Stargate SG1

by Anaika Skywalker

An alternate look at the episodes of Stargate SG1, starting at the end of the Movie and then on to 'Children of the Gods'. Completed.

13. New Order

Title: Stargate SG-1

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise.

Author's Note: This chapter begins at 'New Order', and finishes just after. This wasn't an easy one to write and to be honest I was glad when I finished it. Incorporating Cali into this next lot of chapters is not going to be easy eitherand I still haven't even decided which Episodes I'm going to add. If you have a favorite epsode of season eight, then let me know and I'll see if I can do it or added it with another. Any help is appreciated. I'd also just like to say to those out there who don't like the story, sending nasty emails doesn't work with me, I just delete them. So if you don't have anything nice to say. Then don't say it at all and save an email.

But I say a very big thank you to those of you who have been enjoying the story and haven't been nasty. Thank you very much.

LetNys: I've always liked 'The Lost City' and I really had fun putting Cali into it. I'm glad you liked it and I'm looking forward to season 9, not that I know when we'll be getting it here in Australia.

Winjan: I'm glade you enjoyed the last chapter and yes, Jack is loveable when he goes Ancient.

Nightshae: I just couldn't resist bring Cameron Mitchell into the last chapter; I really wanted to acknowledge the fact he was apart of the battle. I am so looking forward to seeing season 9. Thank goodness for transcripts. And I agree; I would have loved to see Cameron added to 'The Lost City', it would have made things interesting.

Scottiedog: Thanks for the encouragement; I'm really having fun with these episodes.

Virago500: I hope you got my reply and it sorted things out for you and I hope you stick with this story.

Roseofthegate: Putting Cali into the chapter wasn't easy, but I did enjoy it and I'm happy with the way it came together so well. So thank you and I hope you like this chapter too.

Stargate SG-1

Chapter Thirteen: New Order

Daniel shoved another book into his pack and then hurried over to bookshelf, getting another he shoved it in to; it was then he spotted the head of Stargate command hovering in the doorway of his office. "Dr. Weir."

"Elizabeth," she corrected with a smile.

"Elizabeth," he agreed with a warm smile. "Almost ready. I can't believe we're finally going. I mean I know I should have been ready a long time ago, but I needed some of these materials."

"The talks have stalled again." Elizabeth revealed.

Daniel stopped what he was doing and braced both hands on the table, disappointed. "You're kidding."

"What's she kidding about?" Cali asked walking around Elizabeth to get into the office, like her husband, she wore green BDU's.

"The talks have stalled again," he filled in.

She turned to Elizabeth. "Again?"

"It's a complicated situation."

"The Antarctic Treaty was established to promote scientific research in the area." Daniel lectured.

Elizabeth walked into the office. "With the interest of progress for all mankind," she reminded. "Not just that of the United States. So argue the other 11 nations, all claiming shared jurisdiction. Article 1 states quiet clearly; there can be no establishment of any military base, and no testing of any weapons. You saw first hand how powerful the Ancient outpost is."

"So meanwhile, Jack just stays frozen in a stasis pod down there," he said, determined to get his point across. "He sacrificed himself to save us, all of us. Not just this country."

"I know," Elizabeth agreed, "but the scale of Anubis' attack makes covering it up tenuous at best. If we're going to keep the entire world from finding out everything to do with the Stargate we're going to need the full cooperation of every Government now aware of what's been going on. It's just going to take more time."

"And in the meantime, we just sit here and do nothing," Cali stated, frustrated.

Elizabeth sighed and shrugged. "I'm sorry Dr. Jackson, Dr. O'Neill," she said and started to leave.

"Daniel and Cali," he told her.

She stopped and turned back. "Daniel and Cali." She agreed and walked out.

Daniel throw down the book he'd picked up in frustration. "I don't believe this."

Neither could Cali; she crossed her arms against her chest. "I need to ring Silvia, she can let Jon know what's happening."

"Cal," he went round the worktable to her. "I'm sorry," he drew her into his arms. "We'll get your dad back, I promise." He cupped her face in his hands. "They can't talk forever."

"I hope not."

Daniel lent down, his lips brushing over hers. "One way or another we'll get your dad back."

An hour later they were seated with the rest of the team and Weir, discussing their situation.

"We use the Gate," Sam purposed.

"It's not we can't use it," Elizabeth announced. "Officially all normal Gate activity will remain suspended. Just until the agreement for the control of the Antarctic site is resolved."

Sam saw Daniel raise his eyebrows and Cali shake her head; she didn't understand it herself. "What does one have to do with the other?"

"While we obviously still have full jurisdictional control over the Stargate, the President feels that ultimately, how we proceed with operations here at the SGC will reflect on our international good will." Elizabeth answered.

"In other words, it's our political leverage in negotiations." Daniel said with slight disgust.

Elizabeth nodded even as she said. "I would never say that."

He nodded understanding what she meant. Noticing out of the corner of his eye, his wife pushed her chair back and walked over to the window to stare out at the Gate.

"What about Colonel O'Neill?" Sam asked.

"Look… I know what he means to the four of you. We all appreciate the sacrifice Colonel O'Neill made."

"He save Earth's collective ass and now the politicians are acting like children while he's frozen like a Popsicle," Cali retorted. The venom in her voice was understandable. "His son and grandchildren are starting to wonder if they'll ever see him again."

"Dr. O'Neill, this isn't a situation that's going to be easily rectified." Elizabeth began.

"It will if I go to the outpost and set the damn thing to self destruct," she stated as she turned, arms crossed against her chest. Her threat was serious and they all knew it.

"The Asgard can help, Jack," Daniel said, calming the situation. "The last time they were able to erase the Ancient knowledge from his mind before it killed him."

"We've tried contacting them," Elizabeth informed. "What do you suggest we do?"

Sam spoke up before Cali could. "You're aware of how we helped the Asgard trap the Replicators in a time dilation field on the planet Hala?"

"Something to that effect, yes. That was a couple of years ago, right?" Elizabeth queried.

"Basically," the Major answered, "we know that that trap is only going to hold them for so long. Thor and the Asgard must be monitoring the situation. If we can get there, we should be able to contact them."

"Isn't the planet you're talking about in another galaxy?"

"Othalla." Daniel filled in.

"O'Neill used his knowledge of the Ancients to modify the Goa'uld vessel currently in our possession." Teal'c added.

"According to your report, Major," Elizabeth said addressing Sam, "that ship is capable of flying faster and farther than anything the Goa'uld have."

"Yes," Sam said bluntly. "I think it might just get us there."

"And back?"

Sam grimaced. "That might be a problem. There's a good chance the trip will burn out the engines."

"Okay, now that's a problem," Elizabeth declared. "If you get there and it turns out you can't contact the Asgard?"

"We're willing to take the risk.

Daniel frowned, glancing from Weir to Sam; he had a bad feeling about this.

"As admirable as that is, I can't let you do it." Elizabeth decided.

"For what reason?" Teal'c wanted to know.

"Colonel O'Neill was able to fend of Anubis' feet using the weapons from the Ancient outpost. Hopefully, that will make the other Goa'uld think twice before attacking Earth in the foreseeable future," she explained. "But the truth is, we don't know if we're going to be able to ever use those weapons again, and if we can't, we going to need a new tactical advantage over the Goa'uld. At least that's what the Pentagon tells me. The modified cargo ship… it's too valuable right now. I'm sorry. Request denied."

"Oh come on," Cali exclaimed. "We'd know if the weapon was gonna fire again, if they'd let us go down there. Has everybody forgotten I'm the one whose genetic structure was manipulated by an Ancient, I can use the damn chair too?" Her outburst left them quiet; frustrated she turned and walked out of the room.

Daniel got up and hurried after her. Knowing she wasn't going to be any help, Elizabeth went to her office.

Sam sat back in her chair. "We've got to do something, Teal'c."

"I agree, Major Carter. We must convince Dr. Weir to let us contact the Asgard by ship," he stated bluntly.

She nodded. "The sooner the better. Cali is on the verge of a melt down."

"This has not been easy on her," Teal'c agreed.

"No it hasn't," Sam pushed her chair back and stood. "Lets see if we can convince Daniel to take her home, I think they both need some time away from here."

Teal'c got to his feet. "I concur," he stated and followed her from the room.

It took a bit of fast-talking, but Sam managed to convince Daniel and Cali to go home, after they'd left the base, she thought over their problem and came up with a solution, heading for Weir's office. Elizabeth was doing paperwork at her desk as she knocked on the partially opened door.

Elizabeth looked up. "What can I do for you, Major?"

Sam pushed opened the door, but remained in the doorway. "I want you to reconsider my request."

"I'm sorry."

She walked further into the office, standing in front of the desk, laying her cards on the table. "That cargo ship was modified using the knowledge of the Ancients. Now, there is no guarantee that anyone will ever be able to figure out how it was done. And Cali sure as hell won't tell anyone and I know she knows."

"And as the most likely person on the planet, other then Dr. O'Neill, who could figure it out," Elizabeth caught on. "Are you telling me that if I don't let you attempt to contact the Asgard, you won't even try?"

Sam smiled grimly and nodded her head, even though she said: "I would never say that?"

Elizabeth smiled and nodded in return. "Right now, that is the most advanced piece of technology we have."

"If it weren't for Colonel O'Neill, we wouldn't have that ship. For that mater, we wouldn't even be here discussing this." Sam noted. "And Cali wouldn't be having to explain to his son and her children why we're not doing anything to save him."

Sighing Elizabeth nodded her head again. "She'll want to go with you, they both will."

This time Sam shook her head. "We can't let her. If anything happens, she's the only one who can sit in the chair and make it work and you'll need Daniel to keep her from going completely Ancient on you."

Sitting back Elizabeth laced her fingers together. "So what do you have planned?"

Sam laid her plan out for her, knowing she'd given Dr. Weir no chose but to agree to it.

The next morning Sam and Teal'c were discussing it in her lab.

"We got the coordinates from the Prometheus," Sam told him. "Now, based on the amount of time it took the modified ship to get from Taonas to Earth, I'm estimating our trip to Othallo will take roughly ten days."

Teal'c was going to comment when Daniel and Cali walked in, the two had heard about the mission on their arrival.

"Hey," Daniel greeted. "So, how did you talk Weir into letting us go?"

"I didn't," Sam corrected. "I talked her into letting us go," she gestured to Teal'c and herself. "You and Cali are staying here." She saw the disappointment on their faces, as well as a touch of anger from Cali. "Look, guys, even with the modifications to the ship, there's a no guarantee it'll get us there, and if it does there's a good chance it'll burn out the engines. The ship was never meant to fly at that speed, which means, if we don't find the Asgard, we'll be stranded."

"We know." Cali stated, not seeing the problem, Daniel backing her up. "Besides, I've got a fairly good idea how dad modified the ship."

"You also have a family, Cali O'Neill. You both belong here." Teal'c stated.

"We need you, here," Sam said, hoping she was getting her point across. "You're our best chance of deciphering whatever information's in that Ancient outpost," she told Daniel, before looking at Cali. "And you're the only person here who can use the chair."

"If we fail, you will be O'Neill's only hope." Teal'c concluded.

As much as Daniel hated to admit it, they were both right. He turned to his wife. "They're right, Cal, we're better off staying here."

"I know," she shoved her hands into the pockets of her blue BDU pants. "It doesn't mean I have to like it."

He drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "No, you don't. Neither of us does."

A week later:

Daniel walked towards the office of the SGC's CO, seeing the door was opened, he knocked as he walked in, seeing Elizabeth look up from the reports she was reading.

"Daniel," she greeted.

"Elizabeth," he greeted back, as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his green BDU pants.

"How is Cali?" She inquired.

He managed an amused smiled. "Oh she's having fun teaching Marines swear words in Goa'uld."

"I see, she's suppose to be teaching them the language, not how to swear in it," Elizabeth noted.

"Well it comes in handy," he dismissed and came straight to the point. "I was wondering if you'd heard anything?"

"They're still bogged down," she revealed, knowing what he was talking about.

"It's been over a week." Daniel pointed out.

"What did you expect, a quick round of handshakes? Champagne toast? Seal the deal?" She asked him, a little sarcastically.

Daniel crossed his arms against his chest. "We were attacked from space by an armada of alien ships. If that doesn't get us past our distrust of each other, what will?" He asked, giving her a casual smile.

"You forget those alien ships were destroyed by a single weapon," Elizabeth reminded. "I mean, that kind of power is going to give anyone cause for concern."

"Yep," he acknowledged and pushed the one question he'd been curious about since the talks started. "Not that I want this to come of as an attempt to get rid of you, but… isn't this sort of international negotiations exactly your area of expertise?"

Before Elizabeth couldn't comment, 'Unauthorized off world activation!' came over the PA system. She and Daniel headed for the control room.

Sergeant Harriman acknowledged them as they walked in. "We're receiving a single. It's a text message."

Daniel took a look at the message that appeared on the monitor. "It's Goa'uld," he informed and began reading.

"What does it say?" Elizabeth asked him.

"Um, it's from one of the System Lords, Camulus, Celtic God of War," he revealed.

"I'm not familiar with him," she declared.

Daniel was more then curious now. "We've never had any contact with him before," he remarked, becoming distracted, not even noticing his wife's arrival. "Wow…"

"Yeah, of course 'Wow'." Elizabeth commented.

Cali was just as stunned. "Double wow," she declared.

Daniel heard Elizabeth clear her throat, seeing she was waiting for an answer. "Sorry, it's says he wants to arrange a meeting for the purpose of negotiating a treaty."

"A Goa'uld wants to arrange a treat with us?" Elizabeth asked in disbelief.

"Not just one Goa'uld." Daniel began.

"All of them," Cali continued his sentence. "The System Lords."

He finished her sentence off this time. "They want to send a representatives here."

Elizabeth was not only surprised by the news, but she was a little taken back by the way the two of them just started and finished each other's sentences without even missing a beat. "Get a copy of this message, I want it translated as soon as possible." She told them and left the control room, the Gate closing down as she left.

Both nodded, Cali sat down at the console; she was the more computer literate of the two of them, she accepted the flash drive Harriman handed her and downloaded the message onto it. Removing it, they left the control room for their office.

An hour later they had the translation done and were in the briefing room with Weir, who was reading it over, Cali sat to her right, Daniel stood near the window looking down at the Stargate.

"You're sure this is an accurate translation of the message?"

Daniel turned, his arms crossed against his chest. "Pretty much." Cali snapped out a sarcastic remark in Goa'uld that had him chuckling.

Elizabeth ignored it, staying to the problem at hand. "What do you make of it?"

He walked over to them. "Well, to be honest, I'm not sure what to think," he admitted.

"The Goa'uld did come here once to negotiate a treaty," she remembered.

"Yeah, with the Asgard, not with us," Cali confirmed.

Her husband lent on the back of one of the chairs, continuing. "Earth just served as neutral territory. For them to want to meet with us as equals is extremely unusual."

"Maybe we gained a bit of respect in their eyes." Elizabeth put forth, getting use to them finishing each other's sentences.

"They must have heard what happened to Anubis," Cal stated. "They couldn't defeat him, not with all their combined forces and we did it in a single day."

"Which may explain why they want to come here." Elizabeth said.

"Yeah, to see how we did it." Daniel declared a little sarcastically.

She pushed her chair back and stood. "I'll contact the President," she declared and hurried into her office.

Cali got up and walked round to Daniel, sitting up on the table, as he gathered the papers together. "This isn't going to be easy."

"I know," he sat down, leaning back in his chair.

"I wonder how Teal'c and Sam are getting along?" She pondered.

"They should be at Hala by now," he pointed out. "After they've contracted Thor, we should hear something from them." Cali nodded and rubbed her temples. He saw that, putting a hand on her thigh. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired," she assured, giving him a smile. She slid off the table. "I'd better get back to my Marines."

"Be nice."

"Always," she lent over and brushed her lips over his. "See you late."

"It's a date," he promised and watched her walk out, smiling to himself.

He was making notes on his notebook when Elizabeth finished her call to the President and walked back out. "The President has authorized me to pursue negotiations with the Goa'uld."

Daniel was a little surprised. "Okay."

"You don't think I can handle it?" She stated.

"I didn't say that, but… if I may, you don't sound all that confident," he noted.

"Well, as you said, I have brokered my share of international negotiations," she said nervously. "This will just be my first interplanetary one."

"The System Lords can't be trusted, either as a group or individuals," Daniel lectured. "They're posturing ego maniacs, driven by an insatiable lust for power. Each one capable of unimaginable evil."

"See? Why should I be nervous? Sounds like an average day at the United Nations," she sat up on the table, seeing the archaeologist smile slightly before looking down at his notepad. For a briefing moment she was envious of the young woman who had this man for her husband. "Look, I'm not afraid to admit that I need help. So what can you tell me?"

Daniel heard the sincerity in her words. He put his notepad down and the cap back on his pen. "The High Council of the System Lords is a rather flimsy coalitions of the most powerful Goa'ulds in the galaxy," he revealed bluntly. "They only cooperate when it suites them. Their numbers vary from time to time. New one rise up, older ones get knocked off. We think there's about a dozen right now. I can put together a summary of what we know," he concluded as he waved his pen in a circle.

Elizabeth nodded. "All right," she agreed. "I assume I can't just open the iris and let the representatives just walk through?"

"No, that would probably be a bad idea," Daniel told her. " We should get them to meet us at a neutral location. Preferable a planet of our choosing, send a team, check them out, make sure they're unarmed and then escort them back."

"Good. Send the message." Elizabeth ordered and hoped off the table, returning to her office.

Daniel unhappily gathered his things together and left to do just that.

Othalla Galaxy:

When Sam and Teal'c arrived at their destination they found themselves caught in the effects of an extremely powerful gravitational force caused by a black hole. Hala's sun had collapsed into a black hole. Sam tried to get more out of the sublight engines. The cargo ship shuddered under the pressure.

"We are now being pulled backwards," Teal'c informed, he sat at the controls, leaving Sam to work on the problem. "Perhaps if we divert power from the shields?"

"Right now they're the only thing holding the ship together," she told him. "Drop them and the gravitational field could tear us apart."

"I do not believe there is any other choice," he declared, raising his voice to be heard.

Sam had to agree and did it, opening a panel. "Diverting power," she removed one of the crystals and then closed the unit.

"We are now moving forward," Teal'c revealed.

She walked back into the cockpit. "It's not gonna be good enough," there was a creaking noise and steam vented from various areas. "We're losing hull integrity!" She called out. Teal'c ran towards her, they both heard the ripping of metal. "We've got a hull breach!"

Teal'c grabbed Sam as the back was completely ripped off the ship; an Asgard transporter beam enveloped them before they could be sucked out. They appeared on the Asgard ship along with all their equipment, Teal'c steadying Sam as they found their feet.

Thor was there. "Greetings!"

Sam was happy to see him. "Thor!"

"It is good to see you again Major Carter, Teal'c," he said as he swiveled the console he was sitting at towards them.

"Like wise," she acknowledged.

"Indeed," Teal'c added. "Your timing in impeccable," he said as they walked over to him.

Back at the SGC, Dr. Weir walked into Daniels and Cali's lab, finding the archaeologist and his wife at his desk. "So the Goa'uld have agreed to our terms for their travel here."

"Yeah," he wasn't happy about it. He looked up from the papers he was looking over, seeing her pull a chair over and sit down. "We were just going over some research material on the delegates they're sending. Camulus was the one who sent the original message," he handed her the first sheet. "Then there's Amaterasu, Japanese Sun Goddess," he handed the next one over, "and the last one is Lord Yu." He handed the last sheet to her.

Elizabeth looked at them both with an almost teasing smile on her lips. "Yu?"

"Don't. Every joke, every pun, done to death, seriously." Cali warned her straight forward.

"I just thought I remembered reading he was not himself, or something," Elizabeth announced. "Of course, for a Goa'uld, what that means exactly, I'm not sure. Please continue."

"Well, he no longer has the ability to take on a new host and it seems the regenerative powers of the sarcophagus are losing it's effectiveness for him," Daniel went on. "Basically, he's suffering from old age."

"He's senile," Elizabeth was stunned. "Why would they chose him as a representative?"

"His underlings may be doing a good job of covering for him." Cali answered her.

"The other System Lords don't know?"

"The interesting thing is, Lord Yu was one System Lord who opposed Anubis' desire to be reinstated to the council after his banishment." Daniel revealed and saw Elizabeth shake her head slightly, obviously she didn't know what he was talking about. "Long story." He assured her. "The point is that he fell out of favor when the other System Lords accepted Anubis back, and he used his power to become an effective leader."

"So now that Anubis is gone, you think the balance of power has shifted back to Yu," she guessed.

"On the bright side, out of all the Goa'uld, Lord Yu has been the most cooperative with us in the past." Cali noted.

"I thought none of them could be trusted."

"Oh, they can't," Daniel, declared. "Especially not a crazy one."

"Huh. That's the bright side?" Elizabeth asked him.

"More of a slightly less dark side," he said lightly.

Elizabeth was going to comment when the phone started ring.

Cali got up and answered it. "Dr. O'Neill," she paused listening. "Put him through," she told the base operator. "General Hammond; how is Washington?" She smiled at his comment. "What can I do for you, Sir?" She asked and then frowned as she heard what he wanted, seeing both Elizabeth and Daniel were watching her responses. "I can be ready in an hour, Sir." She paused again. "No, it's no problem, General. Would you like to talk to Dr. Weir, she's here with us at the moment… One moment, Sir," she held out the receiver for Elizabeth.

Who got up and took it. "General Hammond," she turned away from them continuing her conversation.

Cali sat back down. "Looks like I'm going to Washington, the President asked General Hammond to ask me personally."

"You've been expecting it," he reminded.

"I know, I just didn't think it would be this soon," she said and rubbed her temples, seeing his concern. "I'm fine Daniel, really, I'm just tired."

"All right."

Elizabeth hung up, turning. "Well, I guess I should wish you well in Washington, Cali."

"I'd rather be here," the younger woman remarked.

"General Hammond is having a driver pick you up in an hour, do you need to go home?"

"No, I've got everything I need here," Cali answered. "Force of habit, I suppose."

"Well, I'll see you in the Gate room, then Daniel," she said, smiling she walked out.

"Come on," Daniel urged his wife. "Let's get you ready."

They stood and left their lab, going to their quarters on level 25. While Cali took a shower, Daniel rang home and filed Silvia in on Cali's trip to Washington, talking with both his sons and Jon before he hung up.

Cali walked out of the bathroom in her underwear and dressed, choosing a dark blue tailored skirt and white blouse, with a matching dark blue dress jacket.

Daniel came up behind her. "Sit down," he ordered, picking up the hairbrush when she did, he unbraided her hair and brushed it. The one thing he truly loved was being able to brush her hair, feeling the silky strains beneath his fingers, knowing she relaxed at his touch and right now she needed to relax. "Did General Hammond say why he wanted you in Washington?"

"The President wants my opinion on the running of the SGC," she revealed.

Daniel winced. "He's putting you on the spot."

"Oh yeah," she murmured, her eyes closed. "He knows it too."

"And he knows you'll tell him the truth," he added quietly.

She knew that too. "Yeah." She sighed and opened her eyes.

He handed her the brush and stood back and watched her expertly pull her hair back, pulling into a bun, giving her a more professional look, that and it made her look a little older. He happened to be blessed with a wife that didn't look her age. He smiled warmly, continuing to watch her, the way she brushed her hair, applied make-up. Today, however he could see the signs of strain showing through her usually calm exterior. He put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. "Are you going to be all right?"

"Yeah," she nodded and then stood, slipping her shoes on, giving him a weary smile as she went into his waiting embrace, knowing he was worried. "Daniel, I'll be fine. I am fine."

"At least try and get some sleep on the plane," he suggested, worriedly.

"I will," she promised. "Kiss Caleb for me."

He nodded and cupped her face in his hands, staring briefly into her eyes before he lent down and kissed her, his lips parting hers as the kiss deepened. Pressing her body as close to his as possible, his sexy goddess melting with desire in his arms.

She moaned against his mouth, reluctantly pulling away, breath a little harder. "You and I have unfinished business that will be finished when I get back."

"Yes, we do," he agreed, his breathing just as ragged.

She stepped back and wiped the lipstick from his lips with a tissue, throwing it into bin. "Walk me to the surface?"

"Oh yeah, I need some air." Daniel remarked, grabbing her overnight bag.

Cali chuckled as they left. "This from the man I once dragged out of his office after four straight days."

"Hey, you were in there with me," he protested.

"Which is why I dragged you out," she smirked and they both laughed softly.

They made a brief stop at their office/lab so she could get her briefcase and a few files she could work on during the flight, as well as her laptop, which fitted into her briefcase, heading up to the surface. An airman waited with a car, he nodded to them.

"Dr. Jackson. Dr. O'Neill."

Both acknowledged him, he took her bag and put it in the car, leaving her with her briefcase.

Cali turned to her husband. "Take it easy with these guys."

"I will," he assured and kissed her forehead. "Take it easy on the President."

"I'll do my best," she said lightly.

He was still worried about her. "I want you to see Dr. Brightman when you get back if you're still feeling tired." He saw her hesitated. "Promise me, Cali?"

She yielded. "I promise."

"Thank you."

Her smile was sincere. "I have to go."

"I know."

She stepped away from him and walked over to the car, the Airman opened the door and she got in, he shut it and ran round to the other side, getting it. She waved to her husband as they drove away.

Daniel watched them leave, and then hurried back inside, he wanted to get a few things down before the representatives arrived. There were a few artifacts that needed cleaning, enough to get his mind off things for a while at least anyway.

Thor's Ship: 'The Daniel Jackson'

"I am afraid I cannot leave this sector, Major," Thor told Sam after she explained their being there. "Not at the moment."

"Thor, you're the only one who can save Colonel O'Neill," she retorted frustrated.

"As you have said, he is being preserved in stasis at the moment," the Asgard said calmly. "I will be glade to return with you to Earth as soon as my mission here is completed."

"What is your mission?" Teal'c inquired.

"I must wait here until I am certain the Replicators have been destroyed. "You may have noticed that Hala's sun has collapsed into a black hole." Thor stated.

Sam nodded, standing with her hands on her hips. "Yeah… just before the back of our ship was torn off."

"I'm sorry I did not reach you sooner," the Asgard apologized. "I was not expecting you."

"Yeah, you haven't been responding to attempts to contact you," she noted.

"I am sorry. Time space distortions caused by the black hold have been interfering with my ships long range communications."

"Understandable."

"Indeed." Teal'c remarked, adding deadpan. "For some."

Sam looked from Thor to the Jaffa and smiled. Hanging around Jack O'Neill was starting to rub off on him.

"The time dilation field was only a temporary measure," Thor continued. "We knew the time it would take for the Replicator humans to reach the machine would translate to less then two years outside the field. Therefore, a more permanent solution was devised."

"So you collapsed the sun." Sam stated.

"By artificially increasing it's gravitational field, yes," the Asgard declared.

"That's…" Sam was impressed. "Pretty cool."

Thor swiveled the control unit he was sitting at, around to the view screen. "As you can see. The planet has already broken apart," he pointed out to them as they moved to get a better look. "However, a large number of Replicators have managed to come together in coherent mass that has yet to pass the event horizon."

They could see that on the screen.

"Well, even if they can withstand the gravitational force without being torn apart, there's no way they could ever…"

Thor interrupted Sam. "Interesting."

"What is it?" She asked him.

"The mass of Replicator blocks has begun moving away from the even horizon."

"How is that possible?"

They have the time dilation deice," Thor revealed. "I do not know exactly how but they seemed to have used it to counteract the gravitational effects that should be pulling them in."

"Frightening," Sam remarked. "Not only that they can do that, but that you don't know how."

"I agree," Thor acknowledged, as the view screen showed the 'craft' moving away from the event horizon. "They are picking up speed. Scans indicate the blocks have formed together."

"Into what?" Teal'c asked concerned.

"A ship," the Asgard answered. "They are escaping. Their course indicates they are heading this way."

"Have you seen anything like it?" Sam asked as she turned to Thor.

"No, and it is doubtful my ships weapons will be effective against it," he replied.

"We should probably get out of here then, huh?" She suggested. "Can you jump into hyperspace?"

"We must clear the gravitational field of the black hold first," he paused as they heard an alarm, informing them. "They have fired on us."

"Can it penetrate your shields?" Sam asked him concerned.

"It is more than likely," they all watched the view screen. "Brace for impact," Thor advised. The ship shuddered as it was hit, alarms sounding. "The hull has been breached."

"Where?" Sam asked quickly.

He brought up a plan of the ships interior. "The damage is minimal. The projectile was likely composed of Replicators. They are not visible to my ships scanners. This is how they have boarded Asgard ships in the past."

"Can you use the shields to prevent decompression in those sectors?" She wanted to know."

"Yes."

Moving quickly, Sam and Teal'c hurried to the stack of crates Thor had transported on board along with them, getting weapons and vests. They had Replicators to deal with.

SGC

Dr. Weir stood in the Gate room at the base of the ramp, tensely waiting for the Stargate to open. Her mind raced, but she was not going to second guess herself, she had one of the best standing by her, well when he turned up he would be. She turned as the person in question strolled in putting on his watch as the chevrons were locking. "I thought you were going to stand me up?"

"Yeah, sorry," Daniel apologized, he'd lost track of the time cleaning artifacts. "Heard anything from Teal'c and Sam?" He asked as the Gate opened.

"No."

Sergeant Harriman's voice came over the intercom. "Receiving a signal, Ma'am," he informed, adding. "SG-7 reports we have a green light."

"Open the iris," she ordered.

The iris opened and then the System Lords came through, Amaterasu first, then Camulus, Yu's first prime Oshu and then Yu stepped through, walking down the ramp with SG-7 behind them, the Gate closing down.

"Welcome to Earth. Allow me to introduce…"

Camulus interrupted her as they reached the bottom of the ramp. "We are not interested in your name."

"Really?" She was surprised. "I find it generally helps so much…"

Amaterasu interrupted her this time. "We prefer to present our offer, so we can spend as brief a time as possible on this planet."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, looking to Daniel, who smiled mirthlessly. She accepted that. "Right this way," she said gesturing for the System Lords to precede her.

Without hesitation they did, SG-7 left through the opposite entrance, leaving the SF's to follow and escort the System Lords to the briefing room; Elizabeth and Daniel tagging along behind.

In the briefing room they took their seats, Weir at the head of the table, Camulus and Yu to her left, Oshu stood behind his Master. Daniel and Amaterasu sat to Weir's right. The SF's took up positions around the room.

Camulus came straight to the point. "Your unexpected defeat of Anubis has created an unstable situation among the System Lords," he announced. "In order to avoid open war, we came to an agreement to divide his territories and his armies evenly."

"How civilized of you." Daniel remarked sarcastically.

"Yes. Unfortunately, one among us has broken that agreement," Camulus continued, ignoring the attitude.

"Oh, no, no. Don't… don't tell me, let me… let me guess. It's ummm…."

"Ba'al." Amaterasu informed.

"Ba'al," Daniel repeated clicking his fingers, smiling bleakly.

"He was able to learn the location of the planet where Anubis was creating his Kull Warriors." Camulus added.

"Ba'al got there before you d found a way to program the soldiers to serve him." Daniel remarked straightforwardly.

"With those Orac at his command, Ba'al has tipped the balance of power in his favor." Amaterasu snarled.

Elizabeth, who had been quiet up until this point, looked to Daniel. "Orac?"

"Unspeakable," he translated.

"In battle, the Kull are superior to the Jaffa," Camulus told them. A point they all ready knew. "Already, many among us have begun to speak of capitulation, much as they did with Anubis. If that happens, Ba'al will indeed be unstoppable."

"Well, this is all very interesting I'm sure, but… I fail to see what it has to do with us." Elizabeth said dryly.

Yu gestured Oshu to him, the first prime leant closer and listened to what his Master was saying as they others watched and waited.

Finally he straightened. "My master wishes to say, it is well known the Tau'ri possess a powerful new weapon. Something far beyond their current level of technology."

"Yes. We used it to kill Anubis and destroy his fleet." Daniel declared confidently.

"By means of this weapon, Ba'al can be prevented from conquering the galaxy." Oshu concluded.

Daniel glanced at Elizabeth, who raises an eyebrow, but showed them nothing of what she was thinking.

"If Ba'al defeat us, how long do you think it will be before he turns his attentions to you?" Camulus asked them.

"If he does he'll suffer the same fate as Anubis," she told him, sitting back in her chair.

"Perhaps, but there are other worlds in this galaxy without the luxury of such advanced defenses," Amaterasu pointed out.

"What are you talking about?" Daniel asked glancing her way.

"We could not help but notice that the Asgard did not come to your aid when Anubis threatened your planet," she commented as he looked away from her. "In fact, we've heard nothing from the Asgard for quiet some time now."

"Really? That's odd, because we talk to them all the time." Daniel said bitterly.

"The Asgard didn't come because they knew it wasn't necessary." Elizabeth added.

"Ba'al believes otherwise," Amaterasu revealed with silky smoothness to her voice. "He is convinced that the Asgard can no longer exercise power in this galaxy. He intends to take the planets protected under the Goa'uld-Asgard treaty for himself."

"If you do not help us stop him, millions of humans will die," Camulus said looking straight at Daniel, before he addressed Elizabeth. "And millions more will be enslaved."

Thor's Ship: 'The Daniel Jackson'

Teal'c hurried back to the bridge; the Replicators had transported Sam off the ship, their ship had then jumped to hyperspace. "I have eliminated all the Replicators I could locate."

"There is no way of knowing if there are more," Thor revealed. "The Replicator ship has entered hyperspace."

"Can you follow?" Teal'c inquired concerned.

"Yes." He answered and took his ship to hyperspace, following the Replicator ship.

"Do you know its destination?" Teal'c asked; he quickly reloaded his rifle.

"Before you destroyed them, the Replicators managed to access the ship's computer," Thor informed. "They leaned the location of Orilla, the planet where we are attempting to rebuild the Asgard civilization. I assumed it would be their first target."

"What is your reasoning?" The Jaffa asked curiously.

"Orilla is rich in neutronium, which is a key element in Asgard technology. It is also essential for creation of human-form Replicators."

Teal'c put his rifle on the console. "How can we stop them?"

"My ship's weapons will not function in hyperspace. Much like the shields. However, in close proximity, the self destruct may be sufficient to eliminate both ships," Thor declared. "I am sorry, but we have not choice. If the human-form Replicators reach Orilla, they will have the recourses to replicate many thousands of times. We can not allow that to happen."

"So be it." Teal'c agreed bluntly.

SGC

Elizabeth stood within her office, looking through the glass star map to the briefing room. A recess had been called, the System Lords had been offered refreshments, and from the look of things Yu wasn't happy with the food. Daniel was seated in front of her desk; she turned, pulling her hands from the pockets of her pants. "How many planets are protected under this treaty?"

"Umm… twenty six," he filled in. "Twenty seven if you include Earth."

"And what good is it if the Asgard aren't actually available to protect anything?" She asked as she walked behind her desk.

"At one time they were. More recently we've been trading on the threat," Daniel answered. "Kind of a… big bluff."

"Well, Ba'al is about to call the bluff."

"Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about that. Earth is safe so long as the Goa'uld think we can defend ourselves," he stated.

"But that's a bluff too."

He grinned. "More or less. After all, Cali can control the weapon, they don't know that."

She crossed her arms against her chest as she spoke. "When I was a kid, my dad used to have these weekly poker games. All I remember is smoke making my eyes water. I'm starting to wish I'd paid more attention."

"I'm sure you've misrepresented the truth before in negotiations." Daniel assumed.

"Actually, no, my job has usually been to get people to recognize the truth," she said, uncrossing her arms and sitting down behind her desk.

"Well, if they even get a hint of the fact, that it takes someone with Ancient genes to control the weapon, then trust me… this game is over…" Daniel said sternly, emphasizing his words. Then asked her. "Too dramatic?"

Elizabeth sat back in her chair. "At this point, not for me." She sighed. "So what do I say to them?"

"Thanks but no thanks," he advised. "We need to keep them thinking we don't need them. That this is an internal problem they need to sort out themselves."

"All right." She agreed. They rejoined the System Lords, who spent the next hour trying to convince them of the danger Ba'al was to them all, giving them information, but not enough to reveal anything important.

"We appreciate you bringing us this information, but it doesn't change the fact that we can't get involved in any internal Goa'uld dispute, and if Ba'al tries to attack any of the protected planets, he'll suffer the consequences." Elizabeth said confidently, appearing weary of their problem.

"Unfortunately, we do not share your faith in the Asgard. We must stop Ba'al before it comes to that." Camulus stated.

"You'll forgive my bluntness," she said, her hands resting on the table. "But that's not our problem."

Yu slammed his hand on the table in anger. "Enough! With each passing moment, Anubis grows more powerful."

They all looked at him, puzzled, even his fellow system lords.

"You mean Ba'al." Daniel pointed out.

Oshu stepped forward. "My master is fatigued. We request a short adjournment," he tried to cover it up.

Yu snapped at him. "Silence!" He then addressed the others. "I need no adjournment."

"We know you have a formidable new defensive weapon," Camulus continued, ignoring what had occurred. "But with it you must wait for your enemies to come to you, and that can be dangerous. What if an enemy were to devise a means of defeating this weapon?"

"What exactly are you officering?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"Hyperdrive engines."

"We know you have battleships that are not capable of interstellar travel." Amaterasu taunted, looking at Daniel, who did a double take, smiling slyly at his reaction.

"We are offering you a means of producing a fleet of ships as advanced as the Goa'uld ha'tak vessels." Camulus said sitting forward. "You can take the fight to the enemy."

Elizabeth didn't act impress. "You're offer is very generous, but I'm afraid we're going to have to decline."

That stunned him. "You would be able to hold the protected planets treaty, with or without the aid of the Asgard."

"How many hyperdrives are you willing to give us?" Daniel asked bluntly, fleeting for information.

"How many ships can you build?" Amaterasu queried him.

"I think the real question is, how many ships do you have?" He put forth. "I mean, if we're gonna enforce this treaty ourselves, we need to build enough ships to match any fleet that would oppose us."

"We are not at liberty to disclose such information." Camulus declared.

"Well then, this discussion is over." Elizabeth put an end to it.

"How can you blindly reject such an offer?" Amaterasu wanted to know.

"Because we're not about to fight your battle for you, in exchange for a couple of hyperdrive engines that may or may not do us any good in the long run," Elizabeth said calmly. "Especially since we already have that technology at our disposal." She nearly laughed at their shocked expressions, spying Daniel's smug look from the corner of her eye.

Camulus was cautious, he wasn't sure about this one. "You have viable hyperdrive technology?'

"Yes, we do. And with the help of the Asgard, we are in the process of implementing it right now. So, thank you very much," she pushed back her chair, standing.

"This Ancient weapon … such an advanced piece of technology. The power requirements must be enormous," Amaterasu said with that silky smooth voice of hers. "Even simple maintenance must be extremely difficult, given your limited capabilities."

Elizabeth knew what she was doing. "We manage," she said sitting back down.

"Of course, we believe you, but I wonder what Ba'al would think if he were to receive intelligence that the weapon was… temporarily out of commission."

Camulus looked to Yu then back again. "Hmm… he would come to this world to claim it for himself. The Tau'ri would be forced to destroy him."

"And we could have to give them… nothing." Amaterasu concluded.

"Oh come on," Daniel exclaimed, disgusted. "Ba'al would never all for that. He knows how desperate you are. I think he might find this information a little bit convenient."

"Perhaps, but you leave us few options."

Daniel shook his head in disgust.

"Okay. We'll do it." Elizabeth said.

He looked at her surprised. "We will?"

She nodded, smiling smugly. "In exchange, we want Ba'al's territory."

"What do you mean?" Camulus asked her, stunned by her boldness.

"Well, that's the way it works right?" She declared. "When one System Lord kills another, he takes over his armies, his fleet, his planets. That's what we want. Everything in Ba'al's possession." She saw the stun expression on his face.

"You cannot be serious," Amaterasu stated.

"If we're going to be the ones who destroy Ba'al for you, why should we settle for anything less?" Elizabeth asked her.

"Preposterous." Yu declared.

"We can't accept those terms." Camulus decided.

"Take it or leave it." Elizabeth said forcefully.

The three System Lords looked at each other, debating their next move.

"We must send a message to the other System Lords, to advise them of the current situation." Camulus finally announced.

"Go ahead." Elizabeth said, she stood and left the room.

Daniel sat there and smiled, trying to hid his concerns.

Thor's Ship: 'The Daniel Jackson'

"We are almost within range," Thor reported, the view screen showed their advance. "Now!" He activated the self-destruct, nothing happened other then the lights faded on the ship and then returned to normal. Thor quickly checked his console for answers. "We are slowing down. Something is interfering with the controls," he brought up a plan of the ship, one section flashing red. "The auxiliary control console, outside the engine room.

Teal'c grabbed his rifle, cocked it and left. He hurried to the engine room, seeing the console before the door, a Replicator was on it. He fired his weapon, destroying it without hesitation. "The problem has been eliminated," he informed Thor on the Asgard radio he'd given him.

"Unfortunately, the Replicators are now beyond our reach," Thor informed. "We are too late to stop them from reaching the new Asgard homeworld."

Teal'c headed back to the bridge, he walked over to Thor at the control center.

"I have managed to send advance warning to Orilla," the Asgard announced. "By providing them with the Replicator ships course and speed, they should have a fair approximation of where it will drop out of hyperspace. What ships we have available will be waiting in ambush."

"You believe the Asgard ships can destroy the Replicators before they raise their shields." Teal'c theorized.

"They will only be defenseless for a few moments, but if my calculations are accurate, it should be sufficient." Thor revealed.

Teal'c gave a nod. His thoughts were on his teammate, he had no choice in this matter.

Thor briefly watched the Jaffa, a man who understood the meaning of sacrifice, but would morn the lose of his college and friend anyway. It was very human.

SGC:

Daniel sat slouched in his chair in front of Dr. Weir's desk as she paced behind it. "I guess you did learn something from your father's poker games," he said impressed.

"Always bet big when bluffing?" She asked him rhetorically.

"I just didn't know you were looking to become a System Lord," he added.

"I had to do something to keep them talking. I mean, it looked like they were going to try to draw Ba'al here no matter what we said," she declared.

"Well, you can be pretty sure that they're not gonna agree to our terms."

"I know," she sat at her desk and sighed. "We may have to revive Colonel O'Neill."

Daniel sat up stunned, leaning towards her. "What?"

"If they suspect we're bluffing, they'll come here and take the weapon for themselves. If they don't, they'll trick Ba'al into coming. Either way, we may actually have to use that weapon again to defend this planet." Elizabeth explained.

"We don't even know if there's enough power to fire another shot." Daniel pointed out.

"I know," she said worriedly.

"If you try to revive Jack without the Asgard standing by, it'll kill him. In fact he'll probably die before he can do anything to help us," he pointed out further.

She knew that. "Then we contact Cali and have her on standby, if we have too, we'll get her to the Antarctic and she can use the weapon."

Daniel didn't like that idea either, his wife was capable of doing what they wanted, but in doing so, she could possible go Ancient on them completely.

Sergeant Harriman knocked on the door to the office. "Doctor Weir," he held up a computer flash drive. "It's a copy of the message the Goa'uld sent back to the System Lords. It's coded." He walked into the office and handed her the flash drive and left.

Elizabeth held it out to Daniel. "We need to know what they're thinking."

He snatched it from her and hurried out of the office, he wasn't happy about any of this.

Washington:

Major Davis meet Dr. O'Neill's plane at Andrew Air Force base and drove her straight to the White House, her bag was left in the outside offices while she was shown straight into the Oval Office.

President Henry Hayes walked over to her, smiling. "Dr. O'Neill, welcome."

"Mr. President."

He shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, alive this time," he smirked and saw her curious expression. "You don't remember popping in here and telling me SG-1 was on their way to the Antarctic?"

"Sorry, Mr. President, no," she apologized, this time it was no lie. "I remember very little of what I did while I was Ascended. Mostly I remember feeling I needed to come home, that it was important."

"Well," he gestured for her to sit and they did. "You made my day an interesting one and put General Hammond on the spot. When it was all over, I made him come to dinner and explain it to me."

Cali smiled; she liked this man all ready. "However you didn't invite me here for casual conversation, Mr. President."

"No, I didn't," he agreed. "I want to know what you think of Dr. Weir and her running the SGC?"

"Mr. President," she rested her hands in her lap, "Elizabeth Weir is doing an extraordinary job, while trying to comprehend the responsibilities she's been handed. As for General Hammond, he is a great man, in or out of uniform. Whether Dr. Weir is doing the same job he did is not for me to say, however, as a civilian she does have disadvantages, those in uniform are taking longer to accept her in the position and it's not because she is a woman."

"They were expecting another General."

"Yes, Sir."

"And the civilians working at the SGC?"

"Mr. President, the civilians are on the base are mostly scientists they're happy doing what they do, Dr. Weir has seen that it's best to let them do it, they know what they have to do and they know how to survive on a military base," Cali told him. "As did General Hammond, he is a man I respect and have welcomed into my family, my children think of him as a member of our family and no offence to Dr. Weir, but I am sorry he was removed from the position."

"He gave you and Dr. Jackson a lot of responsibilities, you especially for someone so young," the President noted.

Cali smiled warmly and sat back against the sofa, crossing one leg fluently over the other. "Both Daniel and I earned the responsibilities given to us, Mr. President. And having those responsibilities was and still is not easy at times; we have put ourselves on the line a lot more then most," she said calmly. "And without being too dramatic, Mr. President. We've died doing it, so that this planet and many others are not under the rule of the Goa'uld. And to be quiet frank, we've never asked for anything in return."

Henry Hayes smiled; he liked this young woman, George had been right when he said she would speak her mind. "Perhaps we should change that."

She was going to comment when the phone rang on the President's desk; he excused himself and answered it. Sighing, Cali rubbed her temples a little, she'd managed to get some sleep on the plane, but inside she just felt tired. The ringing of her mobile phone, had her digging into her briefcase, she found it and flipped it open. "Hello."

Daniel's voice came over the phone. "Hey honey."

She smiled. "Hi. What's up?"

"Elizabeth is ringing the President, so I thought I'd ring you."

She glanced over to see the President in deep conversation. "So have you solved all our problems yet?"

"Not quiet, Elizabeth is contending to becoming a System Lord and I have to translate a message they sent."

Cali dug into her brief case again and pulled out her laptop, resting it on her legs she turned it on, her laptop was networked to the computer in their office. She also pulled out the wireless earpiece for her phone, attaching the connection to the phone; she put the earpiece on and sat the phone on the sofa next to her. "Send it to me and I'll have a look."

There was a pause, then. "It's on its way."

Receiving it she opened the window, scrolling through the message, reading it at a glance. "They think you're bluffing."

"We are, big time. I've sent through what I've translated so far."

She saw that. "So anything else happened?" She asked, as she looked it over.

"'We might have to have you on standby to use the weapon, against Ba'al,'" he informed switching to Abydonian.

'As long as they don't want to try and bring dad out of the stasis chamber,' she replied in the same dialect, as she added her own translation to his.

"I won't let them, Cali, you know that," he switched back to English.

"I know," she sighed. "Have you heard anything from Sam and Teal'c?"

"Not yet. How's things with the President?"

"It's been interesting," she mused, glancing up from the translation to see the President was finished with his call. "I've got to go."

"Thanks for the help."

She smiled. "Anytime," she sent back what she had and closed the window. "Zen ki angu, my husband."

"Zen ki angu, my wife," was his reply and then he was gone.

She closed her phone and removed the earpiece as the President sat across from her once more; quickly shutting down her laptop she put it on the sofa next to her along with the phone.

"How much did your husband tell you?" Henry Hayes asked her.

"That I may have to go to Antarctica and use the Ancient weapon to defend Earth against Ba'al," she answered him. "I was helping him with the translation of the message the representatives sent to the System Lords."

"And?"

"And they know we're bluffing, they just can't prove it."

The President sat forward, his hands laced together. "Can you control the weapon?"

"Yes." Cali answered and then announced. "Mr. President, the first time I ascended, I quickly came to realize what the knowledge of the Ancients is and the wonders and misfortunes it could bring. I also realized the only reason my mind wasn't being over written, was because of what the Ancient scientist did when he changed my genetic code, if he hadn't, I wouldn't be able to carry the knowledge of the Ancients in my head. And unless I ascend, I can't access it completely and what I do know, well, mankind isn't ready for that knowledge. I know that now more then ever."

"How many people know what you've just told me?" He asked her seriously.

"My team, my nanny, General Hammond," she informed. "Sir, my son, has that knowledge, it was passed on genetically from Daniel and I, his evolution is one step above mine."

The President was silent for a moment, deep I thought. "Which is why George had the school he's attending investigated."

"Yes, Sir. If anything were to happen to me, then Caleb would be able to control the chair, better then his brother. Chris had the gene, but his control isn't at the same level, his is genetic, but passed down, not encoded."

"Doctor O'Neill, what you've just told me explains a lot, including why your family was included on the list of people to be sent to the Alpha site," Hayes said bluntly. "I don't want anyone knowing about Caleb, not even Dr. Weir."

"Yes, Sir."

Back at the SGC, Elizabeth walked into Daniel's lab, seeing him sitting at his desk writing in a notepad. "Progress?" She asked him.

"Yeah, it's basically a confirmation of what we suspected," he reported. "They think we're bluffing, but they have no way of confirming their suspicions, so they're not sure what to do."

"They could still try and draw Ba'al here. Let him figure it out for them," she noted.

"Yeah, that's dangerous for them, because if we can't fire the weapon…"

"Which is a possibility we can't," she interrupted.

"Ba'al would end up with both Earth and the Ancient outpost in his possession." Daniel concluded.

"Unscheduled off world activation." Was announced over the intercom.

Elizabeth walked over to the red phone on the wall and picked up the receiver, pushing the extension to the control room. "This is Weir. What's happening? … Okay, we'll be right down." She set the receiver back down and turned. "Our guests just got a response."

Daniel throw down his pen, getting up he followed her out.

"How was Cali?" Elizabeth asked him.

He smiled. "She's fine. How did you know I called her?"

"The President said she had a smile on her face and love in her eyes."

Daniel was amused. "I didn't realize we had a romantic for a President."

She chuckled. "Neither did I."

Thor's Ship: 'The Daniel Jackson'

Teal'c turned away from the control center where Thor sat as the screen behind him activated, showing another Asgard.

"Commander Thor, this is Aegir of the Valhalla. We have assumed defensive positions and are awaiting the target ship," the Asgard announced.

"Understood." Thor acknowledged.

Over Orilla, the Replicator ship appeared from hyperspace into the defensive position of the Asgard ships, that commenced firing as soon as the ship arrived, it took heavy damage and exploded, spaying out.

Aegir appeared on the screen within Thor's ship once more. "The enemy ship has been destroyed."

Teal'c turned away from the screen to Thor, stunned, his grief evident on his face.

"I am sorry, Teal'c." Thor said sincerely.

Teal'c nodded, though he suspected the Asgard did not fully comprehend what he was feeling at that moment.

Thor brought the 'Daniel Jackson' out of hyperspace, Orilla coming into view. Teal'c paced in front of the control console, needing to be moving.

An Asgard appeared on the view screen. "Greetings, Thor."

"Greetings," Thor welcomed, then turned to the Jaffa, how had finally stopped pacing. "Teal'c, this is Penegal of the Asgard High Council."

Teal'c bowed his head in respect.

"I regret to report that the debris from the destroyed Replicator ship could not be contained," Penegal reported. "We were unable to prevent countless Replicator blocks from raining own on Orilla. They have already begun replicating and infesting our systems. Control of the city is in jeopardy."

"Should you not consider evacuating your people?" Teal'c asked him.

"That is no longer possible."

Thor looked to Teal'c. "There are too many. We carried numerous stored minds abourd the computers ofour ships when we fled our home world. When Orilla was finally found, we were able to place those minds into cloned bodies so that we could build our new colony."

"The Replicators have already infected systems needed to save those minds," Penegal continued. "If we lose this battle they will perish, along with their bodies, taking with them the hopes of the Asgard race."

"Orilla is the last chance of ever rebuilding our empire." Thor added.

"Then we must find a way to save it." Teal'c said as he looked to the little Asgard.

SGC

Daniel ran up the stairs to the control room, going over to Sergeant Harriman, the System Lords were being recalled and the Gate was being opened to let them go. But something wasn't right and Daniel trusted his instincts. "I need to see the most recent message they received," he told the Sergeant, leaning half on the man's chair and half on the console.

Sergeant Harriman nodded and brought up the message.

Below in the Gate room, the System Lords and Oshu were at the base of the ramp, Elizabeth walked in, glancing up at the control room quickly, seeing Daniel was already there.

"It's unfortunate you're being recalled. I thought we were making such good progress," she said casually.

Camulus turned to her. "Your demands were ridiculous. We had no choice but to terminate negotiations." He turned away from her.

"Well, give my regards to Ba'al," she taunted.

Camulus just smirked.

Up in the control room, Daniel was reading the message as the Stargate opened and the System Lords and Oshu stepped on the ramp and walked towards it. "Shut it down," he ordered sternly.

"What?" The Sergeant looked at him confused.

Daniel moved around behind Harriman and shut down the Stargate himself.

Below the System Lords turned back, angered at the Stargate being shut down.

"What is the meaning of this?" Amaterasu demanded.

Daniel walked into the Gate room, having over heard her. "The second message. They've been recalled because the System Lords have decided to test our defenses," he said as he went over to Elizabeth. "They're sending a ship to attack Earth. It'll be here in within the hour."

"We are political dignitaries," Camulus snarled as he walked down the ramp with the others. "How dare you prevent us from leaving."

"Sending ships here to attack us is an act of war, and a foolish one at that," Elizabeth informed them, "given what our defenses are capable of."

"My Lord did not order such action." Oshu defended.

"Then undo it," Daniel ordered, his arms crossed against his chest. "Tell the System Lords to call their ship back.

"The decision they have made is one of desperation, forced upon them by your unwillingness to help," Amaterasu accursed. "Persuading them to change course could only be done in person."

"With the full council vote." Osha informed.

"Even if I did believe you, all good faith is out the window at this point," Elizabeth told them. "You're prisoners. Take them away."

The Gate room SF's escorted the representatives and first prime out of the room. Daniel looked unhappily at Elizabeth, who was just as disturbed by it.

The Prometheus hung in orbit around Earth, on board its crew was preparing for what could be the battle of their lives.

At the comm. Station, a female office received a report. "Sir, censors have detected an alien vessel," she reported. "It exited hyperspace 14,000 kilometers out, eight degrees starboard."

"Designation?" Colonel Pendergast asked her.

"None yet, Sir. Vessel is the size of a Goa'uld mothership," she announced. "Closing fast. Visual range in six seconds."

"Hold your position. Prepare to fire," he ordered his people.

"Four, three…" the comm. Officer counted down.

"On screen, maximum magnification." Pendergast ordered.

"….two, one."

The view screen showed the star system and the approaching ship.

"Open a channel," Pendergast commanded, "broadcast on all frequencies and translate into Goa'uld."

"Yes, Sir." The Comm. Officer said, carrying out the order.

Pendergast stood. "This is Colonel Lionel Pendergast of the United States Air Force Prometheus. Unidentified vessel, failure to reply will constitute an act of aggression, and we will respond with the full force of our weapons."

Incoming transmission appeared on the view screen, followed by the image of Teal'c.

"That will be unnecessary."

Pendergast smiled, as did his comm. Officer, who said his name. "Teal'c."

"I have brought greetings from Thor, the Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet," Teal'c announced. "We are aboard the Daniel Jackson."

At the White House, Dr. Cali O'Neill was pacing before the Presidents desk, her arms crossed against her chest. "Mister President, I'm not sure what you're asking of me," she stated. "I was under the impression you wanted to know about the running of the SGC."

"And I do," Hayes declared. "I value your opinion, Doctor. Since joining the SGC, you have provided General Hammond with advice, as you did former President Barrett. I can't see why we cannot have the same working relationship. In fact, Dr. O'Neill, I'm offering you a position on my staff, as eyes and ears at Stargate Command."

Cali was going to comment when she was engulfed by a bright white light and disappeared, leaving the President stunned as to what had just happened.

At the SGC, Elizabeth walked out of her office into the briefing room. "I have just received word that the Asgard have arrived," she informed the Goa'uld representatives, who were seated around the large table. "They want to witness the demonstration of our new Ancient defense technology that you have forced us into." She declared sternly. "There's still time to call off the attack."

"We would also like to witness the demonstration." Amaterasu said smugly.

Daniel came into the briefing room, his hands in the pockets of his trousers. "Your ship isn't coming. It was destroyed en route by Ba'al," he announced. "The collective forces of the System Lords are bowing, and your losing the war."

"And so are you." Yu pointed out.

A bright white light engulfed Daniel and transported him out of the room, the System Lords looked at each other astounded. Elizabeth was just as bewildered, knowing where the archaeologist had disappeared too, but not liking the way he'd just been snatch away.

Daniel appeared on the bridge of the Asgard ship, Thor and Teal'c were at the control panel and his wife was standing just off the transporter pad. "Hey guys!" He greeted, as he stepped off the platform and was hugged by Cali.

"Our new colony is in grave jeopardy," Thor informed them both. "The Replicators escaped from the time dilation device and are threatening to destroy the Asgard."

Daniel and Cali both walked over to them. "Okay," he said curiously for himself and Cali. "So, what can we do?"

"Thor believes the Ancient knowledge stored in O'Neill's mind may be the key to defeating the Replicators once and for all." Teal'c announced.

"Jack's frozen down in Antart…" a beam of white light appeared in the nearby stasis chamber, bringing the unconscious Colonel O'Neill aboard. "…ica." Daniel finished off and turned to the pod, as did his wife.

Both of them glanced around. "Where's Sam?" Cali asked.

"She was captured by the Replicators," Teal'c said solemnly. "The ship was destroyed."

She turned back to her husband. "Oh God."

Daniel drew her into his arms, feeling her sag a little against him as she held onto him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I am sorry, Dr. O'Neill, there was no other way," Thor said sincerely. Another flash of white light brought a field pack aboard the ship. "Perhaps you would like to change, quarters are available, if you will follow the indicators."

She nodded, seeing the field pack was her own. "Thank you, Thor." She grabbed the pack and left the bridge.

Daniel felt helpless to help Cali, he lent against the console, his wife still looked tired and this was going to only push her further towards a full out melt down.

Teal'c was concerned by both his friend's reaction. "Is there something wrong, Daniel Jackson?"

"I'm not sure, Teal'c," he said gravely, "the past couple of weeks have been stressful. Cali's been tired a lot, it's not like her."

"Perhaps once this is over, things will return to normal."

"I hope so, Teal'c," he said, he folded his arms against the top of the console and rested his head against them.

Thor took the ship out of Earth's orbit and to hyperspace. "Is there something I can do to assist Dr. Jackson?"

Daniel looked up. "I don't know, Thor, I don't even know if Cali would let you."

"Dr. O'Neill is as stubborn as her father," the little Asgard noted and saw a small smile appear on the human's face. "I can scan Dr. O'Neill while she is in the quarters I provided her with so that she may change," he announced, moving the stones around on his console.

"And?"

"And the scans indicate Dr. O'Neill's blood pressure is high, her stress levels are elevated." Thor informed, and then added as he read the information on the screen, frowning a little. "Her genetic makeup is being manipulated, I believe her elevated stress levels are causing her Ancient genetic code to became more active."

Daniel was worried. "Is she in any danger?"

"No, Dr. Jackson."

It didn't help much. "Do you know why this is happening?"

The Asgard moved the stones again and received information. "I am unsure, I will investigate further once the problem on Orilla is solved."

Daniel had no choice but to agree. He watched the Asgard leave his console and walk over to the stasis chamber. "What are you going to do?" He asked, shoving his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

"I am going to merge O'Neill's mind with the ships computer." Thor revealed as he prepared to do so.

"To do that you're going to have to defrost him first, right?" Daniel asked concerned. "I bring this up because he was near death when we froze him."

"Hopefully he pod will sustain his life."

"Hopefully?"

Thor stopped what he was doing and turned to the human, who had crossed to him with Teal'c. "What other choice do we have?"

"Well, can't you just save him, like the last time this happened?" Daniel pushed out of uncertainty. "Just wipe the Ancient knowledge from his mind."

"And lose any chance of learning a means to defeat the Replicators."

"You have no right to risk his life," the Archaeologist said sternly.

"I believe O'Neill would approve." Teal'c said calmly.

Cali came back in, over hearing the comment, she now wore black fatigues; her hair braided back. "What would he approve off?" She asked as she dropped the field pack near the crates and joined them.

"Thor wants to defrost your dad and merge his mind with the ship's computer," Daniel informed, frowning. He turned back to Thor. "We can't make that choice for him no matter what's at stake. Can't you just extract the Ancient information into the ship's computer? Then we can all benefit from it, maybe even learn how to use the Ancient weapons on Earth."

"You cannot even begin to comprehend the extent of what was unfolding in O'Neill's mind." Thor stated.

"I can," Cali said quietly, her arms crossed against her chest, seeing her husband's concern. "I live with the Knowledge of the Ancients everyday, I know things that are exciting and terrifying at the same time."

Thor was sympathetic. "Our scientists long ago extracted parts of the Ancient Library of Knowledge, and learned much from it. But we have been studying it for as long as I can remember and we have barely scratched the surface."

"So it would be looking for a needle in a haystack." Daniel supposed.

"A haystack of infinite size." Cali said sincerely.

He looked at her, seeing the weariness in her eyes. "That's big." He commented and she nodded.

"I am hoping O'Neill's conscious mind can provide us with a direct conduit to the information we need." Thor told them.

"And if you can't get the information before you have to revive him?" Daniel inquired.

"He can merge my mind with the ship's computer and retrieve it." Cali volunteered; she waited for Thor to nod his acknowledgement before going over to the control station.

Daniel followed her. "Cali."

She turned. "If he'd let me do it, we wouldn't be going through this," she said quietly.

"Cali, he was protecting you," he drew her into his arms. "Jack loves you so much and he hates seeing you hurt, he didn't want to lose you; he didn't want me to lose you."

"But you both lose me anyway."

"And you came back," he reminded. "If you'd surrendered and gone completely Ancient we would never have gotten you back and then I would have lost you forever."

She snuggled into his warmth, closing her eyes. "You'll never lose me, Daniel," she promised.

He sighed, cupping the back of her head with his hand, gentle caressing. "I know," he whispered, but deep down in his gut he feared he would, that one day she just wouldn't come back.

Teal'c walked over to them. "Is there anything I can assist you with, Cali O'Neill?"

She opened her eyes and smiled wearily. "No, Teal'c, but," she reached out and took his hand in hers. The Jaffa had slowly gotten use to her need to touch, "thank you."

"Perhaps if you were to meditate, I could assist you in reaching a deep level of Kel'no'reem."

"Once this is all over Teal'c, then yes."

He bowed his head, smiling warmly.

Thor moved to look at the man contain in the chamber. "He is not well."

That got all their attention and they moved closer. "I told you." Daniel commented.

"The process of interfacing his mind is complex," the Asgard added.

Before any more comments could be giving, Jack's voice was heard. "Hello. Testing. One, two, one, two, one two, testing," they all looked around, trying to see where the voice was coming from. "Hellooo. Is this thing on?"

Daniel moved closer to the chamber. "Jack?"

Cali did to, her father was still unconscious in the chamber. "Dad?"

"O'Neill, can you hear us?" Thor asked.

"Hey!" His bodiless voice was heard again. "Hey guys. What's going on?"

Teal'c, looked quickly to Daniel and Cali, who were still taking it all in.

"Your mind has been interfaced with the Daniel Jackson." Thor told the bodiless Colonel.

"What?" Jack said confused.

As did Daniel. "What?"

"The name of Thor's ship is Daniel Jackson." Teal'c explained.

"Cool." Cali remarked.

"All the information in the ships computer is available to you." Thor revealed.

"Ah, right, here we go," Jack's voice, remarked. "Oh, this is cool. I can pretty much do anything I want, can't I?"

Daniel looked worriedly at his friend and then his wife as the ship suddenly lost power and the lights went out, the power and lights came back on again and then went out again.

"O'Neill." Thor chastised.

"Huh?" Everything came back on. "Oh! Sorry."

"If you wish, you may appear to us as a hologram." Thor suggested.

A holographic Jack O'Neill appeared on the bridge behind them, it shuddered and shook out its hands. "Dang?"

They all looked. "You okay?" Daniel asked concerned.

"It's a little weird, but yeah, I'm okay," holographic Jack answered him.

"At least you're not speaking Ancient." Cali noted.

"There's that," it smirked.

"Actually, the computer is translating." Thor clarified.

"Ah."

Holographic Jack walked over to the stasis camber. "I've never looked better," it said smugly.

"There is not much time, O'Neill." Thor pointed out.

"Thor's planet…" Teal'c began.

"I know," it smirked. "Ship's log."

"Can you help with the Replicators?" Thor asked.

"Already on it."

"Jack." Daniel started.

"Daniel. The computer recorded the whole conversation," the hologram pointed out. "Thanks for your concern." He glanced at them all and waved its hands in a circle. "Talk amongst yourselves." It turned and walked towards the console and disappeared.

On Earth, Dr. Weir hurried down the corridor on level 16, she nodded to the SF stationed at the holding cell, he unlocked the door and then opened it for her.

Oshu turned as she walked in; he stood in the center of the room.

"You requested to see me?" She stated.

"You must let us go," he told her.

"I don't have to do anything at this point," Elizabeth said bluntly. "If that's what…" she turned to leave.

Oshu interrupted her, stopping her. "If your intent is to extract information from us, you should know, I will die before I say anything and nothing my Master says can be trusted."

Elizabeth heard the sincerity in his voice. "Look, no on has decided what to do with you."

"Anbuis was over confident and he still needed the bulk of his armada to keep the System Lords at bay," the First Prime announced. "The fleet he used to attack Earth was small compared to that which Ba'al will command should he defeat the System Lords. He will rule the galaxy. No weapons will be powerful enough to stop him."
"What would you have me do?" Elizabeth asked of him.

"Free us to fight. Or if we must… die with honor." Oshu stated.

"I'll think about it," Elizabeth said and walked out. The SF shut and locked the door as she walked away.

Back at her office she spend the next two hours in conference on the phone with the President and General Jumper, discussing the situation with them both. Finally they came to a conclusion and she was back on level 16, going to Camulus' holding cell.

The SF unlocked and opened the door; she went in, seeing the Goa'uld sitting on the edge of the bed, looking dejected, his head resting in his hands. He looked at her as she came in. "I've discussed the situation with my superiors and we've decided to let you all go," she informed.

"I must admit that comes as a surprise," he said a little stunned.

"Well, it seems we haven't had much success interrogating Goa'uld in the past." Elizabeth said nonchalant. "And it was made apparent to me that you're much more useful to us fighting Ba'al." She announced and turned to leave.

"Doctor Weir!"

She turned back. "You know my name."

Camulus rose, facing her. "This might come as a surprise to you," he began.

"Oh, I'm not sure anything can surprise me at this point," she taunted.

"I wish to request asylum."

"Well, seems I was wrong again."

He ignored her sarcasm. "My fleet was destroyed before I came here," he revealed, his pride gone. "My domain the first to fall. I have nothing left with which to fight. The only thing waiting for me through the Stargate is shame and torture. So it is not true that I would be more useful out there, but perhaps I could be of some use to you here."

Elizabeth was a little concerned by the sincerity she'd heard, this was definitely going to be a long day, she decided.

An hour later, Yu, Oshu and Amaterasu were escorted into the Gate room under heavy guard. Elizabeth was near the bottom of the ramp watching as they walked past her and up the ramp. Oshu turned near the open Gate and bowed his head, Elizabeth nodded her head in return and the first prime and his Master walked through the event horizon.

Amaterasu turned, snarling. "Make sure Camulus knows he will forever be branded a traitor and a coward," she scorned and walked through the event horizon.

When the Gate closed down, Elizabeth sighed and headed for her office.

On the bridge of the Daniel Jackson, Thor and Teal'c stood looking at the image on the view screen.

"What is it?" Teal'c asked the Asgard.

"I am unsure," Thor revealed. "It seems O'Neill's mind is building something virtually, in conjunction with the ship's computer." He and the Jaffa walked over to join Daniel and Cali at the stasis chamber. Thor checked the readings on the chamber. "I do not know how much longer his life can be sustained."

As he finished saying it alarms started to sound, making Daniel glance around. "Jack, can you hear me?"

"Dad?" Cali called out.

"I must revive him now." Thor informed.

"Wait! Not yet," the bodiless voice of Jack insisted.

Thor ignored him, initiating the revival process. A red beam scanned Jack's head and then the chamber opened, slowly Jack woke as his friends, his family looked on.

He put his hand to his forehead. "Oy! What a headache," he complained.

Daniel bent down. "Take it easy, you've been through a lot."

"What now?"

"What's the last thing you remember?" Cali asked him.

"Getting my head sucked by one of those dang Ancient head suckers," he revealed as Daniel helped him to sit up. "And something about twins."

Daniel looked to his wife, then Teal'c; neither understood the last bit, leaving them a little confused.

Jack ignored it and looked at his Jaffa friend, noticing right away what was different about him. "Teal'c. What's with the hair?"

"O'Neill." Thor interrupted.

"Thor," Jack greeted, and then asked. "You got aspirin?"

"You should feel better momentarily and your memory will slowly return."

Jack grimaced and then looked to Teal'c again. "Teal'c. What's with the hair?"

Teal'c was going to say something, but Thor jumped in. "The specifications for the device you created remain in the computer. I believe I can synthesis it." He informed and did so, the device materialized on a stand.

"Sweet," Jack remarked. "What is it?"

"We don't know but you made it." Daniel answered.

"No."

"Yes." Daniel contradicted.

Jack pondered this, then stated. "No.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes." Daniel insisted and frowned, next to him his wife chuckled.

Thor broke into their bantering. "You accessed the Ancient knowledge in your mind and instructed the ship's computer to design it."

"Doesn't mean I know what it is." Jack remarked.

"It was doubtful at best he would remember," Thor said solemnly. "The knowledge of the Ancients is gone."

"All right. Let me have a look," Jack decided and started to get out of the chamber. Daniel and Cali gave him a hand. As he stood, his legs gave way on him; the two of them grabbed him, helping him to stand. "Ah, got legs. Whoa," he stated and they helped him over to the device. He got feeling back in his legs, shaking them off. "All right, I've got it, I've got it." He declared and stood with Thor before the device. Looking at it, Jack tapped his finger over one part of it. "Yeah," he said confidently, but added. "I got nothing."

Cali looked to Daniel and then rested her head on his shoulder, he rubbed her back feeling a little of her tension ease.

After the Daniel Jackson came out of hyperspace, the view screen activated, showing an Asgard.

"Penegal," Thor greeted. "I am relieved you are still able to communicate."

"It may not last long. Were you able to procure a means of fighting the Replicators?"

The view screen flickered, fading a little.

"Possibly. It still requires more research." Thor announced.

"You should know, these infesting the colony are behaving in an organized fashion unlike any Replicators we have encountered before." Penegal informed.

"Perhaps they are being controlled by a human-form leader who has yet to reveal itself."

"If a human-form Replicator survived it's possible Sam survived too, isn't it?" Daniel inquired.

"It is also possible the old version Replicators created a new human-form, to lead them as before." Thor noted.

"Yeah, but there's a change," Daniel insisted. "Can you scan the planet for life signs?"

"We already have. There are none." Penegal revealed. His image flickered and then disappeared, the transmission lost.

"Penegal? Can you hear me?" Thor didn't get a replay; he looked to the humans on his bridge. "We have lost contact."

Cali pulled away from her husband, walking over to the weapon. "We need to work out what this thing does, then."

Thor studied it as well. "Most intriguing."

"Can you make it work?" Daniel asked him.

"To be honest, I am still unsure of exactly what it is."

Both Cali and Daniel looked back to Jack, who was leaning against the control console. "Don't look at me," he retorted.

The view screen activated again, this time is was Aegir. "Thor, this is Commander Aegir of the Valhalla. We have lost contact with the colony."

"Aegir, communications are down," Thor revealed. "What have you to report?"

"We have located what appears to be the remains of a human-form Replicator, floating in space. It obviously survived the destruction of its ship. By all appearances, it is currently inactive."

"Transmit co-ordiantes."

"Use caution, Thor." Aegir advised before the transmission ended.

Cali looked to Daniel, frowning before addressing the Asgard. "What are you going to do?"

Thor walked past them to the control console.

"Where are you going?" Jack asked him.

"I am going to transport it aboard." The Asgard told him.

"Why?'

He took his position at the control console. "We must learn the location of the human-from controlling the Replicators on the planet," he announced and transported the human-form Replicator into the stasis chamber.

Cali, Daniel, Teal'c and Jack took a closer look.

"Anybody recognize him?" Daniel asked.

"No." Teal'c answered and Cali shook her head.

Jack moved closer, putting his hands on the glass cover. "Is it dead?"

"Hopefully not completely." Thor remarked and Jack quickly moved his hands away from the cover and went back to where Daniel, Cali and Teal'c were standing. "All Replicators are linked to a sophisticated communication system," Thor continued. "If we can use this one to tap into the network we will be able to see what any of the Replicators can see."

"And if he wakes up, is this pod going to hold him?" Jack inquired.

"Probably not."

Teal'c glanced at his friends and then went to get his weapon.

"Then perhaps there is no great wisdom in this." Jack added.

"I will transport it back into space if necessary," Thor told him. "But we must take the risk."

Teal'c returned, priming his weapon.

Jack looked at him. "Good," he said and tapped Daniel on the shoulder, who followed him, they took P-90's for themselves and one for Cali, returning, Daniel handed his wife the weapon and the three of them primed them, standing ready.

Thor activated the view screen, which showed white lines of interference.

"What's that?" Daniel asked him, looking at it.

"Replicator communication data," Thor revealed. "I am searching for any references to other human-forms."

Jack turned to the view screen as an image began to appear, one that was familiar. "Zoom in!"

Teal'c, Daniel and Cali looked at Thor zoomed in on part of the image and brought it up, it was Sam, enclosed by Replicator blocks, but she was there – alive.

"Sam," Daniel said relieved as they all felt.

"Can you pin point her location?" Jack asked the Asgard.

The view screen changed, showing a map, the computer zeroing in on the location. "She is within a small Replicator structure on the planet," Thor revealed. "It is some distance outside the colony, near a rich vein of neutronium."

"They must be using it to create more human Replicators." Teal'c theorized.

"I thought the ship was destroyed." Jack stated.

"At least one of the human Replicators must have separated from the main ship with Major Carter, prior to exiting hyperspace." Thor announced.

The image on the view screen flickered and then disappeared, the Replicator in the chamber opened its eyes. Seeing this SG-1 stepped away from the chamber, raising their weapons. The Replicator moved it's head and stared at them and its body began to transform, fixing the damage done by exposure to space and the distraction of it's ship.

"Beam it out!" Jack ordered.

Thor activated the transport, the beam engulfed the Replicator, for a moment it looked like it was going to work, but it didn't. "I am trying," the Asgard announced. "It has made itself resistant." The beam faded out, along with the ships lights, leaving them in eerie semi darkness. "It has breached the internal barrier and interfaced with my ship's computers."

The stasis chamber opened and the Replicator climbed out, standing before them. SG-1 opened fire, their bullets hit, but the Replicator simply transformed itself another body. Teal'c lowed his weapon and then rushed the Replicator, who didn't seem to be subdued; it struggled with him and then threw him like a rag doll across the deck. Picking up Teal'c's weapon, the Replicator opened fire on the rest of the team, scattering them. Daniel and Cali made it to the control console, seeing Thor had ducked down behind it, they kept their weapons primed and ready, but both knew they won't much good against it.

Jack had made it too the device his mind had created along with the computer, he picked it up and pointed it at the Replicator, activating it. A beam shot out and engulfed the Replicator, which shuddered and then broke down to silver inert blocks. Jack looked at the weapon in his hands and then at the others. "Had to do something."

The lights came back on as Teal'c walked over to retrieve his weapon, shaking off the Replicator pieces. Daniel had gotten to his feet, as had Cali, the two of them moving away from the console.

Thor was back in his seat. "It seems to have permanently disrupted all communication between the individual cells, rendering each one inert," he explained what the weapon had done. "We explored such a technology in the past with no success."

"Great," Jack remarked. "Does that mean we can use this thing to whack the rest of those bugs?"

"Even better, O'Neill," Thor announced, studying the plans of the device on the view screen. "Now that I have seen what the device does, I may be able to modify a larger version to broadcast a disruption wave over all of Orilla."

"All good. While you're doing that…"

"I cannot transport you inside the Replicator ship on the planet," Thor told him. "Their defenses prevent it, but I can get you close."

"Close is good." Jack declared.

Thor pushed a palm-size, smooth device across to him that looked like a white marble stone. "Take this, so we may communicate."

Jack took it and turned to his team. "Lets gear up," he ordered and then gestured Cali over to him as Daniel and Teal'c moved to the crates. "I want you to stay here with Thor," he saw her going to protest. "Aha," he shoved the Asgard communicator into pocket. "None of that, you look like crap, when was the last time you slept?"

"On the plane to Washington," she answered, seeing his surprise at that announcement.

He didn't want to know why for now, continuing. "What an hour max, I know you, Cali, you don't sleep well on planes," he put his hand on her cheek. "Kiddo, something is going on with you, right?"

She nodded. "I can't sleep, I don't feel like eating."

"Dr. O'Neill's blood pressure is high and her stress levels are elevated," Thor revealed. "I believe her elevated stress levels are causing her Ancient genetic code to became more active."

Jack sighed and rubbed his temples with one hand. "This isn't good, kiddo," he told his daughter. "You're staying here with Thor and when this is over, he's going to check you over properly. Got it." He saw her nod. "Okay, hold down the fort." He kissed her forehead and went over to the rest of the team, gearing up.

Daniel walked back over to Cali as she put her P-90 up on the console, he'd removed his green BDU shirt and replaced it with a black jacket, his vest was over it and he now had a side arm strapped to his thigh. "Are you going to be all right?"

She nodded. "I'll be fine," she smiled warmly, stepping closer to him, she cupped the side of his face in her hand. "Be careful down there."

"I will," he promised and tugged her one handed into his arms, his mouth going over hers in a searing kiss before she could protest, but she did respond too it.

Jack saw Teal'c smiling and glanced over to his daughter and her husband, arching an eyebrow, recalling a kiss that Sha're had given Daniel that had knocked him off balance. It looked like Daniel was doing the same thing to Cali, and if they didn't cut it out they were going to steam the bridge up. "Okay, okay, cut out the tonsil hockey, Daniel and let's go."

They part, desire raging in both of them. "Later," he promised, he released her, walking over to Jack and Teal'c.

Cali put her fingers to her lips; the man had made her mouth tingle. Without question, they were going to continue that later.

Thor transported the three of them down onto the surface of Orilla, into a forest area. They scouted the area warily, the sound of small animals around them, which was a concern on it's own. Small alien animals usually had very shape teeth. Their concerns were justified though, soon hundreds of Replicators swarmed towards them, Teal'c and Daniel shoot at them and Jack used the Ancient device. Only Fifth's warning slowed them down. He threatened to kill Sam, before disappearing again.

Thor contacted them no long after. "O'Neill, I have successfully modified my ship to emit a massive destruction wave," he informed them over the communicator.

"Excellent. I knew you could do it," Jack replied into the communicator he'd been given.

"The weapon is fifty percent charged. If this works, you will have saved the Asgard once again."

"I'm really happy for you, I'm extremely proud, but we've got a little bit of a problem down here," Jack informed. "Fifth detected out approach and he claims he can kill Carter, instantly."

"O'Neill…"

"Hey, I know what you're going to say. Her life was already sacrificed and you've got your whole planet to worry about, but I've got problems too…"

"Jack." Daniel interrupted him, concerned by what he was hearing.

"Hang on a second," Jack told Thor, and looked to Daniel. "What?"

The sound of Replicators; was getting louder. Daniel voiced a concern they all shared. "This could be very bad."

Hundreds of Replicators, large and small, hurried towards them, they didn't attack though, they ignored the three men and continued past them.

"What are they doing?" Jack questioned. "What, they're running away?" He spoke into the Asgard communicator once again. "Thor, are you ready yet?"

His daughter's voice came over the communicator instead of Thor's. "What's happening, Dad?"

"They're retreating."

"You must stop them, O'Neill." Thor insisted. "The weapon is not yet ready. They cannot be allowed to escape."

Jack looked to the rest of his team. "Come on!" He urged and they ran after the Replicators. Destroying as many as they can, as they finally made it too the ship the Replicators are making themselves into. They watch as it came together and then took off, high in the sky it made the jump to hyperspace, disappearing.

On the Asgard ship, Thor brought the Daniel Jackson over the colony and activated the device, a shock wave spread through the colony and over the planet destroying the remaining Replicators.

"So it worked?" Cali asked him.

"It did Dr. O'Neill," he informed, seeing she looked pale. "Reports are coming in." He moved the stones around and contacted Jack. "O'Neill, the weapon worked. Reports from the colony say all remaining Replicators have been neutralized." He reported. "While the ship did escape, at least we have an effective means of fighting them now."

"Yeah, well, at least there's that," came Jack's halfhearted reply.

Thor checked the readings he was receiving. "O'Neill. I am detecting a fourth life sign in your immediate vicinity."

Cali struggled though a wave of dizziness. "Sam?" She asked.

"It is possible, Dr. O'Neill." Thor agreed. And looked from the view screen to her. "Are you all right, Dr. O'Neill?"

"No," she answered. "I'm going to pass out now, Thor," she managed to say and did just that, crumbling to the floor unconscious.

Thor activated the transporter and with a flash of light, she was taken from the floor and transported into the chamber, which was closed and activate. He had the computer start to scan her within the chamber to determine what was happening.

The scan finishing as Jack's voice came over the intercom. "Thor, we've found Carter, beam us up buddy."

He rearranged the stones and the four of them transported aboard, stepping down from the platform. "It is good to see you, again Major Carter."

"Thanks, Thor."

Daniel glanced around quickly, not seeing his wife, until his gaze fell on the chamber. He thrust the P-90 into Sam's hands. "What happened?" He asked as he hurried over to the chamber.

"Dr. O'Neill collapsed," Thor revealed. "The chamber is sustaining her needs."

Weapons were left on the crates and the rest of SG-1 joined their teammate at the chamber. "What's wrong with her?" Jack demanded as he saw Daniel put his hand on the transparent part of the chamber.

"I am unsure O'Neill," the Asgard announced, "these readings are unusual." He came down from the control console and walked over to the chamber, moving between them to get to it. "I am going to attempt to merge her mind with the ship's computer. The genetic Ancient knowledge is fully asserting itself."

"Whoa," Sam exclaimed. "You mean she's going Ancient."

"Yes," he finished what he was doing. "Dr. O'Neill, can you hear me?"

There was a pause, then: "I'm here, Thor," Cali's voice announced and then a holographic representation of her appeared on the other side of the chamber, she smiled. "Hi Sam, good to have you back."

"Thanks," she gave her a confused smile. "What's going on?"

"Well," her holographic form walked around the chamber to them. "I'm afraid this is my fault."

"How?" Daniel inquired.

The hologram hugged its arms against its chest. "When I was helping Colonel Mitchell, I forced my Ancient abilities to surface when I tried to heal him, to keep him alive. Because it hadn't been long since I descended, I pushed a little too fast."

"Whoa, wait a minute," Jack interrupted. "You descended?"

The holographic representation of his daughter looked at him and smiled. "While you were going Ancient on us, we were betrayed by a Jaffa, who attacked Bra'tac and I. You saved him, but it was too late for me, I Ascended. I made a stop and then headed to Earth, where I informed the President you guys were on your way and then I descended aboard the Prometheus."

"You remember being ascended?" Daniel asked.

It turned its attention to him. "While like this I can, once my mind is no longer merged with the computer, I won't."

He sighed. "So what happened when you tried to heal Colonel Mitchell?"

"I wasn't able to heal him completely, so I merely kept him alive, however by doing this, I created a bond between the two of us. Which is why I've been so tired lately, I've been unknowingly sharing my strength with him."

"Can you stop it?" Jack inquired.

"I believe so, now I know what is happening, I will have to be in contact with Colonel Mitchell though."

"I can transport you into Colonel Mitchell's hospital room," Thor informed. "I will need to know his location."

"He should have been brought to the Academy Hospital by now," Sam declared. "As soon as we're in orbit, you should be able to scan the hospital's computer system to find out for sure."

"Can Cali O'Neill be safely removed from the pod?" Teal'c asked. "Without risk to her life?"

"I'll regain consciousness as soon as we return to Earth's orbit, Teal'c," the hologram revealed. "Being this far from him is taxing on my body."

Thor moved from the chamber and back to the control console, he took the ship into hyperspace, heading for Earth. "We will be there in less then sixty of your Earth minutes."

Jack looked from the Asgard to the hologram of his daughter. "So how are you going to break this bond?"

"I can't completely break it, there will always be a closeness between us, but I can make it non-life threatening for both of us." The hologram smiled warm. "Everything will be fine, as soon as the bond becomes non threatening, my Ancient abilities will return to normal, as normal as it get for me anyway. It's not my time," it assured and then disappeared.

Daniel turned from the chamber. "Not her time?"

Jack shrugged. "Don't look at me, I don't know."

Sam moved to his side. "Cali is going to be fine, Daniel."

He nodded, his arms crossed against his chest.

"Come on Danny-boy," Jack urged. "Lets get everything ready to transport down."

Daniel knew Jack was just trying to keep him busy to stop him from worrying. He smiled wearily and went with them. They removed vests, side arms and repacked them and their weapons in the crates, on one sat Cali's field pack.

"Thor," Daniel crossed to the Asgard. "Cali had an overnight bag and briefcase in Washington with her."

"Both are in the quarters I assigned her, Dr. Jackson," he informed. "I will transport them with the rest of your belongings."

"Thank you."

The rest of the trip they spend filling Jack in on what had happened after he'd had his head sucked, as he so politely put it. Arriving back in the solar system, the ship came out of hyperspace and before reaching orbit was contacted by the Prometheus, welcoming them back. They made contact with the SGC as Cali regained consciousness, coming out of the chamber. In Earth's orbit, Thor found the location of Colonel Mitchell and transported SG-1 into his room at the Air Force Academy Hospital.

Teal'c went to the closed door and opened it slightly; looking out he saw their arrival had gone unnoticed and shut it again. Nodding to the rest of the team as he stood guard by the door.

"Okay, kiddo, do your thing?" Jack told Cali.

She licked her lips and moved closer to the bed, Colonel Mitchell was unconscious, and he was attached to various machines, a brace on his neck. She hesitantly reached out and gently put a hand on his forehead and one lightly on his chest, over his heart. Closing her eyes she slowed her breathing, reaching the same meditative state she'd reached when trying to heal him. In her mind she could see the life thread that was binding the two of them together, it wasn't as strong as the one she perceived between her and Daniel, but it was strong. She let her deep subconscious abilities change and make the bond non-threatening.

As she started to collapse, Daniel swung her up into his arms. "Jack," around them alarms started to go off as Mitchell reacted to what had happened. "We've got to go."

Jack used the Asgard communicator. "Thor, buddy, now."

They disappeared in a flash of light seconds before the door opened and nurses and doctors rushed into the room.

They were transported back to the Asgard ship and then the SGC, along with the crates and belongings, as pre-discussed, arriving in a flash of light in the Gate room.

Dr. Weir was there waiting. "Welcome home, SG-1."

"We did it again, saved the world, and once again, no fanfare," Jack grumbled.

"Doctor Brightman is waiting for you all in the infirmary," Elizabeth announced, smiling.

Teal'c took the unconscious Cali from Daniel and the five of them hurried out of the Gate room, the Colonel still grumbling.

Elizabeth looked up at the Stargate and smiled, chuckling to herself. She turned and gestured the Marines in. "Make sure Dr. O'Neill's belongs are taken to her office," she told them.

"Yes Ma'am," the Sergeant replied and organized his men to take the crates and belongings out of the Gate room.

Twenty-four hours later, both Jack and Cali were back on duty, they'd been given word Lt. Colonel Mitchell was stable after they asked after his condition.

Jack headed up to Weirs office, having left the rest of his team in Daniel and Cali's office/Lab. He straightened his blue BDU's as he walked down the corridor. Reaching the office, he knocked on the open door and gave a little wave.

Elizabeth smiled. "Colonel, come in," she told him and he did. "How are you feeling?"

"No bad. Haven't had the urge to go anywhere or build anything," he remarked.

"Well, you have been given a clean bill of health, as far as the finest medical professionals on this planet are concerned." Elizabeth told him.

"Well, what do they know," he said and sat down without being asked.

"How is Cali?"

"She's good, a good nights sleep and decent meal did wonders for her."

"That's good." She smiled and revealed as she continued packing. "The President asked me to extend an invitation to you. Dinner at the White House."

"Do you know what they're having?" He asked sincerely.

She stopped what she was packing and looked at him. "I don't think I've had the chance to personally thank you yet," she said leaning on the desk.

"For what?"

"You risk your life over and over and ask for nothing in return."

"Well, don't be fooled. I'm making a list." Jack informed.

"Well, I doubt very much that there's anything that could properly repay you," she declared.

He shrugged and glanced around. "You… going somewhere?"

She straightened. "As a matter of fact, the President has asked me to supervise the research of the Ancient Outpost," she revealed. "It's going to be a bit of a delicate situation, given all the various international claims already being made on the site."

"Sounds right up your ally." Jack retorted.

"Yeah, well, much more than this job."

"Does that mean Hammond will be coming back?"

"No, General Hammond is being promoted," Elizabeth, informed. "He'll be overseeing all things relating to Earth's defense on behalf of the Pentagon and Washington – SGC, the 303 program, the Antarctic site. Unofficially, it's being called. 'Homeworld Security'."

"Any idea who we're going to be stuck with?"

Elizabeth crossed her arms against her chest, smiling. "The Pentagon has convinced the President that there is one man who could run the SGC and make it politically viable, from an international perspective, despite the fact that he is part of the American military establishment."

Jack was intrigued. "Do we know this… shrub?"

She uncrossed her arms and leant on the desk. "Well you know him rather well. Brigadier General Jack O'Neill."

"Me?" He was surprised.

"Yeah, you."

"Brigadier," he liked the sound of it. "It's on my list."

Elizabeth straightened again. "Congratulations."

"I should be clear," Jack stood. "I like the promotion, the paycheck and the parking spot. But I don't really wanna be in charge of anything," he noted. "No."

"Well, sadly, all those things kind of go together," she reminded. "So I guess you have something thinking to do."

"I hate that," he grumbled and walked out. Heading back to level 18 and Daniel and Cali's office/lab. He filed them in on the conversation, as he sat fiddling with a stature that had been on worktable, adding his concerns.

"Maybe you should break it down to the pros and the cons." Daniel suggested. Like Jack, he and Cali wore blue BDU's, Sam and Teal'c had blue BDU trousers and black t-shirts on, Sam's being a long sleeved one.

"I've spent my whole life sticking it to the man," Jack retorted. "If I do this, I'll be the man. I don't think I can be the man."

"You'll be inheriting a pretty big can of worms with the state of affairs out there." Cali put forth.

"If Ba'al truly is on the verge of dominance of the System Lords, we face a formidable challenge a head." Teal'c added.

"Plus, who knows where and when Fifth and the other Replicators will turn up." Sam added.

"Here on Earth we've never been under so much scrutiny as we will be, now that so many governments know about the Stargate." Daniel said bluntly.

"I've never had a desk." Jack said aimlessly.

"That's uhh…uhhh?"

"Con." Jack told him.

"Con." Daniel nodded.

"For the record, sir. You do have a desk." Sam revealed.

"I do?" He said with a tone of voice would lead people to believe he was surprised. He saw Sam roll her eyes, smirking.

"On the flip side of the coin here there is the fact that nobody knows how this place should be run better than you." Daniel defused.

"Why, thank you, Daniel." Jack said with a little sarcasm.

Daniel smiled. "With a little guidance from your good friends and advisors, of course," he noted and next to him Cali chuckled.

"If you don't take the job, we could end up with someone much worse." Sam said and found them all staring at her, she smiled with a grimace. "Okay, that didn't come out right."

"I, for one will miss you accompanying us on our missions, O'Neill." Teal'c said sincerely.

"Yeah, now see." Jack remarked. "I'm not sure I'm ready to give that up either," he declared. "Sitting back, watching you guys go off and have all the fun."

"Risking out lives in the face of grave danger." Daniel said sarcastically.

"Yeah, that."

"Well, I'm sure there'll be situations in which you can accompany us in the field, sir," Sam noted.

"You'll be in charge, you can do whatever you want," Cali told her dad.

"I'll be able to do whatever I want," he said and pondered that. Making the rest of his team glance at each other worriedly and slightly alarmed.

"Within reason… Sir." Sam insisted, but she saw the Colonel was still thinking it over.

Cali looked from her dad to the door. "Caleb is coming," she announced and saw Teal'c arch an eyebrow, she gave him a smile.

Her nearly six-year-old son came bonding into the room and crawled onto his grandfather's lap. "Hi granddad," he wrapped his arms around his neck and hugged him.

Jack smiled and gave the little boy a gentle squeeze. "Hey kiddo."

Daniel glanced at his wife. "I feel so loved."

She nodded. "Me too."

Caleb giggled at their bantering. "Mommy, daddy."

Chris and Jon appeared at the door, neither had been worried when the little boy at taken off, they knew where to find him. They were waved in.

Sam couldn't help smiling. "You know Daniel, Chris is getting more and more like you everyday."

"It's the hair cut," he griped, about his teenage son's shaggy light brown hair.

"I like my hair," Chris remarked. "So does Cassie."

Jack glanced over his shoulder at his teenage son. "Don't get any ideas, you're not growing it long."

Jon rolled his eyes. "I wasn't thinking of it."

"Yes, you were," he challenged.

The teenager shrugged. "Well maybe a little."

Caleb had wiggled off his grandfather's lap and gone round to his mother, crawling up onto her lap, she gave him a cuddle while his father tousled his hair.

"So, Sir, are you going to tell Jon your news?" Sam asked him.

Jack frowned at her and stood, turning to his son. "I've been offered a promotion and command of the SGC."

"Cool, dad, that's great," he exclaimed and hugged him. "You're taking it right?" He asked stepping back.

His dad saw they were all waiting for that answer.

The Gate room was decorated for the occasion, a red carpet had been rolled out on the ramp, a podium at the top, four flags were set up, an American flag, two Air Force flags and the SGC flag. Personnel filled the room, some in uniform, some in BDU's. Four members of SG1 stood at the bottom of the ramp to the left, it's civilian members in good dress wear, the Air Force member in uniform.

Dr. Elizabeth Weir walked up the ramp to the podium, standing behind it. She smiled. "Although my time here has been brief, it has been, without a doubt, indelible," she said. "I will remember everyone of you and I thank you all for your hard work," she paused, seeing the members of SG-1 smiling happily, up in the briefing room she noted, the two Jackson boys, Cassie Fraiser, Jon O'Neill and Maggie Ferretti were watching the proceedings along with Silvia Clark. She turned her attention back to the matter at hand. "I'm not one for long goodbyes, so without further ado, it is with great pleasure I introduce you to your new Commanding Officer. Brigadier General Jack O'Neill."

She came down the ramp as the blast doors opened and the personnel came to attention as Jack O'Neill walked into the room. He acknowledged his team silently, nodding to Elizabeth as she stepped off the ramp and stepped up onto it and to the podium. Addressing his people. "At ease," he ordered, seeing them relax a little. "You all know how much I love speeches, so, I'll make this short." He glanced around, there were many faces missing among them. "I wish I could say I didn't owe anything to anyone. But the truth is, I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for the courage and support of each and everyone one of you. I hope I can be as good a leader as we've had in the past and as good as you deserve."

"Here, here," Daniel cheered and everyone applauded.

Jack smiled and waited for them to stop, Sergeant Harriman had joined him, having come up the side ladder. "The other reason I took this job was so I could do really cool stuff like this," he announced. "It is will great pride that my first order of business as Commander of this base is the announcement of the promotion of Major Samantha Carter to Lieutenant Colonel."

Sam was stunned, grinning, she saw her teammates smiling as everyone applauded.

Jack held back from laughing, he'd enjoyed that. "Come on," he urged.

Sam saw him gesture to her and she hurried up the ramp to the podium, standing before her new CO.

Sergeant Harriman stepped up to the podium and read from the prepared speech. "The President of the United States has places special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity and abilities of Major Samantha Carter. Major Samantha Carter is promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel, United Starts Air Force."

As the Sergeant spoke, Jack removed the Major insignias from Sam's epaulettes and replaced them with Lieutenant Colonel insignias. He saluted her and she saluted him in return, their friends and personnel applauding.

"Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter," Jack praised. "Now," he raised his right hand, "raise your right hand repeat after me." He waited until she'd raised her hand. "I, insert name."

Sam smiled. "I, Samantha Carter…"

He went through it with her, then shock her hand, handing her the documentation that went with the promotion. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel."

"Thank you, Sir."

Moonlight shone through the screened windows, a gentle breeze blew the curtains softly. A large bed dominated the bedroom; it's two occupants bathed in the moonlight.

Daniel lay on his back, one arm tucked behind his head, the other on his wife's back. She lay on her stomach, her head resting on his, he unconsciously stroked her bare back, reflecting on what had happened to them and their family and friends.

Cali lifted her head and kissed his stomach, before looking at him. "You think too much, Dr. Jackson."

He chuckled; his fingers ran through her hair. "Sometimes not enough."

"Oh, I don't know about that," she crawled over him like a cat, straddling him; she sat up, the sheet bunched at her waist.

Daniel smiled, his goddess. Her hair, lose and tousled, hung down her back in soft waves to her buttocks, as well as over each shoulder to her waist. She looked like a woman who had been loved and she had; he'd kept the promise he'd made back on Thor's ship. "You are beautiful, my wife."

Cali blushed. "And you are handsome, my husband."

He drew her down into his arms. "I love you, Cali."

"I love you, too, Daniel," she whispered and rested her head under his chin, content to stay that way as he caressed her back. When he chuckled she smiled. "What?"

"I was just thinking," he mused. "The next couple of months are going to be anything but boring, not with Jack in charge."

"Life and the universe will never be the same," Cali agreed and they laughed quietly to themselves.

The end of this chapter:

(As I said in the Author's note, if you have a favorite episode of season eight and you think Cali would fit into it, then please let me know and I can see if I can incorporate it into the nextchapter. I also admit this chapter is not beta read, so any and all mistakes are mine.)