A Simple Man Part 2 - See Part 1 for introduction and disclaimer
He was a simple man. Diplomacy was not his biggest strength. It was not something required in his career, which had focussed on special ops activity ever since the Air Force had discovered his talent for the covert. When he wasn't required to be clandestine, he liked to think he was a straightforward, up front kind of a guy. However, this meant he often put his big feet right in it with both allies and enemies. He left diplomacy up to those who were abled, or cared.
"Um... hello?" Jack said tentatively, trying to look friendly and lowering his weapon slightly, although he remained alert and ready. "I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill, this is Teal'c." Teal'c bowed slightly, also remaining alert.
Asgard? This was strange. Asgard in their galaxy and they weren't even aware of it. Was his old buddy Thor keeping secrets? This city was clearly Asgard, but even more obviously dead and unused. That other place they had seen from the tower, on the other hand, was presumably alive, as he'd suspected. He wondered why the Asgard had not simply made the Goa'uld disappear, in the time honoured Asgard way. Bring on the bright lights you guys.
"Where are you from?" The Asgard asked, keeping himself partially hidden.
There was something different about this Asgard to any others O'Neill had encountered. The facial features were not quite like Thor's, and the color seemed a strange kind of brown, rather then the Roswell grey they were used to. This peaked Jack's interest.
"Earth. We are Tauri."
"Tauri?" The Asgard seemed surprised. "The one you call Teal'c, he is not of the Tauri. He is Jaffa, is he not?"
The Asgard was wary, but did not seem afraid of this fact. Jack was tempted to come back with a witty quip in response but refrained. They could do with the help of the little grey guys around about now.
"He's with me. He's a good Jaffa and fights against the Goa'uld by my side." Jack replied.
"A good Jaffa? Fights the Goa'uld?" The Asgard seemed taken aback by this concept but decided to trust his own instincts and step out from his hiding place. "I am Aurvandil. " Jack cursed that Daniel wasn't there to tell him if it meant anything.
"Aurvandil the Bold, I am most pleased to meet you." Said Teal'c smiling, and bowing low to ensure the Asgard did not perceive him as a threat. Jack's eyes widened. "I have read of Norse Mythology O'Neill. It is most interesting." Well, Teal'c was nothing if not full of surprises.
"You have heard my name?" Aurvandil said, seemingly pleased.
"Indeed." Teal'c replied, simply. "Your kind are... legend amongst the Tauri."
"Um, yeah, well... Arvendile, why are you Asgard allowing a Goa'uld to take over your planet?" Jack asked, getting quickly to the point.
"I am sure we will not tolerate it for long. They have not yet harmed us. My people probably watch and wait to see what happens. And that is Aurvandil, Colonel Jack O'Neill."
"Yeah, sure... whatever. Colonel O'Neill will do fine for me."
They approached each other and Jack saw that the body of this Asgard was also slightly different from the others he had seen. This was all very puzzling, and Daniel would no doubt be fascinated, but they didn't have time to go into that right now.
A wave of nausea hit him out of the blue to add to his burden. Teal'c saw him stagger slightly and took his arm to help him maintain his balance.
"O'Neill?" He looked closely at his leader and did not like what he saw at all. O'Neill's color had worsened and Teal'c wondered what was wrong with him.
"Thanks Teal'c old buddy. I'll be okay." Said Jack stubbornly. Teal'c nodded but resolved to stick very closely to his leader.
"You are unwell, Colonel O'Neill?" Enquired Aurvandil. "We could return to my city, my people might be able to help you."
He was a simple man. He did not have many friends, but those he did were normally as loyal and abiding as he was and his team were the best of them. It gave him comfort to know that they were there for him if needed. On his days off he did not call on their services that often, relying on himself, despite the sometimes overwhelming isolation he could feel.
It was entirely different when he worked with them as part of a team. Each person was like another arm or leg on whom he relied and in whom he had total faith. These extensions to his own body and mind had saved lives as often as he had, particularly his, and deserved equal credit for their victories
Carter and Daniel were thrown on the ground in front of a big Jaffa.
"You are of the Tauri, Major Samantha Carter and Doctor Daniel Jackson, if I am not mistaken. If you are here, then Colonel O'Neill and the Shol'va will be close by. You will tell me where to find them."
Hey it was nice to be famous but it could have it's downside.
"I don't think so." Carter replied defiantly. Daniel thought she sounded a little like Jack as she spoke.
"Oh but you will... eventually." Said the Jaffa. These wretched Jaffa were always so over confident. It was predictable. They shouldn't let themselves get so predictable. Both this and the over confidence were a weakness that SG-1 had exploited to their advantage.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know. We got separated."
"Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"I don't care whether you believe it or not." She answered.
The Jaffa looked up at the others who had brought them both here.
"Keep looking. Meanwhile, I will question the prisoners."
The other Jaffa bowed and left. That shortened the odds, thought Carter. However, she was aware they were in the middle of a sea of Jaffa. Escape could be difficult. The Colonel would have a plan; she was sure of it. He probably didn't even realise they had been captured yet. Any time now he would contact her, for all the good that would do them.
The Jaffa had a nasty sneer on his face. These guys certainly have a good line in those, she thought. He blasted her with his pain stick and it felt like a large jolt of electricity running through her body. She fell to the floor in agony, her eyes and mouth spewing light.
"Stop it!" Daniel cried. For crying out loud Daniel, Carter thought, haven't you learned anything from Jack? Don't show weakness.
"It upsets you that I hurt her? Then perhaps you will tell me where the rest of SG-1 are." He blasted Carter again and Daniel cursed himself for his stupidity. "It's a simple question, Doctor Jackson, I am sure you do not wish to see your colleague suffer." His sneer widened; he was clearly enjoying this moment. "If you do not tell me, you will tell my master when he arrives, of that you can be sure. So put your friend out of her misery. I could kill her quickly. Just tell me where they are."
He blasted Carter for a third time and Daniel wondered just how much of that thing the human body could take. Could he talk his way out of this, or at last buy them a temporary reprieve?
"The last we saw of them was by the Tower." Daniel offered. "Jack and Teal'c were at the top and we waited downstairs."
He was sure Sam was unconscious and reached over to touch her. She didn't move. I hope she's alright, he thought.
"She will recover. But when she does she will not like what greets her." The Jaffa said, threateningly. "We searched the tower and they are not there."
That's a relief, thought Daniel. The only upside to this whole thing was the knowledge that Jack and Teal'c remained at large.
"But you must know where they went. You surely arranged a meeting place?" The Jaffa pressed.
"Well actually, no."
"Again, you expect me to believe your lies. No matter, we have time to spare. I will enjoy making your companion suffer while you watch Doctor Jackson. Make no mistake. You will tell me."
Carter pretended to remain unconscious and pain wracked her body as she lay there, perfectly still. How did the Colonel stand this pain? He'd suffered a lot of it over their history of run-ins with the Goa'uld. He never gave in. It was an admirable trait. Just then the radio came to life.
"Carter, Daniel, you there? What's your situation?" O'Neill's voice crackled and the Jaffa smiled triumphantly.
"You really should tell him, Doctor Jackson. Shouldn't one keep one's master informed of all things?" Daniel groaned a response. What now?
He was a simple man. He could be obstinate, refusing help when he needed it most of all. He didn't do illness or injury well, was impatient of recovery, yet had spent more time in the SGC infirmary than any other single member of the SGC with the exception of Sgt. Siler. He refused to give in to ill health, stubbornly fighting every inch of the way, and defeating it, although not always before it seemed about to defeat him.
"I'm fine." Jack replied to the diminutive Asgard, when clearly he was far from it. Teal'c wondered if he imagined that O'Neill's condition was worsening. Meanwhile, Jack was far too concerned about their current situation to let himself be overcome by a simple illness. "I have two friends out there that might need help." He said, looking upwards at the ceiling.
"I know Colonel O'Neill. We watched your arrival with interest. I was curious, so came to see for myself. But then the Jaffa arrived, so I stayed down here. I will be in trouble when I get home. They don't like me playing here."
Playing? What was the little guy talking about?
"I'd really like to find the rest of my team. Perhaps we should go back up there." Jack suggested.
"I would advise against it, Colonel O'Neill," Replied Aurvandil "You are greatly outnumbered.
Jack touched his radio, speaking into it.
"Carter, Daniel, you there? What's your situation?" At first he received only static so he tried again. "Carter? Daniel? Come in."
"Um, Jack?" O'Neill was pleased to hear the voice of Daniel. At least they were still alive.
"Daniel? Where's Carter. What's going on?"
"Jack, we've been captured." Jack looked at Teal'c, his near impassive expression hiding a deep concern. "They want to know where you are. This Jaffa here seems determined to hurt Sam until I tell him."
Jack groaned inwardly. Hell! Then another voice came over the radio.
"If you do not give yourselves up within one Tauri hour one of your friends will die, O'Neill. I will let you choose which one."
The radio went dead. Dammit!
"Right, that's it Aurvandil," He got the name right this time. "Open this thing up and let us out of here." He moved towards the stairs but his legs gave out under him. "Umm... do you mind if I sit down for a while?" Jack asked as he collapsed on the floor. Teal'c rushed to his side.
"O'Neill? Are you alright?"
"I guess not." Replied Jack, softly.
This had to happen now? Two of his team mates were in immediate danger and he was helpless. Exhaustion was swiftly overcoming him, the aches in his muscles and joints rendering him almost useless. His head throbbed with pain and his throat felt like he'd swallowed a pack of razor blades.
"It is time to act!" Stated Aurvandil, mysteriously, and they were bathed in bright light.
When Jack looked around they were surrounded by what seemed to be a sea of Asgard faces. He could just about make them out through his blurred vision and realised that there were only two of them; his eyes were playing tricks on him. They must be in the other city. Asgard transporter technology. Sweet! Now they could do the same thing for Carter and Daniel.
"Aurvandil where have you been? Who do you bring into our midst? You bring Jaffa?"
"This one is an enemy of our enemy."
"So they say. We must teach Aurvandil to be less trusting of strangers." Said one of them to the other.
"The other is of the Tauri. Colonel O'Neill. He is ill and needs our help. The Jaffa is called Teal'c." Aurvandil's words ran on excitedly, "their friends have been captured by the bad Jaffa. They need our help too."
"Alright Aurvandil, enough! Go to your room, we will speak of this later."
"But Mum...!"
"You should not argue with your mother, Aurvandil. Now do as you are told."
"Oh please dad, please let me stay! Colonel O'Neill is my friend."
The two Asgard who had spoken looked at each other and nodded.
"We named you well Aurvandil the Bold. Alright, you may stay for a short while. But do not think you have heard the last of this." One of them said.
Once again, O'Neill was struck by the dissimilarity of these Asgard to those he knew. These guys were a lot bigger, for starters. Bigger than Aurvandil too. Mum? Dad? What the hell is going on? They were his last thoughts as he sank into oblivion.
He was a simple man. He'd always loved and got on well with children. His own son had adored him and so had all his friends. His job kept him away from his family far more than he would have liked. He had wanted to see more of his son growing up; missed a lot of important things like first steps, school plays, sports events. Work had often caused him to miss his son's birthday, despite his best efforts. He regretted that.
Nowadays he seemed to attract the young to him like a magnet. He had encountered many in his time with the SGC, most of who had tried to adopt him as a substitute parent. It flattered his ego but left him with a heavy heart because they always reminded him of Charlie. It was many years since Charlie had died, but that did not mean he could forget - or forgive himself for his son's demise.
Jack woke up on something that might be described as a couch. He wouldn't call it that.
"Colonel O'Neill!" He recognised the excited voice of Aurvandil. "Look, he's awake again."
Jack would have loved nothing better than to lie there all day but recalled that Carter and Daniel were in the hands of the bad guys and sat up. The resulting dizziness nearly caused him to pass out again but he fought it and won a temporary victory.
"How long was I out?" He asked his companion.
"A matter of minutes O'Neill." Teal'c answered.
"Carter... Daniel."
"I am aware." Of course he was. Think, Jack, think.
"I have called for our doctors to come and examine you Colonel O'Neill. In the meantime, I am Odin and this is Idun. We are Aurvandil's parents."
Parents? Jack knew that Asgard couldn't reproduce, so how was this possible? However, he had more pressing concerns.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm sure, but my team..."
"They are in danger and you would like us to help you?"
"That's a plan, sure."
"That may not be possible, Colonel O'Neill. We need to determine who is friend and who is foe."
O'Neill groaned in frustration. Did he now have to prove himself to another set of Asgard? Thor would have helped.
"And just how long have you folks been out of touch with reality? This is a Goa'uld we're talking about here." He felt helpless and his anger was at boiling point as a result. These Asgard must surely have the technology to do something? "You don't think of them as an enemy?" He asked, totally perplexed.
"Our generation have never encountered the Goa'uld. We do not wish to make enemies."
"So in the meantime you'll just let my team get hurt or killed? Well thanks for nothing, but I can't allow that to happen. So send us back to the city and Teal'c and I will think of something."
"Please help them!" Begged Aurvandil. "Colonel O'Neill is my friend."
"You reached that conclusion very quickly, my little one. You are too young to make such judgements. What if you are wrong?" Asked Idun.
"But I'm not wrong mum. Colonel O'Neill is a good man. Can't you see it?"
Jack was pleased at the little guy's faith in him and wondered what it was about the young that saw that in him when many adults didn't.
"We need time to make that judgement, Aurvandil." Odin intervened.
"Time is something we haven't got!" Cried O'Neill in frustration.
"Indeed." Teal'c concurred. "Our friends remain in danger while you argue. So allow us to help them by sending us back."
"Colonel O'Neill is obviously not up to that task. He is ill." Odin stated in a matter of fact tone. "You would risk his life to save that of your friends?"
"Hey, that's what I do best." Jack intervened. He had to confess he wasn't feeling up to it, but he was still breathing and his heart was beating. He'd use his last breath and heartbeat to save them if necessary.
He was a simple man. People thought him honorable and brave. To him, honorable was just a way you behaved without even thinking about it; a state of being. Bravery was merely a consequence of his passion for life and he held an unquenchable desire for truth, justice, and what he considered as 'the right thing'.
A very passionate man, in every sense of the word, his demeanour frequently hid that passion and he'd been accused of being severe, cold, distant and sometimes morose. The truth was that he wouldn't allow his passion to cloud his dispassion, and his view of 'the right thing' was not always the same as other people's.
Conversely, he was often considered too fiery and fervent. Go figure! So what that he was forceful, and could be quick to anger? He believed that the universe often continued to allow evil because it didn't get angry enough, so he had to feel sufficient anger to make up for that lack of it.
"Our enemies are our friends until they prove that they are enemies." Odin said.
"This is a philosophy that could get you all killed." Jack said. "The Asgard I know consider the Goa'uld as their enemy."
"You know Asgard?"
"Well sure. Some of my best friends are Asgard." Teal'c raised an eyebrow but said nothing to O'Neill's insertion of sarcastic wit. He knew that O'Neill was desperate to help Carter and Doctor Jackson and would use any tactic at his disposal. O'Neill no longer appeared to be angry, but icily calm.
"We knew you were of the Tauri when you came to our planet. This is of interest to us and we wanted to see what you did while you were here."
"So you have been observing us." Teal'c stated.
"Yes. When the Jaffa arrived we wondered if you might be their allies. We know they are an ancient enemy of our people so this was of major concern, particularly as you are a Jaffa. However, this old enemy may no longer be the enemy of the Asgard. We need to know."
"Well believe me, they are not here to make peace, Odin." Jack responded. "They still are the enemy of your people."
"So you say, but they have not proved themselves our enemy, only yours. Perhaps we should have intervened earlier." Yeah, that might have been nice, thought Jack. "That you know of other Asgard is of interest to us also. Will you tell me about them?"
"Look, Odin, I'd love to chat about this and that but in the meantime my friends are dying out there. So can we forget the small talk and do something?" Said Jack, not caring much about the rest. Just get them safe and I can relax and chat all you like, he thought. Every action and word was a strain in his currently ravaged body and mind. Odin nodded his head in what Jack hoped was an affirmative.
Suddenly Jack was overcome by a fit of coughing, which racked at his body, giving him chest pains, while doing nothing to help alleviate the daggers that were obviously stuck in his throat. Teal'c rushed to his friend's side, trying to assist. Odin looked on, apparently also concerned, but as the coughing died down, he walked over to what Jack recognised as an Asgard equivalent of a computer terminal. He'd had some experience with one of those things. He spoke into it in what Jack recalled as something sounding like Asgard. He'd heard the language before although understood none of it.
"It is probably time to do something to resolve the current situation." Odin said, turning to face Jack. "I will give you the benefit of the doubt and save your friends, for now. One of our people will talk to these Jaffa, or this Goa'uld to determine their intentions."
"Yeah, you knock yourselves out." Jack said, relieved that something positive was going to happen at last, but cynical of the Asgard desire to talk to the enemy. Screw them! All he cared about for now was the safety of his team. The Asgard might learn a hard lesson if they sent someone to speak to these guys, but maybe they needed to. He just hoped they had the technology to defeat them when the Goa'uld attacked this city, which was inevitable.
"Your friends are here." Said Odin and the pair appeared in a blinding white light. Carter was stretched out over the floor, seemingly unconscious, while Daniel was kneeling.
"Carter!" Jack called, worried.
"I'm alright Sir. I was playing at being unconscious." Her speech was slurred. "Pain stick." She said to O'Neill by way of explanation.
Ouch! He knew what one of those felt like and was a little annoyed that Carter had suffered at Jaffa hands. It should have been him. It should always be him. He was their leader and it was his job to suffer for them, and save them. All this time he'd been safe while a member of his team was suffering at the hands of their enemy. That made him a very unhappy camper.
Carter sat up. She looked a little pale, but otherwise unharmed, although O'Neill knew the after effects of the pain stick could last a while. It was highly unpleasant. Daniel was open mouthed and speechless at what he saw. Carter took in her surroundings, a little dazed.
"Um, sir...? What just happened?"
"Carter, meet Odin and Idun. And this is Aurvandil. They are what appears to be an Asgard family."
Jack sank back down on the couch again, his hands grasping his head. Forgetting everything else, Carter was at his side in an instant.
"Colonel? What's wrong?" She felt his forehead. "You're burning up Sir."
"Don't worry Carter. I think it's flu. You probably feel worse than I do right now, after the pain stick. Are you ok?" She nodded.
"I will be Sir. Flu?"
It was as straightforward as that? Carter almost considered that funny after the number of injuries and alien illnesses that her CO had endured while they'd served together. Who would have figured it could be something quite as straightforward as flu? However, flu could be pretty nasty and was certainly debilitating. She didn't think they should rest on their laurels.
"I think so. It happens." He replied with his usual sardonic tone. She smiled at that; it was a good sign. "I think I'll just pass out now." Feeling at least partially secure in the knowledge that his friends were now in safe hands, he let his exhaustion overcome him and did exactly that.
He was a simple man. If you merely took him at face value he could appear low on intellect or slow on the uptake. Behind those bright, dancing eyes was a brain which was sharp as a tack and saw everything, always working out the next move. Academia had never been much to his liking, but he had studied hard to get where he was; no one became a Colonel without having done that, or a pilot, or any of the other things he was extremely good at. It hadn't all been learned through experience, although much had.
He read a lot in his spare time and, contrary to popular opinion, it was not just the funny pages. He had a comprehensive selection of non fiction works - science, astronomy, history and so on. This might appear to contradict his dislike of academia but only proved that he liked to choose what he read rather than have it chosen for him. The books were not kept on display in his house, however, and very few people even knew they were there.
He was clever and cunning. That he pretended to be otherwise was another tool in his box of tricks. Many a person, or alien, had underestimated him and lived to regret it - or not. It also encouraged the effective use of brains in other people, particularly his team mates. He could be full of surprises.
"Hey, stop poking at me!" Jack cried grumpily. He could see Carter behind the doctor grinning behind her hand. He wasn't a very patient, patient. Then he looked at the doctor. This was definitely not the SGC infirmary and this doctor was pretty unusual; he was Asgard.
"I am sorry Colonel O'Neill. I am unused to treating humans. Forgive me." The little guy bowed, "I am Loki."
"No you're not. I've met Loki." Jack replied, still in a bad mood. He felt a little better though. Did the Asgard know how to treat flu? Not even Earth doctors knew how to do that effectively. The Asgard's eyes widened.
"You have met Loki? How is that possible? Did you hear that Odin? He has met Loki."
There was excited whispering in Asgard and Jack looked around the room. Where was the rest of his team? As if reading his mind Carter spoke.
"Aurvandil is giving them a tour of the city. He was getting over excited with concern for your welfare Colonel. Odin suggested it to keep him occupied. You have another smitten child on your hands Colonel."
"I do?" Jack was quite proud of his good track record with the young. "Umm.. wait... child? Carter, how come?" Jack was easily confused, or so it seemed. "I thought Asgard couldn't... well... you know" He shrugged uncomfortably at the idea of actually talking about methods of reproduction around Carter. She smiled, appreciating his embarrassment.
"These ones can."
"Well ain't that a turn up? Won't Thor be thrilled?" At hearing the name Thor the excited chattering in Asgard stopped abruptly.
"Thor?" Odin said, looking surprised; at least Jack took the expression as one of surprise in the Asgard. It was hard to tell with Asgard physiology. These ones were different, though, that much was extremely clear. "You know Supreme Commander Thor?"
"Thor? Sure. He's an old buddy of mine." Jack said proudly. "You don't know him? He sure would love to meet you guys." The Asgard returned to babbling amongst themselves incomprehensibly. Meanwhile Jack puzzled over these Asgard.
"Carter, if they do that," He asked in a low voice, "then where's the equipment to... you know..." He gesticulated wildly and looked embarrassed at referring to what he obviously meant as the reproductive organs.
"I don't know Sir, I didn't think I should ask."
"We'll get Daniel to do it." Jack replied and Cater laughed. The Colonel would probably do that too.
Jack was intelligent enough to realise that they might have stumbled across Thor's missing link; the one thing that could save the Asgard race from inevitable extinction. Thor would so owe him for this. As Jacob Carter has once said, to have the Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet owe you one is pretty valuable. Ex-cell-ent!
"Colonel O'Neill," Odin said, turning to face Jack once more, "It is many hundreds of years since we saw our brethren. I think I speak for all Asgard here when I say that we would dearly love to see them again."
"Um, we probably have more pressing things to discuss, Odin. Like what happened to the Goa'uld that seemed determined to take over your planet? That's just a small example. I'm not sure I like the idea of my people touring a city that might be attacked any moment."
"Your enemy have retreated while we talk to them."
"They have?"
That puzzled Jack and he didn't miss the fact that the Asgard referred to them as 'your' enemy. He felt pretty sure the other shoe would fall at any moment and sincerely hoped he wasn't trying to tackle two enemies at the same time. He wasn't sure he was up to it. Play along for now, Jack, he told himself, meanwhile, keep this brain of yours considering the options. He signalled Carter to follow his lead and appeared to forget about the Goa'uld.
"Ok, so what happened? How did you... people get separated?" He asked. Clearly they had been separated many, many hundreds of years ago, otherwise these genetic differences would not exist.
"There was a major upheaval on our home world, an internal power struggle. When the other side won, our side left them to found our own home world. This planet had once been Asgard occupied and we came here. This city is called Cimmeria after the ancient one you first came to." Jack looked at Carter.
"Isn't that the place where Teal'c and I..."
"Thor's hammer. Yes Sir." She turned to Odin. "So why build a new city when there was a perfectly good one already?" This seemed a little odd to her.
"The original Cimmeria is an ancient place. It is to be treasured as the home of our ancestors of long ago but is not very... modern. We would not destroy the old to build the new, so started again."
"So what were these big differences you had?" Jack asked Odin.
"My brethren strove for immortality. They wanted to clone themselves so they could live longer. We wanted to live and die as we should. There must be a high price to pay for immortality."
You can say that again, thought Jack. This might be something he could use to their advantage.
"There is. They succeeded." Said Jack and went on to explain what had happened to the Asgard; that they could no longer reproduce as they once had and were a dying race. His explanation included the use of scientific language that no one would have guessed he even knew.
"I'm sure you could explain it better Carter." He said, looking at her as if he suddenly realised that he should have left this part up to her. It was his usual way.
"You seem to be doing an excellent job Sir." She smiled with a knowing look on her face.
"Well thank you Carter, but feel free to join in." Jack grinned and they got into a discussion with the Asgard about genetics and missing links which showed that O'Neill understood the whole thing perfectly well, despite his usual displays of ignorance.
Carter had always thought he knew and understood a lot more than he let on. Here was proof positive. Wait until she told Daniel. In another of those mind reading things that happened between them from time to time, Jack looked at Carter grimly.
"No telling, Carter, and that's an order!"
"Yes Sir." She replied and stifled a smirk, which he saw.
"Don't smirk Carter, I mean it."
"Yes Sir. She said with military precision and a smart salute. Was she making fun of him, Jack wondered? On consideration, he believed she wasn't, but meant it. No telling. It was their little secret.
"At ease Major." He ordered, and she relaxed again and smiled sweetly.
"Sir."
"Now I need to rest. I'm tired. I've got the flu you know." Jack lay back and relaxed, closing his eyes. "But you guys let me know if you want me to contact Thor for you won't ya?"
Jack believed he should contact Thor. For starters, Thor would set them straight about who the enemy was around here. But, although these Asgard spoke of reconciliation he sensed reluctance. He couldn't just impose his own will on them, even if it did mean Thor would owe him one. He hoped to let them think they made the decision for themselves.
"You have the means to contact Thor?"
"Sure. But I understand if you don't wanna. It's been a long time; you had a falling out..."
"You believe that we the descendants of the original Asgard who came here, could help our brethren to reverse their decline, Colonel O'Neill?"
"I'm not sure about it, but it's possible." The response was more Asgard babbling.
"I must speak with the others." Said Odin eventually but leaving Jack in no doubt of the outcome of this meeting. These folks wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to meet with the enemies of their ancestors. The Asgard left Jack and Carter alone.
"How are you feeling Colonel?" She asked.
"Aching, chills... you know, the normal flu symptoms. Rough. Better than I was though. At least I'm not collapsing."
"That might be because you're already horizontal sir."
"Hey you didn't pick up that acerbic wit from a certain handsome and debonair Colonel that I know, did you?" Carter laughed.
"I don't know any handsome and debonair colonels, Colonel. Who could you be talking about?" She asked, the picture of innocence.
"Funny, Carter, funny." He smiled, "How about gracious and adorable...? No? Rugged but rakish...?" When she just stared at him blankly, he continued, "Ok... dwarfish and deformed?" He scrunched up his face and body and she sniggered again.
"You should rest Colonel." She said, still giggling.
"Yes ma'am." He turned on his side, eyes still closed. "However, I'm not sure I can do that with a Goa'uld mother ship hanging over our heads."
"I'll try to find out more about what's happening if you promise me that you'll rest. We seem safe for now."
"Yeah, but that in itself worries me, Carter."
She rolled her eyes, knowing that he would never relax or rest properly until the situation was resolved. Collapse from exhaustion, possibly, but relax... no way. And who could blame him? Jack would never count a Goa'uld as one of his best friends even if, by some unlikely miracle, they were ever to become allies.
"Promise me to do your best." She said turning to leave. "How about rough and ready?" She said on her way out. As the door started to close behind her she heard him muttering.
"Don't forget that evaluation Carter."
He was a simple man. His temper could get the better of him and he was not afraid to show his ire. He was also extremely practised at hiding his emotions behind a stony face; it's just that sometimes he didn't bother and occasionally he used it to his advantage. He was not one to suffer fools gladly and patience was something that you could be fooled into thinking didn't appear in his vocabulary.
However, it did, and he could be a very patient man when the need arose. It's just that he got bored quickly, felt the desire for neat and quick solutions, and hated long explanations for things that could generally be summed up in about three words or less; it will work, it won't work, yes, no. If, buts and maybes were not generally of much use to him. An if, but or a maybe could get people killed unnecessarily and he hated waste.
Against his better judgement, Jack actually ended up sleeping. The flu got the better of him, which he considered as pretty annoying. He awoke surrounded by what looked like a delegation of Asgard, as well as the members of his own team. The room was pretty full.
"Can't a guy get a bit of peace around here?" He snapped. He had the flu, for crying out loud, he needed to rest.
Actually, he felt much better and thought the doctors back home might be interested in whatever it was Loki had treated him with. He would suggest it to Carter; she was the scientist. At least half the art of leadership was appropriate delegation. People should be allowed to work to their strengths and he liked to encourage that.
The Asgard seemed to flinch at his ill-tempered words but Carter was used to it and approached him without trepidation.
"How are you feeling Sir?"
"Much better actually Carter. Thanks for askin'."
"Colonel, I believe that the Asgard Council wish to speak to you."
"Does it have to be all of 'em?" He asked grumpily, and loudly enough for them to hear.
"My apologies, Colonel O'Neill. The Council wished to meet with you. They are honored by the presence of someone who has met our kin and calls them friends."
"Very nice I'm sure Odin, but I'm not really feeling at my best today." O'Neill grumbled. Did this mean they had decided SG-1 were the good guys after all? "Hi everyone," he said, waving at the onlookers, "Now can you leave me alone please?"
Daniel looked outraged at O'Neill's treatment of these dignitaries, although Carter suppressed a giggle.
"Jack I don't think..." Daniel started to say.
"Daniel, I thought you had learned when to shut up by now. Obviously we are gonna have to give you more lessons when we get back home, and a rap over the knuckles with a ruler" O'Neill growled, effectively stopping Daniel in his tracks. The archaeologist looked unhappy but kept his mouth closed.
"Colonel O'Neill, will you speak to me without the presence of the others?" Odin said, bowing.
"Sure Odin old buddy." O'Neill smiled happily.
The other Asgard started to leave the room emitting a low hum of conversation. O'Neill saw Aurvandil, who clearly was not supposed to be there, trying to sneak out without being noticed. He was looking at O'Neill and Jack winked at him and indicated he could stay. Aurvandil looked delighted, for an Asgard, and tried to make himself as small and quiet as possible so that his father would not throw him out. Jack didn't think Odin even realised that his son was in the room.
"Colonel O'Neill, I consulted the Council and we very much wish for you to contact our Asgard cousins and persuade them to visit us.
"You want to try to effect a reconciliation?" He asked of Odin.
"We do, Colonel O'Neill. And we would wish to try to help our kin with their... genetic misfortunes."
O'Neill smiled at those words and appeared to be considering the matter.
"Before we talk about that Odin, what about the Goa'uld? What's happening?"
"The Goa'uld and some of his Jaffa will be coming to this city shortly to continue discussions." Answered Odin and Jack's eyes widened in horror. He looked at Teal'c who met his horror with her own.
"You are letting these guys in? Are you nuts?" He asked.
"Colonel, it's Zipacna." Carter volunteered, having already tried to convince the Asgard that their invitation was a seriously bad idea, but getting nowhere.
"Zippy? That low down, overdressed, good for nothing snake head? Believe me Odin, you do not want to mess with that guy." This made contact with the other Asgard all the more imperative. "Carter, where's my jacket?"
"Over here sir."
"Pass it over here would you?"
He rummaged around in the pockets and eventually withdrew an Asgard device. Carter could not recall seeing it before. He pressed a button on the device and put it back into the pocket again. Carter raised her eyebrows in query but he ignored her. She knew better than to question him right now.
"Okay. Hopefully the cavalry will be on it's way right now." Jack said when he'd done.
"Cavalry Colonel O'Neill?" Odin questioned.
"Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet. The cavalry. I'm sure he'll convince you that Zippy is a Goa'uld that one should approach with caution. Obviously you aren't gonna listen to us."
"That is it Colonel O'Neill? You have contacted Supreme Commander Thor?" Odin asked looking surprised.
"Yep."
"What, might I ask, happens now?" Odin pressed.
"We wait. It could take a little while. You can leave now until Thor arrives."
Odin left looking slightly stunned and without even noticing his son quietly sitting in the corner.
"Umm... Jack what was that?" Asked Daniel, just as Carter opened her mouth to ask the same question.
"That, Daniel, was a little device Thor gave me last time I saw him. Let's just call it... a panic button."
"Sir?" Carter's tone was merely questioning but her expression told him she was annoyed she didn't know about it.
"Oh Carter, don't look at me in that tone of voice." Jack retorted. "Thor gave it to me, said to press the button if I needed help sometime and he would try to come. Well, he said a whole lot more than that actually, but there is one thing I do remember clearly - him making me promise not to tell anyone else. Can't have your CO breaking promises now can we? Then where would we be? Chaos would reign Carter, that's where."
"Yes Sir." She was annoyed but O'Neill was her CO. She respected him, and the chain of command in the USAF, so she remained silent.
"Now, I need some more rest. All this diplomatic stuff takes it out of you." He quipped.
Daniel looked at him thunderously, obviously not thinking very highly of 'this diplomatic stuff' Jack referred to. Teal'c was the only one of his team not pissed off with him and Jack wondered whether he would end up alienating the big Jaffa before the day was through. It's tough being in charge.
"So... you can go now," Jack added, "Just in case I didn't make myself abundantly clear."
The three started to shuffle out of the room, followed by Aurvandil.
"Aurvandil," Jack's voice took on an altogether different, more kindly, tone, "why don't you stay behind and tell me all about this place?"
Aurvandil positively beamed - for an Asgard - and went to sit beside his new friend.
TBC in P3