So, I said that I could take a while. Thank you for all the support. And for bearing with my (many) grammar mistakes. I went through the whole thing again since someone pointed me I was missing words. Hopefully, they are all fixed now. Well, thanks again, and here we go.
Chapter 8 - Furlings
"Where were we?" Jack said the following morning. He scratched his head tiredly. Malcolm noted that both looked more tired than days before. Both sported dark circles under their eyes this morning, and at least 8 cups of what Malcolm supposed was coffee sat on the table in front of them.
"You don't look good today, sure you want to continue?" He wondered.
"Yeah, we didn't sleep last night. We are okay, Malcolm. Besides, it's not like we didn't use to go more than a couple of days without sleep," Sam said, smiling.
"Talk about yourself there sleepy head. I am sure I had to order you to get some shut-eye. I've never had to order me to have a decent sleep," Jack said smugly.
"Yes, about that, you know there are several studies which point to the fact that smarter people sleep later than just average people," Sam smirked.
"Touche!"Anyway, remind me, did we finish the episode of the daughters' from hell?"
"I think so. I still have a question about it."
"Fire away," Jack said.
"You said that this issue happened back in 2011. You also mentioned before that your friends didn't know about you being married to each other until 2020. How was that possible with the ongoing investigation?" Malcolm asked. Sam grinned.
"We both explained to the research committee that no one knew we were married. Therefore, they thought about the approach they needed to use. Most of our files are classified, and our marriage certificate was under an even deeper classification level," Sam explained.
"We don't know what went on those exchanges since whoever was being contacted couldn't talk to us once they got the interview notification, and they were under oath they wouldn't reproduce the contents of the meetings," Jack shrugged dismissively.
"I guess sometimes it sucked to be you," Malcolm shook his head.
"Pretty much, yeah. Well, at least until the 2013 incident, that was awesome! We are still enjoying the results of that."
2013
It was just another regular dull day at Stargate Command, and General Carter was deep in thought. A few weeks earlier, that meant she would be trying to decide if they needed extra potatoes for that month or if a good extra ration of veggies would do.
That issue was now part of Walter's job, who, after some weeks of letting her suffer, had decided to let her know he used to do those things for both Hammond and O'Neill. And as he so politely had told her, he wouldn't mind having to pick between potatoes and veggies. With a smile, she confessed she wouldn't mind not to.
Boring now, meant she was engrossed in a report. This time one from R&D about the latest doohickey Dr. Lee was trying to convince her to approve. The reading was interesting; the doohickey… well; she still didn't see how useful it could be a gun that could work as a zat and as a paintball gun. The paint would be the kind that glowed under black light.
She was imaging shooting it to the enemy, and the guy going "WTF? Now, I glow like that vampire guy in that chick flick!". Sometimes being married to Jack made her brain work those kinds of phrases out of nowhere, she thought, chuckling at her occurrence.
The klaxons went crazy then, and they expected no teams. So, Sam ran to the control room, and Walter looked at her, utterly confused.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, ma'am. The Stargate engaged, we didn't get any IDC, nor we hear anything thumping the iris," the man answered.
"How long it was since the last maintenance of the gate?"
"We finished it this morning, ma'am. We ran all the conventional processes starting yesterday, and today we replaced all the crystals just in case," they both frowned then. "We are receiving something, ma'am," he announced and grinned sheepishly when he saw Sam's expression.
There was a shrill that made everyone cover their ears. Then a sole, long figure covered in robes appeared at the foot of the Stargate and looked up to the control room.
"Greetings, we are sorry for the disturbance that our message caused. The message you received, it can be heard only when both Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill are present in the room."
"I'm General Carter, might I ask who are you?" Sam said using the PA system.
"Samantha Carter," the figure said, and despite the distance, Sam thought she was looking straight to her eyes. "I am Jessamy of the Council of the Four Races. Once you get to Jack O'Neill and listen to our message, we expect you to contact us."
"Us?" Sam asked again.
"Yes. The Furling council is expecting you. It's time," Jessamy said.
"Furlings?"
"Yes. The process is ready to begin. Listen to the message. We saved it on the pink crystal. Then contact us," with those last words, the figure was no longer there, and the gate was disengaged.
2050
"What happened?" Malcolm asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.
"What do you know about the Council of the Five Races?" Sam wondered out of the blue.
"Well, it's an Old Council composed of the strongest races of the universe. The Nox, Asgards, Alterans, Furlings, and Humans. That's all I know," Malcolm answered.
"The Council of the Five Races is relatively new. The last race won its place back in 2013," Jack said.
"During our years working at the SGC, while traipsing around the Universe, we came in contact with three of the four races. Until 2013, when the last race came to find us," Sam explained.
"And by us, we mean us, Sam and I."
2013
"Sir, we have a situation," Sam said as soon as she was beamed into his office at the Pentagon.
"Carter?" Jack said, looking a bit startled. "What happened?"
"Apparently, The Furlings, sir."
"So, our furry friends came out of hiding?" Jack grinned.
"Well, it seems so," Sam trailed off, "they weren't exactly..."
"Furry?" Jack completed. Sam rolled her eyes.
"Communicative, sir."
"Carter, you are not making sense, and you are not even techno babbling," he let out exasperatedly. She lowered a pink crystal on his desk.
"Well, to be honest, you are not letting me, sir," she smirked. "A representative of the Furlings appeared at the SGC and saved us a message there. They encode it to be heard only when we both are in the same room," she frowned.
"And how does it works?" Jack asked, leaning closer to the crystal.
"I can't even start to understand how this would…" Jack's hand reached the crystal, and before she could finish her thought, a bright pink light covered the room, and now two holographic figures were standing in front of them.
"Greetings Samantha Carter. Greetings Jack O'Neill. You have been approved as the Fifth Race. We have expected you for a long while. We believe you are ready now. Find us at the coordinates embedded in this crystal. It's imperative for you both to come."
"We won't convince the bosses to go, Sam," Jack whispered to her.
"You can replay this message to whoever you need by touching the crystal both at once."
"We know about your travel policies; we are expecting you to come. We don't mind if there are more than you both, but are you whom we need. It is you whom we expect."
"Come, and you will know more. We can offer technology if that's what we need to do to get access to the two of you." Then, the hologram was gone.
"That was weird," Jack frowned. "A bit Star Wars-y." Sam rolled her eyes at him and then grinned.
"So, sir. What do you feel about a gate trip?"
"I think it is about damn time, Carter! Don't you agree?" She nodded, smiling brightly. "Now, come along, General! We have a room full of Generals to convince!" he grinned back.
2050
"Why had to be specifically both of you?" Malcolm asked
"Well, the truth is, that the Human race isn't the 5th Race," Sam shrugged dismissively.
2013
"Good Luck, Generals," another voice sounded, and they turned towards the control room with huge grins on their faces. They saluted the temporary CO of the SGC, and then, they walked headfirst through the Gate.
Inside the control room, the General frowned, "why I have a feeling they liked that a bit too much?" he asked to no one in particular. Walter smiled.
"Because they were, sir," Walter pointed out. "That's SG-1 at its finest," he smiled, feeling oddly proud of them. Below, Mitchell turned around and saluted the temporary SGC Commander before disappearing into the blue and then…
Light, they were in a dazzling place. Yet, the sky was dark and covered with stars, and at least two full moons were rotating around the planet's orbit. Still, despite presenting all the characteristics of night, the place was shining as it was the most beautiful morning. They all had to put sunglasses on, and then, they discovered the light came from the plants of the planet.
"Okay, kids," Jack clapped his hands. "Listen up. SG-6, you get to gate-sitting. SG-11, you secure the area to the left. SG-1," Jack grinned at this, "we go that way."
"Yes, Sir!" was the general answer.
They didn't have to walk long before getting to a place that, to Jack's amusement, looked just like a glowing, not green version of Oz castle. Halfway to it, two figures stood guarding the entrance to the path. They surveyed silently at the group of newcomers.
"Samantha Carter, Jack O'Neill," they said before they were kneeling and bowing at them.
"Uh, yes?" Jack said awkwardly.
"Councilors Jessamy and Ryrie are expecting you. We, the Furling's rejoice on your visit," one of them said, not looking up.
"Thanks… lead the way, " Jack grinned, and Sam squinted at him for his behavior.
"What?" he whispered at her, and she shook her head.
"Nothing, sir," she sighed.
Before they noticed it, a pink light engulfed them, making them appear in a room full of people in a banquet fashion. Two figures ran to them.
"What's up with all the pink?" Jack huffed, and Sam fought her need to elbow him.
"Samantha Carter! Jack O'Neill!" They recognized the two of them as the ones from the message.
"Jessamy. I believe it was?"
"Sorry for my rudeness! I am Councilor Jessamy, and this is my partner, Councilor Ryrie. We've been waiting for you for a long time. We were losing hope in finding you."
"Worry not," Ryrie continued. "This party is for you. We understand it is customary for you not to consume food of the other planets you visit. But your presence after so long required a welcome banquet. We celebrate our success after such a long search!"
"I do not understand what you are talking about," Jack stated.
"Please, join us," Jessamy said, ignoring Jack's words. "We analyzed the structure of your food to synthesize nourishment similar to yours. Hopefully, the result is as tasty as ours."
"Worry not, Generals," Ryrie took over. "Poisoning is not something we are looking after. Protect you is what we pursue."
"Councilors, why are you looking for them?" Daniel asked. "Wouldn't you rather have anyone else? They are just humans, no offense there, Jack, Sam," he grinned. Both Councilors tilted their heads and looked at Daniel.
"They aren't only humans, Daniel Jackson. I thought you knew that, after all those years spent by their side," Jessamy answered.
"Or, why do you think they've never died?" Ryrie asked.
"Luck?" Mitchell offered.
"If that's the name you want to give to it, Cameron Mitchell, then, yes," Jessamy said.
"We must thank you for helping her. We could have lost her at P9C-882 as you called it. Samantha could have bled out on that place. We couldn't go there, and thus, we are grateful you protected her," Jessamy bowed slightly at him.
"Uh. Thanks. I guess," Cam said, blushing.
"Now, go. Enjoy! The rest of your friends will travel by light as soon as they stay still."
Ryrie looked straight into Jessamy's big black eyes. The councilors exchanged a glance, and a pink light engulfed the whole group again. This time, after the light had disappeared, they noticed they were all dressing similarly to the rest of the humanoid forms that moved around the room.
"Now, you are ready," Ryrie said.
"What the hell?!" Several voices said at once, and the Councilors blinked as they saw all of them patting their bodies as if they were searching for something.
"You won't need your weaponry, this planet is not on the Stargate list on any cartouche," Jessamy explained.
"You can only find this world if the directions are given to you. We are not a warrior race," Ryrie finished.
2050
"Humans aren't the fifth race?" Malcolm asked.
"It more like the council isn't made representative of the five races," Sam shrugged.
2013
Moments after SG-1 arrival at the banquet, all the other teams appeared in the room dressed in Furlings clothes.
Several Furlings pointed them to designated seats around the room. The SG teams were divided into pairs and mingled on tables full of Furlings, while Jessamy and Ryrie led Sam and Jack to a different and more elevated area, right in the middle of the room. Once the four of them sat, the Generals' noticed that in their table, four other couples were staring at them. Their gazes fell to one pair they thought they recognized.
"Antaeus? Lya?" Sam frowned, confused. The couple smiled warmly at them.
"They've talked much about you. You and your friend, Daniel Jackson, gave quite the impression on the kids."
"So, you aren't them?" Jack also frowned.
"No," the woman smiled. "We are Karsyn and Braylin, Council Members, and Nox parents'."
Across the table, two elongated figures with huge black eyes and gray plastic-like skin blinked at them. If it weren't for the hair, they both had, they would assume that those two were from Asgard.
"You are right on your assumptions, O'Neill," said the male one
"And then again, you are not," said the female. "I'm Brynja. This is Adalsteinn. And yes, Samantha Carter, our son, Thor, appreciates you both greatly. He sent his regards."
"Thor? Is he alive? I saw his ship blow up."
"Blow up?" They blinked in confusion. "Ah, yes. Explode. We used one of your 'dumb ideas' before he ... blew up. We also fixed the cloning issue with the help of your kids. Thor was supposed to join us today; he was eager to meet you again."
"He's alive, " Sam and Jack whispered unbelievingly.
"What is death anyway?" said one figure — a red-haired human-like person.
"It is nothing but a temporary state, between your last breath and the next one," said the blonde next to the red-haired.
"I'm Teegan," said the red-haired
"I'm Keegan," added the blonde-haired
"Alterans," the provided at the same time before Sam or Jack could ask.
"Okay," Sam squinted. "Alterans, Nox, Furlings, and Asgards?" she asked, looking at each pair as she said their race, and they all nodded.
"And not exactly them either," Jessamy smirked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jack frowned in confusion.
They all smiled at the humans but said nothing more. Then, Jessamy stood up and raised a goblet that before was in the middle of their table. Silence fell on the room for the first time since the arrival of all the SG teams.
"Let's celebrate the joining of the 5th Race!" Jessamy said and raised the goblet.
"To the Asgards," Jessamy cheered as she passed the goblet to the Asgards' couple that, standing up, accepted it by grabbing the cup with one hand each.
"To the Asgards!" the crowd cheered, raising their glasses and standing up in a swift motion.
With Adalsteinn's help, Brynja raised the goblet to her lips, and then she took a sip before they lowered the cup and raised it to Adalsteinn's mouth so he could take his sip. Once they both had their drinks, they dropped the goblet loudly on the table.
When they did, Jack and Sam observed as the crowd also took a sip of their drinks before they lowered them, glasses banging hard on the tables around the room. A round of applause followed, and then, everyone sat quietly again.
Ryrie stood up before he took the goblet. "To the Nox!" he announced. The Furling Councilor passed the cup to Karsyn and Braylin that once again took the goblet with one hand each.
"To the Nox!" the crowd roared as the Nox' repeated the actions of the Asgard. Then the loud banging gave way to another round of applause before everything went silent again.
"To the Alterans!" Jessamy said, and again the process was repeated. This time, when everyone sat quietly, both Jessamy and Ryrie stood up and grabbed the goblet with one hand each as all the couples had done before.
"For us," Ryrie started.
"To the Furlings!" Jessamy finished. "To the Furlings!" the crowd cheered. Their Councilors' took their sips then, banging the goblet loudly once they both had drunk from it. When the applause stopped, and the room was quiet, Ryrie stood up again.
"And finally, for the last race, the youngest one," he said, turning to look at Sam and Jack. "The humans," he said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. Jessamy stood up and grabbed the goblet, winking at the human couple.
"To the Humans!" Jessamy announced, offering them the goblet. Sam and Jack exchanged a worried glance, and they looked at the couples of the table who were looking at them expectantly. They had wide eyes, noting that the only thing they could do was drink it. They looked around to find a way to get out of that, and they found Daniel making them a sign to drink. Jack nodded to Sam, and she sighed.
"To the Humans!" The crowd cheered.
Carefully they grabbed the goblet, as they had seen all the other's doing. Sam's left hand curled over the stem as Jack's right hand curled over hers. She nodded at him, and together they raised it to her lips. Sam took her sip and lowered the goblet and looked at Jack, he gave her a half-smile, and then they lifted the glass to his lips before they banged the cup together on the table.
The furling crowd repeated their actions; this time, loud cheers surrounded the room. The Furlings clapped loudly, the soft music that was played before, now sounded loud to the human couple.
The pair looked at each other, and they immediately clasped their hands together under the table for no one to see, while their now free hands went to cover their mouths, both figuring that something wasn't right with the drink they had.
From his vantage point, Daniel saw them cover their mouths, their eyes widening in fear, and then, before Daniel had a chance to stand up, a purple light surrounded the table, and all the members of that table were gone.