Once again, thanks for the reviews - lets me know people actually read and like the story so far. My apologies for the lack of action so far, but don't worry: there's stuff planned.I just really need to explore how the characters would react first. Let me know what you think of this new chapter!
Chapter 7 – Bitterness of Wills
Sam barely noticed Jack walk into her lab, so engrossed in the wiring of the modifications hooked up to the reactor. He peered around the corner of the generator curiously, and Sam glanced back from behind her safety goggles.
"Sir," she greeted, standing up straight.
"Actually, it's Einar," he smiled. "Daniel's had his one and a half hours worth of time from me today. That means I have to help you out, according to your General."
"Oh, nice to meet you," she held out her hand. "Well, properly this time, at least."
Einar took it and shook it informally.
"By the way," Sam added, reddening slightly. "Sorry about the… uhm…"
She gestured to his jaw awkwardly, and he smirked dismissively after a moment of realisation: "Oh, don't worry. You know, you'd be surprised how often that used to happen to me."
"Not popular?" she ventured playfully, letting go of his hand.
"It's… well, a long story," he conceded. "Jack doesn't seem to like me though. He resents me for this, despite the fact he insists he knows it isn't my fault."
"This type of thing makes humans nervous," Sam explained. "So what do you make of Jack?"
Einar sighed thoughtfully. "He's wilful and straightforward. Short-attention span, though. His mind fell asleep ten minutes into helping out Daniel."
Sam smirked.
"Never mind," Einar waved his hand, turning focused. "So what do we need to do with this generator?"
"Well, I've been trying to create an interface between the two kinds of electronics. The idea was to use it as an alternative power source, and hope that it'll bypass the crystals complete since they were drained."
"Hmm… interesting approach," Einar commented, toying with the wires snaking across the lab desk. "Unfortunately, the design of the Hakon technology ensures the silisium circuits and the kurstallis are inescapably hardwired to each other…"
"Wait," Sam held up her hand. "What are silisium and kurstallis?"
"Uhm… I think we have different terminology," Einar realised. "OK, we'd better go through the basics of how the technology is built. I'm no expert, though."
"You don't know about your own technology?" Sam accused disbelievingly.
"Well, some of it," he admitted. "Hey, do all humans know exactly how all of their technology works?"
"Point taken," Sam sighed apologetically.
"Don't worry, Major," Einar reassured with a tone of optimism. "I'll piece it together, I imagine."
He picked up a marker pen from her desk, and began to sketch diagrams and notes onto her whiteboard: "OK, from the beginning… the technology is comprised of two separate section – the electronics section that uses silisium, which is like silicon, and the crystals, called kurstallis…"
Sam sat on one of the lab stools and listened, lost in the surreal moment as what looked like her CO explained something to her for a change.
After several days, Sam and Daniel had really noticed progress. Einar had taught Daniel most of the grammar and obscure runes of his language, leaving him with the basis of all he needed to finish translating the runes from the lab console. This left him spending far more time in Carter's lab, both of them slowly puzzling through the reactor interface by figuring out the finer points of the alien system.
The pair of them sat in the commissary, Daniel with a book on Norse mythology and Sam with several plans of silisium circuits.
"Careful you don't get any sauce on those," Daniel warned, pointing to Sam's work with his fork.
"So how are things going with the text?" Sam quizzed.
"Great," he replied. "Having Einar around to actually tell me what everything means and how his language is put together… it's amazing how much time this has saved. I might not have been able to figure out some of the advanced runes at all. What about with the reactor?"
"Slower than I'd hoped – I think he knows his language better than his technology. He sometimes starts writing down notes in runes; I have to keep reminding him not to. Anyway," she continued, "he's been explaining how the whole crystal/circuit system is designed and constructed so we can both try and figure out how to get the damn thing to interface properly. It's incredible, they way they twinned two different kinds of technology like this."
"What about think about Einar?" Daniel probed, closing his book.
Sam put down her fork: "Very friendly. Very enthusiastic too. It's great to have someone there in the lab that you can brainstorm ideas with. What about you?"
"He's curious, but he's easy to get along with. He hasn't complained either. I think he really does want to help – this is all a completely new experience for him."
"It's a good job you gave him the benefit of the doubt, or we'd be getting nowhere," Sam commented.
Sam shifted uncomfortably in the sudden silence that followed, plucking up her courage as Daniel prodded the remains of his food with his fork.
"Do you find it a bit… awkward?"
"Awkward, how?" Daniel frowned.
"Well, it's just so strange… seeing Jack so enthusiastic and open…"
"I do sorta feel like my door is a quantum mirror when I walk through and see him sitting there with his head in a book on ancient languages," the archaeologist admitted, "but its not actually Jack, we both know that."
"It's easy to forget."
Daniel gazed at her pensively, forgetting his food entirely.
"Is it really bothering you?"
"In a way," she sighed. "I subconsciously felt happy that the Colonel was spending more time with us outside missions and briefings – you know, good for the team – but then I get reminded that it's not actually Colonel O'Neill. Lately, whenever I see him when he's back in control, he's in one of those moods."
"Annoyed at everything?"
Sam nodded in confirmation. Daniel patted her hand gently.
"Don't worry, Sam. Once we figure all of this out and get him back to normal, he'll be fine."
Being allowed to escape from the infirmary in favour of his base quarters should have improved Jack's mood. However, as he tossed from side to side under the thin blanket, his grimness remained. There was little chance of him getting to sleep.
What's bothering you now? And no saying 'it's a human thing' again.
Mind your own business, smartass!
Is this about me again?
Trying to sleep. Quiet.
So am I! I can't if you continue to seethe like this under the surface. If this is again about us being stuck in your head together, can we settle it once and for all?
Jack grunted, pushing the blanket off himself and sitting up, resting his hands on his knees. There was no real need to do so for a conversation solely inside of his head, but somehow it felt more appropriate. He sighed as Einar continued.
Now, for the last time. I. Am. Trying. To. Help.
I know.
Daniel should have few problems translating any further runes we find…
I know!
… and Sam and I are close to a solution. The simulations will be simple if nothing goes wrong .We just need to work on the generator for a few more days in the lab and add some new components.
Oh, and I bet you love that, don't you?
Well, it is interesting; I've never worked-"
I didn't mean that.
Then what…
Jack crossed his arms and waited as the alien trailed off, absorbing the conversation so far and delving for comprehension. There was a faint flicker of surprised realisation, but Jack remained grim-faced.
Yes, Daniel and Carter, smartass. I'm not blind, and I'm not asleep the entire time you're around them! They PREFER working with you!
Einar digested the mental outburst, and if he had his own body, would have inclined his head and frowned.
You're not seriously jealous, are you?
Jack growled, lying back down and covering his head with his pillow in a vain attempt to hide from the situation.
What did you hope to achieve by doing that? Uh, never mind. Look, Jack, you don't have to worry about being ousted from your team. I don't plan on staying here on your planet once this is over! I'll just be an odd memory of an odd alien, who helped with some runes and modified a generator.
What if they ask you to stay?
Then I would refuse.
Just like that?
I'm not being trapped in a mountain forever. I've had enough of being imprisoned for a lifetime, and it would be no different here. Now, if your friends really didn't want you around, why would they be endeavouring so fervently to help you? I begin to doubt whether either of those two actually sleep!
Jack managed a wry smile at the shared sentiment.
I could have easily denied any knowledge of how to modify the generator at all, if I truly intended to stay here. If these are all the actions of a conspiracy against you, it is a badly planned one, yes?
Very.
Now, I'm confident that there is a solution to be found, but it is going to take some more time. Can we attempt to tolerate each other for the time being?
Alright, but I'm laying some ground rules. No more calling me 'Jack' – the name's O'Neill, two 'l's if you're writing it down.
As you wish. No further calling me 'smartass' – it's antagonising.
Deal. Don't bug me about personal stuff – when I say 'no, mind your own business', I mean it.
Very well. Sleep?
Please.
Jack uncovered his head from the pillow, punched it back into a comfortable shape and snuggled into it, breathing in relaxation.
The claxon blared.
The 'unauthorised offworld activation' message echoed through the corridors, and Jack pulled the pillow over his head once more, groaning.
One minute passed.
"SG-1, report to the gate-room, I repeat, SG-1 to the gate room."
Damn Damn
