Part Six

The room was silent around them, save for the quiet humming of their young companion. The members of SG-1 soberly absorbed the story that Jonas was recounting them. Samantha Carter could hardly believe it. Neither could the three other men seated beside her.

Her long-lost friend had not finished his explanation, however. "Alexandria's growth is genetically manipulated. She ages phenomenally fast, and will until she becomes an adult. That's when her 'powers' will become fully active and Nirrti will take her as a host."

The young man leaned forwards, and Colonel O'Neill could see pain etched into his eyes. "You need to take her with you. I can't let Nirrti take her as a host, I won't let another one of my failures endanger humankind."

"Jonas, we won't leave you behind again." answered Jack, "We'll get you both out of here."

However, even as the colonel spoke the Kelownan's eyes seemed to lose focus, and he became perfectly still.

"Jonas?" prodded Sam, touching his hand lightly.

He started to mumble softly, and with shock Sam remarked that his nose was bleeding. His hand was shaking beneath her own.

"Jonas!" she said, louder this time.

And as quickly as it had started, it stopped. Jonas' eyes drifted shut, and his hands stopped shaking. With what seemed to be almost a reflex, he wiped away the blood under his nose with a cloth held in his left hand.

"She's coming." he whispered softly. His eyes snapped open, and he stared right into Major Carter's sight. "She's coming. I couldn't- I didn't see it earlier, we have to go!"

Dr. Jackson stood up from his chair and moved to the nearest window. Looking skyward, he commented: "I think it might be too late for that."

The rest of SG-1 moved to the window and joined their friend. "Daniel's right, we've got company." said Jack, grabbing his

90 from the table and moving with Teal'c down the hall. Sam and Daniel quickly followed behind.

"They can't stop her."

"I know."

"And yet they'll still try?"

Jonas smiled down to his young charge. "Alexandria, these people don't give up. It's not in their blood. Now, come with me. There's danger ahead."

The four members of his former team had set up defence points inside the hall, although there were very few places to do so. "The Ancients didn't build this place to be defended." stated Jonas, who stood by Daniel's position.

"Noted." answered Jack.

They listened in silence as the atmosphere was broken by the ship descending from above. From his vantage point, Teal'c could see several Jaffa approaching onto the building. They were armed with staff weapons and zats alike.

"Jonas!" called out Jack, getting the young man's attention. He tossed him his other gun. "Hopefully you still remember how to shoot it."

He caught the gun and smiled. Maybe he would finally be able to go home, to escape his prison. Maybe he could finally show Alexandria a life beyond servitude. Maybe...

His thoughts were interrupted as a staff weapon blast exploded into the ceiling above his head, raining debris down onto him. Drawing Alexandria behind him and shielding her with his body, he fired several shots towards the oncoming Jaffa. The other four members fired their weapons at the enemies, taking out many of them, but not enough. For every Jaffa that fell two more took his place. They kept advancing until they were almost inside the building.

"Fall back!" commanded the colonel, dropping down and rolling to Sam's position. Together they moved back to where Daniel, Jonas and Alexandria where crouched down behind an Ancient computer console. Teal'c started to make his way back to them when the electric pulse of a zatnikitel hit him from behind.

"Teal'c!" exclaimed Jack, but as he prepared to go and retrieve his friend, another zat blast zoomed by and struck Major Carter as she re-armed her weapon. With a grunt, she fell to the ground. Daniel moved towards her to see if she was alright.

The Jaffa had breached the hall's doors and had moved up to where Teal'c lay, stirring from the effects of his injury. Two of the Go'auld grabbed the former first prime, bound his hands together and pushed him to the front of their group.

"Lower your weapons or the chau'va will die!"

Slowly Jack brought his

90 down, and gestured to Daniel and Jonas to do the same.

"Where is the hok'taur and the first taure?" asked Nirrti's first prime, who had advanced to the front of his fellow Jaffa.

Jonas and Alexandria rose slowly, the Kelownan keeping his daughter safely behind him. "Let them go." he said to the First prime, moving with Alexandria past the other members of SG-1. "Nirrti doesn't need them; it's us she wants!"

"That is not possible." responded the Jaffa, sneering. "She will be disappointed in your treachery, first taure. Jaffa, chen!" he commanded, and four zat blasts hit the remaining uninjured humans, throwing them to the ground. Daniel felt two arms pick him up roughly, as he and his fellow companions were taken back to Nirrti's ship.

"I knew I should have called in sick today." remarked Jack, before a fist came into view and his whole world went dark.