Disclaimer: The characters used within this are mostly the property of others. I have a few originals, but the vast majority are not original. A few well known names may be used, but everything here is fiction. This is for entertainment only and not for profit.

-oOo-

Araiansu – Chapter 3

Sam swung her arm back to try to jab Ranma in the chest. She was really getting tired of these surprise attacks, even if they were for a good reason.

He slipped away like wind, though why did she think he had been surprised?

She finished turning only to see absolutely nothing. She focused her rapidly developing ki senses. Again nothing.

"What?" she couldn't help but say.

Before she knew it, she found herself dodging again, and this time she felt the whoosh of air. He was there.

She let herself fall deeper into herself. There, she could feel him. He was right here. Why couldn't she see or sense him? What was going on. She surged her ki into her muscles covering the area between them in a flash, trying to get a punch in, only for him to again move like the wind.

Surprise. Why was he so surprised? Why did she know he was so surprised? "Just what is going on?"

Ranma appeared. "I don't know. You should not have been able to sense me, but you did."

"Huh?"

-oOo-

Ranma was knee deep in a tutorial on high level physics. You could see him going over the same sections over and over again, making no real progress for well over an hour, until Sam came over and asked "What's up?"

"I just don't get this."

"Okay, let me take a look."

Sam went back several more pages, then quickly skimmed or read all the material Ranma had covered until she recognized and understood the point the tutorial was trying to convey.

Seconds later Ranma said, "I've got it."

"Huh?" that was quick. "Okay, well sometimes just changing focus can improve productivity I guess."

"I don't think it was that," Ranma said.

"What else could it be?" she asked.

"I don't know."

-oOo-

Heimdall invited them to his office two months later. It would be another month or so until their children would be born. He asked, "Have you figured out why you two have a bond of sorts?"

Ranma blushed furiously.

Sam smacked him in the back of the head, but her cheeks were pink as well. She said, "We haven't figured out the why no. We, do, however, know that it exists. It seems to help with learning."

"The Asgard do not use life energy as you do. Our cloned bodies pretty much can't. I have been reviewing information about the Nox however, and I have identified what is likely to be the cause."

"What is it?" asked Ranma in obvious curiosity.

"The Nox refer to those like you as life adepts. They have a conscious ability to manipulate and control their own life energy and even use it to heal or to enhance their physical abilities."

They nodded.

"When two life adepts regularly blend their life energy they can establish what appears to be a permanent bond."

Sam asked, "You mean just the little healings and easing muscles and all that, over time?"

"I believe so. You both should know that it is not only benefits." Sam and Ranma blushed again.

Heimdall rolled his eyes. "This is very serious. If you are apart for too long you could die. If one of you dies it is very likely the other will as well."

"How far apart?" was Sam's first question.

"I don't know. Our information is incomplete."

Ranma asked, "Is there anything else you can tell us?"

"Not really no. I suggest you make it a point to contact the Nox after you return."

Sam asked, "Do they not have counterparts here?"

"They do, but currently they have asked us not to seek them out."

"Why is that?" Sam asked.

"They disapproved of our more militant actions to restore order."

Sam added, "But, had you not done it, this galaxy could be just as messed up as ours."

"They do not disagree with your statement, but they still did not approve."

Araiansu – Chapter 3

Sam nodded, understanding.

Ranma nodded too.

-oOo-

Almost eighteen years later Sam could hardly believe they ended up copying a ship from an old science fiction show. The Asgard had copies of all the television shows from their version of Earth, and it just turned out that Blake's Seven was one of them. One of their children was an avid fan of the show and she pointed out that they were now numbered seven, and really, why not build a ship like that?

So, Sam let herself be coned by one of her too cute for their own good daughters. The sandy blond hair and brown eyes on her elfin features, were just very hard to say no too. She even pointed out that many of them bore a passing resemblance to the characters on the TV show.

Their new ship lacked the AI that the TV show was known far, mostly because neither the Asgard or Sam truly trusted artificial intelligence. When the Asgard of this dimension saw her memories of the replicators they simply adding another level of forbidden to true artificially intelligent systems.

The Asgard had very clever automation, which could look intelligent if you didn't know better, but that is all it was. They also had expert systems, but they weren't truly intelligent, just good at solving specific problems.

They copied the name for their ship right from the television series. The Liberator had enough automation to appear roughly as intelligent as the one in the show, but again, it was just clever programming, including a lot of donated work from the Asgard.

The three main canons were not the neutron blasters from the show, but instead were state of the art plasma beam weapons of Asgard design. They only got them on the condition they allow a fail safe in the core unmodifiable programming which would allow the Asgard in their universe to take control of the ship, if there was need. It was the same with the hyperdrive, plasma neutrino-ion generators, shields, and transporters.

They knew a great deal more than they did when they got to Othalla. She thought they could even build a hyperdrive and a version of shields. The sublight engines were her and Ranma's designs, thought the Asgard and particularly Heimdall helped there as well. She remembered well how Heimdall had insisted they simulate the systems at a far higher power level than they even had available.

They also had a one time use combination time travel and dimensional drive. The Asgard council had to approve the exception to build the drive since they didn't need it, except to make the return trip, and Asgard ships did not normally allow for time travel. It was thanks to the drive that had eight neutrino ion generators on Liberator instead of the four required by the main systems.

It still seemed insane to Sam that any magical solution could move Ranma to this dimension when they considered the energy the Asgard had to take to move them back. Heimdall had actually sighed when she brought it up, and then quietly muttered something about the insanity of some magical solutions, without actually responding to her. It was clearly a topic they didn't care for. It also seemed that they weren't necessarily proud of their dimensional drive technology. According to Heimdall, it got the job done, but was wasteful.

-oOo-

The day was finally here for them to leave. Their kids agreed to be cloned. They had also volunteered but it turned out that neither could be. Ranma's curse prevented it, and the magic which turned Sam younger changed her so she was slightly magical as well. Asgard science could not clone them. They were warned that this also meant that a Goa'uld sarcophagus would not work on them either. Neither was particularly upset about that, given the side effects of such a machine, though the the idea of leaving their clones without even a copy of them did worry them greatly.

Thankfully the clones of their children, once fully grown, looked like they would be able to use ki. Thor was personally supervising their growth. It would, unfortunately, take almost as many years as they had to fully mature them while preserving that ability, but once complete they would be as close as the Asgard science could make them to their originals, memories and all. Their parents took hours leaving the as yet incomplete copies of their now eighteen year old children.

Even now, Sam herself looked as if she should barely be a college graduate. Ranma was similar. The Asgard believed that their mastery of their bodies internal energies could extend their lives hundreds of years, much as with the Nox. Sam was still behind in pure martial arts skills, but her mastery of ki was a lot better, and his had grown in leaps and bounds in the time they were here. Ranma, on the other hand, was behind in some of the engineering skills Sam now knew, but not nearly to the point she thought he would be, particularly given to how much time he spent perfecting the art. Clearly their bond had many benefits. They just hoped the drawbacks never materialized.

-oOo-

Their family was all together on the bridge of the Liberator.

Ranma smiled when Sam called out, "Janet, take us out." He knew what was coming. They had all decided to adopt the names of characters on the television show this ship was inspired from, much to the annoyance of their mother.

"My name is not Janet Mom. It's Jenna Stannis Carter."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Fine, just as long as you don't call me Blake. Prepare to take us out Jenna."

"Disconnecting docking clamps. Checking flight systems."

Sam said, "Bringing the active neutrino-ion generator up to full power. You should have maneuvering power now."

Ranma pressed a button, "This is Liberator to Asgard High Command."

Thor appeared on the screen.

"Requesting permission to depart Othalla for the Othalla in our dimension and time. Our initial purpose is to aid and update the Asgard there."

Thor said, "Permission granted Liberator. May god stand between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk."

"Confirmed Thor. You too. May you remain a light against the darkness."

Sam added, "Goodbye Thor. Thank you and your people for everything. If our children ever need anything..."

"We know where to find you."

Sam said, "Jenna do it."

"Easing us out of the space dock."

The ship reversed smoothly. The three giant plasma guns were each nearly as large as the core module. The back of the core module glowed a dull green.

Jenna said, "Performing manual one eighty."

The ship twirled around until its orientation was exactly reversed and now was facing away from the space dock in orbit around Othalla.

"Activating main engines at minimal power."

They started to accelerate away from the space dock.

Sam said, "Full power is now available."

"Increasing speed."

Their second daughter who had decided to call herself Cally from the television show said, "Hyperdrive is available at your command as is the D-drive, at least once we have power. I have confirmed the D-drive is technically ours to command until we surrender it to the Asgard of our world or until we confirm we have arrived in our universe. The temporal shift, will, however, only occur during the first run."

Sam said, "Okay then. Bringing up reactors two and three. For the first part of our journey we are going to an abandoned system. You can activate when Jenna gives the go ahead."

"Sure."

Ranma smiled. Sam had made a token effort to get people to respond in military ways. It seldom worked for long.

A few minutes later Jenna added, "I've brought the main drive down to idle."

Cally said, "Activating hyperdrive." The ship vanished into a world of blue and white.

Cally said, "Hyperdrive is functioning normally. ETA to universe and temporal departure is five minutes."

Sam said, "Zen run full diagnostics. Standard priorities."

The central computer, complete with pointless blinking lights that her children insisted on said, "All systems are functioning normally."

Ranma asked, "Zen confirm reserve supplies."

"All reserve supplies are accounted for. This includes three months of food and water."

Avon, their third child, rolled his eyes. "The odds of a complete system failure such that we need to rely on those is astronomically small, which I suppose is a good thing, since they are foul tasting."

Sam said, "Nevertheless, I'm glad to have them. If your father wasn't similarly prepared before you were born none of us would be here."

Jenna said, "We are arriving in under a minute."

Sam said, "Engaging the final three reactors. Cally, you can activate when your ready."

After a couple minutes Cally said, "Countdown Zen from 10."

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0"

"Activating temporary drive. Temporal core is active. Dimensional Drive is active."

The lights in the ship dimmed as the ship not only took its shortcut across subspace but tunneled deeper still, cutting across the boundaries between universes, while being very careful not to leave scars behind that might weaken those boundaries. It did all this while shifting them back in time.

Cally said, "We are in the Dimensional Sea. Journey is proceeding normally. ETA one hour thirty minutes our time."

Sam let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Well it is hardly the same as what got us here, but the Asgard are sure it is safe and reliable."

Villa said, "I got the impression that they didn't consider dimensional travel a particular priority."

"They don't," his father agreed. "They know how to do it, but prefer not to."

Sam turned and asked, "Dana, not that I expect trouble, but how are the weapons systems?"

"I ran my own checks. Everything is powered down. I plan to put the main guns in standby after we emerge into normal space. That will take approximately ten seconds. From there it is a few seconds until the first can be ready to fire, and another twenty seconds for the other two. Firing will slow that slightly, but with all six reactors online the difference is minimal."

Jenna added, "I'm reading normal operation of the temporal core, well of what there is to read, which isn't much. They really made sure that thing was one time, one trip only with little more than press here to start."

Sam said, "Yes, they were more emphatic about the temporal core being one time no matter what, than they were about the dimensional drive. I'm just glad we got them. If we had returned and found everything had fallen apart that would have created a fixed point we could not undo."

Cally said, "I'm sure everything will be well."

Ranma said, "I know all of you have sparred with us, and we have all done many simulations in this ship. Real combat is a lot more complicated and I honestly hope we don't see any anytime soon. Remember, focus first on making sure everyone on this ship survives, second on saving innocents, and third on our objective. You can fix at least some mistakes if you live. I can't even count all the times back in Nerima I prevented someone who was attacking me from seriously harming a non combatant."

Sam added, "Also remember, if it becomes necessary Ranma or I will take over any station we must. To be honest, we doubt that will be necessary very often. You are all remarkably skilled, particularly for your ages."

Avon said, "We know."

"I know you know, but mistakes in battle happen in fractions of seconds."

He nodded.

Cally asked, "We are within range of our father's universe. We could stop by."

Ranma said, "No. I almost wish they didn't find it after all. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad, but it is best they continue to believe me dead or unable to come back. All the girls can move on with their lives. I just hope Kasumi finally stands up for herself and is able to be more than a surrogate mother to the Tendo family. If we went there they would likely try to chase us into your mother's universe with all the chaos that would ensue. We just have too much to do to be distracted by that."

Sam asked, "Are you sure? I mean I know we said we would only use the dimensional drive once, but as long as we first complete the temporal journey we technically could stop there."

"I'm sure. I really think it is better we move on for now."

Cally said, "I understand. I just wanted to see them."

Ranma's face fell. He said, "I'll tell you what, if your mom also thinks it's safe and once we are sure the Earth is safe, and once you are say at least twenty five so I'm sure my parents can't try any tricks to marry you off to anyone you don't want, well we can discuss it then."

Avon said dryly, "So, basically it will never happen."

Sam said, "No, actually I think we have a good shot at doing all that, so if you really want to go later and we can find a way, but for now priorities are priorities."

Dana said, "We get it."

A few minutes later Cally said, "The temporal offset is complete, and I show the temporal core as no long available. We are almost finished with the dimensional crossing. We will be falling back into regular space in another thirty five minutes."

Just over a half an hour later later the hum of the engines lessened and they dropped out to ordinary space.

Sam said, "Zen 360 survey maximum detection range. Standard priorities. Report."

"Asgard distress call detected. Several Asgard ships are in pursuit of another. Secondary scan reports likely replicator infestation in all ships."

"Show us. Jenna shields at maximum. Set course. Emergency speed. Dana all weapons hot. Get a targeting solution once we confirm a ship has no friendlies on board. Avon beam anyone off that can be saved, but no replicator blocks at any cost."

They all swallowed and began their tasks when suddenly a flash of light appeared on the flight deck.

Sam said surprised, "Heimdall?"

"Apologies, but no time. Zen unlock everything. All systems free."

"Confirmed."

Dana said, "Weapons power just doubled. No it is more like triple."

Jenna said, "Same for propulsion. Increasing speed further."

Ranma said, "To Asgard vessels. Anyone still alive signal us and we will attempt to rescue."

Thor's ashen face appeared, "Negative. Do not attempt rescue. Replicators will board your ship using our transporters once you are in range."

Avon snarled, "Like hell they will."

Sam said, "Thor, prepare to be rescued whether you like it or not."

"Samantha Carter, I do not believe you understand…"

Heimdall spoke, "Thor. I am not from your universe. I assure you we do understand the situation."

Thor said, "Very well. We will attempt to buy you time."

Dana said, "Targeting solutions laid in. Shields have already bounced a couple transportation beams."

Heimdall said, "Zen. Active counters are authorized. Assert control on any transporter beam that penetrates our shields that contains a replicator block and disperse it."

"Confirmed."

Dana said, "Firing."

A great lance of energy shot from one of the three main guns instantly blowing an already compromised target out of existence.

The was followed by the other two firing, each annihilating a half eaten replicator infested Asgard ship.

Avon said, "I confirm one Asgard, two humans and one Jaffa still surviving, but I can't establish a lock. This one still has shields."

Ranma asked, "Can you put us over?"

Avon said, "Yes, I can overpower the beam to get you over, but I won't be able to get you back unless you can shut their shields down."

Dana said, "The structure of that ship is not great. If I try slicing it away hoping to hit the shield generator it will probably end badly."

Ranma said, "I'll go."

Sam said, "I'll go with you. Heimdall, will you take command?"

"I will."

Ranma said, "Do it."

They vanished in a flash of light.

Avon said, "They should have taken their rifles."

"Indeed," Heimdall agreed.

Jenna said, "Villa, will you go collect ours at least?"

"On it."

-oOo-

Sam appeared behind Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c. Thor was in a tube that sealed with a force field just after they arrived.

Jack turned a gun on them. Daniel and Teal'c glanced at them, but kept covering the door.

"Jack, it is me Sam."

"You are too young to be Sam."

"It is a long story. We need to destroy the shield generators on this ship or get outside their shielding."

Teal'c and Daniel continued to fire on replicators breaking them apart.

Ranma started launching ki blast after ki blast at them.

"What is that?" exclaimed Jack.

Teal'c noted, "The replicators are staying dead."

"Really?" asked Jack. "Sweet. Can you keep that up?"

Sam saw several more start to come in and launched a large ki blast of her own.

"You too really?"

Sam said, "No time sir. Where is the shield generator?"

Daniel said, "We don't know, and with Thor in there…"

Ranma said, "Open the cubicle. Sam, hold them off."

Jack said, "What you can't do that. Thor will die. He barely had the strength to reply to you."

"Not, if I can help it," Ranma responded.

Sam said, "Do it."

Teal'c hesitantly pressed the symbol to open the canopy.

Ranma turned to face Thor. He said, "You don't know me, but I have a certain affinity and skill with life energy. Will you permit me to try to help you? It isn't fully safe, but we are out of good options."

Thor nodded.

Ranma hesitantly cupped Thor's head in his hands as a soft glow surrounded his hands and then Thor's body. This went on for over ten minutes as Sam kept destroying replicators.

Sam said, "You know I don't have your reserves Ranma, so If you can hurry it up..."

Thor blinked tiredly. "You have done enough. What is it you need?"

"Shield generators. We have to destroy them."

"I will show you the way."

Ranma carefully picked Thor up, as he pointed one way and then another.

Jack, Teal'c and Daniel kept taking potshots at targets of opportunity.

Sam took down the bigger ones permanently.

Ranma just kept moving. Three minutes later they were in an empty room. Ranma set Thor down. Thor managed to stand on his own, but still seemed unsteady.

Thor walked a few steps to the far wall and touched it in the middle. "Behind here is a critical junction for the shield generator. Destroy that and the shields will drop, but we will also lose air."

"Can't be helped. Ranma said. Everyone expel your breath."

Thor, with some help from Daniel moved to the back of the room.

Sam said, "Exhale now! Avon will grab us with the transporters, but we don't want the vacuum to kill us first."

Ranma swung his arms, first one, then another then again as pitch blackness formed into blades of energy and sliced away much of the far wall.

The wall exploded outward before they were pulled off the ship. Seconds later they were transported into the Liberators medical bay.

Heimdall said from the bridge, "Destroy that ship!"

"With pleasure." Dana fired all three plasma beam weapons at once at maximum power wiping the threat out of existence.

Heimdall said, "Zen 360 survey. Continuous monitoring for replicator blocks or other threats."

"Confirmed. No active blocks detected or threats detected. Sending targeting tracks for inactive blocks to weapons station."

Dana said, "On it." This time she fired one beam at a time at a fraction of the power as she swept space of the dangerous debris.

-oOo-

Sam sat with her old team in her and Ranma's quarters aboard the Liberator.

Danel said, "Boy Sam. We had almost given up hope you would ever be found, and then you come and save our lives, and then bring with you this awesome ship."

Jack added, "I'll take ten."

Sam laughed. "Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that sir. While we might be able to replicate a lesser version of the ship, I agreed to keep all such technologies out of the hands of the Earth's government."

"Sam we need this stuff to save Earth."

"And we will, but if you want to be a part of it, you can't be a part of the military on Earth. That is the deal. We also have to help the Asgard with their cloning and replicator problem, though I'm hoping Heimdall can do that."

She paused in thought for a moment and then asked, "Zen, are you able to monitor the life signs of Heimdall?"

"Partial monitoring is within my capabilities. Detailed readings would require being in a medical scanner."

"Can you monitor him for signs of entropic cascade failure?"

"Such a monitor has already been established by Heimdall himself. No current signs have been detected. Shall I forward all changes in state to you as well?"

"Yes."

"Confirmed. You will now be alerted to significant changes in this area."

Daniel asked, "What was that about?"

"Well Heimdall might have a counterpart in here. I know their cloning is different so maybe It doesn't matter, and our dimensions are quite different so again it may not matter, but if it does it could kill both of them if they remain in this universe."

"That would be bad," stated Jack.

"No sir, it might be catastrophic. The Asgard need his help and ours if they are to survive. I think we have the records to help them regardless, but his help would be immeasurable."

Teal'c asked, "How did you learn the strange attack you used?"

Sam blushed. "It is a rather long story."

"Holding out on us Carter?" Jack joked.

Suddenly the door opened.

Avon, complete with his sandy brown hair and blue eyes peeked in. "Hey Mom. We are in orbit around Othalla. Heimdall beamed down with Thor and took the temporary drive. I think they had a copy of the complete Asgard library in there. Did you have anything we should be doing?"

The rest of SG1 all looked at her with surprise. She ignored them. "We are still keeping up scans for replicator blocks correct?"

"We are. It is eating a significant energy to keep the extended range detectors fed, but it is not as if that is a problem."

She turned to her old team. "Is Earth okay at the moment? Are there any current threats you know about?"

"Well we downed Thor's old ship before we left to destroy them. It took a few days for the Asgard to send a new ship, so we think it is okay." started Jack.

"And are you sure you killed them all?" asked Sam. She added a few seconds later, "Really really sure?"

"Well we think we did," said Daniel, though with more than a note of uncertainty.

Sam said, "Send a message to the Asgard High Council. Tell them I want to take my team home and verify that the replicators they encountered before are truly finished. Also ask if Heimdall or any other Asgard would like to accompany us on this trip."

"Okay mom. It shouldn't take long to get a response."

"I know."

Avon left.

"Mom?" asked Jack.

"It is not what you think Jack. The Asgard offered us their cloning facilities and well we needed help and are going to need more from now on…"

"So you had a kid?" asked Jack.

"More like five. They were technically born about a day apart. Jenna is eldest, then Cally, then Avon, then Villa, and finally Dana."

"Five? You had five kids with this Ranma I take it?"

"Yes Jack. Is that a problem?"

"Oh no. It's just that I lose my second in command. She gets younger and shows up with five kids and can use the force. Who would have a problem with that?"

"Indeed," Teal'c deadpanned.

"I'm not younger. I'm probably older than you are Jack. It is just complicated."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Daniel said, "Whatever happened to you Sam, we are just glad to have you back."

"Agreed."

"So no one else has a problem with Carter suddenly having five kids?"

"Why would that be a problem?" asked Teal'c in confusion.

Jack threw up his hands.

Daniel asked, "I know it is weird, but well, we do weird. They saved our lives Jack."

Sam said, "Jack, I'm sorry that things didn't …."

"Your sorry?"

"Yes, but I do love Ranma, and nothing is going to change that. I'm sorry Jack."

"I know Carter. I know."

She said softly, "He offered to pretend we were never married. Technically we aren't by Earth standards I suppose, but we intend to fix that. He offered to, even now, act like we had no interest in each other to make sure we got and stayed on the same team and he could protect me."

"Yah, I know the feeling," admitted Jack. Teal'c and Daniel stepped back quietly.

Sam nodded, accepting. "So, are we okay?" asked Carter softly.

"Yes, just it's hard okay?"

"I know Jack. We could have returned shortly after we left, but when we had the chance to bring back something that would make a difference, well would you have chosen differently?"

"No," he admitted.

Teal'c said, "I would have chosen the same. I would have done anything that would see the end of the false gods."

"Ditto, though I doubt I could make the difference Sam could," added Daniel.

Sam asked, "So, will you back us Jack?"

"I want Janet to look at you."

"I assure you I am fine."

"Just humor me?"

"Okay, if you want," she said amused.

Jenna's voice called from the intercom, "The Asgard have cleared us to leave. Heimdall is going to stay and help them. They have confirmed that entropic cascade failure is not a current problem for him. They request that we remain on standby to enforce the protected planets treaty. It seems unless we run into something big, we are the Asgard representatives in our galaxy."

"No pressure there," Sam said dryly.

"That is what I said," Ranma chipped in over the intercom.

"Okay, leave four reactors powered down and take us to Earth. That should reduce wear and tear somewhat."

Cally said, "I've laid in our course. Our estimated time of arrival is three hours four minutes."

"Thanks. We will return to the bridge shortly."

"Most impressive," said Teal'c.

"What?" asked Jack.

"This ship is many times faster than even the fastest Goa'uld ship."

Sam snorted. "We are running at less than half speed. I'm just trying not to break anything. I still can't believe the Asgard gave all this to us. I just don't want to break anything that I'm not sure we can fix, particularly since the cheeky Asgard built this ship entirely. It is a copy of the one I designed and help build updated with their latest technology. I still have no idea when they swapped it for the one we worked on."

"That is a good thing right?" asked Jack.

"For ending threats? Yes. For maintenance, probably not."

Teal'c asked, "Why would they do this?"

"I think they were more concerned and more determined to help the Asgard in this dimension than they let on. It was not that they ever made a secret of it, but exactly how much help they were going to give was apparently argued about in their high council. The side that wanted maximum assistance won, so now my family needs to get up to speed on all these improvements as fast as possible."

Jack said, "You know we will help right Carter?"

"I know, but even if we can establish our own country in space to defend Earth, it is going to be really hard to keep technologies from being stolen and brought back to Earth."

Daniel asked, "Why not hedge your bets? Your going to need some cooperation from world government's aren't you?"

"It would help yes."

"Well surely there is something you can give. Obviously not this, but, maybe a be nice and we will throw you a bone kind of thing?"

"Perhaps," Carter conceded. "Ranma would have to agree as well of course."

"Sam," whined Jack.

Sam grinned at Jack who threw up his hands in surrender.

They walked down to the flight deck.

Jack's said, "So kids are flying it."

Sam harrumphed. "Not just kids, but my kids."

"And mine," chimed in Ranma proudly.

Jack glared at Ranma, completely failing to be intimidating.

Ranma smiled a small smile before turning back to the pilot chair and asking, "How are we doing Jenna?"

She rolled her eyes. "Still two and a half hours to go. We are crossing a galaxy. That does take some time."

Dana piped up. "Perhaps the old guys would like to spar?" She was easily the shortest of the kids, and also the youngest, if only by about four days.

Sam said, "I'm gonna have to mommy veto that one. You might hurt them."

"What?" exclaimed Jack.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident.

Daniel said, "Yah, I think I'll stay out of this one."

"Wise," noted Ranma cheerfully.

"For crying out loud. She is what fifteen?"

"Eighteen," Dana grumbled.

Avon muttered, "Really shouldn't have said that."

Sam said, "Well if your really careful Dana, I suppose you could fight Teal'c, if he agrees."

"I would indeed agree."

Sam asked, "Ranma, would you go supervise?"

"Sure. It should be fun."

They went down into the cargo bay.

"No mats?" asked Jack.

Ranma said, "We don't actually need them. I suppose we could replicate some, if Teal'c wanted them."

"That will not be necessary."

Ranma nodded. "Okay we are all aware of the goals of sparring. I won't forbid Teal'c from using his staff as a melee weapon, but as we don't want to scratch the paint, there will be no firing it. Dana, you are forbidden from using ki attacks and let's see, how about no hands as well?"

"Works for me."

Jack said, "Your not serious?"

Ranma considered. "Your right. That would be unfair. Add no ki augmented strength when you strike."

"That sucks."

"The goal is for you to learn something. Not to just beat up the big guy."

"Fine," the lithe petite blue eyed blonde whined.

She turned to Teal'c. "Are you ready?"

"I am."

Dana bowed to Teal'c.

Teal'c bowed to her.

Dana slipped into a lazy slouch as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"Are you ready?" asked Teal'c in concern.

"Oh yah, whenever you want." She waved off his concern.

Teal'c swung his staff fast, trying to sweep her legs. She hopped upward and just stood on the edge of Teal'c staff as he continued to swing it back and forth in annoyance. After a few seconds she somersaulted backwards and clear.

Teal'c suddenly looked very interested.

Suddenly she vanished and only reappeared when she was right next to Teal'c and already doing a roundhouse kick to sweep his legs out of the way. It wasn't quite enough and Teal'c managed to remain standing, even as she pivoted on her hands and then dashed away.

"Careful," Ranma noted. "You almost didn't pull back your ki in time."

"I know," she muttered. "It is incredibly difficult to withdraw the boost that quickly and without it I don't have the effective momentum."

"Which is why you are practicing. Your strength will not eclipse your opponent in this battle without ki augmentation. How will you win?"

"I'll think of something," she muttered.

Ranma nodded.

Daniel asked, "So are all of your kids that fast?"

"Oh no. She is certainly the fastest, well when she is not holding back anyway. I'm close, but, well, while we can bend physics, her size gives her certain advantages. I'm honestly curious if she will figure out the solution here."

Jack asked, "Is there one? Teal'c has the endurance to outlast her and she apparently can't do a lot of damage with the limits you have set."

"Oh there is one. Let's see if she finds it."

They continued to spar. Dana would dash in and try to kick him, but Teal'c easily weathered every blow, but at the same time failed to tag her back before she got out of range."

Daniel asked, "So is Teal'c trying to tire her out?"

Ranma snorted. "Dana I'll consider it your loss if you simply cause him to collapse of exhaustion."

"Yah. Yah. I expected that." She dodged another swing, quickly jumping on top of his staff before jumping to the side wall then jumping up to the ceiling and dropping to the floor. On the way she kicked off her shoe hard. This caused her to change her trajectory and allowed her to nail Teal'c in the side of the head with her other foot.

Teal'c staggered.

Ranma said, "break."

Jack said, "T, you okay?"

"I am fine."

"You don't look fine."

Ranma said, "Teal'c won't win at this point though, unless I'm missing my guess. I think she figured it out."

"Straight line attacks where I cut my ki, but still use it to boost my velocity early. I thought perhaps that would be cheating."

"Nope," Ranma said. "I was looking for any attack where your momentum increased the damage, but was not actively boosted when you made contact."

He looked at both combatants. "Dana, wanna continue with no ki, and only unarmed?"

"Sure."

"Teal'c, you want to continue without the staff?"

"Indeed."

"Then resume."

She was a whirlwind of punches and kicks, but for every ten she got through staying close, Teal'c managed to nail her once. Both were getting battered.

"Aren't you going to stop them?" asked Jack.

A minute later Ranma said, "Enough. This is pointless. Teal'c, do you need assistance healing?"

"I do not."

"You are sure?" he asked.

He nodded.

Ranma turned to Dana? "You?"

"You offering to help?" asked his daughter.

"You got anyplace that needs my help?"

"Stomach. He got a good hit in."

"Lay down and point me to the worst injury. You can heal the rest right?"

"Sure." She laid down and pointed to her stomach on her right side.

Ranma gently pulled back her shirt. "Just relax and focus on using my energy to heal."

She nodded.

Ranma cupped his hands together. They glowed a soft white as the bruising and swelling rapidly began to shrink. "You have a cracked rib, that I'm not going to heal for you, so either do it yourself or go into the tube."

"Hate the tube," she muttered.

"I know, but being able to handle your own injuries could save your life. Now, can you do it?"

He removed his hands. Her skin was unmarred, except if you looked closely there was still swelling under one rib.

"Yah, give me a second." The area above the rib glowed a soft white. Then even that swelling also faded.

Ranma gently touched the spot. "Good, you have it. Now, is there anything else that requires healing?"

"Nah, I'll get it. Just not used to taking hits without ki reinforcement."

"We practice the worst conditions we can imagine and hope you never face them for real."

"Wise advice," added Jack softly. "Harsh, but wise."

Ranma said, "I don't like seeing any of them hurt."

"No one does. Had I taught my kid about guns, maybe he would be alive. Had I locked them up better, maybe he would be alive."

"I'm sorry," Ranma said. "Sam mentioned you had lost a son. I am truly sorry."

"Thanks."

Teal'c asked, "Can you teach me?"

Ranma looked at him for a moment. "Are you asking about healing or the enhanced fighting?"

"Is one much harder than the other?"

"We still don't really have the healing quite right, particularly on each other. I mean it works, but it requires a ton of medical knowledge and now Dana will have to spend some time in an Asgard healing tube in the next week or so just to make sure I didn't accidentally cause cancer or something."

"Then I shall focus on fighting."

Ranma nodded. "Tell me what do you make of this?" He formed a basketball sized ball of ki in his right hand and held it out to Teal'c.

"I can sense it I think."

"Close your eyes. This is harmless as it is now. I want you to point to where I have this."

Teal'c did. Ranma walked around without a sound, holding the ball of ki in front of him facing Teal'c as he did. It took Teal'c several minutes but he eventually started correctly pointing to Ranma who let the ball vanish.

"Well done T," congratulated Jack.

"Unfortunately, that is as far as I will teach him, unless we can find a way to rid him of his symbiote while keeping him alive. I will not risk indirectly teaching the Goa'uld."

"I understand and I agree," Teal'c said without anger.

Ranma said, "I meant what I said Teal'c. If we can find a way to free you and your people from their dependence on symbiotes we will. I hope the knowledge Heimdall brought allows the Asgard to finish off the replicators and take a greater hand in things, but if they don't, we will, though it may take time."

"I have never doubted that the time of the false gods will end. The only question is when."

Ranma nodded.

Dana asked, "Are you going to tell them about your curse?"

"Sure, why not." Ranma pulled out a metal bottle from his storage space. He said, "This is just water. You can drink it if you wish."

"I'll pass," noted Jack. "Food wouldn't be bad though."

Ranma handed the bottle to Daniel. "Poor a bit on your hand, just to confirm it is water then splash me with it."

Daniel dubiously did so, only for Ranma to change forms to a gorgeous redhead.

"Wow," Daniel and Jack exclaimed.

"Indeed," added Teal'c.

Ranma rolled her eyes. "This is my curse. I got it from my universe. Cold water is female. Hot is back to my birth form. Anyone deliberately triggering it without me asking gets to feel pain. Any questions?"

"It's not contagious or anything is it?" asked Jack.

Ranma rolled her eyes. "Why how did you find out? All of my children were born male, but well some just haven't changed back yet."

Jack took several steps back.

Dana burst out laughing. "Born male. How ridiculous."

"So not contagious?" asked Jack warily.

"No," agreed Ranma. "Now you wanted food? I'm afraid we all got used to the Asgard grub, so you may change your mind."

Dana hid a smile.

Ranma led them to a small dining hall where he held out his hand in front of a silver pillar. A tray appeared in it. He handed it to Jack. Then fetched two more. On the trays were a small fork and chopsticks

Ranma then held out his hand for drinks and several glasses of ice water were handed out.

"Your not going to change back?" asked Daniel.

Teal'c swallowed one of the cubes, grimacing.

Daniel watched Jack.

Jack poked at the cube shaped things and tentatively put one in his mouth before spitting it out.

Ranma and his daughter laughed.

Daniel said dryly, "I rather suspect that if Sam had to eat that for years she would have figured something out..." He walked over to the device the tray materialized from and said, "Thin sliced steak medium rare, mixed vegetables hot, and a diet Pepsi."

Nothing happened.

Ranma said, "Close, but you currently don't have the ability to command even the food replicators, but I'll fix that. Zen add these three as authorized users of the food replicators for normal usage and complete the last requested meal."

"Confirmed."

In Daniel's hands the meal he requested materialized complete with a small amount of steak sauce.

"Now there your talking," said Jack. "Give me one of those with a beer." Jack's hands were filled with a similar plate.

Teal'c ordered a dish from Chulak, that Zen didn't know about. When that failed, he then repeated Daniel's order.

Ranma said, "I highly recommend you give your preferences to Zen and he will create something that you will both like and be good for you. No one is going to force you, but it does matter."

Daniel said, "Thanks, I'll do that."

"Indeed."

"Must I?"

"Nope," Ranma said. "If you eat yourself sick, we will stuff you in a healing tube for hours. It can undo most of the damage. Of course, after you have done that two or three times you might change your mind."

"They will," insisted Dana. "Hate those things. Cramped, can't move, can't even blink, at least if you want out of there as fast as possible."

Daniels said, "That does sound unpleasant. I presume you can't move because the machine is fixing you."

"Yah. They can be set to allow you to move somewhat, but mom and dad insist we get used to being absolutely still. It reduces the time in them and could save the next persons life if the tube is free."

"And it has been excellent encouragement for everyone to improve their ability to heal themselves," noted Ranma.

Jack asked, "So is it like a sarcophagus?"

"No," Ranma said. "The Asgard would never make one of those. They harm the soul. A tube can save you when you are dying, most of the time at least, but not when your dead. A sarcophagus won't work on me or Sam anyway, and the farther along the kids get in the art, the odds of one working on them also decrease."

"So too does the odds of us getting killed," noted Dana.

Ranma nodded.

Daniel asked, "So the Goa'uld are limiting themselves by the Sarcophagus?"

"Probably," Ranma admitted, "But I don't want to risk them finding a way around it, hence me not teaching Teal'c. It is unlikely they could utilize ki in any event, since the way they take control of the host would probably prevent it. The Tok'ra might have the potential. Maybe."

Sam's voice came over the coms. "We are approaching Earth. Please join us on the bridge."

-oOo-

Ranma got some hot water from the kitchen before they headed back.

After they arrived Sam said, "I was thinking SG-1 and myself could beam down. Ranma can keep a lock on all of us and beam any of us back if there was a problem. Sound good?"

Jack said, "You do realize that they won't take any of our words given how we came back until Janet at least checks us out?"

Sam nodded.

Ranma said, "Just make sure the NID doesn't try anything with my wife, or I will hurt them personally."

Daniel said, "I thought you weren't formally married."

Sam said, "No, Thor married us, but I still want a formal wedding with my dad and brother there." She turned to her husband, "You know I can take care of myself."

"Aw come on. Your denying me the chance to go all caveman on those neanderthals?"

"Nope, but if they try anything I'm not waiting for you."

Ranma smiled. "Good."

Jack said, "So Ranma, you think you could take on the NID by yourself, without the ship?"

Avon snorted. "Any of us could. Don't believe we were only taught martial arts and science. I'm not saying it would be quick, but we could get the job done."

Teal'c eyebrows raised as did Daniel's.

Jack asked exasperated, "Did you even have time to be kids?"

Cally said, "No one forced us to prepare like we did. Mom and Dad found ways to make training fun."

Villa added, "Though I'm still annoyed it took us till we were ten until we figured out both of them were only pretending to be just barely faster than we were."

"It kept you motivated," noted Ranma.

Jenna said, "I can't count the number of times dad let us hit him with water. Of course now we are fast enough to do it either way, at least before he is hit. Only Dana can keep up after he is hit."

Ranma explained. "It has to do with mass. My female form is faster by a lot, but as I'm older and have a lot more ki, well you can only accelerate a muscle so much. Push too far and it might…"

"Explode," noted Avon.

Ranma nodded.

Sam said, "Ranma, I don't need to tell you.."

"On my life they will all remain safe."

She nodded. "You as well."

She then kissed him for several seconds before stepping back. "Cally transport us down."

-oOo-

The four vanished in a flash of light only to reappear in the conference room. General Hammond was briefing SG-2 at the time. The military police at the door sounded an alarm.

"Relax," said Jack. "It is just us."

"That remains to be seen," said the General.

"Carter?" he asked hesitantly.

"It is a long story, but yes."

"Set your weapons down slowly."

Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c set their weapons down.

The general looked at Sam.

"Sir, I haven't had a regular gun in some time."

A dozen more military police showed up, most outside the door.

The general said, "Escort SG-1 to the infirmary. Dr. Frasier is to verify they are who they appear to be starting with Major Carter. Maintain your presence with at least this many until this is complete. If anyone fails verification lock them up, and lock the rest up separately."

"Is this really necessary?" asked Jack.

"You returned on a ship quite different than you left, and I don't see any Asgard. Plus Sam appears to have regressed half a decade in age or more. So you tell me Jack is it?"

"Yah I get it. We will go."

-oOo-

"Well Sam," Janet said. "Care to tell me how you did it? I even checked if you were a clone and as near as I can tell you are not, yet the obvious age difference and the absence of any past injuries or even scars indicates that you must be someone else."

Sam blew her hair out of her eyes. "I doubt you would believe me."

Jack, Teal'c and Daniel were already cleared as well and they were in a private room, though one that was surrounded by guards.

"Try me. We see some pretty weird stuff."

"I was hit by a poison arrow by the natives before that equipment transported me to another world in another universe."

Jack said, "Yah, you gotta love those arrows. SG-15 had one die. Janet managed to save the other, but it was touch and go. How did you survive?"

"Ranma had been exposed to what he calls magic at various times in his life. He had a magical... Oh god, this sounds so stupid. He had a magical mushroom that he offered that de-aged me. It wasn't really a cure, but between that and his own ability to heal me I was fine."

Daniel said, "That doesn't explain why you are still so young. Your kids are eighteen."

"Thanks Daniel. I was deliberately not mentioning that."

"Sorry Sam."

"You have kids?" asked Janet. "Wait, I checked, you have not given birth, or at least there are no signs..."

"The Asgard in that dimension helped okay? And as for the rest, well Ranma is a master of his body's internal energies and he taught me. One side affect is it greatly retards aging."

"I presume you know how unbelievable that is?" asked Janet.

"We'll I could show you, but with the MP peeking through the door, I'd rather not. I wouldn't want to make him twitchy."

Jack asked, "Can you do the healing thing? Teal'c can stand in front of the door."

"Not as well as Ranma, but yes."

"Well, I have a scratch on my back Carter. You could heal that," suggested Jack.

"Fine Jack, just don't get used to it. Your a big boy, you don't need me to treat your scratches. Teal'c, can you?"

Teal'c moved a few feet so he was blocking the obvious line of sight through the door. Sam moved closer to Jack.

Janet gently pulled up his shirt. On his back was a large flat band aid. Janet carefully removed it.

Sam grimaced when she saw the rather ugly wound. "Jack, you absolute idiot. We could have healed this on this ship on stuck you in a tube."

Janet said, "It is mostly surface damage. It could have been a lot worse."

Sam cupped her hands around the wound. Her ki flared a brilliant white before shifting to a soft even glow. The wound began to slowly fade, and over the course of the next ten minutes nearly vanished, though some swelling remained. "Best I can do," she said. "Your body is saturated with my energy now around your wound and will remain so for a few hours. Ranma could have healed this perfectly."

"It's fine Carter."

Janet looked closely at it. "Can you teach me this?"

Sam looked closely at her. "Maybe, but Ranma would be the one you want, and there still seems a danger of cancer, though probably not for something like Jack had."

Her voice dropped to whisper. "The thing is we don't plan on teaching Earth a lot of things, so unless your willing to stay up on the ship or whatever base we make.."

"I've got Cassandra."

"If she is willing, she could come too. My kids would love to meet her, though I could see why she would not want to. We are going to need to establish a base on the moon or something. Details are murky, but probably not much fun for a teen."

"Are you sure Sam?" asked Janet.

"The weapons on Liberator could slice this planet open like bread. Would you trust our average politicians with it?"

"No, particularly not some of the current lot. Far too many lies. Far too much authoritarian push and lately you even see what looks likes the beginnings of fascism."

"Just think about it. As long as you promise not to teach what Ranma teaches you without permission you could always come back, though what the NID might do to you..."

"I'll think about it."

"What about you Jack?" Sam asked.

"I'm in. My ex wife may be a good idea as well, if you just need another pair of hands."

She turned to Daniel.

Daniel said, "There is no way I'm missing this."

Teal'c said, "I too am in."

-oOo-

SG-1 and Janet sat the the conference table facing the Stargate.

General Hammond said, "I'm glad to have you all back, especially you Major. We thought we lost you. Welcome back."

"Thank you sir."

"Unfortunately, we have a problem. Apparently one of the replicators survived the destruction of the Asgard ship, before the rest of SG-1 took Thor's ship back to their home world to try to deal with the problem there. First off, were you successful? I assume so by the ship we are seeing, but…"

Sam said, "We were sir. Now about the replicator."

"It has taken over a soviet sub. Rodney McKay thinks we need to get onboard and destroy the original replicator from Thor's ship and then sink the sub. He hopes that the copies will simply rust."

Sam said, "Makes sense. What is our timeline? Is this urgent?"

"We think we have it contained, at least long enough for you to fly out and help fix the situation."

"Sir, I really do want to thank you for all that you have done for me and my team, but I am almost nineteen years older than when you saw me last, and I have a duty entrusted to me by those that gave us the ship. I'm sorry, but I resign. I will go deal with the problem though."

Daniel said, "I can't really resign, since I'm not in the military, but well I'm with them. If you want to stop paying me that is fine."

Teal'c said, "As am I."

Jack said, "Yah, me too."

"I see. There is nothing that can change your mind?"

Sam said, "Sir, are you sure we are private?"

"Walter checked just before you came in."

"Sir, would you risk even our government getting its hands on weapons that could slice through a planet?"

"I see. What would you have me do?"

"Well first off, your welcome to come aboard and watch us deal with the issue. Second off, I ask you to make sure our government doesn't do anything stupid like trying to take hostages. The NID has done it before..."

"Just a moment. All of these things are so far over my pay grade it isn't even funny. Let me contact the president. Thankfully, we have someone mostly honest in there now."

He reached over to the red phone and lifted the handset. "Get me the president. It is a matter of world security." He then pressed the button for speakerphone and set the phone down.

Less than a minute later they heard, "George, what is going on? I know you have the replicator issue, but I thought your top team was on it."

"They are going to deal with the issue, even though they have all just resigned from the air force."

"What?" he exclaimed. "They can't do that."

"I believe you will find that they can and have. I have accepted their resignations. There is paper to fill out, but that is only a formality and is not required."

"What do they want?"

"As we suspected. They control the ship in orbit. They are offering to use it to help defend the planet, but, apparently not to share how to make such ships. The Asgard would not permit it."

"Even if we did," Sam said. "The Asgard would just remotely shutdown our ship and destroy any technology we developed, and anything else they had to. I'm sorry, they were dead serious about this sir. We can help, but we are not going to simply give you technology that was entrusted to us."

The president gave an audible sigh. "Fine. So you are going to fix the replicator problem. That is a start. Now what do you want of me?"

Sam said, "Well first sir, I need you to make sure our families are not bothered. Don't make us choose whether to protect the planet or save our families."

"Done. What else?"

"Nothing else. We will do what is necessary to defend the Earth, and encourage you to do the same. It is possible the Asgard will have some need of us, so we may not be able to be here all the time."

"Can I come aboard at least, or send someone? This is going to be hard enough to sell."

Sam said, "You could come along with the Joint chiefs, but if we see anything that even smells like the NID, I don't promise not to send their molecules into oblivion."

"Yes, we will I'll make sure of that. When do you need us?"

"Will one hour do?" she asked.

"How will we meet you?" asked the president.

"We will beam you onboard."

"Very well. I may get the secretary of defense as well, or in place of one."

"That is fine."

The line went dead. Hammond hung up the phone.

"Coming sir?" asked Sam.

"You'd better believe it."

"What about you Janet?" asked Sam.

"I'd love to."

Sam said, "Cally, beam my team and General Hammond up."

They vanished in a flash of light and appeared on the bridge of the Liberator.

A beeping sound was heard from Cally's station. Hammond and the others blinked and looked around.

Cally said, "Pardon, but the computer detected a serious health issue in General Hammond. I don't have the details, but…"

Jack said, "General."

Janet said nothing. She looked worried.

"I know what is wrong with me Jack. There is nothing that can be done. Janet has already told me. I've tried to eat better but it is probably too late. I'm not dead yet. Let me keep doing what I can."

-oOo-

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