Warnings and Dislcaimer on part 1.
Enjoy.
General George Hammond mentally sighed as he glanced through the report on his desk. SG-1 was late returning again. The MALP they sent through showed the entire plain around the Stargate underwater. SG-14, donned in the proper diving equipment, was able to go retrieve them with nothing more than minor injuries. Hearing a knock at his door, he glanced up and waved his hand giving permission to enter. Motioning to a chair, he quickly finished glancing through SG-14's report before turning his gaze to his visitor. "How are they Doctor?"
"Physically, they will be fine," she reported. "They're all exhausted, and are suffering from varying degrees of hypothermia, but with some rest they should be as good as new in a few days. I was planning on releasing them in the morning."
"How about mentally?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer. Even though she wasn't trained in psychology, she was always able to tell whether people were coping with the stresses Stargate Command brought.
Janet sighed. "I think they are coping as well as can be expected." She paused, a small grin forming on her face. "Don't be surprised to see a transfer request on your desk soon though."
"Captain Cornia?" he asked tiredly.
"Yes sir."
"Doctor, this will be the fourth team member they have been through since Major Carter was taken. Aren't you a little concerned about that?" He could feel the headache starting to form and rubbed his temples in a desperate attempt to squash it.
"I'll admit sir, at first I was, but I think they are past that stage of their grieving. They are no longer trying to scare people away."
"Captain Cornia's impending request says otherwise, Doctor."
"Sir," she began, trying to explain, "I believe that Captain Cornia was simply overwhelmed by the unusual circumstances that SG-1 regularly find themselves in." She gave an internal laugh as she remembered the shocked face of the new Captain as he was brought to the infirmary.
"Such as the valley being waterlogged in less than four days." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he thought about the many unusual situations his number one team had overcome. Dr. Frasier, as if sensing his thoughts, allowed a small smile to grace her face.
"According to Colonel O'Neill, it was a flood of biblical proportions." She paused a moment before continuing. "In all honesty, Sir, their main goal at the moment is to find Major Carter and bring her home, and they know they can't do that until they get a full team. They don't like the idea of replacing Major Carter on the team, but they are willing to work with someone new to get the chance to help look for her. They just need someone who can tough it out."
"Thank you Doctor," he said, closing the folder and placing it on the corner of his desk. "Please tell SG-1 their debriefing will be at 11:00 hours tomorrow. Dismissed." Doctor Frasier stood and started opening the door when suddenly the Stargate started spinning. General Hammond, with Doctor Frasier right behind, hurried into the control room.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"We have an unscheduled incoming wormhole, Sir." Sgt Harriman reported. "No teams are currently offworld."
"Close the iris." The young technician nodded, typing in a few commands on his keyboard. A few seconds later the sound of the protective iris was heard. Within seconds of the iris closing the wormhole engaged and a soft blue light filled the room.
"Sir, we are receiving the Tok'ra IDC."
"Open the iris." General Hammond went down to the Gate room to meet their visitor, concern and apprehension on his brow. A smile adorned his face when the figure of his old friend Jacob Carter came strolling down the ramp.
"Jacob, what can I do for you?" Hammond asked as soon as Jacob joined him at the bottom of the ramp. Janet, seeing there was no emergencies, quietly returned to her infirmary.
"I'm actually here on a mission, George," Jacob told him.
"What mission," George asked cautiously. Anytime the Tok'ra came to them for help his people ended up getting burned.
"Ever since Sam was taken," he started, choking on the last few words. His head bent down as Selmak appeared.
"Since Major Carter was taken as host, we have had many concerns about the security of our bases. In response, all of our bases have been moved to new locations."
"Surely you don't think she would tell the Goa'uld anything?" George asked, defending his missing officer.
"Ordinarily no," Selmak quickly assured him, "but this is different. She wasn't merely captured; she was taken as a host. As a host, she would have no control over which information the Goa'uld takes from her. Even the latent memories of Jolinar Samantha herself cannot access can easily be brought forth by the Goa'uld within her."
"I see," Hammond replied. Although this information was expected, it was made real coming from the mouth of the Tok'ra. "So what do you need the SGC to do?"
"The Tok'ra thought it would be nice to share the coordinates for the worlds that were abandoned," Jacob answered him, taking control again. "Even though the Tok'ra won't be using them for a while, the System Lords might station Jaffa there in the off chance a Tok'ra operative returns. We wanted to inform you so you don't fall into the same trap."
"We appreciate it," Hammond replied warily, starting to head back to his office with Jacob right beside him. The Tok'ra did not give up information without a price and Hammond was wondering what the price would be this time. Jacob apparently read the distrust on Hammond's face.
"That's it, honestly," he told his friend. "There's no strings attached with this info. We don't even know if the System Lords are going to care about our old bases. It's just a precaution were taking that the High Council thought we should share with you."
"There's more," Hammond replied, a sixth sense knowing he wasn't getting the whole story.
"I think they're getting tired of me asking questions about Sam. That's all I do when I get back from missions. Talk to everybody; see if anyone has heard anything about Sam or a new Goa'uld in the mix. I think a lot of Tok'ra saw this mission as a way to keep me out of their hair." Jacob grinned, "Not that I mind. It'll give me time to catch up with SG-1. Maybe fly out and see how Mark's doing."
"We could arrange that," Hammond said, the sinking feeling in his gut giving way slightly. "So how long are you staying?"
"As long as I can, that is if it's alright with you."
"You're always welcome here Jacob," Hammond said, sitting down behind his desk. "Why don't you go clear medical while I find you a place to stay."
"Thanks George," he said somewhat relieved by the normalcy of their talk. Inwardly he was afraid the past dealing with the Tok'ra would harm his relationship with Earth. The phone rang and Jacob took that as his cue to leave. "I'll talk to you later," he said as he stood up. Hammond nodded as he reached for the phone. Jacob took the opportunity to leave, silently shutting the door behind him. He quickly made his way down to the infirmary.
"I'm telling you I'm fine." A voice drifted out to greet him in the hall. Jacob entered the infirmary quietly. Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c were sitting on their cots. Daniel had his nose inside a book, Teal'c was meditating, and Jack was harassing the nurse who just took whatever he was playing with away.
"If you continue to hound my nurses, you'll find yourself here long after Daniel and Teal'c are released." Dr. Janet Fraiser threatened, well used to dealing with Jack's whining. "You're staying here for the night, and that's final."
"But I'm fine," Jack protested.
"I'm sure you are, but I'd rather be on the safe side. And that means you spend the next couple of hours under observation." She locked glares with the Colonel, having a silent battle of wits.
"It's not that bad, Jack," Daniel said, not looking up from his book. "At least we're all here together."
"Misery loves company," Jack retorted, not breaking his stare.
"I'm just saying we can keep each other from getting bored," Daniel continued, pretending not to hear Jack's comment. "We can read books, play chess or cards, something to keep you entertained."
"Strip poker," Jack suggested, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"It's nothing I haven't seen before Colonel," Janet said. Jack snorted while a small chuckle could be heard from Daniel's direction. Satisfied he would behave himself for a few minutes Janet turned to go to her office, spying her visitor as soon as she turned around. "What can I do for you General?"
"It looks like I might be here for a few days, maybe even get out of this God forsaken mountain for a day or two," Jacob explained. "George wants a standard postgate exam done." Janet nodded and gestured to a bed. Jacob jumped up as she started gathering her equipment.
"Anything?" Jack asked, the jovial mood suddenly turning serious.
"Nothing yet," Jacob admitted, "but we'll find her." Janet returned, and after doing numerous tests, proclaimed Jacob and Selmak to be in perfect health. He stayed in the infirmary until the team had fallen into an exhausted sleep before retiring to the VIP room. There he fell into a restless sleep.
SG1SG1SG1SG1
"Nothing much to see, Sir. Just grass and rain and rocks and rain… did I mention the rain?" Jack O'Neill spoke to the assembled group around the conference table.
"Anything to add Dr. Jackson?" Hammond asked, well used to his second's unusual sense of humor.
"There
was no indication of any civilization ever populating P7R-936. It is
possible that the unusually large amount of precipitation could have
destroyed any signs that a civilization did exist, possibly even
causing the destruction of a civilization…"
"How?" Jack
interrupted.
"Flooded fields, flooded homes, mass drowning, general panic." Jack gave a silent nod and Daniel continued. "The point is if there was a civilization, it's long gone."
Hammond nodded. "Captain, do you agree?"
"Yes Sir," he nervously muttered.
"Very well," he said, closing the folder. "Captain, you are dismissed." SG-1 cast a confused look at each other while Captain Cornia nearly tripped on his own feet trying to leave the briefing room.
"What's up Sir?" Jack asked.
"As you know Jacob will be spending some time with us." The team nodded their heads. "He has plans to visit his son, and while I have no problem letting him roam around this facility unaccompanied, I'm afraid he must be with someone from the SGC at all times if he were to leave the mountain."
"You want us to take a trip to San Diego?" Jack asked.
"I'm not going to order you to do it." Hammond said.
"But it would look better to the Carters if Dad appears with Sam's friends rather than armed security guards."
"Exactly," Hammond said.
"When do we leave?" Daniel asked.
"As soon as Jacob is ready," Hammond replied. "Dismissed."
