Chulak. Dr. Jackson you already know."
Teyla steps forward, sharing forehead touches with Daniel. "I do. A pleasure to see you again."
"You too. Welcome to New Earth and the Milky Way Galaxy."
"Thank you." She nods her respect to the others in a more formal greeting. "I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance though I wish the circumstances were better. I have heard many outstanding things about all of you from Elizabeth and Becky."
"Mostly true," Jack replies with a wink. "Heard the same about you and your people, ma'am."
Ronon just nods to everyone, his gaze lingering on Teal'c as they size each other up. "Not one of these Tau'ri, are you?"
"I am not. My race is Jaffa. Becky Grahme and Daniel Jackson have mentioned you are a formidable warrior against the Wraith."
A negligent shrug. "I do my best. We should compare fighting styles sometime."
"Indeed we should."
"C'mon guys," Jack warns, "much as a sparring match would be fun to watch can't it wait until after we get back from the mission?"
"As you wish, O'Neill."
Ronon shrugs. "Sure."
Beckett clears his throat. "General, there are a few doctors I'd like to chat with, both here and on the other bases. I'm hoping they can be convinced to move to Atlantis this time."
Sheppard quirks an eyebrow in surprise. "Elizabeth gave the go-ahead for your Healers' Network?"
"Aye. Having others on site would free up my workload considerably for the project. If they can be spared, that is."
"I see no harm in asking, doc," Jack says. "How about I treat you folks to some New Earth-style hospitality before we get down to business? Everyone's waiting over in the refectory."
Sheppard and Beckett fall in alongside Jack, Teyla and Lorne chat with Daniel, Sam and McKay already bickering, Teal'c and Ronon silently bringing up the rear.
"Any word on Becky yet, sir?" Sheppard queries Jack quietly.
"Nope. We're waiting on intel. You worried about her too?"
An offhanded shrug. "We all are. Permission to make a couple requests?"
"Fire ahead."
"I'm hoping someone might show Teyla and Ronon around. Lorne was here for a while with Alex but the rest of us were stationed at Alpha Base prior to Departure and we don't know the settlement all that well."
Sam pipes up with, "Sir, General Hammond's already entertaining Guildmaster Barranco and Baldur. Shouldn't be a problem to add two more."
Jack smirks at her. "You read my mind, Carter. Anything else, Colonel?"
"Yes, sir. I'd like Lorne to go with you on behalf of Atlantis. He's willing."
"I'll take that under advisement. But let's not dwell further on that, okay? Don't know about you guys but meet-and-greets always make me hungry."
Daniel has to admit Jack's a quiet genius when it comes to handling people. In his own peculiar fashion.
No further planning can be accomplished without hearing from the Tok'ra, so he's hosting a reception for the de facto representatives from Tarraka, Pegasus and the Asgard in the refectory as an informal break. Sergeant White and his catering staff have laid out a remarkable selection of New Earth charcuterie on relatively short notice.
Breads and crackers from native and adapted grains are offered along with cheeses from native bovines and ovines, sliced prepared meats, citrus-free fruit and vegetables (slices of blue apple and purple cucumber are pretty tasty). Also some Pegasus touches here and there, thanks to Becky's Two Galaxies Trade initiative: tava bean hummus, spiceberry conserve, roasted tormack wedges sprinkled with pure Atlantis salt and toba root paste, delicately seasoned with powdered klah bark. Sheet cakes in three different flavors appease Jack's not-so-secret dessert addiction.
McKay's already on his second plate while holding court amid a gaggle of envious scientists. Sam looks on, rolling her eyes and ducking the fork he waves around to punctuate his words.
Since he and Sam will be offworld Jack's coaxed Hammond out of retirement to serve as temporary commander. He seems to enjoy playing diplomat as well alongside Begay while conversing with Barranco and Baldur.
Beckett sits at one table chatting with Janet, Mac and Jennifer Keller, on infirmary rotation from Beta and already a prospective Lantean judging by her keen interest.
Lorne, Mitchell, Ferretti and Sheppard swap anecdotes about flying alien spacecraft, liberally sprinkled with piloting terminology and jargon.
At another table Ronon and Teal'c consume great quantities of food, observing the goings on and providing occasional succinct commentaries on their respective teammates.
Daniel can only watch all this from the sidelines, picking at his food. Becky should be sitting beside him, taking a quiet pride in having some of their far-flung extended family back together under the same roof.
He keeps going back to the last time he saw her, suiting up in the locker room. Competent and cheerful, a playful twinkle in her eyes as she teases him. The sweet pliancy of her body in his arms, the softness of those full lips pressed against his.
"Daniel? Are you unwell?" Teyla's soft voice pulls him out of his thoughts.
He flushes a bit. "No, just distracted. Nothing new there, as Jack would say." The quip's half-hearted at best. "How long have you been sitting there?"
"Not long. Are you thinking about Becky?"
"...How can you tell?"
A wry smile, one probably learned from Sheppard. "You might say I pay attention. You do not need to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable, but I am willing to listen."
She's just as warm, accessible and perfectly composed as he remembers. He feels compelled to confide in her. "It's just that I've never felt someone's absence so keenly before, or at least not since-" He swallows and closes his eyes, unable to complete the sentence. Not since losing Sha're.
She nods. "I understand completely. Twinned souls are rare even in my galaxy."
He blinks at her. "I beg your pardon?"
"My people believe the Ancestors are responsible for twining together the souls of kindred spirits, even to death and whatever lies beyond."
"We do have some kind of connection," he admits with a faint flush. They've never spoken of it in public before, lest others think they're nuts or under an alien influence. Yet Teyla seems to accept it.
"I thought as much. I could sense you and Becky have such a bond when you arrived in Atlantis." She places a gentle hand on his arm. "Do not fear for her. She is strong in both body and spirit. If you but reach within yourself you will find confirmation."
Her words are so earnest and confident that he does, despite his skepticism-
-And finding it, to his utter surprise.
His shoulders slump in relief. "She's alive. Thank god."
She smiles. "I am glad to hear it.."
Jack comes up to them, balancing three different cake slices on his plate with a blissful expression. "White and his kitchen staff are definitely getting promotions," he mumbles around a bite. "They've gone way above and beyond the call of duty here."
The sudden wailing of the klaxon startles everyone but him. "Unscheduled offworld activation!"
He smirks up at the PA. "Sounds like more guests for the party."
"It's the Tok'ra, sir," Walter confirms. "General Carter's IDC."
"Looks like he got the invite after all. Open the iris."
The wormhole establishes itself with the usual flair and settles. Presently Jacob emerges, followed by a younger man dressed in similar clothes and a Jaffa in armor and a metal skullcap covering his hair.
Sam grins at her father but the SFs raise their weapons at the symbol on the warrior's forehead.
Jacob holds out his hands in placation as they come down the ramp. "Stand down, he's on our side."
"You heard the General, guys." Jack saunters over, hands casually in pockets. "Howdy. You folks here for a late lunch? We got plenty of food."
"We're not here for a social call, Jack. This is Kanan and his host Darien," indicating the other Tok'ra who bows his head. "And Kor'tel is an agent of the Free Jaffa Nation."
Teal'c steps forward. "Indeed he is. Greetings, Kor'tel."
"Master Teal'c," saluting him, fist to chest.
"That title belongs to Master Bra'tac. I have not yet earned the honor," comes the mild admonishment.
Sam comes up to Jacob, giving him a hug. "Hi, Dad. Good to see you."
"Good to see you too, Sammy." His head dips briefly.
Selmak's looking through his eyes now as he turns to Jack. "General O'Neill, Kanan and Kor'tel had been assigned to spy on Ba'al. They have recently escaped his domain with an important delivery for you."
Jack quirks an eyebrow. "Really? We're not expecting any packages-" A little girl with dusky skin and glossy black hair emerges from behind Kor'tel. "Oh. Hello, there."
Barranco pushes his way past Gateroom personnel, gaping at the sight of his daughter. "Penarra?"
"Papa!" She hurries into her father's waiting arms. "Oh Papa, I missed you so much."
He scoops her up, holding her next to his heart, a tear trickling down his cheek. "I missed you as well, light of my life. I was so worried for you."
"As was I, for a while. But Lady Rebecca showed me how to be brave. Are we going home soon?"
"You bet, kiddo," Jack says. "We just need to make sure you're healthy first, okay? That way your dad won't have to worry."
She cocks her head, considering. A lot like Becky at that age, according to Mac. "All right."
"General O'Neill," Kanan says. "There is something you should know. Dr. Grahme denied herself a chance at freedom so we could bring Penarra here safely. She remains in grave danger."
Kor'tel nods. "She has the spirit of a warrior, though she walks the path of a scholar."
"Indeed," Teal'c concurs with a small, proud smile.
A dip of Kanan's head and his host Darien is now speaking, his features more animated. "General, she also has a message for you." Puzzlement creases his brow. "You had better get there as soon as possible or she will throttle you. Does that make sense?"
Jack's lips curl up in a fond smile, his eyes a little moist. "It does. That's my girl."
Daniel can't help his own faint smile, even as Kanan's words send a chill down his spine.
Exactly as he'd feared. Sometimes he hates being right.
There's a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turns to see Penarra regarding him curiously, with wide-set gray eyes identical to her father's. "Uh, hi."
"Hello. You are the pledged of Lady Rebecca, are you not? Are you going to have a binding ceremony soon?"
He blinks at her forthright question. "Um yeah, I sure hope so."
She smiles, snuggling against her father's shoulder. "Good. I hope there will be lots of cake. There always is at a binding ceremony."
Jack chuckles. "Smart girl. And speaking of cake, why don't we all get outta here? Looks like you folks could use some after your ordeal and I know where we got plenty."
Much later, after Penarra gets a clean bill of health by Janet and their new guests help themselves to food, the wormhole is activated for Tarraka.
"General O'Neill, Lord Daniel, you have my everlasting thanks," Barranco says. "Lady Rebecca has brought the light of my life back to me as promised and I am grateful. My government and myself are in your debt, and if there is any good or service we can provide in return do not hesitate to ask. From now on we are your staunchest allies."
"And the same to you, Guildmaster," Daniel replies with a bow. "We wish you peace, prosperity and every happiness."
Barranco bows in return. "I wish the same to you also. Good fortune in your search."
Penarra tugs on her father's robes and whispers in his ear. He nods approval and she steps forward to Daniel, flinging her arms around his legs. "Do not fret for Lady Rebecca. The Divine is watching over her. I have faith you will be together soon."
"Um, I hope so too. Thank you," giving an awkward pat to her head.
She releases him, smiles and takes her father's hand. He stares after them as they disappear through the event horizon, briefly wondering what it'd be like to have someone so precocious and perceptive for a daughter.
"Remind you of anyone we know, your lordship?" Jack says archly, grinning.
Daniel sighs, taking off his glasses to dab at his eyes. "Knock it off, Jack. It's just a courtesy title."
"Sure it is," clapping him on the back. "C'mon. Now that the gang's all here we can get back to work."
Thanks to Kanan and Kor'tel they now know Becky's being kept in a fortress on P2C-979, known locally as Sidon. It's a name Daniel recognizes from Old Earth as a city-state of the ancient civilization of Phoenicia.
Fortunately Ba'al is in residence along with a huge encampment of Jaffa, probably the majority of his standing army. Norris is there too, as an informal advisor.
Daniel smiles thinly. Good. They can rescue Becky and do away with both in one blow, if they're lucky.
Once they've hammered out a plan of action everything else falls into place.
Colonel Ellis volunteers the use of his newly-minted Apollo as a form of penance for Norris escaping from Gamma Base. The day before departure the enhanced cloaking and beaming technology is installed, tested and calibrated with the supervision of Sam, Baldur and Forseti, the ship's Asgard tech consultant. McKay pays close attention and kibitzes from the sidelines to the annoyance of all present, practically salivating at the prospect of applying the knowledge back in Pegasus.
The next morning everyone gathers in the SGC compound, mission participants and well-wishers alike.
As agreed the group's splitting into two Strike Forces: Daniel, Jack, Sam and Teal'c along with Mac, Janet, Mitchell and Lorne on the Rebecca Grahme and Ferretti's SG-2 and Begay's SG-9 on the Apollo, which is taking a separate route to avoid suspicion and waiting under cloak in orbit above the planet until the teams are needed.
"Glad to hear you guys are doing well," Jack says to Sheppard as they exchange salutes and shake hands. "Wouldn't mind paying a visit one of these days."
"You're welcome any time, sir. 'Lantis would love to make your acquaintance." His expression turns serious and he lowers his voice. "With all due respect, I wish I was going with you."
"Duly noted, Colonel. But I already made it clear why you need to stay on New Earth."
"Yes sir, you did. It's just that I think of her as a little sister and well-" He shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, you know what I mean."
Brown eyes soften slightly, the concerned uncle peeking through the facade of the seasoned general. "Yeah, I do. Just stick to your post, Sheppard. That's the best you can do for her right now."
"Copy that, sir."
Jack clears his throat and turns to Hammond, shaking his hand. "Thanks for agreeing to come out of retirement for this, George. I really appreciate it."
"My pleasure. Family is important, now more than ever. You need to be out there with the rest of your team. I'll be happy to hold down the fort while you're gone."
"That's a load off my mind. Sure I can't convince you to do my paperwork while you're at it?"
Hammond laughs heartily, clapping him on the shoulder. "You know, some things about the place I don't miss at all. Good luck and godspeed, Jack. Find your niece and bring her back home where she belongs."
"Yes, sir," throwing him a rakish salute. "We'll send ya a postcard along the way."
Daniel can't help a faint smile and neither can Sam. Just like old times.
Jack turns to Ferretti and Begay. "You kids ready for me to do the honors?"
"Ready and waiting, General. Just give the word," Ferretti says. Both teams salute.
He returns it and clicks on his radio. "O'Neill to Apollo. Strike Force B is ready to beam up."
"Copy that, sir. We'll meet you at the planet. Apollo out." The teams disappear in a flash of light and he turns to his team.
"Ready, campers?" A collective nod. "O'Neill to Baldur. Strike Force A is ready to beam up."
"Acknowledged. You may activate your communication stones." Each member of the Strike Force has one loaned especially for the mission, milky-white with copper runes carved around the rim.
"Okay, folks. Here we go." Jack raises his and presses it. Daniel and the others follow suit.
A flash of white light and they're on the bridge, recognizably Asgard in style yet unlike any they've seen before. White indirect lighting interspersed with walls of blue and lavender shading to bronze with touches of copper here and there. The forward viewport- consisting of two sides curving gently towards each other- shows a stunning view of their adopted homeworld from orbit.
Daniel takes a moment to admire New Earth in all shades of its blue-green, burnt-orange, moss-green and blue-violet glory, turning in silent majesty beneath their feet. Two continents separated by huge oceans and several archipelagos, the northern half of the western continent featuring Settlement Valley framed by its distinct parenthetical mountain ranges on either side.
May not be much in the cosmic scheme of things, but it's worth protecting.
Baldur inclines his head. "Greetings to all. Welcome aboard the Rebecca Grahme. Before we leave orbit I would like to give a brief orientation."
According to ship diagrams the outside vaguely resembles an elongated teardrop protruding from a horned crescent shape and twin vertical stabilizers in the rear, about half the size of most other ships in the Asgard fleet yet deceptively spacious. Rooms and facilities accommodate the needs of both species, including a fully prepared and stocked sickbay which pleases Janet.
"Pretty nice digs you have here," Jack says finally. "We sure appreciate the ride."
"You are welcome, General. In normal circumstances the ship is attached to our exploration and science vessel the Daniel Jackson, unless needed for special missions such as this."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me." Jack smirks in Daniel's direction.
"Do you normally have humans accompanying you?" Sam inquires.
"On occasion, yes. In addition to my work as a linguist I perform other tasks for the High Council. Sometimes they include a human partner, though he is currently on assignment elsewhere." He consults a display. "We are about to get underway and enter hyperspace. It will take approximately two days to reach the domain of Ba'al and another to the planet Sidon under cloak."
"Sweet." Jack drops into a nearby seat, kicking back and stretching out his legs. "I hear it's nice this time of year."
Daniel wanders around the ship late the next night, unexpectedly restless. For once reading isn't helping him fall asleep.
The lounge area is empty save for Mitchell playing solitaire and Lorne checking through their gear. Both glance in his direction but neither engage in conversation, which suits him just fine.
Baldur nods a silent greeting from a console as he enters the bridge and settles on a comfortable bench. Asgard technology and ships are so quiet and smooth it's difficult to tell they're even moving, save for the outside view of hyperspace passing by in long streaks of blue.
Daniel opens his journal intending to write, but caps the pen and sets both to one side. Staring out the viewport without really seeing anything, thoughts in too much turmoil to set down on paper.
All the connection can tell him is Becky's still alive, but if Kanan and Kor'tel are right she could be undergoing torture even now. He fears for his beloved, even more than for Sha're under the influence of Amaunet and Apophis. Knowing she's being punished for no other reason than pure malice hurts more than he expected.
She may come away from this ordeal either stronger than ever, or a total wreck. And the thought it could go either way is just about killing him.
Get a grip, he tells himself finally. Quit brooding. Quis erit, erit, right? What will be, will be.
He doesn't know what he can do when they find her, except love her with everything that's in him and be there when she needs shelter from the nightmares. That it's already a given she'll have nightmares makes him a little sick.
He wonders if caring for Becky would be enough of a reason to give up his place on SG-1 for good.
Resigning from the team anyway isn't a bad idea, to be honest. Though he loves traipsing around the galaxy with Sam and Teal'c he's been mulling it over since returning from Atlantis, when he'd miscalculated during an ambush offworld and gotten stabbed by a Genii knife for his trouble.
Daniel's eyes stray to the bracelet of stone beads on his left wrist and smiles. Not everything about that day was bad, he has to admit. And the recovery and engagement both gave him a chance to ponder.
Maybe it's best to leave while on top, so to speak. Change is in the air anyway.
They've all been feeling the press of other obligations. Sam's busier than ever with her recent promotion to Colonel and Head of Science for the SGC, not to mention her duties to Jack as Deputy General-Governor. Teal'c has been commuting on a regular basis to the Free Jaffa capitol of Dakara, as advisor to the fledgling Council of Tribes.
As for himself, well. Eleven years have passed since he stepped through the Stargate for the first time, which seems like a lifetime ago now. Despite dying and coming back to life on multiple occasions he's not immortal. And now that he has a compelling reason to keep on living his body reminds him he's not an earnest young archaeologist anymore.
Becky's aware, of course. Though she never brings it up the concern in her eyes speaks volumes, which is a more compelling argument for resigning than any words she could offer.
This could be very well be their last hurrah as a team.
But he'll wait until they get back home to inform Jack and the others. Right now there's a mission to complete.
"Hey, Daniel." Mac saunters up to him, hands casually in the pockets of his field uniform trousers. Dark circles under his eyes hint at an equally restless night.
"Hey yourself. Can't sleep?"
"Nah. Mind if I have a seat?"
"Go right ahead." He scoops up the journal and pen, stuffing them back into the capacious pockets of his jacket.
Mac perches on the other end of the bench, taking in the bridge and view of hyperspace with a faint bemused look. "Ya know, all these years and I still can't fully get the hang of this outer space stuff. Used to think all those folks who believed in abductions and alien influence on history were completely nuts. No offense."
A crooked smile. "None taken. When I first came across Nick's research the more I read the more I realized it only confirmed my gut feeling there's a deeper truth to history than anything mainstream archaeology believed."
"Turns out you and your grandfather were both right, huh? Just not about our past."
"In a way it is, though. See, the Ancients contributed to our species' genetic potential, which is why the three of you have the ATA gene. The humans of the Pegasus Galaxy are cousins in a tangential way, through them. All the human diaspora in the Milky Way- including our friends from Tarraka and even the Jaffa- are related to us, as descendants of Old Earth civilizations relocated by the Goa'uld millennia ago. Becky and I find the whole thing fascinating."
"No surprise to me. Two peas in a pod, as Harry used to say."
They share a companionable silence.
"I'm not worried about Becky," Mac says quietly. "Not as much as Jack thinks, anyway. Ever since you pulled her away from that chair in Huy-Braesealis I've accepted the fact she doesn't need me the same as when she was fourteen. She's tough. There's nothing she can't handle."
Daniel looks askance at him. Same rugged features with laugh lines and silvered hair as his brother, warm brown eyes filled with concern and compassion underlying a determined optimism. The quiet reflective drawl so similar and yet so unlike Jack's calculated deadpan delivery and Becky's wry understated observations. "Like uncles like niece, you mean."
"Yeah." He pauses. "We'll find her, Daniel. I feel it in my bones. Brooding about things we can't control does no good in the long run. We just gotta stay positive."
"You know, I'm hoping we'll have the wedding when we get back. I think we're both ready." For some reason his spirits are lifted just by admitting it out loud.
Mac grins, clapping him on the shoulder. "See? Now that's something we can look forward to." He stands up and stretches. "Whew, all of a sudden I'm ready to crash. I'm goin' back to my quarters. Sleep well."
"You too, Mac."
He's right, of course. No use getting distracted by pointless speculation. Better to focus on the task at hand.
Keep your feet on the ground, Danny.
Jack hates travel downtime during a mission.
He prefers the instantaneous nature of Gate travel, the exhilaration of stepping onto a planet without the bother of spending time getting from Point A to Point B. A chance to jump right into the action from the get-go. Though he ruefully admits it usually involved a lot of standing around waiting for Carter or Daniel to finish up whatever they're geeking out over.
He leans back in his chair, pulling out his yo-yo and doing a few half-hearted tricks before tucking it away again with a sigh. Like Danny he's having trouble keeping focused, though he's trying hard not to let it show in front of the team for morale purposes.
Thanks to the briefing they've familiarized themselves with the fortress and the adjoining encampment, including troop strength and security measures, to formulate a plan of action. So as the ship hurtles towards the planet- under cloak now since slipping past the heavily-patrolled border like a hot knife through butter- there's nothing else to do but wait.
Each member of his team has their own way of coping with the tedium. Teal'c, Mitchell and Lorne play cards. Mac and Janet chat quietly as he plays with string. Daniel has his nose in a book as usual, at times setting it down to stare into space with a preoccupied look and finger the bracelet of polished stone beads on his left wrist before picking it up again.
Watching him and Becky find a lasting love with each other has been one of Jack's secret joys over the years. Such intense introverts, they probably wouldn't have taken a chance if it weren't for circumstances beyond their control- and some judicious matchmaking on his part- bringing them together. Much like him and Sam.
The news of Becky's abduction was a punch to the gut for Jack, no less than for anyone else. Part of him is devastated knowing she's been at the mercy of that lying, scheming, slimy, over-dressed stylemonger Ba'al. Thanks to memories of his own ordeal in Iraq (which he will take to the grave, no need to inflict them on others) he has a decent idea of what she's going through, ramped up to eleven with Goa'uld tech.
It's taken every ounce of military discipline he has not to shove his fists several times through the nearest wall out of sheer frustration.
To make things worse he can't shake a nagging sense of guilt ever since she sat in the chair and downloaded all that Ancient data into her head from Huy-Braesealis. She's a better liaison for the AI than he would've been, to be sure. Yet for all that he has a feeling it should've been him there instead.
Just like now. He oughta be in her place taking one for the team, as per his duty as an officer in the NEDF. Not his poor sweetheart of a niece.
God. Enough already. He's getting maudlin, for crying out loud. This is what downtime does to him.
They'll find her. They have to.
Besides, he'd hate to see Danny suffer another broken heart like when he lost Sha're.
"Sir?" Sam's standing to one side, mugs of klah steeped in matter-converted hot water in each hand.
"Thanks, Carter." He accepts the mug, sipping at the coffee-chocolate-cinnamon blend. Good thing she knows how to brew it properly.
She settles beside him, wrapping her hands around the mug as if needing the warmth. Though the temperature inside the ship's comfortable enough.
"Something on your mind, sir? You had the oddest expression on your face a second ago." Her own is so anxious he's filled with a desire to pull her close for a reassuring hug.
Not exactly appropriate for the General-Governor to embrace his Deputy while on the job, though. He settles for clinking his mug against hers.
"Nothin' much, just thinking what I wouldn't give for a cup of real coffee. Hell, even the powdered instant crap from the commissary under the Mountain sounds good. One of the things I really miss about Old Earth, ya know? Right up there with ice rinks, new episodes of The Simpsons and daily crossword puzzles in the newspaper."
"Oh, I don't know, sir. The one in the Gateway Weekly Tribune is pretty good. I haven't been asked to contribute but other scientists have. They've come up with some pretty interesting puzzles."
"Not exactly my level, Carter," he admits with a wry smile. "More like the Sunday New York Times than the Colorado Springs Gazette, know what I mean? Always frustrated me I could never finish the Times."
"At least it has good Sudoku and logic problems. I think Jay Felger's behind those."
Jack snorts. "Finally something he's good at."
"I'll be sure to pass your compliment along at the next departmental meeting, sir." Her deadpan's a beautiful thing.
He gives her a mock glare. "Off the record, Colonel."
"Yes, sir. Whatever you say." She grins, not the megawatt smile he adores and tries to tease out every chance he gets but bright enough to warm his heart regardless.
Bless her for being his 2IC, he doesn't know what he'd do without her. Promoting her to Colonel and creating the position of Deputy General-Governor has been one of his better decisions of late.
Maybe downtime's good for something after all. Sure can put things in perspective.
"General O'Neill, we are approaching Sidon. Any instructions?"
Jack leans over Baldur's chair, squinting at the screen. Even to Daniel it looks like any other planet terraformed by the Ancients. "They still don't know we're here, right?"
"Correct. The cloaking device has been working optimally since we crossed the border into his domain. My sensors indicate a shield has been activated around the fortress. I cannot beam you directly inside while it remains in operation, nor can you beam out."
"That makes disabling it a priority once we get in. Kanan said there's people on the inside who'll help us if they stuck around though he wouldn't give any names. Find us someplace where we can beam down."
"There is a clearing to the east of the fortress, it should be well out of sight of the sentries."
"Sounds great. Okay campers, suit up. It's showtime."
While the rest check their weapons and ammunition Mac contents himself with tucking his trusty Swiss Army Knife, roll of duck tape and a few other odds and ends in his tac vest. After all this time he still refuses to carry a gun.
Daniel has to admire his integrity. Becky's always insisted her uncle's mind is a better weapon anyway, and he's seen Mac in action enough times to know she's right.
Soon everyone- save for Janet making final preparations in the sickbay- is ready to beam down.
Jack clips his P90 to his vest before turning to address the team. "I guess now's the time to say something profound." He pauses. "All I can think of is we've never left anyone behind, and we damned well won't this time. Becky's counting on us and I for one don't want to disappoint her. Let's do this."
Jack takes a moment to catch his breath as they collect themselves before moving on. Being in the field's a lot tougher than he remembers. Or else he's just gotten too damn old for this.
Daniel's not even winded. Through the years his gawky and oft-bewildered Spacemonkey's turned into quite the action hero, though he'll always be a geek to Jack.
Indiana Jackson, he remembers teasing after watching Raiders of the Lost Ark one movie night. Gotten a couple pillows thrown at him in retaliation, which naturally led to the Great Interteam Pillow-and-Tickle Battle of 2 Y.S. The memory brings a faint smile to his face.
Daniel catches it and scowls. "What's so funny, Jack?"
"Nothing. So where do we go from here?"
Before them lies a junction of two corridors at right angles to each other, wall panels of royal blue interspersed by pillars supporting beams of dull gold and elaborate wall sconces of white light. Typical Goa'uld architecture- crude, heavy and ostentatious. Guess as a species they don't care for interior designers.
Daniel blinks and glances around, getting his bearings. "Okay, according to Kanan Becky's being held three levels up. There's a lift shaft about nine meters from here in-" He taps a finger against his lips, then points to his left. "That direction."
"Then let's go." After a thorough sweep they hurry down the corridor.
The Strike Force split up a while back. He and Daniel to spring Becky from her cell, Mac and Carter to disable the shield in the basement and Teal'c, Lorne and Mitchell to plant C4 enhanced with naquadria- one of Cadman's experiments before she left for Atlantis- in strategic locations around the fortress. And hunt down Norris and Ba'al, if they had a notion.
A radio signal relayed by Baldur not long after they'd arrived indicated the Apollo had just entered orbit around the planet. Jack ordered both SG-2 and 9 to beam down near the Jaffa encampment and raise a ruckus as a diversion.
Getting in had been almost too easy. Thanks to their mystery benefactor the rear entrance for the kitchen had been conveniently left ajar, the dead bodies of Jaffa guards sprawling nearby.
A fresh tip from an unnamed source of Baldur's confirmed the majority of servants have been quietly escaping into the vast dense forest surrounding the fortress by ones and twos for days. Only the Jaffa troops and select faithful lo'taur remain, so they won't have to worry overmuch about collateral damage when they bring down the house.
Jack doesn't intend to leave the place standing once they're back aboard the ship with Becky. But first they gotta find that damned traitor Norris and carry out his sentence.
And hey, if another snake or two's killed in the process then that's the icing on the cake.
The lift rocks so much from a series of massive explosions outside the fortress they have to get off on the level below Becky's cell. Peering out the nearest window they see flames and plumes of smoke in the encampment, presumably from ships parked on the landing field by the Gate. Klaxons wail and the air is filled with shouting and footsteps.
Jack and Daniel duck into an open door as a troop hustles by on a quick march.
"Sounds like they're having a Ba'al down in Jaffatown."
Daniel groans. "That's awful, Jack."
They slowly make their way down the hallway to end where it turns sharply to the right, checking each open doorway for stray guards.
Jack peeks around the corner, noticing two guards at the other end of the corridor, talking quietly. He pulls back and leans against the wall, chewing on his lower lip and considering options.
It's possible the guards will mosey along in a moment or two. Or they're just loitering, it's hard to tell.
Another quick check and they're gone, footsteps fading into the distance. He breathes a sigh of relief. "Clear. Let's go."
They make the turn and damn if they don't hear the heavy tread of armored footsteps coming their way behind them. It's a long, straight corridor and there's nowhere to hide and wait them out. No choice but to face them head on.
Three guards round the corner and stop, eyes widening at their presence. "Tau'ri, kree shak!"
Jack trades glances with Daniel and they raise their weapons. If the others decide to come back it'll make for a very uncomfortable sandwich and he doesn't intend to be the filling.
Both sides open fire and one guard goes down. Jack aims at the second and curses as his gun jams. "Little help here, Danny?"
"Got it, Jack." He fires and the guard collapses. Yep, quite the action hero these days.
The remaining guard raises his staff weapon, sparking with energy. Before it can discharge he cries out and crumples to the floor, shot twice from a zat in the hand of a blonde woman standing behind him, the elegance of her clothes marking her as a lo'taur. Her eyes flick over the body before focusing on them, keeping her weapon raised.
"Nice shot," Jack remarks. "I take it you're not the cleaning lady?"
"Are you really Tau'ri?" she demands in return.
"Could be," he drawls, shooting a look at Daniel before he can open his mouth. "Who wants to know?"
"I am Shallan. Did a Tok'ra named Kanan and his host Darien come to you recently?" Her expression's torn between suspicion and anxiety.
"Yes, they did," Daniel blurts out despite Jack's sharp look. "With a Free Jaffa agent named Kor'tel and a little Tarrakan girl named Penarra. They arrived safe and sound on New Earth a few days ago. Penarra is back home with her father now on their world."
She closes her eyes and sighs, lowering the zat. "They made it, thank the true gods. I will take you to Dr. Grahme. Come with me."
They follow her into a lift, going up a level. Down more corridors, encountering and taking down guards along the way.
Finally Shallan stops at a pair of opaque panels. "She is in here," indicating the left-hand door. "But I cannot tell you if she is alive or not."
Daniel's brow furrows. "I...I think she is, Jack. We have a connection, I'd know if she weren't."
Jack sighs. "Only one way to be sure. Open it, already."
She touches an inset keypad and the panel clears and slides back. The cell is dark, a single window covered with another panel of the same material providing the only light in the room, which is bare save for a cot pushed against a wall.
And its petite occupant, sitting slumped in the middle.
She slowly raises her head and stares at them, her expression forlorn as she blinks in the bright light, her voice a bare whisper. "Guys...?"
"Hey, Beck-" Jack stops short, stunned and temporarily at a loss for words.
He almost can't believe it's her. Field uniform in tatters and sliced open in places, smeared with dried blood or worse. Glasses gone and hair drooping in lank, greasy strands. Bruises show dark purple against her pale cheeks. Angry red scars over her body including her right shoulder, which is canted at an odd angle. The hollow-eyed, faintly disbelieving stare she gives them, as if not quite sure they're real.
His stomach gives a lurch. He can only stand there and stare at her, as if frozen to the spot. The last time Becky looked like this was when he'd found her and Mac right after the landslide. She's in such a bad way he wonders if the human-sized healing chamber in the sickbay can repair her.
Not telling Becky about Norris has got to count as one of his biggest blunders ever.
Daniel shoots him a glare that says I told you so before striding forward and kneeling at her side, enfolding her carefully in his embrace. "It's okay, Becky, " he soothes. "I'm here. You're safe now."
"...I am?" Her voice so small and weak it nearly breaks Jack's heart all over again.
It's all he can do to steel himself, kneel beside them and gently touch her cheek like nothing's wrong. "Yeah, kiddo. You are. Hang in there, we've got you."
She moans as they cuddle her and Daniel frowns, taking a good long look at her. "Jack, she needs to see Janet right away. I'm contacting Baldur to beam us up." He pulls out his communication stone.
"Wait a sec, Danny. Let's make sure the shield's down first." He clicks on his radio. "Carter? Becky's alive but she's hurt real bad. What's the status on you and Mac getting the shield down so we can beam her the hell outta here?"
"That's good to hear, sir. We're almost done, just need another minute."
"Peachy. Head to the rendezvous point soon as you finish." Also known as the clearing where they beamed down.
"Copy that, sir. Carter out."
The radio chirps. "General? Mitchell here. We've got Ba'al and his guards pinned down but Norris escaped. He's headed your way." Sounds of gunfire in the background.
Great, just what they need.
"Copy that. I'll deal with Norris. If you can kill Ba'al that's one less snake to worry about but if you can't just get to the rendezvous point as soon as possible. Everything else in place?"
"Everything's ready, sir. We're on our way. Mitchell out."
Another chirp. Getting to be like Grand Central Station. "Jack? It's Mac. Shield's down."
That's more like it. "Terrific. You and Carter get your butts outta there, we'll blow the place up after we're aboard the ship."
"Gotcha. See you soon."
Then Norris barges into the room in a black-and-gold uniform, knife drawn and rage burning in those weird colorless eyes that have always given him the creeps. Shoving his way past both of them to make a grab for Becky.
Jack has a hard time wrapping his head around what happens next. Because without warning his thoughtful, gentle, mild-mannered niece suddenly goes-
Well, wacko is the only way he can think of it.
She rolls to one side of Norris like she just got a second wind, scooping something up from a shadowed corner. Standing on her own two feet, the hallway light glinting off a blade in her left hand, eyes wild and determination plain on her battered face. Broken but not bent.
Jack shares a worried glance with Daniel, unsure whether to intervene or not. This has been her battle all along and Norris is her enemy but they gotta do something, right?
The guy glares at her. "This is all your fault, brat! I'll kill you now!"
"No," she says, eerily calm. "No more torture, no more pain. I'm not afraid of you." In seconds she has him pinned to the floor, knife raised to strike through his heart.
Even as Jack takes pride in her bravery and resilience the fierce glint in her eyes sends a chill down his spine. Like looking in a mirror.
Why is it he's never realized before now just how much influence he and Mac had in shaping her life after her parents were gone? She's come a long way from the timid, quiet and painfully shy teenager at their funeral.
One thing's for sure. Norris has been condemned to death for his treason but Becky can't be his executioner. It's not in her nature to kill.
As before Daniel manages to shake off his own shock and approach her. Calmly talking her down from the edge with all the patience and sensitivity he can muster. Sharing a significant look with Jack as he promises Norris won't hurt her again.
He lets out the breath he's been holding without realizing it when she drops the knife and allows Daniel to pull her into his arms. That was close.
Now it's time to do his duty.
Norris sneers at the sight but subsides when Jack fixes him with one of his patented glares. "Danny, get Becky outta here. I'll beam up in a bit, just got a little business to wrap up here first. Don't give Janet too hard a time or otherwise she'll break out the big needles."
Daniel rolls his eyes but nods. Holding her to him with one arm he raises the communication stone above his head with the other and presses it, hard. They disappear in a flash of white light.
While Jack's staring thoughtfully in their direction Norris scrambles to his feet and bolts out of the cell. An outraged squawk and Teal'c strides through the doorway, holding him in the air with ease while Shallan watches from the side with keen interest. "O'Neill, the shol'va Albert Norris was attempting to escape. I have brought him back for you to carry out his sentence."
"Thanks, T. Set him down, willya?"
He does, none too gently. Norris stumbles upright, straightening his ill-fitting uniform. "General, I can help you. I know everything about Ba'al and his operations, plenty of intel you can use against him."
Shallan's lip curls in contempt. "That is exactly what you said to him about the Tau'ri after killing his previous advisor."
Jack grimaces. Figures. Trusting a double agent is never a good idea.
He crosses his arms and stares down his nose at the disgraced former lieutenant, easy to do since he's at least three inches shorter. "Goddammit, Norris. I didn't like you before Zero Hour and now you're more a pain in the butt than ever. Not to mention the most pathetic excuse for a human being I've ever seen. And the fact you hurt a valuable member of the SGC for kicks- who just happens to be my niece- makes it that much worse."
The guy has the nerve to sneer at his words. "And your opinion matters, because...?"
"Oh, for crying out loud. Why do I bother?" Jack draws his sidearm and cocks it. "Albert Norris, you have been charged, tried and found guilty in absentia of high treason against Stargate Command, the New Earth Defense Force and Gateway Settlement. Not to mention assault, murder in the first degree and too many other nasty crimes to count. I'm not even gonna ask for any last words. I'll just carry out the sentence right now."
Norris turns to run but Teal'c shoves him back in the direction of Jack's gun. One shot in the head and he crumples to the ground.
Teal'c nods in satisfaction. "Justice has been served, O'Neill. I approve."
"As do I," Shallan affirms stoutly.
Jack's pleased with the outcome himself but he's not willing to dwell on it just now. He holsters the weapon and checks his watch. "We'd better get goin', campers. Everyone's probably waiting for us at the rendezvous point by now."
Teal'c joins him but Shallan lags behind, her expression torn.
Jack turns to her. "Hey, you comin'? We're about to bring the house down and believe me, you don't wanna stick around."
She looks a little bewildered. "I have no master anymore. There is nowhere for me to go."
"For this you can stay with us. Let's go, already."
"A familiar exchange, O'Neill," Teal'c notes, looking distinctly amused.
Jack grins. "Yeah, just like old times, huh? C'mon kids, let's meet up with the others. Can't wait to blow this joint to kingdom come."
Carter's gingerly dabbing a gauze pad to a spot on Mac's head as they arrive back in the clearing. Jack raises an eyebrow and he shrugs. "Got smacked by a branch on the way here. Did you find Becky?"
"And where's Daniel, sir?" she adds, her gaze shifting around as if he were hiding behind a tree.
""Both up on the ship already with Janet." He waves his hand towards the lo'taur. "Folks, this is Shallan. She helped us out so we're giving her a lift." She nods a hesitant greeting. "Everyone okay?"
"Still in one piece, sir," Mitchell says cheerfully enough, right cheek sporting a few scrapes. Lorne's leaning heavily against him, limping from a sprained ankle. "Ba'al slipped away before we could nail him, though. Sorry."
"You gave it your best shot, Colonel. I have no complaints. He'll get his sooner or later, I have no doubt."
"What about Norris, sir?" Lorne pipes up.
"His sentence was carried out, Colonel Lorne," Teal'c replies calmly. "Albert Norris is deceased."
Everyone nods grim approval, including Mac.
Jack clicks on his radio. "O'Neill to Baldur. We're about ready to beam up but we've got a little something to do first. By the way, there's an extra passenger."
"Very well, General. I have heard from the Apollo that Strike Force B is back aboard their ship with no loss of life and much damage to the encampment. Also, an Al'kesh has been spotted lifting off from the planet and moving through the solar system. Have they permission to pursue?"
"Sounds like Ba'al's making his escape. Tell 'em to blast it out of the sky and scoot on back to New Earth. We'll be up in a sec."
Mac catches his arm, asking in a low voice, "Jack- how is Becky? Really?"
The anxiety in his twin's eyes matches his own. He grimaces. "Tell ya later. Mitchell, we ready to rumble?"
He pulls the remote detonator from his tac vest and hands it over with a grin. "Yes, sir. Set to go off in five-second intervals after the first one is activated. Care to do the honors?"
"Yeah, sure you betcha." He faces the fortress, holding the remote high and pressing the button. Time for the final act.
This one's for you, kiddo.
The resulting explosion is supremely satisfying to everyone.
And so is seeing the massive plume of smoke from orbit once they're aboard, as the fortress collapses in on itself.
Jack nods in satisfaction. "Mission accomplished, campers. Let's go home."
Night aboard the good ship Rebecca Grahme, en route back to New Earth. Its namesake still unconscious in the healing chamber, Daniel hardly leaving her side the whole time.
Jack had looked in on Becky right after beaming up, a gently swirling opaque mist covering her body from the shoulders down. Wounds knitting themselves together and bruises already fading, though with a bit of tension around the corners of her eyes and mouth. According to Janet she's progressing nicely though she may yet require physical therapy for her shoulder later on.
The potential state of her mind when she wakes up is far less certain.
Jack's heart goes out to her, poor sweetheart. She's been put through the wringer, same as him back in the day. Not something he ever expected her to inherit.
He knows from experience the physical suffering may be over but the mental portion's just beginning. As if there isn't enough nightmare fodder in her life already.
Good thing Danny's watching out for her.
Eventually the memories will fade but in the meantime she'll need all the help she can get to process the ordeal and move forward. So he'll provide it, same as for anyone else under his command: sessions with Heightmeyer, space to soothe her introverted soul, the endless, loving support of her friends and extended family.
Not that he'd done anything like that for himself when it came to his captivity in Iraq, or even when Charlie died, closed up tight so nothing could get in that might cause more damage to his soul. Which in retrospect probably contributed in a major way to his divorce.
He likes to think he's grown a little since then. Interstellar travel and being exposed to alien tech and weird environments does kinda broaden the mind, after all.
And- since he's being honest with himself for once- there's no doubt Carter's played a part in his emotional growth.
"Um, Jack? Can I join you?" Her smile is a little tentative. Only when they're alone or off-duty do they call each other by their first names. Old habits die hard.
He flashes a lazy grin, scoots over to make space on the observation bench. "Have a seat, Sam."
She slides right beside him and lets him slip an arm around her and pull her close. Because the mission's completed and everyone else is in their quarters or otherwise occupied they can risk a public display of affection or two. Baldur won't mind.
"Peaceful, isn't it," he says after a while.
"Uh-huh. We don't often have this kind of downtime after a mission. It's nice."
A companionable silence stretches between them, savoring the proximity of each other's presence. He takes the time to marvel at the amazing woman by his side. Fellow officer, teammate, friend and lover.
Over the years she's managed to keep him grounded, repair his shattered heart and soul. Helped him learn to love again, just by having his six every time he needed her. And even when he didn't.
If not for the apocalypse Jack figures that a combination of duties, regulations and circumstances would've surely kept them apart, to the point of seeking solace elsewhere. Realizing too late they were only pitiful substitutes for what could've been.
Good thing they came to their senses right after Zero Hour. He can't imagine life without this gorgeous, vibrant, incredibly talented and passionate woman by his side.
Maybe he should make it official. Get down on his creaky knees and propose, the whole nine yards. He's the General-Governor for crying out loud, he can do whatever he wants.
Come to think of it, why not right here and now? It's not like either of them are getting any younger.
If there's anything the past several years have taught him it's to seize the day, and hold on to it with everything he's got.
"Hey, I've been thinking-"
"That's dangerous, you know. Wouldn't want to short out your brain." He loves that wicked glint in her eyes when she's teasing.
"Very funny. Anyway, I've been thinking about us."
"You mean how much we've changed since that first meeting in the briefing room under the Mountain? I don't know about that, Jack. You still don't care for scientists much." Her light tone makes him smile.
"Well now, that's where you're wrong," he says in an arch manner. "I care for a few scientists. A very select few." He pauses for effect. "Like the ones I want to marry, for instance."
Sapphire eyes widen. Her perfect mouth gapes open. "Jack- are you seriously proposing to me?"
"Yep." He eases himself off the bench and gingerly onto one knee, taking her hands in his. "I know I don't say it out loud much but I'm saying it now. Samantha Carter, I love you in more ways than there are stars in the sky. I want us to be together for always. Marry me, please."
She only blinks at him, silent for a long time. Jack can tell she's mulling over the question. Formulating theories, testing them against existing data. Coming to a conclusion he hopes is the right one.
"Okay."
He blinks, his eyebrows lifting almost to his hairline. "Okay?"
Ah, now there's that megawatt smile. "Okay, Jack. I'll marry you. I just have one question."
"Name it," he says, sheer happiness fit to burst through his chest. Anything she wants, he'll get it. Even find another sun for her to blow up.
"Should we tell everyone tomorrow? Or keep it quiet?"
Ah. Good question.
He purses his lips, considering. It's no battlefield or infirmary engagement with plenty of witnesses. This is just between the two of them, intimate and perfect. Baldur's not even paying attention.
"I think we should keep this to ourselves for now, have a private ceremony another time. Wouldn't want to steal the spotlight from the lovebirds, after all," nodding in the direction of the infirmary.
"You think they'll marry soon?"
"Mac said Danny told him they were ready. Only that was before we found her in the cell."
"I'm sure she'll be just fine, Daniel will take care of her. I'm glad they have each other."
"Me, too." He'd be content just to stare forever into her eyes like this, only there's one nagging little problem-
"Um, Jack? Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, but shouldn't we be back in our quarters for what you have in mind? I mean, we wouldn't want to scandalize Baldur or anything."
She rolls her eyes at his leering smirk. "Get up off those aching knees of yours and kiss me, buster."
"Yes, ma'am." He rises to his feet, pulling her up with him. Holding her tight as their lips meet for a long, tender exploration, their bodies framed by the streaming blue light of hyperspace. Beautiful.
The day's definitely looking a lot more peachy.
Notes:
The display of New Earth-style charcuterie was inspired by the delicious Pegasus version in On Board by Brumeier. Tormack is a fictional Pegasus root vegetable, mentioned in The Lure of Tormack by Goddess47. Both stories can be found on AO3.
In pre-Christian Old Norse mythology, Forseti was the god of justice and reconciliation. So of course he's one of the Asgard here.
As always, please see A Linguist's Guide to New Earth on AO3 for translations and explanations of certain concepts.