Head Trip - Chapter 5

They approached the General's office in haste, responding to his urgent message to "come alone and report to no one" … Teal'c and Daniel had been through a lot, and as they waited for O'Neill to open the door – Open the door? Why was it locked? – they could not help but be concerned.

Both teammates had been apprehensive about letting Carter go off world on a solo mission, but their objections were overruled – by Jack and the President himself.

Daniel tried to allay Sam's own fears by supporting her with quotes of wisdom stuck to the door of her lab on a daily basis. He knew that she sometimes second-guessed herself, and he was constantly amazed that such a brilliant woman, outstanding in the fields of astrophysics and military science, could ever doubt her competence. In many ways, she had a certain humility that was quite endearing. It was refreshing to see a warrior who was both meek and bold. She had saved his sorry soul and Jack and Teal'c many times by her fast thinking and steady nerve in the field. He was proud to now serve under her command.

Teal'c had been trying to kel'no'reem when Jack's phone call summoned him. Although he did not find the need nor time to practice his former method of meditation on a regular basis, it still provided a grounding point when he was feeling somewhat anxious or disturbed. He found this to be true now, ever since Carter was given the assignment to go through the Gate alone. These Tau'ri had become his family, his kin. He looked upon Sam as a sister, and felt quite protective of her when the occasion demanded. Which, he had to admit to himself somewhat amusingly, was not often. "Sister" Sam was a very capable adult, a comrade in arms, who had gained his respect and loyalty years ago. He could think of no finer replacement as CO of SG-1 than Sam Carter.

With a click of the lock, Jack opened the door slightly, and then rushed both men into his office. What they saw was beyond comprehension: "Sam" lying lifeless on the floor! Both men were speechless and shocked. Daniel finally broke the silence as he swooped down to touch her …

"Jack, my God, what's happened? Have you called the infirmary?"

Jack placed a restraining arm on Daniel's shoulder and told him, as gently as he could: "She's dead". Before he could say more, Daniel began to shake the lifeless form and call her name. Teal'c then knelt beside the body and looked up at Jack for an explanation – some type of clarification to the bizarre scene in front of him.

"It's not Sam!"

At that, both teammates sat back on their legs and stared at their former CO in amazement.

Jack cleared his throat and quickly reported what had transpired. He found himself working hard to stay in control of his emotions. He would not reveal his deepest fear, that he had allowed this replicator to uncover his most secret longings and desires. She had touched his mind and released a flood of images that shook him to his core. Images and feelings that he thought he had locked away many years ago. He would have to deal with that, alone, in his own good time. For now, his immediate concern was getting Carter back alive!

O'Neill quickly regained command of the situation and began planning a course of action. He welcomed his two former teammates to help him with his plans but, first, the President would have to be called and, then, contact with Thor.

Both supreme commanders listened, incredulously and distraughtly, to the news that they had been deceived. The mood was somber as they then discussed the immediate disposition of the replicator body. It was decided that "Sam Carter" was to be placed in the SGC morgue, the body to be highly classified and under constant guard. Could there actually be some type of autopsy done on a replicated body? This was not ruled out, but, for now, the destruction of all replicators on PX-435 became the prime objective.

The use of the mega-weapon to wipe out all replicators on that planet was the ultimate solution proposed by Thor. However, the Asgard, themselves, were not in proximity to the planet (having been lulled into a lack of preparation due to the expectation that Carter was going to extract the necessary intel to find the replicators elsewhere). Thor would now have to ready the weapon and his fleet, estimating arrival time at the planet to be approximately one week. The President, in the meantime, would ready the Prometheus to be used as backup to the Asgard fleet (although that seemed, to Jack, like sending a third-string quarterback into the game after all the winning touchdowns had already been scored).

Thor should have the capability to locate and beam Sam up before the mass extermination took place. It was this part of the plan that gave Jack the most trouble.

Did they really have a week's window to descend on what seemed to be the new replicator base? Couldn't they go through the Gate now and extract Carter quickly? He would resume command of SG-1 and lead all available SG units through. Did the replicators even know that their operative was dead? Perhaps the best immediate plan of action was to "play dumb" and try to resume contact with Carter off world. Or why not send a MALP?

The President listened patiently to O'Neill's concerns about delaying Carter's rescue. However, he could not be convinced that an immediate "search-and-rescue" mission through the Gate would be prudent or successful.

Jack winced as he heard the following words from the Oval Office:

"The security of our planet and the Asgard world are both in jeopardy. We cannot let the life of one good soldier be the focus of this operation. We must think of the greatest good for the greatest number of planets. Therefore, I will abide by Thor's recommendation that he and the Asgard fleet prepare and proceed to the targeted point of detonation. At which time, if Carter can be found, Thor will attempt to beam her up before the final delivery of the weapon."

Daniel and Teal'c sat in front of the speaker-phone on Jack's desk and met his somber, but determined, gaze.

All three men looked at the inert body of "Sam Carter" lying at their feet, and all three reached the same decision ….