8

Chapter 7: Apocalypse Tuesday

-Earth/SGC-

"General Hammond," MSgt Siler came over to General Hammond after he got off the phone to the president.

"Yes, Sergeant," General Hammond said leaning back at his desk.

"Sir, the Temperature of the Gate Room is at 138 degrees Fahrenheit. The iris is showing the heat differently that from when Sokar attacked," MSgt Siler said. "The hottest parts of the iris are glowing red. But they are on the outside of the iris, not the inside."

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean," General Hammond said with a look of confusion.

MSgt Siler gave him a steady look, "Sir, the iris is heating up the Stargate. I don't know how long it will be before the Stargate reaches critical temperature."

"What do you mean by critical temperature?" General Hammond asked.

"I mean, explodes. Normally, it wouldn't. But eventually, naquadah would go critical and explode. How hot? I don't know," MSgt Siler said. "I hate to give you more problems. I prefer to give you answers."

"I understand, Sergeant," General Hammond replied. "But this is a problem that I would rather know about. How is the Aegis Protocol affecting it?"

"That's the good news, Sir," MSgt Siler said. "The protocol is definitely helping to keep the iris cooler. That in turn is helping to keep the Stargate cooler. The temperature is still rising but much slower than the snake head wants. I have already ordered more liquid nitrogen. We have enough on hand to last 48-hours of constant use. We will be resupplied with an additional 100-hours in 24-hours."

"Well done, Sergeant," General Hammond said with a small smile. "I have ordered Dr. Rodney McKay to be onsite as our Theoretical Physicist. He has worked with Major Carter in the past." Then a thought came to him, "Make sure all of his 'ideas' are passed through Walter and approved by Major Carter before they are put into action. Walter can get in touch with the Major."

MSgt Siler grinned, "Yes, Sir."

"Approaching 38-minute window," Walter yelled up the stairs.

General Hammond and MSgt Siler immediately went down to the control room to watch the timer tick down the last minute before the wormhole shut off. When the wormhole finally blinked out, Walter hit the key to execute the ADP for Abydos. The system spun and locked, and spun, and locked… The ADP had locked in six of the seven chevrons when the incoming wormhole was received.

The air of disappointment was heavy in the Control Room.

"Keep trying, Walter," General Hammond finally said as he gave the technician a fond pat on the shoulder. "Let me know if you think of anything, Sergeant. I'll be in my office."

SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG

-Earth/SGC-

Dr. Rodney McKay was finally getting recognized for his brilliance. It was about damn time. These idiots should have talked to him years ago. As it was, they took the advice of some dumb blonde who happened to be crazy and lucky.

And hot.

Okay. Maybe she was just a bit smart too. But no one was as smart as Rodney was. He was pretty sure. Regardless, he was here now to make sure that the SGC was taken care of properly.

And then they had told him the problem. HOLY SHIT! The Stargate was a bomb. What the hell were they even thinking? Oh my god!

Breathe. Remember to breathe. Breathing is important.

"Okay, I think I have it correct. This Anubis fellow doesn't like us and is going to blow up our Stargate by using a particle beam accelerator, even though those don't exist, to heat up the iris near the edges so that they heat up the Stargate itself," Rodney reiterated to his escort. Apparently, only some Sergeant knew anything about science when Major Carter wasn't around.

"Based on our observations of the existing data and our previous experiences, yes," Siler replied in exasperation. "Anubis has already failed to destroy Earth once. He took the direct approach this time."

"Wait," Rodney said, "He has already tried to kill us?"

Siler got a look on his face at Rodney couldn't interpret, "Yes. He threw a giant naquadah meteor at Earth. Extinction Level Event."

Rodney just gaped at him, "Why wasn't I informed?"

Siler just shrugged, "Above my pay grade."

"But…" Rodney stammered. "I…"

"Sir, looking at these numbers, can you tell me how long it will be before the Stargate goes critical and destroys half the US?" Siler said to try and get Rodney back on task.

That last statement seemed to catch Rodney's attention, "Half of US? Will it really be that bad?"

Siler just shrugged again, "Another Extinction Level Event probably. Tuesday at the SGC. You get used to it."

"You get used to it?" Rodney sputtered. "How?"

"Repetition," Siler said. "After so many times of it not actually being the end of the world… you just fix the problem and go home."

"And this happens a lot?" Rodney asked.

"I've been here since the program started, so yeah," Siler said. Then he tapped on the figures again. "Numbers?"

Rodney just tried to ignore the overwhelming panic and concentrate on the math. Math was his friend. He liked math. A few minutes later he found the curve of how fast the Stargate was increasing in temperature. He compared it to the temperature that naquadah would explode when heated and reached a time.

"158-hours," Rodney declared.

"You're sure?" Siler asked.

"The math doesn't lie. In a little under 6.6 days, the Stargate will explode unless we can cool it," Rodney said.

"Thank you, Sir. I'll inform General Hammond," Siler said.

SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG

-Free Jaffa Camp-

The morning after Drey'auc's funeral, things were much better between Teal'c and Rya'c. Teal'c knew that the Tau'ri did not need him back right away. He could take time to spend with his son and they could both heal from the loss of Drey'auc.

They had already planned to spend the day in warrior training. Master Bra'tac and Teal'c had already donned their armor in preparation for training the young chal'tii warriors for fighting. As their preparations were finalized, they heard the noise of a landing Tel'tek.

They both immediately took weapons and headed to the Tel'tek as it landed next to the Stargate. That it landed uncloaked, was a good sign. That the guards at the Stargate recognized the pilot was even better. Soon, they could recognize him as well.

"Sha'krell," Teal'c called out greeting to the pilot.

"Teal'c," Sha'krell replied in greeting.

"It has been too long, old friend," Teal'c said with a genuine smile. Bra'tac and Rya'c joined him as he greeted the pilot in a strong arm-clasp.

"It is fortunate you are here. I brought word to Master Bra'tac so that he might warn you," Sha'krell said.

"Of what?" Bra'tac asked.

"The Tau'ri are in danger. They are under attack from Anubis," Sha'krell replied.

Teal'c spun away and immediately tried to dial Earth. The Stargate failed to connect. "I cannot make contact. Your warning has come too late," Teal'c told his friend.

"I am sorry, my friend. Anubis has a weapon that uses one Stargate to destroy another. If my information is correct, then the attack has already begun," Sha'krell said sadly.

"We cannot warn them," Bra'tac said sadly.

"That is why I brought a ship," Sha'krell said. "We can fly to them."

"If the attack has already begun, a warning will do little good. We must find a way to stop it before it is too late," Teal'c replied. He had spent too long among the Tau'ri. He had begun to think like O'Neill. Earth was locked up. It was up to those not on Earth to destroy the weapon. "Do you know where this weapons is located?"

"I do not," Sha'krell said sadly.

"Anubis has grown powerful, but still only defends only a small handful of planets," Bra'tac said. "If one of those Stargates can also not be contacted…"

Teal'c grinned at Bra'tac, "It is most likely the origin of the attack." He suspected that Bra'tac had also been spending too much time thinking like O'Neill as well. It served the Free Jaffa well.

"Let us hope it is one of the planets to which I can remember the sequence," Bra'tac stated.

Teal'c almost snorted. Bra'tac's memory was stronger than a steel trap. He never forgot information that he had learned as a young chal'tii.

Bra'tac and Rya'c dialed the addresses while Teal'c and Sha'krell talked of matters of no import. Eventually, Bra'tac waved them over.

"I believe this is the one. I have tried to connect to this world twice now. It is the only one to which I cannot make contact," Bra'tac stated.

"Then that is where the weapon will be," Teal'c stated with surity. "Come."

Sha'krell, Bra'tac, and Teal'c turned to depart on the Tel'tak. Teal'c was stopped by Rya'c.

"I am coming with you. If the goa'uld truly can be defeated, then I wish to be a part of it. You said that I could not judge this war if I had yet to fight a battle. You have trained me. Now let me fight. You said you do not doubt me," Rya'c insisted.

"I do not," Teal'c replied, his heart heavy with dread.

"Then I will join you," Rya'c said with firmness.

"Be quick," Bra'tac said reading Teal'c uncertainty.

"Very well," Teal'c replied. His head was at war with his heart. The boy wanted to become a man. But the father just wanted to protect his son. He took a deep breath and headed for the Tel'tek.

SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG

-Naquadah Stash Planet/Al'kesh-

Jack eyed the finished DHD. If I ever had any doubt that you were different than your goa'uld brethren, THAT would totally get rid of it, he told Shade.

The DHD was done and functional. But it was ugly and naked with all the exposed workings.

Like you have a choice now, Shade snarked back at him. Besides, this is just to make sure it works. We can make it look better once we know it works.

Spare Gate on the surface? Jack asked Shade.

It would be the best test, Shade replied. No Chappa'ko attached and the closest.

There are two on this planet, Jack commented. Best to know that now. Alright, time to clean up and get Sam.

Jack started to pick up and put away tools and other parts of the DHD shell that were left. He cleaned up the floor and finally swept the area. Then he gave the DHD one last critical look.

The plastic buttons are temporary, right? Jack asked Shade again. The metal buttons with a glyphs were too oddly shaped for the new corner configuration. Jack had created plastic buttons and drew glyphs on the plastic as a temp measure to identify them. The point of origin symbol was blank.

Of course, Shade replied. They can be cast in metal or other material when we have time. Besides, they really are ugly.

I know, Jack said sagely.

Jack wandered back to find Sam tinkering with the DNA device. This was the device that she wanted to give to the SGC. The Al'kesh already had the ability to sample the goa'uld DNA with a beam, like the Asgard did, and compare it to the existing DNA database. Any goa'uld or primtah who was beamed on board was sampled automatically. If new, their sample was added to the database.

This device would make the returning Tok'ra easier to identify than the current EEG screening that was currently being used. Selmak had liked how they had saved one of the Tok'ra operatives with DNA. Sam would like to expand on that.

"Hey," Jack interrupted her. "I finished. Do you want to come test it out with me?"

"The portable DHD. Hell yeah," Sam replied, setting down the scanner and following Jack back to the bridge.

Sam came into the bridge and took a look at it. "Oh… wow," she said. Her first look and that one statement told Jack that she agreed that it was a horrible sight.

"I know. It's ugly. Shade and I are going for functional at the moment. We will pretty it up, if it works," Jack said with a wave. He took his seat in the pilot chair and waited for Sam to take hers.

Then he flew down to the spare Stargate. How close? Jack asked Shade.

You should be within 300 meters, Shade replied.

Jack parked the Al'kesh slightly above the spare Stargate and out of range of the wormhole splash. Then he stood up.

"Okay, Sam, Shade says we need to be within 300 meters. Where should I dial?" Jack asked her.

"Cimmeria," Sam replied.

Cimmeria it is," Jack seconded.

The glyphs were arranged in seven rows of five glyphs with the point of origin button on the eight row with a long button taking the space of the other four buttons.

Jack started to press the plastic buttons. Each of the glyphs lit up. Instead of a 'dome', he hit the long button at the bottom.

Jack and Sam both turned to watch the Stargate. It began to dial and lock each of the glyphs before engaging the wormhole.

"Yes," Jack shouted.

"Okay, but let's try another location, just in case," Sam said. She hit the long button to cancel the wormhole and then quickly typed in another address. She paused on the last glyph, "Um… point of origin?"

"Ah," Jack said. Then he pointed to the blank button. She raised her eyebrow at him before hitting it and the long button.

Once again, the Stargate dialed and locked each glyph before engaging a wormhole.

"So your PDHD works," Sam said casually.

Jack motioned her to her seat, "Yes, it works on a Stargate with no DHD. Now to test on a Stargate with a DHD. This was just phase 1 testing. On to phase 2."

"Is there a phase 3?" Sam asked.

"It's hard to test phase 3," Jack replied while they took their seats and Jack piloted the Al'kesh over to the active Stargate on the planet. "Phase 3 is we try to dial while someone dial's the DHD. Phase 4 is incoming wormholes."

"I can see how those would be hard to test," Sam replied. "Do you and Shade have assumptions for now?"

"Yeah," Jack replied. "Direct connections take precedence over wireless. Incoming over outgoing depending on who connects first."

Jack tested the DHD on the active Stargate to the same two locations and received connections both times. "Looks like Phase 2 is a success," Jack stated.

"So, why did you go with a blank point of origin?" Sam asked Jack.

Jack maneuvered the Al'kesh back into orbit before facing Sam. "You know how you and Daniel worked out that the glyphs all were represented by numbers?" Jack asked her.

"Yeah," Sam remembered the conversation from when Daniel had returned from the Mirror universe with a string of numbers.

"Well, in Ancient, the glyphs are numbers and sounds. One through thirty-five. But the point of origin is zero. Null. Blank. The coding on all the DHD's is the same. The seventh glyph is just saying 'from here' or 'starting at null'," Jack replied. "It's not the easiest thing to try and translate to English."

"So the point of origin symbol is arbitrary?" Sam asked.

"Pretty much," Jack replied. "Didn't you notice that we had no problems using the Antarctica Gate after Thor's ship blew up?"

Sam's face went blank. It had never occurred to her. "The point of origin was different," Sam said aloud.

"But the code was the same," Jack replied.

"Okay, then we can have whatever we want as our point of origin," Sam stated with a smile.

"We can," Jack said. "Did you have something in mind?"

"Not yet. But I will," Sam said.

Jack started to nod when he noticed the tablet had lit up. "Hey, when did we get that message?" Jack asked. He had just now seen the message on the tablet. He couldn't remember if it was there when he went to get Sam earlier.

"Um… I don't remember. I was paying attention to wormholes," Sam said bashfully.

"Really?" Jack said as he grabbed the tablet to read the message. "You're blaming the distraction of not so theoretical astrophysics?"

"Um… yes," Sam said with a slight grin.

"Fine! I see how you are. Distracted by shiny wormholes," Jack said distractedly. Then he started to read the text message.

Jack, Sam, Anubis is attacking Earth with a particle beam weapon from the following coordinates. He is using some kind of device to dial faster than we can dial out even using your automated dialing program. Aegis Protocol is helping to slow the decay of the shield, but Anubis is targeting the outer shied to transfer the heat to the Stargate. Estimate that the Stargate will go critical in 157-hours from now. I have sent the Asgard this same information, sent from General Hammond.

"Well, crap," Jack said. He handed the tablet to Sam so she could read it. "They sent this six hours ago."

"Shit," Sam replied.

"Plug in those coordinates. I'll text them back," Jack replied.

Sam typed in the glyphs to the navigational computer and waited for Jack. Jack typed a quick response back to Hammond. On it. Don't do anything to shorten the time. We will update as we can.

He got a brief note in return, Godspeed.

"Now, it feels like a mission," Jack said as he placed the tablet back in its place.

Sam saw the send-off and smiled. "Coordinates locked," she said aloud.

Jack eased the Al'kesh out of orbit and into hyperspace. Then he pushed the hyperspace engines to reach his target. Earth was on the clock.

SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG