Ashes Crushed and Tossed Away

by QueenH

With the Wraith on the way to Atlantis, Jack O'Neill is forced to make a choice and the repercussions are felt by everyone. Crossover with Stargate Atlantis. Complete.

2. Consequences and Catastrophes

Chapter 2: Consequences and Catastrophes

Daniel, Teal'c and Carter sat across from Jack in his office as they went over their plan to help the Atlantis expedition team. They'd managed to formulate a plan, but it had a few flaws to it, and working out the kinks was turning out to be a tedious job for SG-1.

"So Colonel Everett has agreed to take a team through the gate?" Carter asked and the general nodded in response. "Has his team been chosen, sir?"

"It's not finalized, but he's asked for two SG teams to go with him, and I'm considering approving them. I don't know if that will be enough though. We don't know for sure what Weir's team is facing, and I don't know if those two teams will be enough to hold off the Wraith ships long enough for the Daedalus to arrive."

Jack watched as his former 2IC fidgeted in her seat just a bit, something he'd long ago learned to interpret as 'Carter has something more to add, but she's not sure she wants to jump in and say it yet.' With a shake of his head and a smirk, he motioned for her to speak.

"Sir, how are we going to send a team through the gate and get the Daedalus to Atlantis at the same time? We need a ZPM to run the ship and open the gate. We can't do both. The ZPM for the ship is fully charged but if the Daedalus leaves before we send Everett's team we have no way to warn Atlantis help is on the way and prevent them from possibly destroying the city."

The general listened to Carter speak and slowly nodded in agreement. "If only we had a second ZPM…"

Teal'c raised an eyebrow as Jack let his sentence trail off, and Carter curled her bottom lip as she tried to figure out what her CO was saying.

"Do you know of another power source that we can acquire?" With a smirk Jack shrugged his shoulders.

"I can't tell you where another Zero Point Module is." He moved his eyes upward and the two members of SG-1 stared blankly at him.

Daniel shook his head with and glared knowingly at Jack. "What you mean to say is that the Others will step in if you tell us where another power source is."

"See you did pick up some knowledge while you were all glowy." The General smiled widely and Daniel rolled his eyes in response.

"Well, how does that help us?" Carter asked, not bothering to hide her displeasure.

"It means that if there were another ZPM on Earth I can't tell you where it is."

"But there is one here on Earth?" Jack smirked at Daniel's question and the confusion on Carter's face as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe."

Both Daniel and Carter groaned loudly at the general's answer, while Teal'c sat stoically watching his teammates struggle with their frustration. A moment later Jack dismissed the team; they retreated from his office making their way down the corridor, and going their separate ways once they reached the elevators.

An hour later, Daniel burst into Carter's lab, a folder in hand, and Carter stared blankly as the archeologist began to babble at her in a language that sounded very much like English, only it was spoken so rapidly she could only make a out a word or two here and there. Finally, she put her hand up to stop him and he froze in his tracks.

"Haven't you heard a word I've said?"

Carter laughed softly and nodded. "I could hear you, Daniel, but you were going a little fast. How about we start again, and you speak at a regular pace."

Daniel took a deep breath as Carter motioned for him to take the chair across from her. "I think I know where the ZPM is, or at least how to find it."

"How could you possibly know?"

"I've been thinking about this. I went over some research I'd been doing just before Dr Weir left for Atlantis. There were some writings found at a dig site just outside of Abydos about a year and a half ago…" Carter waved her hand for him to skip to the important part and he nodded. "There were several tombs that were found. They were all for members of a sect of priests and healers that lived around the Abydos area in Egypt several thousand years ago. There was a story about a sacred object that was worshiped by them before Ra took over Earth. I never thought much of it, but when I looked at some of the photographs of the wall and the writing, I came across a drawing of the object."

Daniel opened the folder and handed a photograph to Carter. "It looks like a ZPM."

"Exactly. The Abydonians worshipped the object, saying it was given to them by the gods to protect. It was lost soon after Ra arrived. They saw Ra's coming as a punishment for them not protecting the sacred relic."

"If it was lost to them, how do you know where it is?"

"I don't think it was ever lost in the first place." Again Carter stared blankly at Daniel, not sure how he come to that conclusion. "I think the Abydonians hid it when Ra came into power on Earth."

"What makes you say that?"

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. "What better way to protect something you believe to be sacred than put it where it can't be found? It stands to reason that before Ra got here, that no humans knew how to use a Stargate, so more than likely they would have hidden the ZPM somewhere on Earth where they thought Ra wouldn't be able to find it."

Carter raised an eyebrow and shook her head in disagreement with Daniel's theory. "That would imply that they knew Ra was coming beforehand, Daniel?"

"I realize this is gonna sound pretty farfetched, but I think that may be a possibility."

The colonel's jaw nearly hit the floor as she listened to her teammate speak, and in disbelief she sighed and brought her hand up to her forehead. "Okay, I'll bite. How did you reach that conclusion?"

"Something Jack said the other night." When Daniel saw that Carter was still confused he continued. "Ok, hear me out. Jack was left on Earth to live as a human, right?"

"Yes, but what does that…"

Daniel quickly cut her off and went with his explanation. "Jack said he lived in Egypt when Ra enslaved Earth. He said he'd watched the people and how much they had to suffer, and him along with them. He may not have been able to physically intervene when Ra came to Earth, but he knew the ZPM was here, and he knew where Ancient technology was here on Earth. To use either one would have brought the Others in to stop him. In order for that not to happen, all he would have had to do is convince the priests to hide the ZPM, by telling them some tale about impending doom or something, and it would have been safe from the Goa'uld ever finding it."

"You're still losing me on how the general could have known that Ra was on his way."

"The timing, Sam. Jack's said that he'd only been in exile on the planet for a couple of years before Ra and the other Goa'ulds arrived. He had to know that the Goa'uld would eventually make their way to Earth. That left him plenty of time to make sure that he could keep as much Ancient technology safe from any Goa'uld that might come along."

Carter nodded and then skeptically asked. "So where do you think it is?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure. I know it's got to be on Earth, or Jack wouldn't have made his cryptic little comment while we were in his office. A power source like that would have to give off some kind of energy reading or something right?"

The colonel's eyes widened in surprise as she nodded at Daniel, "Yes, all we have to do is scan the planet for a power source that matches the type of energy reading a ZPM would give off. Unless the power is depleted, it should be detectable."

"Considering it was only taken out for ceremonial purposes, I don't think it would have been used at all."

The two teammates smiled at one another and rose to their feet. They were readying to go to Jack's office when Teal'c appeared at the door.

"I have come to make a request of you both." They stopped in their tracks at Teal'c's words and waited for him to continue. "Master Bra'tak has arrived and is asking for SG-1's assistance."

"With what Teal'c?" Daniel asked as the three of them moved back to the chairs in Carter's lab.

"Bra'tak is to meet with Raknor to gain information on Ba'al's fleet. He wishes us to accompany him."

The three team members looked at one another and nodded in agreement. Within an hour they were geared up and standing at the gate, waiting for a wormhole to engage. Once it did they stepped through, stopping only briefly to see the general sending them off with a wave.

> > > >

General O'Neill walked quietly from the room once he'd seen his flagship team off. They'd told him just before they left that there was something they need to talk to him about when they returned and he wondered if they'd figured out where the ZPM was. He was quite certain that his two geniuses would be able to solve the mystery, given enough time and patience. His main concern at the moment was that they got back from their mission with Bra'tak in one piece. It was hard to tell sometimes with the way the Jaffa rebellion was going; there was a good chance that things wouldn't turn out well. Sighing heavily, the general continued down the hall.

He made it to his office a few minutes later, and was just starting to sift through some paper work that Walter had left on his desk earlier in the day, when he decided he was hungry. Quickly he got to his feet and started for the elevators to go up to the commissary. The elevators were just coming into view as he turned the corner, when the klaxons sounded and Jack could hear Walter's voice call out over the loudspeakers.

"Unscheduled off-world activation!"

Sighing he turned around from his position near the elevator and started back towards the control room. He got there just as the Tok'ra IDC was being received and he immediately walked into gate room, smiling as Jacob Carter stepped through the event horizon.

"How's it going?" He asked cheerfully, but the look on the older man's face told him he wasn't here for a happy occasion.

"We have a problem."

Jack rolled his eyes and groaned slightly. "When don't we? You could at least say hi before you jump into the melodrama."

"Hi Jack, How's it going? Congrats on the promotion. You deserved it." Jacob feigned a smile as he spoke and when Jack nodded in response he continued. "The Replicators have launched an all out attack on the Goa'uld. If we don't find a way to stop them the Replicators will overrun this galaxy in a matter of weeks."

"Why didn't you say this before?"

Jacob sighed and shook his head at the SGC general as he was ushered away from the gate and towards the briefing room. "I said we have a problem."

"You said problem, Jacob. You didn't say it was an intergalactic emergency."

Without another word the two men made their way to the briefing room, and took their seats at the rather large table as Jacob began to explain in detail what was going on with the Replicators.

"So I take it the Tok'ra don't know you're here?"

Jacob lowered his head so that his symbiote could speak. "Our relationship with the council is still quite strained. The Tau'ri may be the last line of defense against the Replicators." Selmak lowered his head so that Jacob could once again take control. "The Goa'uld are, for all intents and purposes, getting their asses kicked. They have no way of stopping these things. More of their forces are being destroyed as we speak."

"What exactly are you thinking we can do?"

"I was hoping that the disrupter device might be of some use."

Jack sighed and shook his head. The two talked for another hour or so about what the possibilities were for going up against the Replicators. Finally, the two generals slipped into a companionable silence with one another as they weighed their options in the minds. Jack was about to speak when the klaxons sounded once again and both men were on their feet and heading towards the gate in flash.

Two members of SG-1, along with Bra'tak came running through the gate, and Jack stared blankly at them for a moment before speaking.

"Back so soon? What happened? And…where is Daniel? I know he left with you."

"We were attacked by the Replicators." Teal'c began to speak and Bra'tak finished. "He was beamed away before our very eyes."

"We were only able to escape because the Replicators didn't seem all that interested in the rest of us, sir."

Jack stared at his former 2IC and then his eyes looked from Teal'c to Bra'tak. The three of them appeared genuinely confused at what had occurred. He nodded silently and ushered them from the gate room, and down the hall. Sam and her father greeted one another with a hug and then followed the other three out of the room. They gave the general a full briefing once they reached the briefing room, and proceeded to brainstorm their options for their next move.

Teal'c and Bra'tak suggested organizing an attack by the rebel Jaffa to try and over take the holy city on the planet Dakara. Jack was hesitant, but once he'd heard their explanation he agreed it was worth a try. Carter had contacted Thor for help with the disruptor device and was subsequently beamed aboard the High Commander's ship once it was in Earth's orbit. Jacob and Jack were left alone on base to try and come up with any other possible options.

To Jack's surprise Ba'al contacted the SGC requesting help to fight the Replicators, and Jack took great pleasure in telling the system lord just what he could do with this request. Jacob was quick to question the General's decision.

"What the hell are you doing, Jack? I know you hate him, but…"

"But nothing Jacob. If we help him, Teal'c and Bra'tak won't have a chance. They're counting on Ba'al and his forces being too busy fighting the Replicators to notice them taking over the temple on Dakara."

The Tok'ra sighed in frustration and shook his head. "The Jaffa rebellion is as good as dead. It's pointless to try and give them time to win an impossible battle."

"It's not impossible, and even if it is…they deserve a chance to fight for their freedom."

"Even at the expense of the freedom of an entire galaxy?"

Jack could understand Jacob's frustration, but he didn't agree with the Tok'ra. He had fought side-by-side with the Jaffa for the last few years, and he knew full well their cause was as just as any. Deep down he knew that Jacob was right to want him to help Ba'al, but he also knew that he had to give Teal'c and the other Jaffa as much time as he possibly could.

He rested his head against the cold, flat surface of his desk, as he contemplated just what was going to happen in this upcoming battle. Everything in him said that it was going to be a turning point, one way or another, not only for Earth but for the Jaffa and Tok'ra as well. As he sat alone in the quiet solace of his office he felt Oma's presence drift into the room.

"What now?" He asked, not trying to hide the irritation in his voice.

"Have I come at a bad time?"

"There's a lot going on right now."

"I apologize, but I've come to warn you that Daniel's life is in danger." Oma moved so that she was standing directly in front of Jack's desk.

Jack shook his head. "I figured as much. We already know the Replicators have him."

"Then you know what they want from him?"

"Yes. The Carter look-alike wants to know if there's anything out there that can stop her and her little bugs from taking over the galaxy."

"Do you believe the Jaffa can hold the city if they are able to take control of it?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders. "I know Teal'c and Bra'tak would die before they gave it up, but I don't know how long they'll last if the Replicators find their way there."

"You believe that Daniel will tell the Replicators of the city?"

"I don't think he'll have a choice. These new Replicators are more advanced and he doesn't have the ability to block them from entering his mind completely." Jack lowered his head into his hands, and sighed heavily. "I know I shouldn't ask this, but…can you…"

He left the question hanging, but she knew what he meant and immediately she shook her head. "You know I cannot interfere. Other than possibly helping him Ascend if the Replicators try to kill him…"

"I know, but I had to ask."

"I would do the same. I know what he means to you, Jack. They all mean so much to you." Jack shook his head and Oma gave him a reassuring smile. "If I can I will go to him, though I fear the Others may be watching. They may try to stop me."

With a groan Jack slammed his fists down across the desk. He opened his mouth to speak, but he knew that Oma was already gone. His only hope was that she would be able to get to Daniel before it was too late.

> > > >

Jacob knocked softly on the door before opening it and popping his head inside. Jack was quick to wave him inside, and the two generals sat quietly at Jack's desk for a moment. The Tok'ra was the first to break the disturbing silence between the two men.

"I can tell you're worried about them."

Jack shook his head and sighed heavily. "They're still my team, even if I don't get to go on missions with them anymore. I'm allowed to worry."

"Trust me, I know what you mean. I've led my own share of teams before, Jack."

"There are days when I really hate this desk. Today is definitely one of them."

Jacob nodded in understanding. "Have to say, it's better than retiring."

With a groan the SGC leader lowered his head, brought his hands to his temples, and began to rub circles into the warm flesh.

"I know they can take care of themselves, at least for the most part; and I have no doubt that you and Sam can find that weapon, if the Jaffa haven't already. Teal'c has always handled himself well, and he's so focused on his goal now that there's little that could stop him from reaching it…" The general's voice trailed off, not wanting to say that the one he was worried most for was Daniel. He could tell by the sympathetic look on the Tok'ra's face that he already knew what he meant.

"Daniel will be fine. That boy is the original 'comeback kid.'" Jacob smirked and shook his head. "No one's come back from the dead near as many times as Dr. Jackson."

The mere mention of death left Jack's face pale, and he sighed heavily. "I'm worried he may be out of 'get out of death free' cards. He's used up more lives than most cats."

Jacob was about to speak when there was a knock on the door. Sam came inside and a few minutes later she and Jacob were on their way to Dakara to search for the Ancient weapon, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts, and the overwhelming seed of doubt that was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach.

His doubts were quickly cast aside as the immediacy of the situation came crashing down on him. He knew he had to get through this latest disaster involving the Replicators, if he ever hoped to see Daniel or the rest of SG-1 again. Putting his fears aside he focused on what he could do from his place on Earth, and waited for the rest to take care of itself.

The next few days went by in hazy blur. With Daniel being kidnapped by the Replicators, and the war with Anubis escalating, Jack hardly had time to breath. He'd sent Carter and Teal'c along with Jacob and Bra'tak to try and find as well as destroy an Ancient weapon that Anubis wanted to get his snaky hands on. The whole thing had turned out to be a near disaster, with Replicators nearly overrunning the base. Luckily, the weapon had worked in their favor and the Replicators had been completely eliminated, or at least both Carters were certain that had been the case.

Thankfully, Teal'c and Sam had come through their ordeal on Dakara unscathed. The Replicators were destroyed, at least as far as this galaxy was concerned, and SG-1 was nearly complete. Jack was able to breathe a small sigh of relief knowing that half of his team was safe and sound, and as soon as Daniel was back on base he would be able to relax.

For now Daniel was missing, and Jack was going insane trying to figure out where he was. He could tell that Carter was already thinking the archeologist was dead, and that was the logical assumption. As far as they knew Daniel had been aboard the Replicator ship when it was destroyed, in which case he would have had no way to escape, but Jack knew that couldn't be true. Since Daniel had ascended over a year ago, Jack had been able to sense the younger man's presence, and even when Daniel was off world he could feel him. No, Jack was certain that wherever Daniel was, he was still alive.

In the meantime, Jack had another pressing concern to deal with besides his missing archeologist. Since their return from Dakara, Jack had sensed a problem with Jacob and his symbiote Selmak. It had only been a day, but the Tok'ra had made himself unusually scarce. While that was not usually a concern to the SGC leader, it was disconcerting to him because Selmak had not spoken up once even during the debriefing. It wasn't like the Tok'ra to remain completely silent.

Seeing an opportunity, Jack decided to do a little covert Tok'ra watching. After a day of observation, Jack pulled the former general into his office.

"What's up Jack? I'm supposed to meet Sam in half an hour. She's bringing her fiancé to meet me." The devilish grin on Jacob's face wasn't lost on Jack and he shook his head, knowing full well the fatherly treatment he was sure that Jacob had in mind for his baby girl's husband-to-be.

"I forgot you hadn't had a chance to meet Pete yet. He's a great guy. I'm sure you and Selmak will love him." Jacob nodded and both men took their seats in the chairs in front of Jack's desk. "Speaking of Selmak, he's been awfully quiet lately. You two have an argument?"

The Tok'ra host raised an eyebrow, but Jack didn't miss the concern in Jacob's eyes. "No, he's just tired. There's been a lot going on the last few days, to say the least."

For a moment Jack was silent, and he stared directly into the other man's eyes. It was obvious he was hiding something, and that unnerved the general to no end. Without drawing attention to himself, Jack used his limited Ancient powers to scan Jacob. He held back a gasp when he felt how weak Selmak was. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the Tok'ra was very ill, and if Jack was right he was keeping it quiet for a reason.

The two men chatted for a few minutes more, and then Jacob left so he could meet with Sam and Pete. A few hours later Jack led himself down the hall to where he knew Sam and Jacob were having lunch. He saw them seated across from one another and walked over to greet them.

"How'd the meet-and-greet go? I'm guessing since Pete isn't in the infirmary, all is well?"

Jacob laughed heartily at Jack's joke, but Sam curled her lips in a gesture meant to suggest she was less than amused by her CO's comment.

"He's nice, and as long as he makes my Sammie happy, then that's all that matters." Sam blushed at her father's nickname for her being used in front of her CO and slowly turned her head trying to look away.

"Actually, I was hoping I could talk to you both in private when you get done here."

Sam tried not to seem alarmed by the expression on Jack's face, but she was pretty sure she was doing a poor job when the general shook his head at her.

"Can you meet me in my office in twenty?"

Both nodded and Jack stood to leave. He made his way to his office in record time and sat quietly contemplating how he was going to bring up the subject of Selmak being sick, without upsetting Jacob or Sam. In no time at all the twenty minutes had passed and Jacob and his former 2IC quietly entered his office, closing the door behind them as they did.

"So what did you need to see us for, Jack?"

He took a deep breath and then stood from his chair and walked around the desk and leaned back against edge of the wooden frame.

"I wasn't sure if I should bring this up, but I'm concerned about you Jacob."

The former general smiled and nodded his head in confusion. "I'm touched, Jack, but why are you concerned?"

Jack stared fixedly at Jacob as he spoke. "You're sick, or at least Selmak is."

"What!" Sam's voice was louder than she'd intended and both men turned in her direction in surprise.

"What I don't get is why you're hiding it?"

"How can you know that?" Jacob sank back in his chair and lowered his head.

Jack looked first at Sam and then with a sighed he answered. "I can sense the sickness in you. It's coming from Selmak, but it's pretty rapidly taking over you."

"Dad?" Sam managed to find her voice again, but the defeated look on her father's face made her look away in shock. "He's right?"

"I don't understand how you knew, Jack?"

Sam shook her head as she looked up at Jack. He nodded at her and she reached out and took her father's hand in hers. "The general is an Ancient."

Jacob looked from his daughter to Jack and shook his head in confusion. "You mean like residual effects from the last Ancient download?"

"No, Jacob." The Tok'ra host opened his mouth to speak, but Jack raised a hand to stop him. "It's a very long story, but suffice to say, I'm an actual Ancient."

Jacob's face was ashen in disbelief and he pulled his hand from Sam's grasp. "I don't believe it."

Shaking his head Jack stood to his full height and walked a few steps so that he was standing directly in front of the former general. Silently he knelt down, placed a hand on the other man's chest, and closed his eyes. Jacob could feel a slight surge go through him as Jack's fingertips touched his shirt, and he tried to back away, but felt himself held in place by what he could only describe as an invisible force of some kind.

"He's telling the truth, Dad. As insane as it sounds, it's true."

"How else would I know that Selmak's been sick for weeks. He's barely alive now." Jack opened his eyes and stared directly at Jacob. "You're dying too."

Sam gasped and reached for her father again, and this time the Tok'ra host stared open-mouthed at his daughter and the man he'd come to call friend. A tear rolled down Sam's cheek as Jack's words hit her.

"He can't be dying. Not now. What about Selmak?"

"He doesn't have enough strength. I didn't want to ruin things. I knew your wedding was coming up, and I thought I'd be okay." Jacob turned to Jack. "I'm not gonna make it that long am I?"

Jack smirked. "You will if I have any say in it."

"You can heal him?" Sam asked as she gripped her father's hand tighter. "Selmak too?"

"I can't guarantee anything, but I should have enough strength to save Jacob at least."

There's a moment of silence before anyone spoke, and to Jack's surprise it was Sam that broke the silence with a question. "Won't the other Ascended try and stop you?"

"I have no idea. As far as I know, Carter, they have no idea I've been able to regain any of my power."

Jacob's expression was beyond confusion as he listened to the his daughter and the general go back and forth for a moment longer, then finally he put his hand out to stop them.

"I have no idea what you all are talking about, but if you can help Selmak and me, Jack. We would be more than grateful."

Jack nodded and took a deep breath before moving both hands so that they were positioned over Jacob's chest. He closed his eyes, reached out with his mind, and began to heal Selmak. He could feel the symbiote wake with a start and he softly began to speak with Selmak telepathically.

/Easy, now. I'm trying to help. You and Jacob are in pretty bad shape./

/O'Neill? I do not understand/

/I promise I'll explain everything, or get Sam to do it once you're feeling up to hearing the whole story. Rest now, so I can work./

A moment later Selmak was silent and Jack continued to work. Sam watched as a faint light emanated from her CO's hands as he attempted to heal her father. Silently, she prayed that his intervention would be enough to save the father she'd only come to know over the last few years.

Suddenly, she stared panic-struck as her father slumped back in his seat, obviously unconscious, while Jack continued to work. She could see the perspiration pouring down the general's face and before she could react he too slumped backwards, slipping into a state of unconsciousness.

"General! Dad!" She shouted frantically as she checked for pulses on both men. She was inches away from grabbing the phone and calling for a medical team, when a light erupted into the room, and Oma's familiar presence materialized before her.

"They will both survive." The Ascended woman said calmly as she leaned down and ran her hand over, first Jacob, and then Jack.

"Are you sure? Let me call the infirmary." Sam reached for the phone, but Oma shook her head.

"To do so would only force Jack to expose himself further. Give them a few minutes. They will regain consciousness quite soon." There's was an odd tone in Oma's voice, and Sam couldn't help but think that the Ancient was less than thrilled about Jack's latest foray into the powers of the Ancients.

They waited together for a few minutes, and just as Oma had said the two men began to stir. Jack was first and he blinked a few times trying to register his surroundings.

"Desa? What happened?" His voice was weak but he managed to speak as he slowly sat up and propped himself against the side of his desk.

"You foolish man." Oma shook her head, though her tone was light. "You weren't quite ready to use your powers in such a manner. You're lucky the Others didn't step in and prevent you from helping him. They now know of your new found abilities."

Jack could tell by her tone of voice that she was not happy with him. "I take it they aren't pleased?"

"They sent me to warn you. Another interference such as this and they will be forced to stop you. They only allowed it this time, because they did not wish to expose themselves to everyone on this base."

"Did it work?" Finally looking over at the chair where Jacob was seated; Jack started to get to his feet, but was slowed by the jello-like feeling in his legs.

"I think it did, sir. Dad says that Selmak was healed almost completely and he's working on healing them both now." Sam's smile told Jack all he needed to know and he leaned back against the desk, gripping the wood tightly as he balanced himself.

"If he can walk, you should get him to the infirmary." Carter nodded and helped her father to his feet and the two left the office, leaving Jack alone with Oma.

"The Others are not pleased with what you've done. You've alerted them to your presence. I was going to offer Daniel Ascension again, but now that is impossible. They will never allow it. I'll be lucky if they allow me to search for him now."

The fuzziness in Jack's mind began to fade, and Oma's words began to make sense to him. Silently, he cursed himself for not thinking it through more before he acted on Jacob's behalf. In doing so he had possibly put Daniel's life in jeopardy.

With that Oma disappeared leaving Jack alone in his office. Silently he buried his head in his hands and let the cold feel of the desk cool his warm skin, listening to the clock on his wall tick away, each tick feeling like a second he was taking from Daniel's life.

> > > >

Daniel opened his eyes to find himself alone. He was in a simple looking room, four white walls, no windows, a door a few yards ahead of him, and a soft light above him. There was no other furniture except for the small cot he was resting on. Slowly he pulled himself to a sitting position, and grimaced at the sharp pain in his chest. The last thing he remembered was being on the Replicator ship talking to the duplicate Carter. He brought his left hand up and he could feel a scar forming in the exact spot the Carter-Replicator had stabbed him.

"What's going on?" He realized no one was there to answer his question, but asking out loud seemed to ease his tension a bit.

As if on cue, the door to the room opened and a frail figure of a man entered. He wore pale blue robes, similar to the ones Daniel was wearing, but as skinny as he was the robes sagged on him, making him look like a child playing dress-up.

"Who are you?" Daniel asked trying to keep the confusion out of his voice, though he was sure he had failed on that one.

"I am Tenal. I am an Outcast like the one you call Oma Desala." Tenal opened his arms and Daniel watched as the small man was enveloped in light and then just as suddenly he returned to his human-like form.

"Nice to meet you, but what exactly am I doing here? I need to get back to Earth."

Tenal shook his head as he came closer. "At the present moment you are…stuck here."

"What exactly do you mean stuck here? I don't even know where here is!"

"The Others have trapped you here. You are in a state somewhere between being ascended and being human." Tenal sighed and looked away. "I am afraid it is partly my fault. I have never been as strong as many of my kind tend to be. The Others stopped me before I could help you ascend fully."

"I thought I died on the Replicator ship. How is it that you decided to help me ascend?"

"I felt your presence on the ship just as it was being destroyed. I was on my way to see Oma Desala, but I could not resist finding out who you were." Tenal let a curious smile ghost across his lips and then quickly let it fade. "Your strength drew me in. I believe you tried to ascend on your own, but you were not strong enough to complete the task. I tried to assist you, and that is when the Others intervened."

"Why didn't I just die when the Others interfered?"

The skinny Ancient shrugged his shoulders as he answered. "I do not know."

Daniel groaned in frustration. "Do you know how I can get out of here?"

Tenal shook his head in silent reply and slowly backed away at the irritated growl Daniel let loose in response.

> > > >

A few days passed, and Jack was somewhat hesitant to ask Oma to look for Daniel, knowing that to do so would be a risk for her. She was already taking a great enough risk by being on Earth and trying to help the Tau'ri in their battle with the Goa'uld. In the end he did ask, and wasn't at all surprised when she said no.

"I can't interfere anymore!" She shouted as Jack brought his hands up to protest. "If I do the Others will stop me."

"You already have! Don't you see? I know Daniel isn't dead. You stepped in to try and help him didn't you? I don't know why you did it, but I'm grateful."

Oma sighed and shook her head. "I had nothing to do with it. It was another Outcast that saved him."

Jack turned his head to stare at Oma, the confusion clear on his face. "What? Who?"

"His name is Tenal."

The name sounded vaguely familiar to him, and he silently scanned his mind trying to place where he knew this outcast from.

"Why does that name sound familiar?" He asked himself not realizing he'd spoken aloud, until Oma's soft chuckle caught his attention.

"He was a scientist that helped with one of Jerron's experiments on Atlantis."

Jack's eyes widened in surprise, "I didn't realize he was an Outcast."

Again Oma chuckled and then shook her head. "Over the last century, much has changed among the Others, more and more have joined the Outcasts. This little rebellion the Tau'ri began a decade ago has done much to increase our numbers."

Closing her eyes Oma reached out telepathically, and joined her mind and Jack's to the other Outcasts. A shiver passed through Jack as he felt the presence of the other Outcasts surround him. At first it was merely a jumble of voices, but then their words became clear.

He gasped as the realization hit him. "We did this didn't we?"

Oma nodded a silent reply to his question and then opened her eyes.

"You know what this means, don't you?"

The Ancient woman stared blankly at Jack and shook her head. "No."

"If we can convince this many that the Others are wrong, we can stop them."

Oma let out a frustrated cry and buried her head in her hands. "You've truly lost your mind!"

Jack shook his head vehemently as he began to speak. "No, I haven't. I felt all of the Outcasts, Desa. We almost outnumber the Others. We're strong enough that we could stop them if we really tried."

"How do you propose we do that?"

"The same way they made us Outcasts. They've spent thousands of years hiding in their higher plane. They can't even admit to creating the Goa'uld, the Replicators, and the Wraith. They've stood back and watched while the humans were destroyed, without showing even a shred of remorse at their own culpability. Ascendeds, Ancients, Altantians, we're not better than the humans, and we don't have the right to place ourselves above them. Our people left the humans to suffer and deal with our mistakes and we shouldn't have. The council knew that."

She couldn't deny the truth in his words, but the implications of them sent a shiver through her. "You're willing to risk a war between our kind just to help the Tau'ri?"

Jack took a deep breath before answering her, and he made quite certain the tone of his voice left no trace of hesitance. "The humans, the Tau'ri are our descendants. One day they'll evolve into us. We owe them better than what we've given them. I don't want a war. All I want is for us as a species to admit to what we did, and maybe even try to fix it. If that means war, then so be it."

Oma opened her mouth to speak, but Jack raised a hand to stop her. "Let me ask you this…Why have you been helping the humans, if not for the same reason? Deep down you had to know something like this might happen?"

Lowering her head she looked away. It was a difficult truth to hear, and an even more difficult one to accept. As she brought her head back up she saw the set expression on Jack's face and she knew without a doubt that he was right. This was inevitable. It was set in motion the day the council infected their people with the deadly disease. Now all that was left was for them to finish it.

> > > >

Daniel ran his fingers through his hair as his eyes scanned the room. The silence surrounding him was beginning to unnerve the archeologist as he began to tap on the wall with his fingers. A moment later Tenal walked back into the room, the anxious look on his face making Daniel sigh heavily.

"What's going on?"

"The Others have decided that you should be put on trial."

Raising an eyebrow in confusion Daniel stood up from his seat on the floor. "On trial for what?"

"To determine if you she should be allowed to complete your Ascension."

Tenal moved closer and took a seat on the cot, while Daniel shook his head and sat back down in the corner on the floor. "I don't get it. If I couldn't do it on my own then what good is a trial going to be?"

"If the verdict goes in your favor, the Others will assist you in the process." The fragile looking Ascended man meekly answered as he let his hands come to rest on his lap.

"I shouldn't be here. My friends are out there somewhere, they could need my help."

Tenal shook his head. "Your friends are well. They are concerned for your well-being, but they are indeed well."

"How do you know?"

Before he could respond, there was knock at the door and Daniel's head shot up as the door swung open to reveal Oma Desala.

"What are you doing here?" Daniel stood up and moved towards her as he spoke.

"I've come to help you…that is if you desire my assistance."

"Help me with what?"

Oma smiled softly and motioned for Daniel to take a seat. Hesitantly, he did as he she wanted and sat next to Tenal on the cot.

"Have you told him about the trial?" She turned to Tenal who silently nodded in response. "According to the laws of the Ascended, anyone put on trial is allowed to have an Ascended speak on their behalf."

"Like a lawyer or something?"

"Basically, yes. If you will allow it, I will do this for you."

Daniel paused for a moment and then nodded his head. "Alright, but I still don't get why this is happening. I don't even remember trying to Ascend, let alone not being able to."

Oma lowered her head and sighed heavily. "You must have had the strength inside you, whether you knew it or not."

"If you say so."

A moment later Oma stood, moved towards the door, and motioned for Daniel to follow. "You are to be moved to the waiting area until the trial begins. I will show you the way."

She pointed him towards the door allowing him to step through it first, while she stayed behind a moment to whisper to Tenal before following after Daniel.

> > > >

The lights flickered in the hallway as Ba'al moved down the corridor towards Anubis's chamber. He reached the door a moment later, slowly he pushed it open and stepped inside. Bowing his head he waited silently for Anubis to acknowledge his presence. Once he had, the system lord began to speak.

"My lord, the Replicators have been destroyed. What of the rebel Jaffa on Dakara? Will we launch an attack on them now?" Ba'al fought the bitter taste in his mouth at having to refer to another in such a servile manner.

"We will destroy the rebels in good time. First, I must deal with the one who has betrayed me."

The Goa'uld raised an eyebrow in confusion as he shrugged his shoulders. "Who is it you speak of?"

Anubis laughed and shook his head. "Someone you know rather well."

The lump in his throat made his pause before he squeaked out a response. "Tell me, my lord. Who has betrayed you?"

"Did you really think I wouldn't know you helped the Tau'ri?"

Ba'al straightened his shoulders and stared straight into Anubis's eyes. "I did you a favor by helping to destroy the Replicators."

"Which is the only reason you will be allowed to live. The fact that the Tau'ri and rebel Jaffa now control the weapon on Dakara is not what I had planned."

"We can easily defeat the Jaffa. Our ranks are greater. We can dispose of them and you can use the weapon for your own purposes."

Anubis nodded as he ran his thumb and forefinger down his chin. Without another word he dismissed Ba'al from his presence, the system lord couldn't help but notice the menacing glare that Anubis gave him as he left the chamber and used the rings to get back to his ship.

Three days later when Anubis's fleet arrived to take back the holy city they found that the weapon had already been destroyed, and much to the Ba'al's surprise Anubis had left the city unscathed, and ordered the rest of the fleet to do the same.

The system lord watched curiously as Anubis left his dying host and chose to remain in his incorporeal form rather than taking over another human body. He lingered on the ship that way for a few moments and then proceeded to disappear, leaving Ba'al concerned and confused.

> > > >

"General, since the whole incident with the Replicators, I hadn't had the chance to tell you what Daniel figured out before he…" The colonel paused, trying to find the right words. "Before he was taken."

"And what was it he figured out?" Jack asked as he tapped his fingers on his desk, watching his former 2IC fidget in her chair across from him.

"Well, he used an old Abydonian legend to find the location of the ZPM here on Earth. He couldn't pinpoint the location, but I'm rather certain I'll be able to."

With a smirk the general shook his head. "I always knew you two geniuses could figure it out."

"We just need to scan the planet for an energy signature consistent with that of a Zero-Point Module. Daniel was pretty sure that the ZPM should be fully charged. All we have to do now is locate it."

"Sounds great. What do you need?"

"Actually sir, the Prometheus should have the scanning capability to look for the energy signature."

Jack nodded and stood up to leave, Carter following suit. "By all means, carry on Colonel. Find that power source."

Smiling to herself, Carter exited her CO's office and watched for a moment as he walked towards the gateroom, and then turned and went back to her office. She made a few phone calls, and within two hours she was on her way to the Prometheus. She ran the scans herself and was brimming with excitement when she found a signature that matched a Zero-Point Module. The signature was located in heart of the Sahara Desert, and getting to it wasn't going to be easy, but she was glad she'd found it.

It took two more days before the ZPM was found, and another day before it arrived at the SGC. Jack was pleased at how quickly the search had panned out, and that the plan he and SG-1 had made was going so smoothly. Once the ZPM was brought to the SGC, Jack went to check in with Colonel Everett to make sure his team was ready to deploy.

"Both teams are ready to go, sir. We have all the hardware and artillery being prepped for transport as we speak." The straight-laced Colonel Everett stood at attention as he gave the general a sitrep.

"That's good to hear, Everett." Jack motioned for the colonel to have a seat as he closed the door to the Colonel Everett's office. "There's one thing I want understood, you and your team are to assist Weir's people in keeping the Wraith from getting control of that city at all costs. Is that clear, Colonel?"

"Yes, sir." Everett nodded, but Jack could sense some apprehension in the officer's eyes. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Go ahead."

"From what I know of Dr. Weir and her team, I don't think they're going to react kindly to us stepping in and telling them what to do."

Jack sighed, shaking his head. "You're probably right, but you're just gonna have to be clear that the objective is to keep the city safe until the Daedalus can get there."

Colonel Everett nodded again and leaned back in his chair. The two officers discussed the team's plan of attack and options for fighting the Wraith for a few more minutes before the general dismissed Everett to ready his team for transport though the gate. Within an hour Colonel Everett's team was ready and waiting at the gate as the sergeant in the control room dialed Atlantis. The wormhole engaged and lit the room with a bright light and Jack wished them good luck and Godspeed and sent them on their way. He let out a nervous breath as he watched the last of Colonel Everett's team go through the gate and prayed that their efforts would be enough to save Dr. Weir and her expedition team.

Once the gate had shut down Jack walked quietly to his office. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was sending many of Everett's men, and possibly the colonel himself to their deaths if the Daedalus didn't reach the Pegasus Galaxy in time. Lost in thought he never heard the knock on the door, and was surprised to see Carter sticking her head in the door trying to get his attention.

"Is everything alright, sir?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking…" He let the sentence trail off, not sure what else to say as he waved the lieutenant colonel into the office.

She quickly entered and took a seat across from her CO. "I just got back from Area 51. The Daedalus left Earth without a hitch, sir. SG-2 just left with the ZPM and they should rendezvous with the Daedalus on P3X-681 in one hour to pick up the ZPM and if all goes well, she should make it to Atlantis in four days."

Jack raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "That's great, Carter."

Nervously she squirmed in her seat, tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair. "Right, I just…wanted to check in as well, and…let you know I was back."

"Well, it's obvious you're back. Was there anything else?"

"Well, um…I was wondering…" Carter stumbled over her words and Jack was quickly getting impatient.

"Spit it out, Carter."

"I just wanted to know if we'd heard anything about Daniel."

The general shook his head with an irritated scowl. "Just because we haven't heard anything, doesn't mean he's dead."

"But sir…"

Jack cut her off with a quick rising of his arm. "I haven't seen a body, and until I do, I will consider Daniel alive."

"More than likely he was on the Replicator ship when we used the weapon on Dakara."

"I realize that Carter, but I'm not ready to write him off just yet. You know how Daniel his. He's survived everything so far, and until there is some definite confirmation otherwise, I don't want to have to discuss this again."

The tone of his voice was firm, and the colonel quietly nodded in understanding. A moment later he dismissed her, watching as she carefully closed the door behind her as she left.

> > > >

The Hive ships drifted along through space, steadily making their way towards another populated planet to feed on. The first ship was set to jump out of hyperspace and signaled the others of its action as it did so. Each ship leapt through the hyperspace window and found themselves in orbit around a planet. Once all three ships and all the drones had made it through, a squadron of the drones started to fly towards the planet to begin the culling for their food supply.

As the first round of humans was transported onto the Hive ships, they were met by a patrol of Wraith that herded them into a cell. Unbeknownst to the Wraith, another being had been transported to the ship along with the humans, this being was invisible to their scanners and moved easily through the ship, watching the Wraith as they harvested the humans on the planet below.

"Get to the control room. The ship is ready to go back into hyperspace." A large Wraith shouted as he ordered the smaller one beside him.

"Yes, sir." Without another word the smaller Wraith did as he was told and took off down the corridor towards the control room.

As he reached the buzzing control room he felt a strange sensation pass through him and growled in confusion as a transparent formless figure appeared in front of him.

"What is this!" He waved his hand in front of him and shook his head as his hand passed straight through the strange figure.

"I have a proposition for your people." The other Wraith in the room turned at the sound of the strange voice.

A female Wraith stepped forward and looked the figure up and down, warily keeping her eyes on it as she spoke. "Who do you think you are? We have no need for your propositions and such."

"I am Anubis, and if you wish to find Earth you would be wise to hear what I have to say."

She cocked her head in interest at his words, and smiled. "This vessel is under my command. Tell us how to get to this place called Earth."

Anubis was silent for a moment and nodded. "I will tell you the answer you seek, but you must give me something in return."

The female Wraith snarled at Anubis and shook her head. "Why should we give you anything?"

"Because I will give your people a fresh new feeding ground, that should keep you satisfied for quite some time. I only ask for one thing in return."

"And what is it you wish from us?"

"I wish to join with you."

She laughed in response and the rest of the room erupted into laughter with her. "That is all you wish?"

"Yes, will you give me what I ask for?" Anubis's deep voice echoed off the walls of the room and the other Wraith got quiet as they waited for their leader to answer.

"You will tell us how to get to Earth, if we simply allow you to join us?"

Anubis made a sound that the other Wraith could only interpret as a laugh as he spoke directly to the female in charge. "You misunderstand me. I do not wish to join with the Wraith; I wish to join with you."

The Wraith woman seemed to go pale at his suggestion and cocked her head in confusion as he moved closer to her. The others watched in confusion as Anubis seemed to go straight through their leader's body, and she shook for a moment and then stood still, blinking as she gazed around the room.

As he took control of her body, Anubis felt a surge of energy inside him and he smiled wickedly. He could see the rest of the crew watching him and slowly he turned towards the control console beside him.

"How long before we reach Atlantis?" He asked, using the female Wraith's voice.

A voice behind him answered quickly and he shouted for everyone to prepare themselves. They were closer than he'd thought, in less than an hour the Wraith would overtake Atlantis, and if he had his way Earth would be their next target.

> > > >

As he sat quietly on his deck, Jack could feel a strong rush of energy coursing through him. It had started after he'd healed Jacob and Selmak, and in the three days since then the power within him had begun to increase. As his power grew he began to feel less and less in control of it. It was becoming more and more difficult to rein in the energy so that he didn't affect those around him. For this reason he had retreated to his home on his day off, to try and find a way to get himself under control.

Meditating on the back porch seemed to help, until a noise caught his attention. He could just make out the sound of a car pulling into his driveway; he stood up and walked around the yard to see who was visiting him.

"Come on back, Jacob." He called as he saw the familiar face about to knock on his front door.

"Wasn't sure if you'd be home. Sam said it was your day off."

Jack nodded and led the former general around to his back porch. The two men sat down at the small table set up there, and Jack pointed to the cooler beside him.

"Beer?"

"Sure." Jacob took the bottle in hand and smiled as he opened it and put the bottleneck to his lips. "Oddly enough Selmak likes this stuff."

Jack shook his head and laughed softly. "Hates coffee, but likes beer? Go figure."

/The taste of coffee is quite displeasing to me, O'Neill./ Selmak replied and again Jack shook his head.

"Okay. Whatever works for you two."

For a moment the smile on Jacob's face faded and Jack sat up straight, realizing that the Tok'ra had yet to mention why he'd dropped by in the first place.

/Jacob and I wish to give you our thanks, for saving us. We are deeply indebted to you for your actions./

Shaking his head Jack started to speak, but Jacob stopped him with a wave of his hand. "I can tell you're gonna try and say it was nothing, or some crap like that, Jack, but you saved us. Selmak and I are more than grateful. If you hadn't stepped in, we would both be dead."

"It was purely selfish on my part. I only did it because Selmak happens to be the only Tok'ra I can actually stand." Smiling Jacob nodded.

"I figured as much."

"Yep, gotta have at least one of you around that doesn't annoy the hell outta me."

Both men laughed for a moment longer, and finished their beers before either spoke again.

"Do you really believe that Daniel is alive, Jack?"

Jacob's question caught the general by surprise, but he quickly nodded in response. "It's difficult to explain, but yes. I know he is."

"How can you be so sure?" Bringing his hand to his chin, Jack let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm assuming Sam told you about me?" Jacob nodded and Jack continued. "I can sense him or at least his energy."

The former General raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Before the plague began to destroy the Ancients, the few that had failed to Ascend and survived, came to realize they were linked mentally. Those that had Ascended were beginning to understand the link they already had, when they realized that those that hadn't completed their Ascension had a similar mind link as well." Jack could see the pensive expression on Jacob's face and he tried to make his explanation a bit more clear. "When Daniel was Ascended his mind created a sort of signature, and that's what I can sense."

"So you're saying the Ancients or rather the Ascended are all linked in this way?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders. "It's more complicated than a simple telepathic link or anything like that, but yes. It's how the other Ascendeds keep tabs on those of us that have trouble with the rules."

Jacob nodded in understanding and asked another question. "If you can sense Daniel, can't you communicate with him?"

"No. The connection doesn't work that way for me. If I were Ascended I could, but I'm not."

"That's something else that didn't make sense to me. Sam said you refused to ascend. Why?"

Jack sighed and shook his head. "My people used it as an escape from the plague that was threatening them, as well as to get away from their responsibility. I couldn't just walk away like that. I still can't, not knowing what I know."

"You mean about the Ancient's creating the Goa'uld and the Replicators?"

"Sounds like Sam didn't miss a beat in her little history lesson."

A smile ghosted across Jacob's face and nodded. "I have to admit it all seems pretty surreal to me. Even Selmak is a little thrown by all this."

"You mean I actually surprised the little snake?"

Rolling his eyes Jacob leaned back in his chair. "You just never struck us as someone so…old."

"Ouch, Jacob…That hurt." Jack frowned, but it only lasted a moment before both men began to laugh.

"Seriously, if you ever need our help all you need to do is ask and we will be there." The sincerity in Jacob's voice was a comfort to the general and he nodded in response.

"I appreciate it, Jacob. Maybe one day I'll call in the favor."

The two sat together in silence for a moment longer before Jacob spoke up again. "Can I ask you something, Jack?"

"Shoot."

"I suppose this is more of an observation than a question, but I can't help it, it seems to me like there is something more to you believing Daniel is still alive."

Jack sighed and shook his head as he brought his hand up to his left temple. "I thought I explained this already, Jacob?"

"You explained the connection, but that doesn't explain the look on your face whenever Sam or someone else suggests that Daniel might not be alive."

Jacob crossed his arms over his chest as if daring Jack to contradict him, but the general merely smirked and brought his hand to his chin.

> > > >

Colonel Everett and his team had made it to Atlantis, holding off the Wraith attack for as long as they could, but unfortunately they weren't strong enough to keep them at bay for too long. Within two days the city was overrun with Wraith. Major Sheppard had assumed command when Colonel Everett fell in battle, and the few soldiers that remained after the first attack continued to protect the gate, hoping that reinforcements would arrive soon. On the morning of the third day, the radio sounded with a welcome sound.

"Atlantis, this is Colonel Howard on board the Daedalus. Do you copy?" There was a crackle followed by silence before John responded.

"This is Major Sheppard. We could really use some help down here. You guys better be close by."

"What's your sitrep, Major?"

"We're pretty banged up, but we're holding our position in the gateroom. We could use some reinforcements."

A few minutes later a team from the Daedalus ringed into the gateroom, and the soldiers on Atlantis sighed in relief.

"Major Sheppard I presume?" A sandy-haired colonel nodded in John's direction and the major saluted back.

"Yes, sir."

"Looks like your people have been through a helluva fight."

"We've lost quite a few, Colonel Everett and my second, Lieutenant Ford and another member of my team are still unaccounted for. Last report says they may have been taken out by a couple Darts, but we haven't found their bodies. Since the first wave, the Wraith haven't attacked, but that's likely only because they know we hold the key to the gate."

Colonel Howard nodded, adjusting the P-90 on his shoulder. "You've done good to hold on this long."

Before he could say more an explosion shook the gateroom, leaving the colonel shaking his head and searching for the source.

"Sounds like they're getting impatient." Sheppard remarked as he gripped his weapon tight in his right hand.

"Let's evacuate all non-military personnel to the ship, and…"

The colonel's words were cut off as another blast sent the gateroom doors crashing to the ground, and flood of Wraith entered the room. The firefight lasted minutes before they were forced to surrender. They were herded like sheep to a large room in the lower level of the city where they were met by a female Wraith, flanked by several guards.

"You are no match for us, humans." The Wraith woman's hollow voice bounced off the walls, sounding strangely reminiscent of a Goa'uld. "Where is the key?"

Sheppard shrugged his shoulders as he glanced in Colonel Howard's direction. The senior officer nodded in approval of his response, and the major smirked.

"No idea what you're talking a about."

"Do not play games with me! Give me the key to the gate, and I will consider allowing you and your people to live."

Howard sighed. "Consider it? That's not much of a reason for us to tell you anything."

The Wraith smiled wickedly, shaking her head. "Tell me what I want to know."

"The major already told you, we have no idea what you're talking about."

Sheppard and Howard shared another quick glance; both sensing there was something strange about the Wraith female.

"Very well. If you do not tell me, we will feed on you since you are of no other use to us." She waved her hand nonchalantly and turned to leave, her guards followed and closed the door, leaving the humans alone in the room.

Once the Wraith had gone Howard turned and placed a hand on Sheppard's shoulder. "Where is that key?"

"Weir and McKay have it. They were able to take a puddle jumper to the mainland along with some of the other scientists. We thought if we could at least hide the key, Earth would be safe. If we could contact them…" Sheppard left his sentence hanging, not thinking there was anyway for that to happen.

Howard smirked as he reached into his jacket, pulling out a small metal device and pressing it against his palm. "Daedalus this is Howard, do you read me?"

"Colonel, we read you." A female voice responded and the colonel shook his head in approval.

"Don't have much time to explain, but the Wraith have taken the city. We're being held on one of the lower levels. I need you to scan the planet's surface for a small shuttlecraft. Drs. Weir and McKay should be aboard, let them know our situation. Make sure they are safe."

"What about you, sir?"

"Get Weir and McKay. They have the key for the gate. As long as the Wraith don't get that, Earth is safe, Major."

There was a long silence before the woman responded again. "Understood, sir. Daedalus out."

> > > >

Anubis tapped on the control panel trying to find anything that might help him find out where the humans were hiding the gate key that would allow the Wraith to dial Earth. He'd had little luck, but he was hopeful that giving the humans time to consider their options in the holding area below would change their minds. Though he knew they were an obstinate race, he was certain that with the proper motivation he would be able to convince them to give him what he wanted.

He was shaken from his thoughts by a voice in his head. It belonged to the female Wraith whose body he inhabited. It had been a most bizarre experience taking over her. She had not been like the humans he'd used before. Her mental abilities were far stronger than any human, and he was delighted to find that her body didn't decay like a human's did when his incorporeal self overtook it.

/You may control my body, but I will have it back./

As the Wraith spoke Anubis smiled inwardly. /Perhaps, but until then I am in control of you and your ship./

/That may be so, but that will not last long. Already the humans have split our ranks./

Anubis sighed inwardly knowing that the crew of the Daedalus had indeed succeeded in getting the second Hive ship to follow them into space and away from the city, but he was not ready to give in. He knew there was still a good chance that they would be able to destroy Earth. He need only be patient and he would witness their destruction firsthand. That thought warmed his cold soul as he continued to listen to his Wraith host prattle on.

/I understand you wish to destroy the humans, but why are you willing to allow us to do the job, when you obviously have the strength to do it yourself/

Anubis was surprised by the Wraith's keen perceptions. /I have the power to destroy them, but there are certain rules to which I am otherwise bound to follow that would prevent me from doing so myself./

/And these rules don't prevent you from using us to destroy them/

There was silence as Anubis allowed the Wraith to look into his mind for the briefest of moments to get a glimpse of who and what he was. He could feel her shudder in his mind and he quickly closed himself to her.

/I believe we have much to gain from one another, Anubis./

Before he could respond to her comment, he looked up to see that a few of the Wraith were watching him rather intently. He quickly ordered a few of the soldiers to check on the prisoners and then went back to the control panel. Just before his hands touched the panel he heard the door behind him swish open and turned to see his guards leading three soldiers with their hands bound behind their backs, towards him.

"Why are these humans here!" He snarled at the two guards, aiming their energy weapons at the humans.

"We found these three attempting to get to the shuttle bay on the other side of the city. Do you want them put with the other humans?"

Anubis raised his arm to wave them away, but stopped as the female Wraith began to whisper in his mind. She was far more devious than he had realized, and her plan sounded nearly perfect.

"Bring them here." The guards curiously pushed the three soldiers forward, shoving them to their knees once they were a few feet from their leader.

Motioning for the other Wraith to leave the room, he waited until they were alone to speak. "Tell me where the key to the Stargate is."

"We won't be telling you anything." The gray-haired soldier ground out as he grimaced in pain from a wound to the right side of his chest.

"You Tau'ri are quite pathetic creatures. Even in defeat you hold onto your foolish notions of loyalty and pride. It's a wonder your species has survived this long."

The three soldiers watched quietly as Anubis paced back and forth in front of them. "You may have the city, but you will never be able to get to Earth."

Anubis smirked at the young soldier that was speaking and shook his head. "That is where you're wrong, Lt. Ford."

The young man blinked in surprise, turning to the gray-haired soldier in concern. "How did you know my name?"

"I know many things, and one way or another you will tell me what I want to know." Rubbing palms together, Anubis stepped forward and let his thumb graze the lieutenant's cheek.

"Leave him alone!" The gray-haired soldier spat at their captor, and was rewarded by a sharp slap to the face. He fell to the floor and the other two soldiers were futilely trying to go to his aid despite the bindings on their wrists.

"You will do well not to challenge me again, human!" Anubis adjusted the collar of the leather-like jacket he wore and stepped back from his prisoners.

"We do not fear the Wraith! You may take our lives but you will not destroy us!" The third soldier pulled herself to her feet and stared straight into her captor's eyes.

"I admire your spirit, but you are nothing. You cannot stop me and your petty attempt at bravado only strengthens my resolve to break you, and get the information I need."

/This one has been connected to the Wraith before./ The female Wraith whispered and Anubis raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"You are not like these two, are you?" Anubis asked as he stepped closer to the third soldier. "What is your name?"

"I am Teyla Emmagan."

/She is from this galaxy. I sense our blood in her./

"Do you know the information I seek?" Teyla sneered at the Wraith and nodded.

"Yes, but neither I nor my companions will tell you."

Anubis laughed, bringing his hand to his chin and letting his fingertips rest there a moment. "It will be a pleasure to see you broken and begging for me to spare your life, Teyla Emmagan."

She started to move towards the Wraith, but he reached out his arm and she seemed to freeze in place. The other two soldiers watched in confusion as she was thrown backwards several feet as the Anubis raised his arm.

> > > >

Jack took a deep breath, listening to the silence in his living room. He could hear his heart begin to race and slowly he let his mind connect with the other outcasts. He'd done this several times since Desa had helped him that first time, and each time he had felt himself grow stronger. Though he was never able to communicate on his own, he learned much by listening now that he was able to isolate the voices down to a single one. The voices in his mind blurred and merged, forming one cacophonous sound for a moment before he could single out one particular voice. To his shock and surprise the voice called out to him.

/I am Ayola. Who are you? I have not sensed you before./

/Um…It's complicated. I didn't know I could do this until now./ Jack gradually began to feel more at ease and tried again to speak. /I'm Jack. /

/It is a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances. /

/What seems to be the problem, Ayola/

/The Others have allowed one of their foul creations to run amuck. This time the vile creature may just succeed in destroying the First World./

The words shook Jack and he pressed for more information. /How do you know this/

/Can you not sense his presence? He made his move while the Others were busy dealing with that foolish boy. Now we are expected to watch while Anubis destroys Atlantis and the First World. It is beyond me how the Others can stand idly by and do nothing/

Ayola's voice was almost frantic with emotion and Jack had to use all his strength not let those emotions bleed through his mental wall. /I'm not sure I understand. What boy are you talking about? And how did Anubis get past the Others/

/Surely you know which boy I speak of! The one that chose to return to the corporeal world rather than remained ascended, the one called Daniel./

For a moment Jack was silent. /Where is Daniel now/

/He is with the Others./

/Why/

/That I do not know, though I fear it cannot be for something good./

/What can you tell me about Anubis/ The disdain was clear in his voice at the mention of Anubis, and Jack had to make great effort to calm himself.

/While the Others were preventing Daniel from ascending, Anubis was able to use his full power to travel the distance to the Pegasus Galaxy. He's joined with the Wraith. Soon they will attack Atlantis, and if he has his way the First World will surely be next./

Ayola and Jack spoke for a moment longer, before Jack was too exhausted to continue and slipped back into consciousness. A shudder passed through him as he brought his hands to the sides of his head. Rubbing circles around his temples he tried to compose himself. He could feel something begin to slip away from him, almost like a shield being tossed to the ground, an Energy coursed through him, like he'd never felt before and his hands began to shake. For the briefest of moments he felt completely out of control, as he had the day he killed Deygan, and fought with all his might to gain back that sense of control as the strange energy continued to flow through him. Finally, the energy seemed to subside and he breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the beads of sweat from his brow as his breathing went back to normal.

> > > >

The strap tore through his flesh and he shouted, the agony painfully evident in his voice. Teyla and Ford watched in silence as the gray-haired soldier was lashed again and again, as he had been for over half an hour. They had already been tortured, but watching the already wounded soldier go through so much was taxing on them both.

Anubis smiled from his place just to the left of where the torture was taking place. He watched carefully as one of his soldiers continued with the prisoner's punishment. The pained expressions on the other two human's faces told him they was getting closer to telling him what he wanted to know.

Another lash, another scream and the soldier closed his eyes, slipping into a state of unconsciousness. Teyla and Ford sighed, knowing the older man couldn't take much more.

"Pity. I would have thought a soldier of such high rank could handle more pain, yet he squeals like a animal needing to be put out of its misery." Anubis stepped closer to where the other two soldiers were kneeling and used the Wraith's telepathic power to scan Teyla and Ford for the information he sought.

Sensing what he was doing, Teyla shook her head. "You cannot pry into our minds this way. We will not tell you anything."

"Defiant to the end, Teyla Emmagan. That foolish human trait will be your undoing." He scanned Ford's mind again and he could sense that the young soldier was beginning to crack.

Slowly, Anubis moved to where the beaten and battered prisoner was laying and took the strap from the Wraith holding it. He flashed a wicked smile at the two humans and then brought the strap down across the unconscious man's back several times.

"STOP!" The plea left Ford's lips before he had a chance to stop himself and Anubis struck and reached into the young man's mind, grinning wildly when he'd found what he desired.

"I promised you would tell me what I wanted to know, whether you wanted to or not." Teyla and Ford watched in horror, realizing that they had unwittingly given up their comrades and possibly an entire galaxy in a single moment.

> > > >

"Elizabeth, we can't keep running like this. It's not only insane, but pointless." Dr. McKay gasped for breath as he leaned against a nearby tree.

"What do you propose we do, Rodney?" The brunette asked as she stopped to catch her breath, letting her right hand fall to her side, instinctively running over the small bulge in her pocket where the key rested.

"The Wraith may already be on their way here to look for us. We have to find a place to hide that thing and then I'd recommend we find a place where we can do the same."

Weir shook her head and pulled the key from her pocket. "I'd rather destroy this than leave it somewhere the Wraith might be able to find it."

"As admirable a thought as that is, if we destroy it we'll probably never get home; even if the Daedalus was able to get here, it still has to take on two Hive ships. The odds aren't in our favor either way we choose. At least if we hide the key, there's chance the Wraith won't find it and we can…"

"We can what Rodney! Come back for it? We have to keep the key from the Wraith at all costs!"

Rodney sighed heavily as a frustrated moan escaped him. "I don't want the Wraith to get to Earth anymore that you do, but Sheppard and the others are counting on us keeping it safe so we can all go home again. Hiding it is the best way to ensure that, Elizabeth. If we do that, we might be able to steer the Wraith away from here by using the puddle jumper."

"Are you suggesting we take on two Wraith ships with one puddle jumper? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"Actually, no I haven't. I'm beginning to think I'm the only one here that remembers how to use mine though. You seem to have left all rational thought back on Atlantis!"

Dr. Weir opened her mouth to respond, but she couldn't find the words. She flashed Rodney a hurt look and then stormed off further into the tree-filled mainland, leaving a stunned McKay in her wake. It took him a few minutes to catch up to her, and when he did they heard the sound of a Wraith dart getting dangerously close to them.

"Run, Elizabeth!" Rodney shouted as he was swept up by the dart's beaming device.

She screamed as he was beamed away before her eyes and in a panic she ran. Her heart was pounding as she kept on, the sound of the dart behind her and getting ever closer. The trees around her were growing thicker and the dart had to go higher to avoid hitting them. She took advantage and tried to change her course, veering to the right. For a moment she thought she had outsmarted the Wraith, and a split second later that illusion was shattered as she ran head-on into a Wraith soldier, crashing to the ground on impact. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was the cold slitted eyes of the Wraith holding the stunner that had just been used to shoot her, and his almost triumphant smile as he held the key he'd pulled from her pocket.

When she opened her eyes again, she was in a room with the rest of the Atlantis team, and staring up at a familiar face as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"It's alright, Dr. Weir. You're going to be alright." Dr. Beckett's soothing voice did little to calm her as the realization hit her.

"They have the key, Carson." He hung his head and nodded in understanding.

"You and Rodney did all you could. There was nothing more we could have asked of you." She leaned into his gentle touch as he rested his hand on her shoulder.

More tears fell from her eyes as the guilt washed over her. All Carson could do was pull her into his arms until she had calmed herself.

> > > >

For the third time that day, the klaxons sounded and Jack rushed to the control room to discover another 'unscheduled off world activation' had occurred. He brought his right hand to his head, sighing inwardly.

"Do we have an iris code?" He asked Sgt. Davis, who was frantically pecking at his keyboard.

"Yes, it's Colonel Everett's team, sir."

"Open the iris."

The sergeant hurriedly did as instructed, and a moment later a body came flying through the gate. Jack had just walked through the blast-doors in time to see the battered and bloodied carcass roll down the ramp. He neared the body and bit back a curse as he lifted the dog tags to see that it was indeed Colonel Everett.

"Shut the gate down!" The general's voice echoed through the room as he pointed towards Sgt. Davis.

The sergeant wasn't quite fast enough. Before the gate could shut, five armed figures came pouring through the Stargate and Jack fell backwards off the ramp, pulling Everett's body with him.

The sound of gunfire filled the room, but the five Wraith that had come through the gate did not stop moving until every soldier with a weapon had been immobilized. During the gunfire, the blast-doors had been closed and Wraith had begun to fire at them with their own weapons. They were very near to opening the doors when a voice caught their attention.

"STOP!" The room fell silent at the general's cry, and the Wraith turned in his direction.

The personnel in the control room watched in awe and confusion as their leader stepped closer to the intruders.

The tallest of the Wraith was the first to speak, and the raspy sound of his voice made Jack cringe. "You cannot stop us, human."

"You're not leaving this room alive, guys. Not unless you put those weapons down, nice and easy."

Taking another step forward Jack lifted his arms, and the Wraith began to laugh. One of them raised his energy weapon and aimed it directly at the general's chest.

"You do not have a weapon, how do you intend to stop us?"

Closing his eyes, Jack took another step forward, but did not respond to the Wraith's question.

"You are a pitiful species. We will feast on you with great pleasure."

Jack smirked at the Wraith and cast a quick glance up at the control room where Jacob, Sam, and Teal'c were now watching. He could see that his team was distressed, and unsure of what their leader was about to do. With a nod of his head he silently hoped they understood that he had no choice. He couldn't let the Wraith onto the base.

"Sorry fellas. I don't want to hurt you, but I can't let you leave this room."

Jack closed his eyes again, lowering his head, and reaching into himself for the energy he'd felt coursing through him earlier. He felt it slowly begin to build up inside him and raised his arms in the air. The Wraith stared blankly at the strange human before them and then turned back to the doors.

"Kill him!" The tallest Wraith called out as he aimed his weapon at the door.

In a flash, the room was filled with red light. The Wraith began to fire their weapons, unsure of what was going on, but as quickly as it started it was over. The red light faded and the five Wraith were suspended in the air, and the personnel in the control room watched in stunned silence as the aliens were incinerated before their very eyes. When it was over there was nothing left but five small piles of ashes, and an empty uniform where the general had been standing.

tbc...