The event horizon remained stable for a one-minute moment before the wormhole disengaged.

Sam followed General Hammond to the Gateroom. Quietly, their guests glided down the ramp to meet them.

"Welcome to Earth," the general said, offering his warmest smile. "It's an honor to have you here in our facilities again, High Chancellor Trevell."

High Chancellor Trevell nodded, greeting him civilly as she gazed at the general. "Thank you, General Hammond. We are honored to meet you once again."

While Hammond and Trevell exchanged pleasantries, Sam walked over to Narim and smiled, suppressing the urge to give him a hug. "Narim," she said brightly.

"Samantha," he replied. Taking her hands into his, he smiled tenderly at her. "It is good to see you again. I had not expected to hear from you so soon."

She nodded. Though she could not share the same kinds of feelings Narim had for her, she did care deeply for him, and the chance to see his face again had been an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

"I wish we could meet on better circumstances," she told him softly.

"Yes." His face was grim. "You called us due to a problem with Doctor Jackson?"

She nodded again, but remained silent, noticing that High Chancellor Trevell and General Hammond had finished diplomatic small talk and were preparing to get down to business. "If you could come with us, Narim, we'll explain to you the situation in more detail in General Hammond's office."

"Very well." He squeezed her hands before releasing them. "Lead the way, Samantha."


General Hammond had explained to High Chancellor Trevell the situation as best he could. To her credit, she listened patiently and had not once interrupted him, no matter how bizarre the circumstances must have sounded to her ears. When he was finished, she nodded slowly.

"The Gosinphled," she said simply.

General Hammond frowned, attempting to wrap his mind around what she had just said. "Pardon?"

"The Gosinphled," she repeated. "We have heard of such a sentient body."

"Wait," Major Carter said, taking a step forward. She and Narim had been waiting in the back of his office as he had explained their problem to Trevell. "You know what we're talking about? You know what this is?"

"We know of it, Major Carter," Trevell corrected. "Long ago, such a creature was on friendly relations with our friends, the Nox. From our conversations, we learned that the Gosinphled was a highly intelligent sentient life form, with deep bonds within its structure. It was able to communicate with the Nox telepathically."

Hammond considered her words, remaining silent as she paused, and provided the same courtesy she had given him. A friend of the Nox? Somehow, Hammond figured the life of the Gosinphled would not be as hopeful as that of the Nox. He motioned for Major Carter to be silent so that Trevell could continue.

"However, when the Goa'uld heard of such a creature, they used the Stargate to travel to the homeworld of the Gosinphled, and attempt to contain and use it for their own purposes." She paused again and looked back to Narim.

"It did not work," Narim finished for her. "The Gosinphled could only thrive on its planet. They attempted to fight back, but could not. In desperation, it attempted to bond with the Jaffa that captured them, but it was unsuccessful. Much of the core of the Gosinphled died as a result."

To Hammond's chagrin, Major Carter's curiosity got the best of her. "So, they're like a collective? A whole species that is just of one body?"

"Yes," Narim agreed, "that is an adequate description, Samantha."

"Then, what happened? They just abandoned the planet?" She brought her attention to Trevell. "What about the Nox?"

Trevell only smiled patiently at her. "The Goa'uld returned and poisoned the planet's soil, making it barely hospitable." Her eyes shone with a sadness and a wisdom Hammond recognized was well beyond her years. "The Nox have been in touch with the Gosinphled over the years, even as their numbers have diminished. Biologically, they were not compatible to bond with the Gosinphled. The Nox have attempted their healing powers on them, as well as the planet itself. However, even they could not avoid the inevitable."

Major Carter's eyes grew wide as she turned to Hammond. "They were dying." She stood in attention. "Sir, this means they weren't attacking Daniel at all. Those memories were from the Goa'uld. General, they were just trying to find a way to survive."

Trying to find a way to survive. Hammond shook his head at the thought. Wasn't that what they all were doing? Reaching out and trying to leave their mark in the galaxy? Just trying to survive?

Trevell smiled again. "The Nox will be very pleased to hear their friends have found a new chance at life through Doctor Jackson."

Hammond chuckled for the first time in days. Somehow, that just seemed to suit Doctor Jackson just fine.

"It pleases me as well, High Chancellor, but that is all dependant on your role in this."

She stood and bowed her head slightly. "For our friends the Nox, and our friends here on Earth, we shall do what we can."