Stargate Revealed: Power & Politics, Part 24
by Livi2Jack
Summary: The plotting, scheming, power plays go out of control.
Rating: Teen for some minor language, some violence, some religious issues.
Pairings: Jack/Other
Category: Action/Adventure, Drama, Humor, Mystery, Point Of View, Romance, Other
Related SG-1 Episode(s): 703 Fragile Balance, 817 Reckoning, Part 2, 901 Origin
Related Atlantis Episode(s): 201 The Siege, Part 3
Featured Characters: Jack O'Neill, Mini-Jack, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Hammond, and Hayes.
Author's Note: Spoilers for Season 9+. Jack's new job.
Many thanks to all my readers who have stuck with this saga for so long. Your kind comments and many feedbacks were a great gift. Thank you all so very much.
Chapter 24: Somewhere Over The Rainbow
"There's no place like home. Is there General?" President Hayes muttered to Hammond. Together, they marched through the ornate corridors of the Flag Officers Deck on board the Commonwealth Base Ship 'The O'Neill the Great.'
President Hayes and his party had arrived from the Daedalus, along with the media. The Commonwealth ship was the site for the victory reception hosted by Admiral Zay after the Battle for the Holy Mother Planet. On Earth, they were calling it the " Battle of the Big Little Dipper," only partly in jest. The President's invitation to attend the celebrations could not be ignored. So here they were, on a gigantic alien ship named for an American Air Force General. The feeling of being in the surreal permeated the group.
President Hayes kept repeating to himself O'Neill's pronouncement that he had to go 'up there' himself or he couldn't possibly understand what was really involved. Looking around at the wherewithal to provide such a venue staggered his mind. Of the President's immediate party, only General Hammond had actually been in outer space. The apprehension and then the amazement showed on even the best poker player's face. And this wasn't exactly a game of Texas Hold 'em.
Hammond took it all in stride. Hayes was impressed. He could see a couple of his advisors getting unnerved. They were stunned to exit their shuttle inside the enormous ship. The greeting ceremony on the flight deck had gone smoothly. The Admiral's vice-assistant second chief of staff welcomed them and escorted them through a quick medical check.
'Obviously, the Admiral didn't think it worth his time to meet me at the door,' thought the President with some pique.
Hayes couldn't help taking in the extravagance of the detail decorating this ship. Didn't anyone think about some of this turning into shrapnel if the ship took a hit? He could just imagine all that enamel and precious jewels flying into someone's eye during an explosion. Maybe they already had that solution. They seemed to be so very far advanced beyond anything he could have imagined.
"George, aren't they afraid of some of this decoration killing someone in a battle?" Hayes whispered to Hammond.
"No, sir. It's all holograms. It's not real."
"You mean like on the 'Holodeck' on Star Trek?" Hammond grinned and said yes. Hayes blew a whistle.
"The power consumption to maintain this is beyond our abilities. You know they can manufacture Z.P.M's?"
The President nodded remembering that disclosure that Colonel Carter discovered. Truly, these humans were more advanced than any others ever encountered. "So for them, it's trivial to decorate and reorganize interior space as they see fit."
Hayes decided that the Medical Bay was better than Star Trek. Hayes glanced over at his wife, keeping up nicely with the men striding down the halls. She was looking at all this embellishment too. Hayes approved. Babs could carry this off. Then, each person was required to submit to a short exam. Medical staff made scans of each person quickly and efficiently. No needles appeared and everyone calmed down.
Afterwards, the delegation left for more of the tour. On another deck, they turned a corner and entered a large open area. Arranged in the middle of the area, President Hayes saw grass, trees, and a profusion of flowers, arranged in a park-like setting out in the middle. He glanced up and saw a recreation of sky with clouds passing by in Three-D. The light changed with the drifting clouds. The air felt fresh as if they were outdoors. Even a slight warm breeze blew.
And then it hit him, they were standing in a park in front of large townhouses stretched along one side and mansions on the other, rounding the corner, and in view far down the 'street?' This was a street with sidewalks? And there were old-fashioned lampposts? At the far end of the grassy area, a swing set stood surrounded by comfortable cushioned benches. Playground equipment occupied one end of the 'park.' A sandbox and a colorful jungle gym stood in the sand. Everyone did a double take. A few mothers were holding conversation watching all the kids play, running around squealing in delight. The women glanced casually at the visitors and returned to their conversations.
Hayes couldn't keep his jaw from dropping when the unbelievable happened. A tram appeared to whisk them down the street to their destination. It stopped at what could only be described as a Palace. As the group gathered at the foot of the stairs, the impossibly elegant gold trimmed enameled doors swung open. Liveried attendants stood at attention to let them enter. Their guide indicated that they should go up. Mrs. Hayes took her husband's arm and composed herself for the engagement. He was impressed that she could keep her poise on a space ship, for god's sake.
"Follow the Yellow Brick Road?" Hayes whispered to Babs. She ignored him. He focused forward and mounted the steps. Once inside, the assembly gasped. The foyer was nearly two stories tall and lavishly decorated. Hayes shook himself in disbelief. All this is on a space ship? Why?
A uniformed man approached and introduced himself as the Fourth Assistant Butler. He guided them to an immense garden framed inside the multi-storied building. Lining the walkways were cleverly designed flowerbeds filled with plantings the group had never seen. Hayes reached out to touch the petals to see if they were real. They were.
The delegation crossed a curved red wooden bridge over the little stream that fed the pond. Water lilies floated on top of the pond. Looking down into the stream, the President noticed fish swimming among the reeds and vegetation. A fish jumped in the pond, startling General Hammond. Hayes glanced over to a small dock where several musicians played for the crowd.
Standing on the sculpted lawn, using differently shaded grasses, an elaborately dressed officer listened to several other obviously important officers discussing something. They were very deferential to the highly decorated man. The fourth assistant butler approached a young officer to hand off the party. The junior officer nodded to the group, turned and approached the important looking officer. He saluted; then he bowed. An important looking officer heard him then said something to a more important officer who spoke to the very important officer. He turned to the President's group. He nodded to them. The music stopped. People turned to face the important man. The younger officer announced for the crowd:
"On behalf of our Gracious Lady, Regent Anna and our Honored Fleet Lord, Admiral Zay, Duke of White Glen Haven, welcome Mr. President Henry Hayes, First Lady Hayes, and their gentlemen and ladies of his court. Welcome to the victory celebration for the Battle for the Holy Mother Planet. Welcome to the Star Commonwealth of Planets Base Ship 'The O'Neill the Great.' Here we welcome you to the villa of our Most Revered Lord, General Jack O'Neill, Prince of Springfield."
The President gagged.
Captain Jack called his First Officer into his Ready Room. The door closed just as Jack took out his zat and let the man have it. Down went the First Officer with a surprised look on his face.
"Oops." Jack studied the man writhing on the floor and waited for him to come out of it.
"Why did you do that," sputtered the F.O. looking up?
"Orders." Jack waited for the F.O. to sit up. "Now, you and I have to go do that to the entire bridge crew. Have the Sr. Tac Officer and the Security Officer go with you right down the line to the Chief. The Chief has to do it to all the Non-coms. Take the Security Officer with you. Make sure the Chief gets all the key personnel. We have a nishta problem and maybe a zatarc on board.
"Jeez, you just found out?" The F.O. sat up still shaky. One look at the Captain and he knew it was true. "Right. Got one of those for me?" Jack handed over a second zat. The F.O. hefted it and shot Captain Jack. Smirking as the Captain did the jerky dance to the floor, the F.O. said, "have to be sure, don't we, sir?"
"Daniel, I've had enough. We've been waiting here for hours." Sam was lying down on the sofa in the antechamber to the Matriarch's salon. They'd been there all day waiting for General O'Neill to come out of the conference. "His high and mighty lordship isn't coming back this evening. Let's go."
"Go where?" Daniel looked up unconcerned from the computer console he was using. "I've been watching their news broadcasts. You should take a look."
"I don't want to take a look. I want to have a hot shower and go to sleep." Sam stood up and put on her jacket. "You can stay if you want. I'm going to ask for a room." Daniel watched Sam stride to the door and speak to the attendant. He spoke to something and Sam came back into the room.
"No room at the inn?" Daniel peered at her over his glasses.
"They have to get permission. But he said something would be arranged." Sam walked behind Daniel to see what he was watching. Scenes of large crowds holding a candlelight vigil in the main plaza provided the background for the talking heads. "It's just like at home. They talk and talk and don't say anything."
"Actually, this is interesting. See tomorrow is a great ceremony to Anoint their new leader. The people are praying and singing all night. It's quite a spectacle. There's even going to be a parade." Daniel switched channels. Each one was filled with the news of the great ceremony. Interviews with various people of importance varied with reports from roving street reporters.
"Turn up the sound, there." Sam bent over to hear better.
"...our Lord General has won a great victory at the Holy Mother Planet. He will be honored forever..."
"Oh puh-leeze, turn that off. I can't stand it anymore." Sam turned away and stretched. Daniel switched off the broadcast. "You know it's really sickening. I mean we are talking about Jack, not Eisenhower, Montgomery, or MacArthur."
"Actually, he is bigger than those men put together over here." Daniel switched channels and looked up at Sam. "You aren't jealous are you?" He grinned, pushing his glasses back up his nose.
"Phfft. Jealous? Me? I don't think so, Daniel." Sam sneered and went to sit down on a nearby chair. "I just want to go home. I've still got that problem with two missing officers in the Ark chamber. And I have a ton of other work to catch up on. Then I'm supposed to leave for Atlantis to look at something McKay found."
"You get to go to Atlantis? That's not fair!" Daniel sputtered. Sam grinned knowing he would do anything to go. "You enjoyed telling me that."
"Sure I did."
And at that moment, they disappeared in a flash of light.
Back on the 'O'Neill the Great,' President Hayes had that sinking feeling. Admiral Zay had just issued a command barely camouflaged as an invitation. Everyone would proceed to the Capital of the Commonwealth for the Anointing Ceremony as part of the victory celebration. As new allies, the President's delegation was expected to attend. Moreover, as the representatives of the Holy Mother Planet, not going was not an option. Refusing would not be tolerated. And they were stuck on the Commonwealth's biggest base ship.
"I see. And you didn't bother to inform me beforehand?" Hayes berated the Private Deputy Associate Specialist to the Special Assistant Administrator to the Assistant Confidential Administrator to the Associate Secretary for the Director of Administration. The man only bowed and waited patiently.
"Sir, you did agree to come to the celebrations. This is only the cocktail party in advance of the real celebrations."
It was slick but Hayes still didn't like it. Hammond was turning purple. Hayes wondered if the older man would stroke out. Hayes decided to put his foot down. He strode up to Admiral Zay, who was chatting with the Russian Ambassador. Hayes was surprised that the Admiral could speak Russian. These people seemed to have no end to their abilities.
"A word, Admiral?"
Zay politely excused himself.
'These barbarians are so crude. No wonder O'Neill has no manners. None of them do. Zero. The savages are making demands on me, if that can be believed. Here is this one, demanding immediate attention like a spoiled child. And he is O'Neill's leader. Unbelievable.'
But the rigors of diplomacy made him condescend to listen to this barbarian representative. Expertly, Admiral Zay began to walk so that the President would have to keep up, while the Admiral appeared to be intent on their conversation. Before President Hayes knew it, the Admiral handed him off to a subordinate who apologized that the Admiral was required on the Bridge. Hayes was outraged but the whole thing was done so professionally there was no possibility of complaint.
"Listen up, people, this is the Captain," Jack paused making sure the thing was on. He hadn't quite gotten used to the 'all hands' announcement system. There was no microphone. "I know that wasn't the most pleasant thing we've had to do to each other, but I assure you it was necessary. We are being sent on a mission of great importance, which the Goa'uld must not, repeat must not, be able to stop. Earlier today, I received new orders directing us to a rendezvous with more of our fleet. We shall engage the enemy in battle once again, but in bigger numbers. You have all acquitted yourselves with honor. Now we have more to do."
"Those of you who have been on duty for more than 8 hours are to report to their bunks and get at least four hours of sleep. Those who are in especially technical jobs must get five. Rotate after four hours for all those who have eight hours at their posts at that point. Then get some hot chow because you aren't getting anything hot after that for a while. I want everyone as rested as possible. Get your space suits checked and ready to go for the battle. If you get blown out of the ship I want you to have that extra time to get picked up afterwards. That is all." Jack signaled to the Com officer who was still eyeing him with a hurt expression. She had really hit the deck hard from that zat blast and felt someone should have caught her first. Jack didn't care. These kids had to toughen up.
Looking around at their new surroundings, Daniel and Sam realized General O'Neill had sent for them. He was standing in a room with Lady Anna and Thor. They were seated, talking together quietly. Conversation stopped at their entry.
"Sir," Sam saluted the General. To the Lady she bowed.
"Ma'am," Daniel bowed.
"Carter. Daniel." Jack walked over to them. "Sorry this took so long. But you should hear this and tell me what you think." Jack turned on Thor. "Go ahead. Tell them what you told me."
Thor was obviously uncomfortable with the situation. He crossed his little skinny grey legs and leaned back in the chair, which was just his size.
"Greetings Lt. Colonel Carter, Dr. Jackson."
"Greetings, Thor. So what's up?" Daniel moved over to stand with Jack. There was serious tension in the room.
"I have tried to explain that we meant no harm when we put tracking tags in each of you. It was for your own protection." Thor hesitated as Carter drew in her breath. "You have only just begun to explore the universe. We did it so we could find you if necessary and help you. And we did on several occasions."
"So that's how you knew where we were all those times." Sam crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn't amused. "But that doesn't account for what happened with General O'Neill and Lady Anna. Those tags make them lose their minds when they are separated for any length of time."
"Actually, we had tagged O'Neill long before any of you. We did it immediately after we met him. O'Neill is special. We had to learn more." Thor paused. He didn't like this but he had no choice. The woman was in control of his ship.
"So you thought you were like our parents?" Carter was not terribly surprised. "You kept an eye on us while we wandered around out there?"
"Yes, you are like the very young learning to walk. We felt obligated to watch over you. Only we could not do it all the time. First, we couldn't because we had to fight the Replicators. And later, we couldn't because they destroyed most of our ships and our worlds. We had to rebuild. But we did what we could."
Daniel was nodding. "I can see that."
"But, what did you do to Lady Anna and General O'Neill?" Carter focused back on her question.
"Lady Anna is very advanced." Thor sighed. He had to confess. Lady Anna was capable of anything. "The Asgaard High Council decided that Lady Anna presented an unprecedented opportunity to solve the survival problem of the Asgaard. As you know, our cloning process has diminishing returns."
"Skip ahead buddy. We know all that." Jack had completely lost his patience. His team could tell even though he spoke softly.
"Yes, well, we thought if these two advanced humans could produce another generation, it would provide the template we need to construct new bodies that can hold an Asgaard's superior consciousness."
"Not true. You thought you could build bodies from which you could Ascend." Lady Anna held her regal composure steady, but Thor flinched. Daniel's eyebrows shot up. Carter's mouth dropped open. Jack rubbed the back of his neck in annoyance.
"So why didn't you just make a test tube baby or clone them then make a test tube baby?" Carter looked at the surprised faces on the men. "It's logical and efficient. Don't be so shocked. They must know how." All eyes swiveled back to Thor.
"Go on, Supreme Commander. Tell us." Lady Anna stiffly demanded. "We are so grateful for this opportunity to talk. We would be willing to extend our discussions for the additional time required to come to an adequate understanding."
"How much more time do we need?" Jack saw the look. "Wow! You can stop Thor?"
"My ship's engines don't work anymore, O'Neill. SHE has control of my ship and all its workings. I realize this is a demonstration of just how advanced you really are."
Lady Anna raised her eyebrow at him. Thor muttered something. Anna spoke back to him in Asgaard. He gasped. Jack was confused and turned to Daniel who shrugged. Jack looked back to Anna with a question on his face.
"He's afraid it's worse than this. Even the Goa'uld can't do this to an Asgaard ship. Isn't that right, Supreme Commander?" Thor gave her a head nod. "I told him it isn't even half of what I shall do to him if he isn't honest with you, Prince O'Neill. Please do continue, Supreme Commander. Tell them why you made us so uncomfortable against our will."
"O'Neill, we wanted you to be happy. You have no mate. You have no children. The Asgaard owe you a great debt. We have learned that human males live longer when they have a family. We tried and failed to do something for you." Thor sighed sadly. "She would have produced superior offspring."
"Thor, buddy, I told you it doesn't work that way. I asked you to leave it alone."
Jack was uncomfortable with this exchange. At her first meeting with the Asgaard, Thor became so excited when he first encountered Anna that he subjected her to a scanning beam. At first it just held her still, but she became very afraid. Then it held her in stasis while other Asgaard crewmembers examined her. Jack had objected. Before Thor released her, he offered her to Jack as a reward for helping the Asgaard. Thor actually offered Anna to Jack for a mate. His sensors indicated that physically Jack was tremendously attracted to the Lady. And his sensors indicated she felt the same. Jack had refused, of course. He made Thor release her. But he had kept the truth from Lady Anna.
"Oh, boy." Daniel looked at Jack who didn't look at him either.
Carter sucked in her breath. Her eyes were blazing. 'Prince O'Neill?' She involuntarily looked over at Jack. He avoided her glance. She felt sick. And, he didn't want to hear it right now.
"Are you saying that you were trying to force me to breed his children?" Lady Anna was cold as ice.
"We tried to give you an attraction to him so you would want to be his mate. That is not forcing. You would have to choose to do it." Thor didn't understand why everyone was shocked. "Our readings indicated that he wanted you very much."
Anna turned her stare to O'Neill who tried to shrug it off. "I may have been somewhat attracted on a purely academic level..." He trailed off. No one was buying it. "What? It's not like I'm dead. She's an attractive woman, go figure."
"We know you wanted us to mate. That was obvious. We know you want to clone bodies that can Ascend. But what we want to know is why you had to make us do it naturally. The real reason if you please." Anna held her voice steady but she was seething inside.
"We have learned that the developmental environment for the fetus is as important as any other factor. And a clone won't do the job. A clone is never as complete. So we needed them to procreate naturally." Thor squirmed at that last statement.
"But that's not the worst part, is it Supreme Commander?" Lady Anna said evenly.
"I don't know what you mean." Thor spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Ma'am?" Jack was now alarmed. "There's more? Oh for crying out loud, now what?"
"Tell them." Anna commanded. Thor didn't know how to get out of this. "Tell them or I'll do to you what you planned for us."
Carter and Daniel froze. Their hearts were in their throats.
Jack knelt down to be at eye level with Thor. Very softly, Jack asked him, "Buddy? How bad?"
"The High Council had a vote. I was overruled. And so, I was ordered to investigate ways to resolve the threat these humans pose to the Asgaard. The missile that chased Aegir unsettled us." He looked at Jack.
"Resolve it how, buddy?"
"O'Neill, they discovered Aegir's ship while it was cloaked. Then they sent drone weapons after it through hyperspace at the same speed we can travel. O'Neill, they did it by remote control. Aegir's ship was damaged after it exited hyperspace. In hyperspace, an Asgaard ship has no shields. If Aegir had not dropped out of hyperspace and raised his shields when he did, the ship and all aboard would have been lost. Except for the incidents with the Replicators, nothing like it has ever happened before to the Asgaard."
All eyes widened as they looked at Lady Anna, who was sitting there like stone staring right back at Thor without blinking. It was deliberate. She launched an attack against the Asgaard as a demonstration of her power.
"So the High Council believes the Commonwealth is a direct threat and wants to do what?" Daniel spoke quickly assessing the situation. Thor did not answer quickly. So Anna encouraged him.
"My Lord Thor, you might as well tell them or I shall."
"The Council wanted to remove our assistance from your ships, O'Neill. It wasn't intended to hurt you." Thor was evading the question. "The vote was close. We think your people have progressed too fast. And they," he nodded towards Anna, "are too powerful without the wisdom to temper their actions."
"Impudence!" Anna regarded Thor with contempt. Firmly, Anna told him, "you can't lie to me, My Lord Thor." All eyes were on her. But Anna held Thor in a fixed gaze that meant business. "Your choice." No reaction. Anna gestured with her hand. A hologram recording of the Asgaard High Council Chamber meeting appeared. Thor gasped. Jack was astonished. Carter looked around for the equipment. Daniel knew Thor was in trouble.
"You bugged the Asgaard," Jack asked her? Anna indicated 'yes.' Jack stood up and walked over to Anna. He regarded her solemnly for a few moments. "You are really something, lady, you know that?" He turned back to watch the recording. It was translated. The group watched and listened with increasing horror at the proceedings. They heard the vote. Then they heard Thor receive his orders and accept.
"Thor was ordered to find a way to destroy us." Lady Anna said simply and directly. "And he was ordered to do it immediately, a task he accepted. But Thor now begins to understand that course of action would be foolish. I have made arrangements for the Asgaard to become extinct should he try."
Sitting in the chair before them, Thor blinked.
At the SGC that evening, the Gate engaged. Chief Harriman called out the unscheduled off world activation announcement. Everyone took his position. It was Teal'c. His expression grim he asked to meet with Landry at the foot of the ramp. Teal'c explained he had to find O'Neill. Then he told Landry what had transpired at the Jaffa High Council meeting. Landry wasted no time. He had the Commonwealth representative summoned and explained the situation.
Once the wormhole was established to Aretz, Capital of the Commonwealth, the representative communicated the urgency of the message to the authorities there. It took a few moments, but Teal'c was granted passage. He departed still in full Jaffa regalia. The transporter in the Stargate Terminal sent him directly to the Palace. The staff was ready. He was shown immediately to O'Neill and the meeting with Thor.
"T, glad you made it. We were getting worried." Jack clasped forearms with his Jaffa friend. It was the same voice and manner as the O'Neill, the younger. Teal'c felt a sense of déjà vu. The meeting continued as soon as Daniel could get Teal'c up to speed. He was profoundly disturbed. And so he decided to wait until after Thor left to deliver his news from the High Council. Lady Anna meant business. And she had the means to retaliate. Truly, these humans had become the Fifth Race.
"Oy." Jack sat down heavily. This day just got worse and worse. Jack looked over at Anna. How prophetic she had been back at his cabin that night. He heard her words repeating in his head. 'The human race cannot afford to be backward, ignorant, or prey to other races or each other.' Their eyes met. They were both tired.
Anna invited Teal'c for the ceremonies the next day. He agreed and was shown to quarters in the Palace. The others said good night and left as well. That just left the two major players with each other.
"What?"
"It seems we have a few problems."
"Ah, yes. We do."
"They won't be solved quickly." Anna sighed. "The effects of the tags are still a burden. Tell me, Jack. Is it so bad to have to be here with me like this?
"Sometimes. Anna, when we are here just the two of us, it's fine. But all the protocol is trying my patience. I don't know if I can ever really accept it. Sure, we have protocol in the military. But you folks go to such an extreme compared to us. I understand you have to do it to maintain the aura necessary for command. It's that way in every organization. The leader cannot afford to mix it up with the staff as an equal. But, Anna, the bowing is just so offensive to my people."
"Why is that, Jack? Why bowing and not saluting or saying 'yes sir?' They are not doing it for me, but for the State I represent. When they show me respect, they show respect for the authority of the government I personify."
"Because to us, kneeling and bowing are demeaning. Standing upright and offering respect is dignified. That's just how we are taught from childhood. And something else, we are only supposed to bow to God, not to other people."
"I see. Thank you for explaining it so well." Anna thought for a moment. "But, there are cultures on your world who do as we do. What about them?"
"If it doesn't offend them, then fine. But when we watch it, we find it upsetting." Jack looked off into space. He wasn't good at this. But somehow he had to make himself do it, since too much was riding on his being able to communicate with her.
"Jack, you don't have to bow. Just salute, as we agreed. But I must insist the others do. My situation is still too unstable to allow any hint of disrespect. Once it happens, the roof will cave in on me. Perhaps in time, we can modify the protocol, but not now."
"I know." Jack stuck his hands behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. "So what about tomorrow? What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to stand there and look glorious, Jack." He just eyed her apprehensively. She smiled back innocently. "You can do that, Jack? Stand there and look glorious?"
"I don't suppose you'll explain better than that?" She grinned. "Right. 'You'll have to do it anyway. So don't worry about it, Jack.' Is that what you were going to say?" Anna nodded. "I'm getting used to it. And that worries me." She chuckled. He sighed.
"Let's take a walk, Jack. I need to stretch."
"I'm hungry."
Later that evening, Jack sat alone in the palace garden thinking about how things stood with the Asgaard, his own government, the Jaffa, and his friends. He reviewed the situation over and over. It was not one he ever would have chosen. He had sent Thor and Hermiod to deliver a powerful message to the Asgaard. There would have to be negotiations. Without an offspring from Jack and Anna, the Asgaard were as good as extinct without regard to any concern about Ascension. Thor was not the buddy he pretended to be. And the Asgaard were desperate. The President had sold him down the river. Teal'c had arrived with his bad news about the Jaffa wanting to make war on humans. Anna had called that one right, too. He hadn't believed her at the time. Daniel and Sam were upset. Sam, well, she was really angry. He didn't blame her. And he did. He had made her no promises other than to always be there for her. And he still was. Jack sighed. He didn't want to think about that anymore. She would make her own decision. The evening had profoundly disturbed Jack.
It had been a long day, a long horrible day. The silver-haired officer knew his life had changed forever. And he was being honest with himself for once. The fact that he had let himself be manipulated at every turn made him uncomfortable. He had wanted to explore through the Stargate so badly he wound up the pawn of just about everyone; the Asgaard, the Tok'ra, the Tollan, the Trust, Anubis, Ba'al, Kinsey, two presidents, and now the Commonwealth. Where was that O'Neill military bravado? Jack needed some right about now. Did this ever get out of hand.
"Oy." Jack closed his eyes wondering how that infuriating woman had managed to get everything to turn around her and still create so much chaos. Daniel was right. Everyone in the universe was dancing to her tune. She probably had the Wraith worried, too. Heck, she even had Maybourne working for her. Sheesh. Like Harry said, he had to admire that little lady. He wanted to strangle her. She fascinated him. He wasn't interested. Or maybe he was. She confused him. Jack frowned and sighed.
They were going to be stuck with each other for a while. Might as well make the best of it. It had been a stressful couple of days for her too. Tomorrow would be another heavy day. The big ceremony started in the morning, which was really today, now.
He marveled at the trust she had in him. They were strangers and yet they knew each other. Three times they had exchanged knowledge of their essence with the other. Jack had handed her the bouquet of flowers at their first meeting. Their hands brushed against one another and their minds met. It felt as though time had stood still. He had searched her intentions. Then they used the Ancient's hand healing device to save Carter. When they both held on to the thing, it worked better and more strongly than when each tried separately. In that moment, they met again. With the device it was even a more profound experience. And while trying to cure him when he was poisoned, Anna had revealed more than she realized during their second exchange with the Ancient hand device. It wasn't exactly specific information, just understanding. He was the stronger of the pair. He acted and she reacted in that state.
Maybe that's why he didn't kill her. He KNEW her. She wasn't inherently evil. She just had her own perspective of what needed to be done. Her motives were pure. He didn't agree with all of her decisions, but she was trying to do the right thing as she understood it. Knowing all that changed his attitude toward her. There was next to no way to communicate why to others. Sam had tried when Orlin melded with her. But the report was a pale description of the actual experience now that he knew what it was like.
Jack considered the implications from the accident with the Asgaard particle tagging. Thor admitted he had screwed up with the tags. While trying to track the humans on their infant steps into the unknown, Thor's people used sub-atomic particles to identify who and where that individual was. Over galactic distances, the tags provided information on all the humans associated with the Stargate program. A few times, Thor was able to come to the rescue when he realized his pet humans were someplace they shouldn't be. Thor did it primarily as a means to keep track of them and the trouble they could cause. But Jack was special to the Asgaard because he could take a download of the Ancient's Repository of Knowledge and use it.
Thor also used the tag system to deliver the desire to mate for both O'Neill and Lady Anna. Through some combination of the sense of smell, pheromones, and neural alteration in their brains, the damage was done. Jack and Anna conceived a desire to be together and an attraction. But when they were apart for many hours, the tags backfired sufficiently to make them sick and lose their minds. Only by returning to each other's presence would they recover. So they were stuck having to be in proximity with one another in order to function. Over time the problem became more acute. The amount of time they could function apart became shorter and shorter. And the mating desire became stronger.
There was a more serious side effect to the tags. They caused the two very advanced humans to continue a metamorphosis toward Ascension. After finding Anubis' lab and his genetically engineered clone, Khalek, the SGC knew how to judge a person's progress toward achieving Ascension due to purely physical reasons. Anubis left behind a machine the SGC dubbed the 'Ascendometer.' The SGC studied everyone on the base to see how it worked. They checked Anna when she arrived. In the three weeks after the meeting with Thor, Jack and Anna nearly doubled their progress and were continuing to change rapidly. Thor knew he had to try to fix it, if that was even possible. Jack didn't want to Ascend right now and had no idea what would happen. If he stalled out like Khalek, at least he had a long life ahead to contemplate a solution. That was something. Something. Yeah. Anna really had other plans. She said she didn't want to Ascend right now. It might not be up to them.
It was all too much for one day. At any rate, it was time for bed.
A servant opened the heavy damask drapes. Bright sunshine filled the room, the next morning at the palace. Jack blinked in confusion; then remembered where he was. The valet stood ready with his robe and slippers, informing him his bath was ready.
'Sometimes it's good to be me,' thought Jack as he padded off to the bathroom.
Smells of hot coffee drew him back into the room. These folks knew what pleased him and went out of their way to do it. Coffee was not the usual drink here, but they stocked it for him. He was useless before his morning cup of coffee. And he liked a good start to the day with a hot breakfast. Here it was, beautifully laid out on extravagant china. 'I could get used to this,' he grinned to himself. They even had several Earth newspapers ready from which to select. He chose the Washington Post.
On the front page Jack learned the President was coming to the ceremony today. 'Now how did they ever convince him to go through the Gate?' Jack was impressed. Apparently, there would be a large Earth Delegation present today. According to the papers, many nations had sent their ambassadors. But President Hayes was the only world leader in the flesh. Sweet.
Jack checked his image in his dress blues with dripping in medals. No ribbon bar was enough for these folks. They had to see the medals. Jack stood there expectantly waiting to be told where he was going. Apparently, he was summoned to Lady Anna. Understandable, Jack decided. They had just spent ten hours apart. Let's get this over with, thought the silver-haired man. It will probably be routine until Thor figures this out. And off he went, down the stairs. Only it turned out he was only one level above her quarters. That was a surprise. In this whole entire gigantic palace, they were located on different floors above and below one another. That distance should have been sufficiently close. So why did she want to see him? He'd been only twelve feet above her the whole night.
"Greetings my Lord General." Lady Anna stood in the middle of the room being dressed. She had several women fussing over the costume. The head ornament was unbelievable and must weigh a ton. Jack gave a slight bow. She smiled back.
"Good morning, ma'am." He gave her the once over. "Well, you do look great. I really mean that." Jack gestured with his hand forward. "Wow." She smiled, knowingly. "Um, I just gotta know, ma'am." He gestured to the headgear. "How do you manage to hold that up?"
"Anti-gravity units."
"Ah. Of course you do. What was I thinking?" They both grinned. Well, well, it seems we're getting used to each other. "So, now what?"
"Can you ride a horse?"
"Yes, ma'am." Jack cocked his head waiting for this to play out.
"Good. Because I want you to ride one up the Grand Concourse in the procession to the bottom of the steps. Then you will join me on top and we shall go in for prayers together."
That sounded reasonable. Jack kept trying to figure out how this was going to go wrong. "Why do I have to ride a horse?"
"It's traditional. You are the 'Hero of the Battle for Earth.' The people will want to see you. Don't worry, we'll have a new set of clothing for you after the horse." She wrinkled her nose.
Right. These people had an acute sense of smell after all their own genetic manipulations.
Anna dismissed the attendants. She gestured for him to come closer. "Jack, do this for me today. They are shaken by the King retiring and the battle. It's never happened before. Let them know we are strong together. It is important to reassure them. Then, afterwards, you can forgo public appearances for a while."
"Anna, why do they care if I am present?"
"Jack, why can't you accept that our people care a great deal about you?"
"See, that's just it. I can't get used to it. I'm just an ordinary guy who got lucky a few times. I did my job. That's all."
Anna smiled and offered her hand. Jack hesitated. "Why do you always flinch when I offer you my hand? I rarely ever do it for anyone. And we must touch to accommodate the tags."
"It's not you. I always do that with hands. Every single time I flash back to the Human-form Replicators sticking their hands in my head. Can't help it." Jack took her hand in both of his very gently.
Anna's expression softened. She had read that report. "It must have been awful. I shall stop, then."
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I know we have to touch somehow. Thor is working on it. He'll figure this out." Jack sighed. "Suppose you let me offer my hand first?"
"That's fine in private, but not in public. We have to be careful about protocol." Jack nodded in understanding. "Or suppose I announce that's what I am going to do so you won't be surprised?"
"That will work."
'She is being very gracious. I wonder why I never saw it like that. Before, all that protocol really rubbed the wrong way. Now, I just don't care all that much. She wasn't trying to beat me down with it. Actually, she was trying to show respect as she understood it. Funny how re-arranging one's own perspective could change the whole situation.'
"Are we done, Jack?"
"Yes, Anna." Anna turned and called her ladies back into the room.
"Thank you, My Lord General. You have been most kind. Your day is full. Do not let me keep you any longer." He gave her a head nod. She couldn't move with the headpiece. So she winked at him. He saw it and smiled inwardly.
'Sometimes she could be okay.'
On the ' Enterprise,' Captain Jack awoke to screams of sirens and horns bellowing. The ship buckled under the force of the explosions. Jack had to brace himself between the walls of his cabin just to stay upright. He managed to make it through the door and towards the bridge a few doors away.
"No response to our hails, sir." The Sr. Tac Officer announced as he got up to give the position to the captain. "They just appeared at the coordinates you indicated and opened fire. It's the 'Acca,' Super Dreadnaught class. And it's got three Dreadnaughts for company."
"Evasive maneuvers Gamma Alpha Six," ordered the Captain. He had no idea what it would do, but sitting still was worse.
Heads swiveled and snapped up to try to comply with the bizarre order. The First Officer jumped in with his own order. Jack looked at him for an explanation.
"There is no such maneuver, Captain," the F.O. simply said.
"Keep hailing them. Tell them that Jack O'Neill is the Captain and to cease fire." He wasn't sure what effect if any that would have, but he had been told to do it.
An uncertain Commander on the Super Dreadnaught, 'Acca,' answered the hail. Jack ordered the video off. He spoke his command again. "Stand down and explain yourself."
"My Lord General O'Neill we had no idea you were in command of this ship. We were told that someone had stolen the 'Samantha Carter' to sabotage today's events at the Capital." The voice was both bewildered and unctuous. "But aren't you supposed to be at the Capital and why can't we speak face to face?"
"You ruined our video capability you sorry excuse for a Royal Officer. And no, I am not at the Capital now am I?" Jack hissed his fury. He had been told to be aggressive and high handed.
Off the feed, the Commander of the 'Acca' asked his tech to verify it was indeed O'Neill and not a trick. The voice scan matched perfectly. But that wasn't hard to fool with the right equipment.
"Can you prove you are Lord O'Neill and not some electronic trick of the voice?"
"Go figure, for crying out loud. He shoots at me and I'm supposed to give my bonafides. Target his engines and fire when ready if he doesn't stand down in five seconds."
"Now, wait a minute. You could be a pirate."
"Am I acting like a pirate? No. You are. Fire when ready." Jack was at his most surly and impatient as he had been told to be. All the while scans of the ships continued to pinpoint firing solutions. "And don't even think of asking me for my blessing. Because I'm fresh out." He watched the consternation on the faces behind the commander. "Fire." Shots ripped outward with the new weapons. The missile's hyperdrives engaged. Immediately, the missiles emerged inside the other vessels. One blew up altogether. The others had serious damage.
"My Lord O'Neill, please stop. We surrender. I am the Tactical Officer. The Commander and the First Officer are dead as are most of the bridge crew. What are your orders?"
"Do you have Lady Janelle on board?"
"No, My Lord. Why would we?" The young woman was truly confused. "I don't understand. Will someone tell me what's going on?"
"Lower your shields and heave to for boarding. If we find her there, you are a dead duck."
At that statement, the woman did a double take. She had heard of his peculiar phrasing, but that was downright unintelligible.
"My Lord O'Neill, I am not a duck."
"Today, you are a duck." He made the cutting motion and the transmission terminated. "Target their engines. I don't want them going anywhere after we are certain Janelle isn't there. Have our marines sabotage their communications. Once our boys are back on board, fire. Helm, plot the next stop."
Where are my contacts the 'Moriah' and the 'Jordan?' Were they compromised? Somehow we have to get to a planet with a Stargate for new instructions and to receive the recording promised.
DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis" and their characters are the property of Sony Pictures MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended against this story or any other in the universe. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.
