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Chapter 10

"What's wrong with him, Doc?"

Janet sighed and wrapped the stethoscope around her neck before turning to Colonel O'Neill.

"He's in a catatonic state." She looked down at her patient, her friend, as he stared dumbly at the ceiling. Daniel said nothing, and did not make any move as she touched his restrained hand. "He's completely non-responsive, but stable."

Colonel O'Neill nodded solemnly, his gaze diverted to a spot on the floor. "Any drugs or something that can snap him awake?"

Janet sighed, wishing she could make this easier for the colonel. For any of them, for that matter. "I'm sorry, Colonel. All I can do at this point is monitor his condition." She squeezed Daniel's hand, but he didn't react. "I'm afraid to administer any drugs that might interact with whatever is in his system."

"Well, that's just not good enough," Colonel O'Neill stated, oddly devoid of any emotion.

Janet gazed sternly at the suffering man, keeping her own feelings at bay. "Colonel O'Neill. I have some of the best neuro-specialists in the field, who have clearance, examining Daniel's results. And Doctor MacKenzie is reviewing his EEG as we speak."

O'Neill's empty expression changed into one that was downright homicidal.

"He won't be working with Daniel personally," she assured him.

"What of the others?" Teal'c asked, taking a moment to speak as he stood vigil by Daniel's side. "Have their conditions given you any indication how to assist DanielJackson?"

"Unfortunately, no," she replied. "They haven't gained consciousness. Nothing about their biology, or the tests we have run, seems to shed any light on how this larger parasite in Daniel operates."

"Like a Goa'uld," Colonel O'Neill stated simply.

"I know. In so many ways, it's like a Goa'uld. But it's not, Colonel. Physically, it's not Goa'uld." She paused, her gaze shifting from Colonel O'Neill to Teal'c. "I'm-I'm not sure what we can do."

Colonel O'Neill said nothing. Instead, Janet watched his pained gaze settle back on Daniel, before he cleared his throat and looked down at the floor.

He didn't need to speak for her to understand, at least in part, what he must be feeling. In some way, they were all feeling it. Daniel had rejoined them several months ago, but the threat of losing him all over again was almost too much for any of them to bear. Losing Daniel Jackson just wasn't an option. But as the minutes turned into hours and the hours turned into days, the situation became increasingly grim.

"So, are we just giving up?" he said at last, his voice bleak.

"No, sir," she declared, stung by his words.

"I'll be damned if the Tok—"

Colonel O'Neill stopped short, turning his head to the door as General Hammond and his entourage entered. Janet followed his gaze.

None of the three Tok'ra that entered the room carried familiar faces. One was a tall thin man with a pale complexion. Another male was shorter, average in size, with a handsome youthful face. Finally, the last was a woman, cool and reserved, who had wisdom in her eyes that betrayed her age.

Sam closed the door behind them.

"Colonel. Doctor. I would like you to meet our Tok'ra guests," Hammond stated as cordially as he could.

"Hiya doing," O'Neill stated, not even attempting to sound cordial.

Sam smiled awkwardly, moving between the Tok'ra and the colonel, clasping her hands as she studied them. "Colonel. Teal'c." She gazed at Janet and exhaled. "Janet, this is Akana," she said motioning to the woman. Next, she gestured to the taller man. "Dalmar. And this is Beltesh," she said finally, smiling at the smaller man.

"I wish we were meeting under better circumstances," Janet admitted, stealing a glance at her unmoving patient.

"As do we all," Hammond affirmed. "Major Carter and I have briefed our guests on the situation." He nodded to the Tok'ra.

Dalmar stepped forward, and bowed his head respectfully to Janet. His deep, metallic voice resounded through the room. "Akana and myself have experience in the medical field. Our knowledge may be of use in the care for your friend."

She nodded. "We would appreciate that," she admitted, though guardedly.

"Where's Dad?" she heard Colonel O'Neill whisper to Sam.

"I don't know, sir. I thought for sure he would have come."

"Unfortunately, Selmak was unable to accompany us due to other commitments," Beltesh informed them, coming to stand beside Sam and Colonel O'Neill.

"Of course," O'Neill mumbled.

Hammond did not take exception to the atmosphere in the room.

"Alright, well, since time is of the essence, I suggest that we get started," he ordered, rubbing his thumbs against his fists as he acknowledged the variety of people in the room. "I think I have been more than fair, allowing you to stay in here, Colonel, but I do believe we should let the doctors do their work."

"Yes, sir," Colonel O'Neill stated coolly. "We'll get working on that tape, sir."

"Good." Hammond turned to the Tok'ra and Janet as O'Neill led Teal'c and Sam out of the room. "Keep me apprised of any and all changes. Do you need anything?"

"No, sir," Janet said, starting to feel somewhat relieved, knowing the Tok'ra should be able to remove the symbiote from Daniel and possibly end this nightmare. "The Tok'ra are adept at removing symbiotes. I would like to defer to them on this matter."

"We are pleased to hear that, Doctor," Akana stated with her guttural voice, stepping up beside her. Her gaze fell to the silent linguist and she placed her hand on his neck, and then his cheek, still eliciting no response.

"They are correct, then?" Dalmar asked. "There is no presence of naquadah?"

"None," Akana confirmed.

"Most curious," Beltesh murmured, watching with interest.

"We will need to run some tests," Akana stated abruptly.

"Tests?" Hammond questioned, shooting a confused look over to Janet.

Janet shrugged, but knew enough about symbiology to become uncomfortable. "What kind of tests?" she asked Akana.

"We would like to know more about the symbiote," she replied. She snapped her fingers and Beltesh came to her side, producing a bag that he had carried in for her. "I will need to awaken the symbiote."

"Why?" Janet asked, ramming herself between the Tok'ra and Daniel.

"So that we may watch it interact with the host," she stated bluntly.

Host? Janet felt her cheeks redden, and fought to control her temper.

"His name is Daniel. And he is my patient."

"We will need to study the interaction between Daniel and the symbiote for our records," Dalmar informed her, his tone less severe.

"Whatever for?" Hammond stated, voicing his concern. "All we need is for you to remove the symbiote from Doctor Jackson. What you do with it after is little concern to me. Your people can question it or confine it however you'd like. But he is one of my people," Hammond said, motioning to Daniel, "and he never asked to be placed in this position."

"We understand, and acknowledge, the concern for Doctor Jackson," Beltesh said, his throaty voice booming, nearly betraying the sympathy and concern he was trying to show. "I have read of the reports of the deeds he has done in the name of the Tok'ra. And for this, we are indebted to him. However, Dalmar and Akana are two of our most educated and respected doctors. They do what they do only to help Doctor Jackson in the end."

"When we have gathered all our information," Dalmar continued, "then we can assess the situation and remove the symbiote with the least pain and suffering for your friend."

"Therefore, I will need to run some tests and speak to the symbiote," Akana repeated, her cool gaze meeting Janet's.

Janet decided she didn't like the woman.

"General, I would like you to note that I disagree with this course of action."

Hammond nodded. "Your objection is noted, Doctor."

That isn't good enough, General, she thought, glaring at the Tok'ra. No one was going to come in here and just take over. She saw what the "tests" and "experiments" of the Tok'ra could do to a person, care of Anise. She wasn't about to witness that again.

"I need room to work," Akana stated. "Doctor Fraiser, would you be kind enough to show Dalmar the others of your kind?"

Janet shot the general a look before glowering at the Tok'ra woman.

"Doctor Warner will be more than happy to show Dalmar around the infirmary and to share our tests and results with him," Hammond said authoritatively, but with a diplomatic air. "However, I believe it would be in the best interest for all of us involved if Doctor Fraiser remained here with Akana. If Doctor Jackson awakens, it would be prudent to have someone he recognized in the room with him. He may be more forthcoming that way."

Akana, holding her head up high, finally nodded. "That is acceptable," she said.

Hammond nodded to her, and then nodded once to Janet. She knew he was in a difficult situation, but she sent him a silent "thank you," hoping her expression reflected all the feelings she felt at the moment. Hammond's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he motioned to the door.

"If you come this way, I will introduce you to Doctor Warner," he said to Dalmar. "Doctors, I will be in the observation deck, along with Beltesh, if you need anything. Let's make this work, people."