The Orb
Chapter 12
As the remainder of SG1 entered the briefing room, they noted that Dr. Frasier, General Hammond and two Tok'ra guests were seated at the table. Jacob Carter and Selmak had brought another Tok'ra, Aldwin, with him.
"Please be seated, SG1", the General announced. "I have filled in the Tok'ra with the newest information we have on Major Carter's condition. They believe that have something that may help her.
"Dr. Frasier, would you please show the Tok'ra here and SG1, what you found in Major Carter's MRI scans." The General ordered.
Janet got up and put the tape into the machine, pressed play and as they all watched, Daniel and Teal'c caught glimpses of the emotions coming from Jack's face. They both saw shock, hurt, anger and then worry reach the surface.
"Holy Hannah," was all that was uttered by Jack, unaware that he had just used one of Carter's favorite phrases. Jacob threw a surprised look in his direction, but didn't say a word.
"I have never seen this technology before," offered Teal'c.
Daniel asked, "Where did those nanites come from? Were they inside the orb? How did they get into Sam?"
"Daniel Jackson, from what the General has told me, Teal'c has translated many of the tablets that your SG team found with the orb." Aldwin stated. "I believe that the Tok'ra has come across the answers to some of your questions."
Selmak took over from this point. "George, it looks like the Goa'uld stole Tollan technology. They had been using that technology with the orb to make it able to pass through the outside of the body. From what we have learned, the orb has to strike the body before the Tollan technology can be activated. Once inside, the orb disintegrates in to the thousands of nanites and invades the persons system. The energy of the orb must have been drained and it had to use great force to pass through into Sam's head."
"The good news is that there is a machine that was created to remove the nanites from a prisoner's body," Aldwin continued, "However, from what we can ascertain it has never been used.
"Dr. Frasier, how much time do you think we have to find this device and find out if it works?" interjected General Hammond.
"I'd have to say that at the rate her body is shutting down, maybe 12 hours at the outside, before she becomes critical." Janet replied.
"SG1 you mission is to return to the planet where you found the orb, look for this machine and see if it can aid Major Carter. The Tok'ra will be accompanying you. You will depart at 0800 tomorrow morning, now get some rest." Hammond stood as he said this, showing that the meeting was over. "Jacob, there's time for you to go down and spend some time with Sam before you leave."
"Thanks, George." Jacob then left the briefing room.
The rest of SG1 didn't move form their seats. Jack said. "I hope the planet is still in one piece." He was referring to the earthquake-like tremors that had been occurring during their last mission. A couple of the pillars surrounding the temple had looked as if they were going to topple over at any minute. He had rushed to get his team off the planet and was hoping that the answer to Sam's condition hadn't been destroyed in their absence.
Back in the infirmary, the medical team was keeping a close eye on Major Carter. Jacob Carter had just left a few minutes earlier after spending time with his daughter. Sam's readings had been all over the charts since the incident in the MRI lab. Janet rushed in to check on her patient. She had stopped at the commissary to get something to eat and had felt the urgent need to be near her friend.
"Is she still stable?" she inquired of the nurse who had assisted her earlier.
"Yes, ma'am, but her vitals still haven't returned to normal."
"OK, take a break and I'll keep watch." Janet went over to Sam's bed. Of all the things that would have been the death of one them, she thought it would always be off-world at the hands of some Goa'uld and his army. Not something here on Earth, that appeared harmless. Looking down at Sam, she spoke out loud. "Sam if you can hear me, hold on. Your team is going through the gate with the Tok'ra to check out a cure."
Sam heard her friend, but couldn't make a move to indicate that she had. Sam felt like she had been shocked by a, as the Colonel would say, "big honkin' zat." Her body ached from whatever the MRI machine did to her. And her headache was even more intense now than it had been earlier. Every part of her body hurt. But above everything she could still hear that incessant buzzing.
She watched as Sam's eyes moved under her eyelids as if she was dreaming. Janet studied the Sam's chart and noted that several of Sam's major organs were failing, now more rapidly than before.
"Damn," she thought, "we have less time than I thought."
A/N: Due to some computer problems, Imight not be able to upload the last chapters until later this week. Please keep checking back! Thanks for reviewing!
