Chapter 8: The Demon Within

"Chevron 4, encoded. Chevron 5 encoded. Chevron-"

Airmen stood their ground in the gate room while Lt. Reed stood at the platform. In the control room the gate technicians went about their work as if nothing were different. Seeing Goa'uld system lords and Asgard representatives come through the gate didn't shake their attention, and neither did this.

A guard approached General Hammond, who watched helplessly through the observation glass.

"If you can give me ten seconds I can drop him without hurting the doctor." He proposed.

"I appreciate the offer," Hammond answered. "But it'd only take one bite for him to infect Doctor Frasier, and I won't take that chance. The best thing to do is hope that the teams on the other side can handle this more efficiently."

The wormhole opened after the seventh chevron was locked.

"You don't have to do this," Frasier continued to try to reason with him. "Running away won't solve anything."

"Spare me the hostage negotiations," Lt. Reed half growled. "Be thankful I have no intent on biting you. If you only knew how strong the urge to tear your neck apart was, you'd be thankful."

"Help us to understand it. All we've had are Kylan's notes and observations, not your personal insight. That might help us to-"

"There's only one way to stop this. Even now thousands of light years away from the planet, I can sense the source of this evil."

With Frasier still tight in his grip, Lt. Reed led her into the stargate. It was a comfort to know that even with his back exposed, no one would risk her life to stop him. But it was even less of a comfort when he realized, that after all of this, the end of his career could be summed up by flushing the toilet.

A full team at last, SG-1 made their way back to the cave in formation. Jackson was alert, but he hung back with Cyan, who seemed wary of Teal'c and O'Neill.

"I'm sorry for any misunderstandings," He apologized. As usual his voice was awkward and sincere. "We were being attacked left and right up until that point. Add that to the numerous misconceptions of your kind presented to us in our various media and you could understand our reaction at first."

"I understand you were acting in the best interest of your friend," Cyan responded, seemingly oblivious to Dr. Jackson's ramblings. "But I accept your apology."

"You know you're welcome to come back with us. You're just as much a victim of the Goa'uld as the Jaffa and any of the thousands of humans they've tampered with. There's no reason for you to be trapped all alone on this world."

"And there is no hope for me on any other. Where can I go where my kind will be accepted? Surely your world will not want me in their midst."

"Surely we could help you adjust to life on Earth. Prejudice may still exist but we've become a lot more understanding of people's differences."

"Daniel Jackson speaks the truth," Teal'c spoke up from behind. "Though it was difficult at first, my human friends have treated me as an equal, and not as the carrier of a Goa'uld."

"But you do not drink the blood of humans," Cyan pointed out. "How can I live among people whom I must feed on to live?"

"You've fed off of animals as well," Carter said. "There are plenty of animals on Earth you could feed from without harming humans. And there are blood banks as well, so you can get good old-fashioned human blood if necessary."

Col. O'Neill rolled his eyes. Normally he'd have a smart remark to add, but this was a somewhat diplomatic situation and he didn't want to be rude, especially if Cyan was able to keep those things away.

The next few minutes were spent with Carter and Jackson trying to persuade Cyan to come to Earth with them. Cyan didn't think it was fair that they could help her but leave the others behind. Debate team points were being racked from both sides. Teal'c had all ready said all that he was going to say, and as he had no more to gain by adding any further insight, he kept alert for signs of danger.

"Colonel O'Neill!" Graves urgent voice came over the radio.

"What is it Mark?"

"It's Reed, sir. He's just come through the gate?"

"Do you need help?"

"There's not much anyone can do right now. He's holding doctor Frasier hostage."

"Damn it," O'Neill said off radio. "Ask him what he wants."

Reed had ordered Lt. Fields away from the DHD, and admonished SG-8 to drop their weapons. He noticed the surviving members of his own team, Levine and Cooper, standing outside the cave repelled only by the scent of the garlic which also irritated Reed's senses. But Frasier was still in his grasp.

He allowed the brief exchange between Graves and O'Neill, and after O'Neill asked what he wanted, he spoke.

"The woman who dragged Carter away," He said, clearly and loudly. "I can sense her even more now. She's the source of all of this."

For a moment Cyan shared SG-1's focus. She would not have blamed them for handing her over to this man who now suffered from the bacteria.

"What does he think he can do?" Jackson wondered.

Cyan looked to M. Carter, her first true friend since this recent turn of events. That friendship of the last few hours was all she had to rely on now.

"There is a reason the others will not attack me," She spoke, looking to Carter for sympathy. "And it has to do with the influence I have over them. At least, as far as their aversion to pain and death are concerned."

"Can you be a little less cryptic?" Col. O'Neil asked impatiently. "A dear friend of mine is depending on our ability to negotiate with a man who's working under the influence of this bacteria your 'kind' has been spreading."

"Sir, I think I understand," Carter said. "If Cyan is the original carrier of the bacteria, and that same bacteria links her to the others, then what could happen if she were...well, killed?"

"It is possible that the other shaliks would no longer be a threat," Teal'c answered. "The ones who have been here the longest would die off, but perhaps SG-14 could be completely cured of the infection."

Cyan looked away. Her fate was sealed now that they knew the truth.

"But we can't just kill her," Dr. Jackson protested. "Even with our current situation, if we were to kill Cyan to save ourselves we'd be no better than the Goa'uld."

"Well no one said anything about killing yet," O'Neill said. He looked to Cyan, trying to show some bit of sympathy, but failing. "Right now, all Reed wants is to see her. But we can't risk Janet or anyone else's life over someone we've known only a few hours."

"I understand your situation," Cyan replied. "If I'd had the strength long ago I would have remained in front of the Stargate when the Goa'uld sent me their victims. Let this man see me, let him do what he will with me. If it truly relieves your people of this terrible curse than I will have died with more purpose than I have ever lived in the thousands of years I existed."

"Sir, I have an idea," Carter said. Something in the major's voice gave O'Neill the impression that he wouldn't like what she had to say. But he was willing to hear anything at this point.

Her idea was dangerous, and way beyond asinine.

"Absolutely not!" He replied. "We didn't come all the way out here to save you only to have you risk your life like this.

"Sir, what other choice do we have? Look, I've seen for myself what my blood can do to them. I can't get infected with the bacteria.

"No, but your body can't handle that much blood loss. No one's can."

"I'm willing to take the risk."

"Well I'm not!"

"We don't have a lot of time. Even if we were to kill Cyan now Reed might remain a vampire and end up killing Janet to spite us."

"I won't ask you to risk your life for me," Cyan stepped in.

There was an awkward silence. O'Neill and Carter exchanged glares, one trying to make the other back down. He was against the idea of putting her at risk, and he knew his motives were more personal than professional. Of all the people in the galaxy with naquada in their bloodstream, why did she have to be the one to take the risk? O'Neill turned to Cyan.

"You don't have to take that much. The minute you start to chug I'll shoot you myself. Understood?"

Cyan nodded.

"Good." O'Neill spoke into the radio. "Graves, tell Reed to meet us-"