8

Chapter 3: Helping A Friend

-O'Neill II Asgard Warship-

Jack walked over to the table with all the items he had fabricated laid out. "Thor," he called as he picked up one that looked like a strange ray gun.

"Yes, O'Neill," Thor replied looking over.

"I made you a few things that may help you and the Asgard in your war with the replicators," Jack said. He carried the gun and a few items over to Thor. "This gun will disrupt the links between the replicator blocks. The schematics are in the computer. Your people should be able to modify it to a ship wide or satellite-based weapon."

Then Jack pulled up a small hand-held device, "This blocks them from transmitting any communications, even subspace communications. Again, schematics in the computer. If you make it on a ship scale, you should be able to block communication to any replicators outside of a solar system. That way they can't adapt."

Jack gave Thor a serious look, "Block their communications, then disrupt the links. Then they can't learn how to adapt to the new fight."

Thor gently took the devices. For the first time in centuries his eyes gleamed with hope, "I will do as you say, O'Neill. Where have you placed the schematics?"

"Here and here," Jack said as he took over the stones and showed Thor where the plans were placed on the Asgard computer. Shade had dug around the Ancient Database when she had seen the replicator information. With Jack's dislike of the replicators and his good regard of Thor, Shade had provided the much needed help.

"I see them," Thor said. He immediately sent the communications blocking and disruptor schematics to his technicians to upscale to the O'Neill II warship. He could already see how it was incorporated Ancient Technology. O'Neill was correct about this goa'uld.

Jack wandered back to the table. "Sam, come take a look," he called out to her.

"What have you got?" Sam asked.

Jack handed her a bracelet, "For you my dear."

Sam put the bracelet on. It was a braided silver bracelet with a small opaque stone. "Okay," she said. "It's pretty."

Jack smirked, "And it's useful." He put his own on. It was a more masculine version of hers. Then he activated the personal shield then shut it off.

Sam's eyes widened and she turned hers on and off again. "Very nice. Much better than that damn hand device. Discrete AND useful."

"Prettier too," Jack said.

"Much less gaudy," Sam said with a smirk.

"These are for the rest of SG-1 and your dad," Jack said. The rest looked like simple watches. "They are personal shields and locator beacons."

"They will definitely use the shields on missions," Sam stated. "Do they need naquadah for the shield?"

"Nope. Ancient tech does not require any special funky metal in the blood to activate it. Just hit the face of the watch like we hit the jewel," Jack said.

"I have upgraded your Al'kesh, O'Neill," Thor stated from his console. His technicians had just informed him that they had complete the shield, weapons, and engine upgrades. They were inquiring as to how to integrate the controls. Thor told them to proceed with the replicator commutations blocker and he would get back to them.

"Upgraded?" Jack and Sam said together.

"Yes. While we were engaged at Adara II, I had my technicians upgrade the engines, shields, and weapons as well as a personal beaming system," Thor stated. "This technology is to ensure the safety and security of the Ancient Knowledge. You have assured me that the goa'uld you carry is not a threat. I have been reassured. The Asgard will continue to ensure your safety O'Neill, as the keeper of the Ancient Knowledge."

"I'm not that special," Jack stated.

"You are to me," Sam replied with a soft grin.

Jack softened, "Alright, I can accept that I am special to you. But, that…"

"Hey, Jack," Sam said walking up to him and hugging him softly. "You and Shade ARE that special together. You are BOTH important." She gave him a soft smile, "You both just helped the Asgard in their war with the Replicators. You know we have to keep Shade safe. This helps that."

Jack couldn't help but smile back at Sam, "You're right. Keeping Shade safe and helping. Those I can do."

"How would you like to interface with the new systems?" Thor asked them.

"What?" Sam asked looking up at Thor.

Thor displayed a hologram of their bridge on the Al'kesh. "The new systems will require interface near the piloting station. I am aware that you would prefer not to use Asgard interface. How would you like your interface to appear?"

Sam grinned, "We get to design it?"

"You do," Thor assured her.

"Then here is what I want," Sam said walking over to another Asgard console and started to move some stones. "The existing piloting system is cumbersome goa'uld tech. Replace it with human aircraft interface for maneuvering on this side," she used the stones with Jack's assistance to display a joystick combo off the right arm of the piloting chair.

"And a thruster leaver on this side," Sam continued with the left side of the chair.

"Don't forget hyperdrive as a separate lever," Jack added and made a modification to her design.

"On the co-pilot side," Sam continued. "Human keyboard interface, targeting computer with popup display like you have here, and to the right," she turned her attention to the blank wall next to the co-pilot seat, "I want an enhanced computer work station with popup display and more memory that can interface with my computer from Earth."

"Hey, you can use the targeting computer for both the beam and the weapons," Jack supplied.

"True. But two screens if we need to do both," Sam replied. "You want anything for your side wall?" Sam asked.

Jack examined the hologram. We can build a portable dialing device on our side with my memories, Shade said.

I like that. We will be sending messages to Earth through the Stargate. This way we don't have to leave the ship to do it, Jack replied to Shade.

"No. Shade and I have some ideas. But we will have to do the work. Not the Asgard," Jack replied to Sam.

"I will update the Asgard technicians with your requests," Thor replied. He was intrigued by the designs the humans had provided. He had only to modify the Asgard technology to ensure it was compatible with the human interface. "We have arrived at Earth," Thor announced as the view screen suddenly filled with the planet.

"Have SG-1 made it back yet?" Sam asked.

"I have not detected the presence of Heimdall yet," Thor stated.

Sam looked at Thor oddly. "Is that the Asgard that was in the lab?" she asked.

"It is," Thor stated.

"Then we wait," Jack announced. Jack moved back over to the console, "I'm getting bored. What about you, Sam?"

"I'm kind of hungry," Sam said. "Thor, can you beam up some food from the cafeteria?"

"Good idea, Sam," Jack said. "Now, I'm hungry. I bet they have Jell-O."

"Oh, God, I haven't had Jell-O in so long," Sam said with a longing face.

"I will procure the sustenance and notify the SGC that we have arrived in orbit," Thor announce to them. "I will tell them of the success of the mission and that we are awaiting for the arrival of SG-1."

The white light deposited the food from the cafeteria on the table. It was far more that either Jack or Sam could eat, but it was all kinds of food that they had not been able to eat for some time.

"Oh, thank you, Thor," Sam said with feeling as she snagged several cups of blue Jell-O off the table.

Jack started shoveling mashed potatoes into his mouth with feeling as he savored the taste that he missed. Jack next took a bite of roasted chicken.

Oh, that is very good. Eat more of that, Shade said suddenly.

You like the chicken, huh, Jack asked her. Wait until you try the meatloaf, he said reaching over to break off a bite of meatloaf.

The flavors… that is so wonderful. I had no idea, Shade said with awe.

Jack laughed at her response. That is just the meal. The desert is the best part. My favorite is cake. Sam likes the Jell-O. Pie is pretty good too.

I will have to try it all, Shade decided. Experience is the best way to determine which is the best.

Just not in one sitting, Jack cautioned Shade. Not all of them work well together. Or with the current meal. We have time. Enjoy yourself.

You are right. There is no rush, Shade said. I will enjoy this food in front of us.

Good. Because I have missed Earth food, Jack said wistfully. "You know, Sam," Jack started. "There is no reason why we couldn't take that card of mine and get the occasional meal."

Sam looked over from her blissful consumption of blue Jell-O, "Hum. I can see the judicious use of the card to enjoy good food. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, we have to reward ourselves for saving hosts from evil goa'uld, right?" Jack said.

Sam smirked, "Yeah, and we wouldn't want to alert anyone to our presence. I can see it."

"The Stargate has activated. Heimdall's presence has been detected. He has been transported aboard with his lab equipment," Thor reported.

"Thor, request Jacob Carter and Selmak to beam aboard," Sam said. "He can verify the Tok'ra and you can get a sample of Tok'ra DNA."

"Sending request," Thor said. Then he beamed Jacob in front of them.

Jacob and Selmak looked startled. They were still geared up from their mission. "Thor?" Jacob asked. He was facing the Asgard. Jack and Sam were behind him.

"And us," Jack said.

Jacob spun around and took in Jack and Sam before he relaxed. "Jack, Sam," he said in response. "What are you doing here?"

"Long story," Jack said. "Thor asked for our help. We got to blow some stuff up. Waited around for you to come back. We MAY have saved a Tok'ra. But, don't know. Thor?"

"I can do the comparisons now. I will beam the blended being here," Thor stated.

"You did what?" Jacob asked in shock.

Just then a man beamed into the bridge and was instantly surrounded by a force field. Jacob turned to look over at the man.

"Holy Hannah! Damir? Is that you?" Jacob asked.

"Yes, Jacob, Selmak. I was brought aboard before the ha'tak exploded. Anubis was suspicious of me and had me work with Osiris and Zipacna. The three of us were removed from our Ha'taks. Osiris and Zipacna are no more," Damir said in a quick recap of the mission.

"The DNA matches maternal DNA from Selmak," Thor stated.

"Congratulations, you are officially Tok'ra," Jack stated.

Jacob looked over to Jack. Selmak took over, "Thank you for saving one of the Tok'ra."

"We actually also saved Sarah Gardner as well," Sam stated. "Osiris' host. She was Daniel's friend before she was taken. Unfortunately, Zipacna's host died. He needed the goa'uld to sustain him. But he died free of the goa'uld."

"Just let me call down, so they know that we have more guests coming," Jacob said.

"I have transmitted the information," Thor stated. "They have confirmed receipt of the message and asked to have the newcomers sent to the medical facility." With a flash of light, Damir disappeared.

Jacob looked around the bridge of Thor's ship in confusion, "Okay, why am I still here?"

Sam smiled, "Because we still want to talk to you without an audience, dad."

"What are you up to, Sam?" Jacob asked with a cautious look.

"Nothing…" Sam replied innocently.

Jacob laughed. "That hasn't worked on me since you were three."

"I know," Sam said with a smile. "We got you presents."

"Just for me?" Jacob asked.

"No!" Jack replied. "You, Daniel, Teal'c, and General Hammond. Earth can suck eggs after the NID staked out my cabin."

"The NID were at your cabin?" Jacob asked with a frown.

"Yes," Sam replied. "Not that we didn't have a plan. But it was annoying."

"First of all, THIS!" Jack shows him the watch with a personal shield. Then he showed him how to activate the shield. "The shield does not required naquadah to operate it. But don't let anyone but you, Daniel, and Teal'c know. I can see them getting stolen by the techies. They operate just like a watch otherwise." He handed all three to Jacob. "They are labeled by name." He showed how each had the name engraved on the back.

"Second of all, we know that Sam and I are not easy to contact. This… is for General Hammond." Jack brandished one of the tablet devices. "It operates on the same premise as the Asgard communicator, just in English. If you guys want to send us intel on Anubis, you can. It also has ports for the standard USB connection to allow you to download data from it to take to your systems." Jack said handed him the tablet device. It looked like a rugged iPad, but had the USB jack. "It is DNA encoded. Let's get you input and you can input Hammond and Walter. Don't add anyone else."

Jack quickly added Jacob to the security settings and gave him access to add new users.

"Power?" Jacob asked.

"Don't worry about it," Jack told him. "It will have power long after we are dead."

"Got it," Jacob said. "Do they need to check it for messages or intel from you guys?" Jacob asked.

"Yes and no," Jack said. "We will send some intel through the tablet, but usually we will just send it through the Stargate."

"How will they know it's from you?" Jacob asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"They will have no doubt that it is from us," Sam said with a smirk. "The tablet will light up at the same time. So they will know to check the tablet at that point."

"Now you have me curious," Jacob said.

"Well, how did you know the note was from me?" Sam asked him.

Jacob conceded that fact. "Because it couldn't be from anyone else."

"And that is how you will know it is from us. The galaxy is huge, but some things are just too Earth specific," Sam said with a quirky smirk. "So when the Stargate activates and nothing comes through but music and a digital signal, they know. The Tau'ri are weird."

Jacob laughed. "That they are. I still can't get over the Blair Witch Stones."

"No, what I can't get over is how pathetically sad, Daniel looked trying to find the Blair Witch Stones. The man is FROM Earth for God's sake. How could he NOT know THAT?" Jack said with exasperation. "It's not like Teal'c could help."

"Well, without you and Sam, Daniel is a bit out of balance," Jacob said.

"Yeah," Jack said. "I worry about the Space Monkey."

"Worry a bit less. They won't be going on as many extreme missions. And what missions they do go on, I will be attached to them. George has made me a member of SG-1 in your place," Jacob said. "I will still have my Tok'ra duties. Daniel will have his anthropology duties. Teal'c will have his advising duties. We will go out on missions, just not first contact. And now we have nifty toys," he said to ease their minds.

"That does make me feel better, dad," Sam said with grin and a hug for her father. "I always worried about you when you were out of touch with the Tok'ra."

"And now, I know Teal'c will have your back and you will have Daniel's back," Jack said with reassurance. "Are you staying on base? You and Jalen can move into my place if you need space. I own it and I'm not using it."

"Yeah, my place is rented," Sam said. "I need to get my stuff moved out."

"I am on base, but with the whole Kinsey arrest thing, George may be able to let me move out," Jacob said.

"Ask for Power-Of-Attorney for Sam and I. Keep it in your quarters. Next time we drop by, we will pick you up and sign stuff. Is our money still being watched?" Jack asked.

Jacob chuckled, "Not that I know, but I didn't know about your cabin either. I'll ask George. He will get all the paperwork."

"Jacob Carter, Selmak, It is obvious to the Asgard that Anubis is not following the Protected Planets Treaty. This treaty was supposed to protected Earth. However, it was a bluff as O'Neill knows. Anubis will attack Earth again as he did with the meteor, most likely it will be more direct the next time," Thor stated.

"However, this latest attack means that the Asgard are no longer required to follow the Protected Planets Treaty. Notify the Asgard if Anubis should attack Earth. The Asgard will attempt assistance," Thor said sincerely.

"Depending on the Replicators," Jack added. "Those pesky bugs have stopped the Asgard from really stopping the goa'uld up till now."

"Indeed," Thor nodded. "O'Neill has provided some additional assistance with the Replicators. I will return to deal with the goa'uld as soon as I can. I would still prefer to deal with SG-1, Jacob Carter, Major Carter, or O'Neill."

"Your assistance is most welcome," Jacob replied. "I will gladly help any way I can. I will make sure that George knows to send the signal to the Asgard if Anubis attacks in any way."

"Thank you," Thor said.

"Goodbye, dad," Sam said with a final hug. "I love you."

"Bye, Sam," Jacob said hugging her back. "Take care of yourself, Jack, and Shade."

"I will," Sam replied.

"Jacob, Selmak," Jack said with a nod and a wave.

"Jack, Shade," Jacob replied. Then he nodded to Thor to send him back to Earth and disappeared in a flash of white light.

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