WOW – Ok, I know I said that I wasn't abandoning this story, but I'm pretty sure that most of the people that read that definitely didn't believe me. Well … I'm baaaack!

Seriously, though, I am very sorry that I haven't updated in nine months or so. I really don't have an excuse except stress and apathy, so I am really sorry. Though at least I know where I'm going with this now! (sorta) Don't worry; updates will be faster this time around.

And now, on with the show!

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Jack O'Neill (spelled with two Ls, thank you) was a Colonel in the US Air Force, the leader of the premiere team SG-1, and an explorer of alien planets. He was also currently sprawled out on his bed, fast asleep.

It was a Saturday in April, and it was one of the few days that he and his team were allowed to have off. Jack was sure that at least two of the other three people on his team would spend their day working, but he at least planned on sleeping until noon.

That plan was rudely interrupted by the shrill ring of a telephone. Jack contemplated not answering, figuring that it was an ambitious telemarketer getting a jump on the day, but he thought better of it. The odds of it being a certain blonde Major on the other end of the line were slight, but he couldn't take that chance.

He flung his arm out and snagged the handset, sitting up in his bed.

"O'Neill here," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Hello, Sir." Jack was instantly awake. If Carter was calling him on his day off, something big must be going down at the SGC. And when that happened, it tended to spread to the rest of the world pretty quickly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your downtime, Sir, but we got a message from your fried, Mr. Grey. He wants to speak to you."

Jack was intrigued now. 'Mr. Grey' was the codename assigned to Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet and one of Jack's best alien buddies. If Thor was involved, then there was probably more on the line than just Earth.

"So, do I need to come in, or will he arrange 'transport' for me?" Jack asked, already struggling into his pants while he cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder.

"He said that as long as you agree, he will pick you up by your front door."

"Tell him to give me five minutes to get ready. See you later, Carter."

"Bye, Sir."

Jack flung the phone down on his bed and threw on a soft, button-down shirt before he sprinted downstairs. He grabbed a granola bar as he passed the kitchen and he was standing by his front door, tying his shoes, when the familiar bright light enveloped him.

He reappeared on the deck of a large ship, facing a window with a spectacular view of the Earth. Jack watched his home planet rotate serenely below him for a moment before he turned to face Thor.

"So…I hear you wanted to see me?" He thrust his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels a little. "You know, if you just wanted to catch up on the gossip, you could've called…"

"It was not for any such reason that I called you here, O'Neill. I explained to Major Carter that it was a matter of some importance."

"I know, buddy, I know. I was just yanking your chain." Jack held up a hand before Thor could ask anything. "It means that I wasn't serious. Now, what was so important that you had to drag me up here to hear it?"

Thor nodded once and turned to the rapidly flashing display behind him. "Two days ago we received an encrypted transmission from a ship stationed nearly a light-year from Earth. Based on the level of your current technology, I thought it unlikely that you would ever receive the message yourself, so I recorded it and cam to inform you about it."

"So what does this all-important message have to say? It's not another Goa'uld threat, is it? We just got that last one under control two weeks ago!"

"No, this message contains no message of a threat. It is, however, very confusing."

"Confusing? How so?" Jack was more than a little concerned now. If something could confuse a member of such an advanced race as the Asgard, he wasn't sure he wanted to be tangled up in it.

"You will see, O'Neill, if you will step over to the display screen."

Jack did as he was told and Thor pressed one of the numerous buttons on his console. The console lit up instantly and displayed the face of an intense red-haired woman.

"Wow. That's a great quality picture, Thor. Whatcha got, an LCD screen?" Jack's attempt at humor fell flat as Thor motioned for him to be quiet.

On the screen, the woman leaned forward as she spoke, staring straight at him through the console. "This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. My crew and I have just been transported here from the Delta Quadrant after a seven year journey and we are in need of assistance. If you are receiving this message, please come and help us. End transmission."

Jack whistled. "Well, that's quite a mess. How far from Earth are they, anyway?"

"If they continue to approach at the same speed, they will arrive within your satellite range in two days. Would you like me to transport you to the SGC so that you can appraise your commander of the situation?"

"Nah," Jack said, shaking his head. "I've got a better idea."