Paperwork was such a drag. A drag? General George Hammond shook his head. He had been spending too much time around the Colonel or around his grandchildren. The combination of the two put that word there. He sighed hoping for a break from his monotonous week. He never thought he'll ever see the day that he wished for some action around the SGC, usually the place was happening with one thing or another. He flexed his fingers from being cramped in the same pen position for so long.
"Off world activation!"
Klaxons blared. General George Hammond rose from his desk. Off world activations didn't mean good news but he welcomed the change of pace just the same. He left his office and made his way down the spiral stairs towards the control room.
"Its SG-1's IDC sir" Sgt. Davis informed
They were early today. Either they were in trouble, something had happened or they were in trouble.
"Open the iris" the General commanded
The Sergeant pushed his hand on the gel pad scanner. The iris clanked then spiraled open to reveal the blue liquid behind. From the liquid came Teal'c, then Major Carter and then Dr. Jackson and... some thing...
Guns cocked towards the blue creature ready for the General's command. The blue rodent creature flattened his ears.
"Welcome back SG-1" the General spoke into the microphone, "What the hell is this? Where is Colonel O'Neill?"
Teal'c seemed to keep a stoic face but Daniel and Sam exchanged glances. This wasn't good. The Stargate shut down leaving loud silence in its wake.
"Well?"
"Uh Sir, Colonel O'Neill is..."
"Right in front of you sir" came the Colonel's voice
The General looked towards the source. He realized the creature had spoke. The creature walked down the ramp, gun barrelsmoved along with him.
"Hey sir, how's the weather today?"
"Do you know we cannot keep bringing alien lifeforms into this facility" The General snapped
"Sir" Major Carter pipped up, "This is Colonel O'Neill"
The General frowned tilting his head as if he didn't hear her right. Was this a joke?
"General, I know what it looks like but believe us its... Colonel O'Neill" Daniel added his two cents
The General staredat the creature. The creature blinked back with large brown eyes and qurked its eyebrows up, and spread its arms out.
"It wasn't my fault I'm like this! We got attacked and I fell into some goo. Just a accident. I really wierd and alien accident"
"Sir I think it would be better if we discuss this in the briefing room" Major Carter broke the staring contest
No it wasn't a joke.
"Stand down" he ordered "Fine Major, we'll continue this in the briefing room"
The General looked at the three remaining members of SG-1, who sat in front of the briefing room table. The animal was taken to the infirmary for tests. As a precaution it was taken into an isolation room. The General was skeptical about the situation but realized that stranger things had happened. He should at least give this an ear but approach this creature with extreme caution. It might impersonate the Colonel just to get into the SGC. He didn't want another foothold situation even if this alien doesn't look like a threat.
The three members retold the story that happened within the temple they had found. About the substance, the native battle and the appearance of the creature.
The General didn't beat about the bush, "Do you believe that alien in the infirmary is Colonel O'Neill?"
"I think so. If someone wanted to infiltrate the SGC I think they would use the real appearance of the Colonel" Sam was the first to speak, "But we wont know anything for sure until the DNA tests come back"
"Dr. Jackson?"
"I think it is the Colonel. From what I could make from the temple walls that he came from the ritual bath. I think it symbolises purification to meet with some one. Perhaps 'the gods'. I think the natives are superstitious of the place and treat it as a sacred ground. I need more time to study the language though. If we're going to find an answer to all this I believe its written on the walls. "
"I agree" The General nodded
"I would like to study the substance as well" Sam put in, "If this substance really changed the Colonel then we know its the Colonel and not a alien with his memories or his DNA"
The General nodded, "What's you're take on this Teal'c?"
"Despite my displeasure for vermin, I have observed him and I believe the animal is O'Neill" Teal'c gave his view, "Unless it is proven otherwise"
The General started, "It seems that P75-X92 is a hostile planet-"
"Sir we have to go back" Daniel come up for the protests Sam looked more restrained but wasn't far behind him
"But" The General gave Daniel a harsh look, "I will be sending in teams to assist you on extracting the information for both of you need and to protect you if the inhabitants decide to attack again"
"Thank you General" Daniel said in relief
"But the moment trouble happens I'm pulling the plug" The General told them sternly, "Dismissed"
"Colonel how do you feel?"
"Like the universe hates me" Jack muttered
"I need you for an MRI scan and an X-ray"
Jack sighed, "I know I look like a rat but can we skip the lab part?"
"Sorry Colonel but I need to know exactly know what's happening with you"
"So I figured"
Jack sighed feeling sticky from the goo that stuck to his skin. The substance was becoming hard and uncomfortable.
"You think I could have a shower?" Jack asked, "Before I go into the torture chamber again?"
Janet looked at the Colonel. With clear film of stuff sticking his fur together it made him look like a cat that had more than a dip in water.
She sighed and nodded, "I think it can be arrangeable"
"Good. I can't stand this stuff on my skin"
"Irritation?" Janet suddenly asked
"No its like mud. Its becoming hard"
"Wait here, I'll get someone" Janet turned and left
"I'll be right here" Jack called after her, "Its not like I'm going anywhere"
Jack was still trying to adjust to his situation. One minute he was 6 foot tall Colonel, leader of the flagship team SG-1 and the next he was a 2 foot tall blue talking furball that has no resemblance to any animal on earth, so he had no idea what he was. In his mind he was still the Colonel and he still was the leader of the flagship team SG-1 but if they didn't fix this soon he wouldn't be the leader and he wouldn't be a Colonel.
He just hoped no one wouldput him in a cage and make him run on a hamster wheel. That would be very degrading. It was bad enough he had no clothes, just fur... he couldn't even see his prized package. He hoped it was hidden somewhere and it was big... well he'll know soon enough when he needs to take a leak... ahem...but that was another time...
The isolation room door opened back up with Janet behind her was Daniel. Great! Daniel could tell him what the hell was going on outside this room. Janet picked him up and gave him to Daniel. She assigned a guard with them just as a security precaution. The alien rat's origins were still unsure.
"Just a shower" Janet said sternly
"What about food? Lunch is the second most important meal in the day" Jack quipped
"After the scans" Janet promised
"I want real food... or at least what real around here. None of that infirmary food" Jack muttered
"You're tough customer Colonel" Janet shook her head, "Lets see how you do ok?"
"Whatever" Jack grumbled
"Thanks Daniel"
Daniel gave a smile, "Its alright. I need to shower anyway"
"I still need you for post mission check up so I need you two back soon"
Daniel's smile faltered, "Sure"
Janet rolled her eyes, "Come on you two just go already. I need those tests done"
Daniel turned to leave. Janet heard Jack mutter, "Neopolic Powermonger"
Daniel headed towards the elevator for the floor with the shower block with the assigned guard a few steps behind. Jack hated to be carried, insisting he wasn't some kind of pet, so he settled on Daniel's shoulder. People looked at him questioningly but said nothing. Jack just glared at them with his best O'Neill glare. They seemed to get the message.
"So what's happening?" Jack asked
"The General let us go back to P75-X92 to find out what happened to you" Daniel replied, "I know there has to be a way to reverse this"
"Well I hope so. How can I boss people around when I'm shorter than everyone else?"
Daniel let out a smile as the elevator doors opened to the appropriate floor.
"Plus I don't think I'm up to being anyone's pet" Jack added as an afterthought, "Or being off the field"
"Don't worry Jack, I know the answer is there. I sort of figured out the language but its going to take me a while to find how to reverse it. I know Sam's going to study the substance to see how it caused the change in the first place. It might give clues to how to reverse it"
"I know. I have every ounce of faith in you and Carter" Jack said truthfully
They reached the locker room, it was empty. Jack jumped down towards the bench and Daniel got ready for the shower. Jack headed there already but soon realized he couldn't reach the knobs. Well duh he thought. He had to wait for Daniel to get his ass in there and turn them. Great, just great! He had to start relying on people to help him... that's one thing he hated the most. This is only temporary, he convinced himself Only temporary!
Soon the shower got going and Jack felt the hot water was a God sent. Milky white liquid washed down the drain as he scrubbed his new found fur with the soap. The hot water felt good on his aching muscles. He was surprised that his muscles ached. It was probably more physical exercise for him since he was more smaller or he was not use to this body. At least he didn't have the dull ache in his knee. Then remembered he got a broken jaw before he fell in the liquid. He excised his jaw for reassurance. Maybe the liquid did a little more than change him.
His mood was a bit better while leaving the locker room for the Infirmary. He no longer looked like a drowned cat with fur sticking everywhere. He looked more fluffy and furry and some what cute in an alien way. He conversed in light chatter with Daniel. Daniel was somewhat adjusted to the arrangement. He had to look to his shoulder instead of someone next to him to talk. It was odd to see Jack like this be he knew this was going to be for a little while, well he hoped for a little while.
Their light mood darkened as they entered the infirmary. They both hated it since they spend most of their time there due to injuries suffered on and off world. Daniel was the worst out of the two of them being accident prone man he was.
Janet flurried in and seated Daniel. She proceeded with the post mission physical. Jack jumped off Daniel's shoulder and edged away from Janet as much as he could. He knew she would be after him after she'd finished with Daniel.
Suddenly a nurse passed him, then stopped. She turned and saw him.
"Hello" she cooed, "Aren't you a cutie?"
Jack didn't recognized her so she must of been a new nurse. Jack put on his best Colonel O'Neill glare that puts airman rock back and forth in fear. To his surprise she seemed unfazed by it. She raised a hand to pat him but he battered her hand away.
"What the hell you think you're doing?" Jack snapped
"Oh wow it talks" she squeaked, "I wonder why they bring toys to the Infirmary?"
Jack looked at her oddly. She was either really warped, she was born yesterday or she was really stupid.
"What the hell? I'm not a toy. I'm real flesh and blood and don't touch me or I'll have you down as insubordination. I'm you Commanding Officer, Colonel O'Neill!" Jack snapped
"You talk weird. Wow you must be the animal they brought back" she murmured
How did this nurse become a nurse? She was becoming really dense or she was really, really stupid. Before Jack could do anything she started to scratch him behind the ears. He went to snatch the hand away but the feeling of relaxation tingled all over his body. The scratching was hypnotizing, it pulled the Colonel into blissfulness state that makes cats purr and dogs kick. His eyes rolled back. All that mattered was that she kept scratching.
He didn't realize that he let out a relaxed sigh, or his eyes were closing or his body going a little limp. The sensation that came from the scratching from behind the ears brought pleasure and relaxation that he never experienced before.
Daniel sighed as the needle pricked his arm and started to draw blood. He looked away and saw a nurse scratching Jack behind the ears and it seemed Jack... Jack was liking it. Daniel grinned and silently nudged Janet.
"Daniel what?" she growled but he put his finger on his lips to tell her to be quiet
With his eyes he pointed to the Colonel's direction. Janet saw what the nurse was doing. She was about to yell at her but saw the Colonel's face. A smile appeared on her face as well.
"Wait here" she whispered
She left Daniel but soon returned with a camera. Daniel's grin turned wider as she pressed the button on her digital camera. The beep sounded and the flash emitted. It broke the relaxing air and Jack snapped out of it and blinked at Janet. The nurse's cheeks turned pink.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... he was there and..." the nurse tried to excuse herself but she wasn't doing so good, "Oh dear I didn't do very good for my first day did I?"
Janet smiled, "On the contrary Lt. I think you did remarkable. Lets forget this happened if you go back to work now"
"Yes ma'am. Thank you ma'am" she gabbled and rushed off clutching her folder
"Did you..." Jack trailed
"Yep"
"All of it?"
"Yep"
"Its not what you think"
"What do I think Colonel?" Janet said sweetly
Uh oh. Alarm bells went in Jack's brain. I know that tone...
"If you think you're going to blackmail me...!" Jack growled
"If you be nice during the next block of tests I might keep this picture with me for a little while longer. I know Sam would love to look at it and maybe a few other personnel as well" she smiled.
It was a clever smile. Jack's face darkened. Jack crossed his arms and refused to look at the Doctor.
"Neopolic Powermonger"
Janet slid her gaze to him, "I heard that. Don't make me show that picture to everyone, Colonel"
To be continued...
Just a friendly chapter. Jack's trying to readjust and being a lab rat but not willingly. Next chapter let see if they discover anything and try to help on Jack's condition. And Jack gets up to some mischief...
Please can I have some reviews? I'll beg if don't review. See (grovel, grovel. Beg beg). please! I just want to know what people think of my story. If you think its great, say it. If you think it sucks... then say it!
After all freedom of speech is what makes this country great...
