Title: The Quest for the Cure
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Characters: Samantha Carter, Jack O'Neill, Teal'c, Daniel Jackson, Janet Frasier, OCs
Pairing: SJ
Genre: Adventure, Romance, Mystery, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort
Rating: T
Summary: At Danu's request, SG-1 return to Saorsa to discover a sickness sweeping across the town. As they investigate further, they realise there is more to the sickness than meets the eye.
A/N: Hello! I hope you're all ready to join me on another mission to Saorsa. My characters and SG-1 are so ready to have you onboard for the second adventure in the series!
The central theme that runs through this story may seem quite familiar given the current global situation. If this is something that might trigger you – believe me, I know – then maybe this isn't the story for you. I just wanted to say, however, this part of the story was already planned when I was finishing up the first story and there is a reason I kept it in. Look after yourselves.
A/N and edit: This was originally called 'The Cure of Saorsa', however after deciding that this is a part of a series rather than it being a stand alone story, I decided to rename it. Apologies in advance for any confusion!
As always, mistakes are mine.
Happy holidays!
The Quest for the Cure
Chapter One
Jack hid a wide yawn behind his hand before clenching a fist and leaning on it. He blinked heavily and jerked his head as he tried to focus on Daniel's voice. He shifted in his chair as he felt a pair of eyes on him. He looked up just in time to see the remnants of an amused smirk leaving Sam's face. He cleared his throat quietly and sat up straighter, intent on paying attention to Daniel.
Jack couldn't deny that the man had passion when he spoke, sure, but unless it involved big, honking space guns or a requirement for his expertise in black ops, you might as well be speaking Furling.
"I mean, the ruins are incredible, General. The telemetry we received points to it being something akin to the Minoan age - which as I showed you -"
"I am aware of the cultural wealth and significance behind this, Doctor Jackson." input General Hammond, the barest huff of annoyance hidden behind decades of polite diplomacy.
Daniel pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Of course, you've read my report, but what I'm really trying to emphasise here is that this is an incredible chance to really delve into a period of history that we really don't know enough about." Daniel's words sped up as he spoke, indicating his excitement for the prospective mission.
General Hammond nodded. "I understand that. How long do you think you'll need?"
Jack raised a finger. "Ah! Might I suggest a three day stint, General. As exciting as that planet's history is, I don't want to be a part of it, which is what will happen if you give Danny an open ended invitation." said Jack, turning to look at Daniel, as if daring him to argue.
Teal'c remained impassive, while Sam bit back a sympathetic grin.
Daniel rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Three days? Jack! This could be the archaeological find of the decade!"
"If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I could retire. Again!" exclaimed Jack, looking at Sam with a grin.
"Alright." sighed the General, eager to get the bickering over and done with. "Doctor Jackson, how long will it take you to reach the ruins?"
Daniel crossed his arms. "Half a day's walk, at least."
"I can authorise this mission for five days. After that, we can reassess if needed. Report to the Gate Room, ready to go, at 0600 tomorrow morning. Dismissed." Hammond stood, nodding at Sam, Jack and Teal'c as they followed suit.
Once he left the briefing room, Jack rounded on Daniel. "Don't, don't go there."
"I don't need to." smirked Daniel, gathering his papers from the table, a victorious smirk on his face.
Jack mimed strangling Daniel, making Teal'c raise an eyebrow and Sam snort with laughter. Taking that as her segue to retreat to her lab, Sam shook her head with amusement and left the briefing room. As she left, she heard footsteps catching up to her and was surprised to see it was Teal'c tailing her.
"You okay, Teal'c?"
"They continued their bickering."
Sam chuckled, side stepping to allow an airman past her. "Yeah, kinda par for the course with those two." Sam pulled out her ID card and swiped at the elevator. "Still, I wouldn't have them any other way, right?"
Teal'c bowed his head, a half-smile gracing his features. "Indeed."
The elevator doors slid open and as Sam was about to step into the small, metal confines, the gate alarm sounded.
"Unscheduled offworld activation!"
Teal'c waited for Sam to pass him before he followed her to the control room.
Sam seated herself in the free chair next to Walter. "ID?"
"Not yet, Major."
Jack, Daniel and General Hammond appeared and stood behind Sam. "There aren't any teams offworld due to come back, are there?" asked Daniel.
"SGs 4, 7 and 9." answered Hammond.
Jack moved towards the phone on the wall. "Medical team, stand by. Defense team, move in."
"Are we getting anything?" asked Hammond.
"No IDC yet, General." reported Walter.
Sam tilted her head as she watched the screen in front of her. "They look like radio waves. I'll patch it through." Sam clacked at her keyboard and sure enough, a gentle voice sounded through the speakers.
"Samantha, it is I, Danu of Saorsa. I wish to speak with you. Can you hear me?"
Jack frowned in confusion. "How's she doing that without a radio?"
"Goddess, remember?" input Daniel.
"Sir?" prompted Sam, looking at Hammond. A vision of Danu walking through the gate and into the iris crossing her mind.
Hammond nodded. "Open the iris."
Sam got out of her chair and jogged out of sight to stand in the Gate Room. She stopped a foot's distance from the ramp and watched as the iris opened. She smiled when she saw Danu step through, wearing a cloak that trailed on the floor.
"Samantha."
"Defense team, stand down." Hammond's voice filling the room as it travelled through the speakers.
Danu stopped her slow walk down the ramp as she registered the heavily armed personnel lowering their weapons and beginning to amble out of the Gate Room. "Do your people fear my presence?"
The major shook her head. "Standard procedure for unannounced guests." smiled Sam.
Danu bowed her head. "Most wise." She continued her walk and hugged Sam once she reached her. "It has been some time since we saw each other last. I am glad to see you have healed from your injuries."
"Your medicines helped a lot." said Sam, extending her hand in front of her, indicating for Danu to follow.
"That, I am glad to hear." smiled Danu, loose tendrils of hair flowing freely and framing her heart-shaped face. She followed Sam to the briefing room and once there, she shed herself of her cloak and sat in the seat closest to her, her long auburn braid just brushing the floor.
As Sam finished pouring Danu a glass of water, Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Hammond entered the briefing room and took a seat at the table.
Sam seated herself next to the goddess. "Is everything alright on Saorsa?"
"That is what I am here to discuss."
"Prionn's not loose, is he?" asked Jack, a trace of aggression in his voice.
Danu shook her head. "No, he is still imprisoned aboard my ship." she assured. "It is about my people."
SG1 exchanged looks before returning their focus to the auburn haired goddess in front of them.
Danu sighed. "My people, they are sick and dying. I do not know what ails them, it is like nothing I have seen before and my medicines do not have an effect on them." Danu's face crumpled. "Nothing I do cures them or eases their suffering."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Jack looked at Hammond. "General? Request permission to aid the Saorsans?"
At Jack's words, Danu perked up and regarded the general with a hopeful look.
Hammond regarded Jack with a careful look. While he was keen for the team in front of him to aid their new friends, he wasn't so keen on the possibility of a new plague being introduced to Earth.
"Forgive me, but is the illness contagious?"
Danu shook her head. "No, I do not believe so. People who have volunteered to help me with those that are sick have not produced any symptoms."
"They could be immune." suggested Sam, looking at Hammond. "There's a possibility we could retrieve a sample and create a vaccine."
Jack nodded. "We've done that before, Sir. We could go in suited and booted."
Hammond nodded. "Of course. While I'm not thrilled about the idea, it would be in everybody's interests to offer support and aid to the Saorsans. We'll put the mission to PJ1-1274 on the shelf for now."
Danu smiled widely. "That is good to hear. I am most happy you have agreed to help. I will escort you to the Saorsan's summer dwellings myself."
"We're not going to the town we went to last time?" asked Jack.
"The Saorsans have a habit of moving as the weather changes. I, for one, think it is good for them to practice their new society in a fresh setting. There are a lot of scars left from the revolution, Jack."
Sam shifted uncomfortably and made a point of looking at Danu rather than at Jack, who was eyeing her curiously. "How soon do we have to leave?"
"As soon as you are able. It is a day's walk to the summer dwellings." informed Danu, bowing her head to General Hammond.
"SG-1, you have a go. We'll contact you daily, but I'd like you back before the week is done."
Hammond stood and bowed his head slightly to Danu before leaving the briefing room.
Jack pushed his chair in. "How long would it take to get ready to gate, Carter?"
"An hour or so, Sir. I could get together a pack of medicines, though it would be hard to know what I would need until I get there." reported Sam.
"Would it not also be wise to have Dr Fraiser on standby. Her medical expertise would be most advantageous to the current situation." suggested Teal'c.
Jack nodded and stood. "Great. Carter, get a kit ready. Daniel, you and I can get some hazmats ready. Teal'c, go speak to the ol' doc, will you?" he ordered before he left the briefing room, followed very quickly by Teal'c and Daniel.
Sam smiled at Danu. "You're welcome to stay here until we're ready to go."
Danu nodded and pulled her braid to rest over her shoulders. She reached for her cloak and put it on in one swift movement. "Samantha?"
Sam stopped as she reached the doorway. She pivoted and regarded the goddess with a warm smile.
"I realise I may have spoken out of turn in my explanation."
Sam frowned. "What d'you mean?"
"When I spoke of Saorsa's scars... I realised Saorsa and its people are not the only ones who have suffered."
Sam bit her lip for a moment, thinking carefully. "My scars have healed, it's water under the bridge, Danu. It's fine, I'm fine. Honestly."
Danu deflated slightly. "I regret that I did not intervene when I should have. I regret the actions taken against you." Cerulean eyes met each other for a brief moment, one set full of anguish and sorrow, the other full of masked indifference.
Sam stepped back into the room and laid a hand on Danu's shoulder. "Danu, you acted at the right time, we both know you did. Maybe what Prionn did shouldn't have happened, but I'm glad it did because it was what was needed for the Saorsans to change and grow. That kind of stuff kinda comes with the territory, you know? I don't regret it and neither should you."
Danu nodded before blinking a stray tear away. "Be that as it may, I am still sorry."
Sam hugged her. "It's okay." She pulled back and looked Danu in the eye. "Really. It's okay." She let the goddess go and began to leave. "I'll come get you when we're ready."
Sam exited the briefing room and descended down the stairs towards the medical suite. After explaining to Janet what she needed, she accepted the pack graciously and disappeared to the locker rooms. Once she reached the room, she let go of a breath she didn't realise she was holding. Running a hand through her short, golden locks, she sank slowly to the bench in the middle of the room and closed her eyes.
She was fine. Sure, what happened was traumatic, but she was fine. Out of recently developed habit, she reached for her back and touched the skin under her shirt. Danu's medicines had helped, but she could still feel the raised, jagged flesh of her scars. As her fingers trailed over them, she winced as she remembered how she got them in the first place. She scrunched her eyes shut as the worse thing about remembering the events from their last visit to Saorsa played over in her head. Jack calling out and fighting to try and get to her.
She stood abruptly, her eyes springing open as she banished the memory from taking over her head space. Sam ambled over to her locker and wrenched it open with a little more force than necessary. She quickly got her pack sorted and had just begun to change when she heard a knock on the door.
"You ready to go, Carter?"
Sam pulled the rest of her shirt over her head and reached for her tank top. "Just about, Sir."
"General's getting the gate ready."
"Yes, Sir. I'll be there in a minute." Sam waited to hear Jack's footsteps retreating after he received her affirmation, but they didn't come. She held her breath, waiting to see what he would do, but she heard him sigh before walking slowly away, a scraping sound on the door as he, what she assumed, allowed his hand to brush against the door.
Sam felt immense warmth for her CO as he and his footsteps vanished along the corridor. He had really tried to get her to open up more about Saorsa, be it during a team night or a quiet 0300 conversation in her lab when neither of them could sleep, but Sam just couldn't do it. That vulnerability she displayed on Saorsa the last time was locked away in the room. She couldn't afford to be vulnerable around him, not after that. Yes, she trusted him with her life and he hers, but everything that naturally came with that shared lowering of the proverbial walls was forbidden. She had told him what she needed to, things a CO should know and she had left it at that, much to Jack's disapproval.
She cursed his ability to sense when she was troubled. With a huff, she closed her locker and shouldered her bag. Sam quickly made her way to the Gate Room. She was met by the alarm and a metallic clunking, letting her know that the Gate was dialling. She moved to stand in between Jack and Danu, smiling at her team mates as they were waited at the foot of the ramp.
The event horizon of the Stargate burst into life and settled, glowing and shimmering like a pool, illuminating their faces better than the dingy lights under the mountain ever could.
SG1 turned to look at Hammond, who in turn nodded as he leant forward to speak into the intercom microphone. "You have a go, SG1. We'll be in touch."
"General." Jack saluted with a grin. He turned to Sam. "Major..." he extended his arm indicating she should take point.
Sam stepped forward, with Danu, and began the ascent up the ramp and into the wormhole.