After a few hours rest and organization, it was decided that SG-1 should interact with their guest to the exclusion of most of the base. Captain Rand wanted to limit his exposure and was concerned about avoiding specific people though he wouldn't say whom. Sam entered the large isolation room on level twenty-four, followed by Daniel and Teal'c. She slung her laptop bag onto the couch at the far end of the room. Kyle was facing away from them, tossing a tennis ball against the back wall with his feet propped up on the far desk. He'd changed into a blue BDU and seemed entirely at home. The subdued lighting and the comfortable setting made this room seem more like the conference room of a hotel rather than what it really was. Teal'c slid around her as she had paused in thought, dropping the two pizzas on the coffee table in the middle of the room.
Sam jerked herself back into motion and slid the laptop out of the bag, onto the table. "Captain, we brought some pizza."
He caught the ball and slid to his feet. "Kyle, Sam. Just Kyle. Besides, the idea of outranking you is downright creepy." Daniel set down the bags of books, journals and drinks.
"Speaking of creepy," he mentioned, his voice trailing as he silently counted the books in a particular bag.
Teal'c sat and peeled open the first pizza box. "Are you hok'tar?"
Kyle smirked playfully and dropped into a chair next to Teal'c. "Sort of. The Goa'uld concept is a little… off. But, I suppose the bottom line is about the same." He shrugged. "Mostly." They began picking through the box and doling out drinks. The mood was downright morose, but lightening by a degree, allowing Sam to draw on her curiosity. She munched down a bite of pizza and looked at their guest sideways.
"Kyle, what can you do?"
Kyle smirked. "Well, I cook. I've been known to play a pretty mean piano, video games, I juggle… poorly, and I fence." That earned a smile from Sam and the corners of Teal'c's mouth turned up slightly.
Daniel shook his head with a thin grin. "I think she meant…"
Kyle nodded and waved his hand as he swallowed. "I know, I know. I'm empathic, Daniel." He took another bite of pizza. "I'm just trying to lighten things up some." He sighed and looked at each of them. "The rest of the stuff, you've pretty much seen in one form or another." Kyle brushed the cornmeal off his hands and dragged the sack of papers over, frowning as the poked through the collection. "So, what's the plan?"
Daniel wiped his mouth, adjusting his glasses. "The note said that we should ask you about the Bifrost Bridge." Kyle nodded. "Sure. Actually, that makes some sense." Sam drew her legs up under her and bit her lower lip in contemplation. Kyle turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "What, Sam?"
She looked directly at him and exhaled quickly. "Kyle, could you help the Colonel?" Kyle set his Diet Coke down on the coffee table and turned toward the overstressed Major.
"Not like that Sam. Look… I have healing abilities. But, they're mostly limited to myself. Honestly—it's not my strongest talent. Even if it were, it wouldn't fix what's wrong with him. The Asgard are the only ones that I know of that can. God knows…" He paused, and looking up, considered his words carefully. He sighed and looked over the three of them. "I will do whatever I have to do to make sure Jack O'Neill pulls through. I swear I'll do the best I can, Sam." Kyle ran his hand over his face and held up three fingers of his right hand. "Scout's honor."
He had looked at all of them but the last two words were expelled with him looking directly into Sam's eyes. She nodded slowly, her eyes moistening in spite of herself. "Okay." She drew in a breath and took a sip of her soda. The corners of Daniel's mouth turned up slightly, his eyes puzzling in anticipation.
"So. Norse myth aside, what is the Bifrost Bridge? I'm assuming it's not actually a bridge." "No more than the Hall of Thor's Might is a hall," Teal'c added. Kyle and Daniel both smirked and Daniel rolled his eyes down. "No. It's an Asgard plexus. Sort of a long range communications router for our galaxy."
Sam's forehead creased. "But, we already have a way of contacting the Asgard. They just haven't answered." Kyle shook his head and grabbed his soda.
Taking a sip, he said, "I know. But, you have to understand, each communicator has an indicator on it like…Caller ID." He rested the drink on the arm of the chair and bit back a bitter laugh. "The Asgard are having a bit of a rough time right now and they won't divert attention to answer the phone from the kids down the block. In fact, they've shut down those systems all together. This is important, even to them, but right now you need to get their attention."
Teal'c's head inclined. "The Replicators. How will this device attract the attention of the Asgard?"
Kyle crossed his legs and sat back. "Well, it's more of a place than a device. And it might not be easy to get to. But, I know the Asgard fleet encrypts, and Thor's personal ID. Trust me, they'll pick up the phone."
Daniel's eyebrows climbed past his glasses. "Thor's personal ID? As in his home number?" Kyle nodded. Daniel pushed his glasses higher, as if trying to visually stifle his surprise. "How did you ever manage that?" Kyle turned his hands up and looked down at them. "Thor and I go way back."
They spent the next several hours planning the details of the mission. According to Kyle the planet where the access terminal to the Bridge was located had a stargate but was inhabited by dubious locals: they were unsure what kind of reception they would get. They asked for and got a gate departure slot from Dr. Weir at 0700 the next morning. It would involve a long trek from the gate and be at least a day and a half there. That meant two overnight stays, minimum. They began planning the necessary details of their field kits when something appeared to occur to Kyle. "Um, guys?" All three looked up from their notes. "I know they couldn't pry Teal'c's staff weapon from his cold, dead fingers but…what do you two use?"Sam smirked. "I guess you probably use something different. Four years ago, we used MP5s." Her face broke into a smile. "We use P90s. Are you okay with them?"
Kyle nodded and bugged his eyes. "Yeah. It's just been awhile. I should probably hit the range tomorrow morning and empty a few clips, though."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "You did not arrive with a weapon?" Kyle rolled his eyes. "I had to ditch it on the mad dash to the gate. Still had my sidearm but it's fried. Thanks for returning it by the way," he gestured to the duffel in the corner.
Daniel got a curious look on his face. "Kyle… how far back have you come?"
Kyle stretched and yawned out his response. "A few years. Not too many."
Sam stretched her eyebrows up and tossed down her pen before rubbing her eyes. "We should get some sleep."
Teal'c stood and offered his hand to help her up. "I agree." Daniel slapped his notebook closed and rose from the couch with a long stretch.
Kyle turned to Sam. "Sam, can I borrow your computer? I got sent the data to calculate my return on a little flash drive and I should do it after you guys have left."
She nodded. "Sure. It's plugged in but there's a spare battery in the bag." Kyle nodded in return. "Thanks. Sleep well, folks."
