A/N: Thanks for patiently waiting. Here's chapter 10. This one has some similarities to "the Fifth Race" in season 2, but with some differences as well. Enjoy, and thanks to those who've reviewed over the last 2 years.

Chapter 10

Jolinar stepped through the gate with the humans back into the wide galaxy. When the human Sam had given her former host CPR, she had been forced to take sanctuary in the unwilling woman. However, though the little girl Cassandra had somehow sensed her presence, she hadn't betrayed her before she had made it off the home world of the Tauri. Her threat must have been sufficient. Jolinar knew Sam was disturbed by the look of horror on the little girl's face, and Jolinar had to admit that it bothered her a bit too.

Jolinar looked at the men around her and knew she had to leave and get back to the rest of the Tok'ra. She and her new host had come to a compromise of sorts. Sam didn't want to remain a host, so Jolinar had agreed that as soon as they made it back to the Tok'ra home base, she would contact Sam's commander's through the Stargate and tell them what was going on. Then, she would attempt to find a new host as quickly as possible. The only problem left was to warn the humans about the Asharak without giving herself away.

"Spread out," Jolinar commanded in Sam's voice. "Secure the perimeter."

"Captain," Makepeace warned, "Remember who is in charge here."

Mentally, Jolinar slapped herself, "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir."

"Good," Makepeace said. "Now, do as she said." As the men began to spread out, Jolinar followed Makepeace. She could feel her host's dislike for the man, and Jolinar had learned much about the Tauri from the one called Sam. She had learned more about the Tauri named Jack O'Neill and the Sholva, Teal'c. However, it seemed that Sam knew nothing about the current situation of the System Lords. Jolinar made a note to share what she knew with her host.

Jolinar waited until everyone was out of sight and then she made her move. Forcefully, she cracked her gun on the back of Makepeace's head, knocking him out, and then she scribbled a hastily written note and stuck it into his coat. Turning, she raced to the stargate and began to dial the coordinates for the current hiding place of the Tok'ra. The gate soon activated, and Jolinar stepped through the wormhole and disappeared.

Jack shot out of the stargate on the other side. He yelled as he collided with a hard surface and rolled a few paces.

The Asgard stared in shock as the human sat up slightly and looked at them. Behind the two in front Asgards began to mutter.

Jack spoke softly, but clearly, "Ego, deserdi, asordo."

Huginn spoke softly in the language of the Asgard, "He's human. From Earth."

Munin looked baffled, and replied, "But he's speaking the language of the Ancients."

Jack, not understanding either of them, or really anything at all anymore, simply said, "Comdo, asordo."

Munin indicated the human and translated, "He wants help."

Huginn shook his head and said, "The knowledge has had much time to become integrated with his mind. It will be difficult to remove it all without damaging him."

"Yes, Huginn," Munin replied, "but it would be even more damaging to leave it in place."

Huginn sighed and raised his hand. Light soared from Jack's head into a small device embedded in Huginn's hand. "Very fortunate for him that we were the Asgard assigned to be here today," Huginn added. "Not many of the Asgard have the technology as accessible that is needed to help him."

"Very fortunate, indeed," Munin agreed and stared curiously at the human who had collapsed senselessly on the ground.

A short while later, Jack stirred and sat up from the ground. He blinked hazily, his head still drumming like he had drunk far too much and stared at the aliens in front of him. "Hello," he said, clearing his throat, "thank you."

"You are welcome," Huginn responded in English.

Surprised, Jack said, "You understand me?"

Munin smiled with his small grey lips, "We speak many languages."

"If you don't mind me asking, who are you?" Jack said.

"We are the Asgard," Munin replied.

"Wait," Jack said, "you mean like Thor's race?"

"Yes," the first Asgard replied, "you have heard of us."

"Uh, yeah, about that," Jack said, "a while ago, we ran into a planet that had Thor's hammer on it. I saw a holographic projection of Thor, but he seemed like a big beefy guy. You guys look a little . . . different."

"We created the form that would allow the beings on that planet to feel comfortable in our presence. We do not feel that at this time they would have the capabilities to interact with us in our natural form. For now, the hammer is suitable protection until they develop to a point in which they will be able to interact with us the way that we are now."

Jack looked a little surprised and said, "Ah. Then you don't know that the hammer is broken?"

The Asgard tilted his small head and repeated, "Broken?"

"Yeah," Jack said and rubbed his head sheepishly. "A friend of mine, a Jaffa named Teal'c, came with us to that planet. He was trapped by the hammer, so we had to bust it in order to release him. Sorry about that."

Huginn seemed surprised. "But the Jaffa serve the Goa'uld."

"Not this one. We actually just started a true Jaffa rebellion. There are many Jaffa that are challenging their former masters."

"This is indeed a change of events. We will inform Thor of this development. We shall repair the hammer as soon as possible. Thank you, and we will tell him to make an exception for your friend Teal'c."

"Appreciated," Jack said. "Now what exactly happened to me?"

Munin smiled, "You looked into the archive that stores all the Ancients' knowledge."

Huginn added softly, "It was not meant for you."

"What, this was all an accident?" Jack asked. "And who exactly are the Ancients?"

Munin continued, "Human physiology has not advanced to the point where your brain could handle that technology."

Huginn said, "Understand this, there was once an alliance of four great races in the galaxy; the Asgard, the Nox...

"Met them," Jack interrupted.

"...the Furlings . . . "

"Don't know them," Jack added.

"...and the Ancients, the builders of the Stargates."

"Wow. Pretty heady group."

"The alliance was built over many millennia. There are few species who are developed enough to be considered advanced enough to ally with."

Jack took that in and nodded, and then, changing the conversation asked, "Oh. So where am I?"

Munin answered, "This is the Asgard planet, Othala, in the galaxy of Ida."

"Why did I come here?"

Munin replied, "The Ancients moved on from our region of space long ago, but your subconscious mind used their knowledge to find us here, where you could get help."

"Very impressive," Huginn added.

"Well," Jack shrugged, "you know."

Huginn continued, "We did not think your brains had advanced even that far."

"How is it you know so much about our brains?" Jack asked curiously.

Huginn blinked his large eyes, "We have studied your race closely."

"Ah," Jack thought about that for a moment, not sure whether or not to be flattered or worried, then he added, "What did you learn?"

"That your species has great potential."

Jack nodded, "Great potential, that's good."

"However," Munin added, "Your race has much to prove before we may interact on the level of the four races in the alliance."

Jack took that in, and then said, standing up, "Look, you all seem to be quite wonderful, people, and I don't want to sound ungrateful because I really, really appreciate you getting all that stuff out of my head," here Jack paused, feeling much too tall and slightly awkward, so he kneeled in front of the first Asgard who had spoken to him and continued, "but you folks should understand we're out there, now, and we might not be ready for a lot of this stuff but we're doing the best we can. We are a very curious race."

The Asgard viewed O'Neill for a long moment, and then slowly reached out his hand.

Jack looked at it a long moment, and then gently took it in his own, larger hand. Munin smiled and stated profoundly, "You have already taken the first steps toward becoming the fifth race."

Jack smiled, feeling the significance of what had been said.

"What is it that you call yourself, human?" Huginn asked.

"I'm Jack O'Neill. And what are your names?"

"I am Munin, and this is Huginn," Munin said, and then looking pleased he said, "Now, should we send you back to Earth?"

"Uh, actually, no," Jack said. "I am no longer welcome on Earth. I can give you the coordinates of the planet where I'm staying with my Jaffa buds, but sending me to Earth would be a bad idea."

Huginn looked curious and said, "O'Neill, tell us what has transpired among your people."

Jack nodded and began to talk.