Chapter 20- Last Conversation and Surgery.
Laura felt a sense of revulsion as she stood next to Teal'C. His symbiote was squealing as Doctor Warner was testing different sedatives on the Jaffa and the Goa'uld. From the agitated way it was acting, the Goa'uld didn't like all the drugs it was being subjected to. Teal'C looked at the Goa'uld before looking back at Dr. Warner. "Do you have any sense that the new anesthetic is working better than the last one we tried?" Dr. Warner asked.
"Yes," Teal'C said in a low voice.
"But you're not sure? There's no communication at all between you and the symbiote?" Dr. Warner asked, indicating the Goa'uld.
"A Jaffa does not communicate with the Goa'uld it carries," Teal'C said.
"He has a point, Doctor. Until he saved my life, I didn't think much about the Jaffa either. I was raised on such hatred. It's a different thing entirely to go against breeding," Laura said.
"Well, keep your fingers crossed. And, uh, nurse, you can stop this I.V. and release the patient," Dr. Warner said as he walked away. Laura nearly laughed as she saw Teal'C cross his fingers.
"Teal'C, he didn't mean for you to actually cross your fingers. It's an expression that we use on this planet. It means hope we succeed, hope for the best. You get the idea," Laura said.
"I see," Teal'C said as Laura went to Jack who was beside Kawalsky.
"They're getting ready," Jack said.
"It's about time," Kawalsky said in a faint voice.
"How's the pain?" Laura asked.
"Maybe, I'm just getting used to it, kid. Listen, Jack, kid, if this doesn't work-" Kawalsky started to say.
"Hey, come on. It's a cakewalk," Jack said.
"It hurts to talk. Will you shut up for a second? I want to be cremated. I don't want there to be anything left of that thing inside me. You both make sure, all right?" Kawalsky asked.
"Look, can we not talk about this?" Jack asked, looking uncomfortable.
"When am I gonna talk about it, Jack? This could be my last conversation," Kawalsky said.
"Aw, for cryin' out loud. It's not your last conversation," Jack said as Kawalsky coughed.
"Hey, I spoke to the doc and the kid, they told me the odds. Don't give me any crap," Kawalsky said.
"Okay. It's our last conversation," jack agreed.
"You and the kid'll be off on some other planet, anyway," Kawalsky said.
"Yeah. P3A-575-" Jack started to say.
"Whatever. Whatever. This was gonna be my first real command. I was looking forward to it," Kawalsky said.
You still can, Major," Laura said, squeezing his hand gently.
Kawalsky snorted derisively. "They got me all tied up here. Give me your hand, Jack," Kawalsky said and Jack held his hand like he would have Laura's and Charlie's when they were little. "I want you to know, no matter what happens, it was an honor to serve with you, Sir."
"Listen, um, I gotta ask you something. It's not easy for me," Jack said.
"We're friends," Kawalsky said.
"If you don't make it, can I have your stereo?" Jack asked. Kawalsky and Laura started to laugh, with Kawalsky coughing between laughs. "What?"
"It hurts to laugh," Kawalsky said.
"You all right?" Jack asked.
"Oh, never better," Kawalsky said as the orderlies came to his bed and put him on a gurney to take him to the operating room.
Laura stood next to Teal'C behind Hammond who was seated as the surgeons prepared to start the surgery on Kawalsky. "I've held back on the use of anesthetic until it can be administered to both patient and creature simultaneously. Major Kawalsky, we're going to begin the operation. Are you ready?" Dr. Warner asked, after putting on his gloves.
"I want to say something. General Hammond, Sir?" Kawalsky asked.
"I'm here, son," Hammond said into the microphone by his chair.
"If this doesn't work, I want you to give the order. I want to wake up as me or not at all," Kawalsky said.
It took a few seconds before Hammond answered. "You have my word, son," Hammond said after the mike squealed with feedback.
The surgery then started and Laura watched with trepidation as the next few hours went slowly. Laura couldn't remember if a Goa'uld could be surgically removed as Goa'uld weren't known for willingly giving up their hosts, but then again this time could be the first time it happened that a Goa'uld would. Nearly an hour and a half into the surgery, Warner tried to remove the filaments attaching Kree to Kawalsky's brain. Kawalsky then started to convulse.
"What's happening?" Hammond asked.
"I don't know, Sir. I don't think it was anything I did. I'd like to proceed," Dr. Warner said.
"How much longer?" Laura asked.
"Almost there," Dr. Warner said as the nurses and other doctors handed him scissors and the large clamp. He then took the Goa'uld out piece by piece. "I'm taking it out. Now," Dr. Warner said as he pulled out the Goa'uld out.
"That thing looks really long for a youngling," Laura said, fighting the nausea clamping her stomach.
"It is close to being mature, Harcesis," Teal'C said as Warner put the Goa'uld in a metal pan.
"I think we did it. Close for me," Warner said to his aide.
"Well done, everyone," Hammond sai"Well, I'll guess we'll see when he wakes up if the surgery worked," Laura said, a cold icy chill settling in her stomach. The surgery worked, but something didn't feel right about it.
