MEMOIRS OF

MAJOR GENERAL JACK O'NEILL

(Re-activated)

4. Pegasus

Chapter One

By Arrietty

2009 – Six months later

The SGC was busy as usual as I walked the corridors. I received a few strange looks from people who didn't know me, but generally I received a wave or a 'hi Jack' with the odd 'general' thrown in.

I was coming in for my monthly check-up with Janet. She was put in charge of all four of us to keep tabs on what the Aschen had done to us. She still wasn't one hundred percent sure what had been done, but I had the feeling it didn't bode well for me from the conversation I'd had with Janet forty-five minutes ago. I just hoped that it didn't affect Sam. She'd had enough to contend with over the past few years without anything more.

Life was different here now, Hammond had retired and a General Hank Landry was in charge. He was a good man, seemed on the level. I'd come across him a few times in my career and I had never had any reason to doubt his capabilities. He was the one that had helped Hammond oust the trouble maker higher up. I'd thought with Kinsey out the picture we were free of vermin, but apparently Kinsey had left something nasty behind.

Joe Faxon had died only four days after we'd arrived back at the SGC. It was a tough moment for everyone, but he was content to be back on Earth, even for only a short time.

I was going to collect Sam from her lab first before going to the infirmary, Janet had wanted everyone there. I tried to push down the niggling worried feeling that wormed its way around my insides, but I wasn't successful.

"Sam," I poked my head around the door.

She gave me that 100 kilowatt smile that she seemed to point in my direction nowadays. I returned in kind.

"You coming?"

"Yup."

"We got to make a detour to Daniel's office."

She nodded and side by side we walked down the corridor to Daniel's office. He was sitting on his twirly chair staring into space. He didn't look very happy.

"Hey, Daniel."

He pushed with his foot and he slowly swirled around to face us. "Janet wants us."

"I know."

He stood and followed us down the corridor, now I was really worried. I glanced across to Sam. She gave a nervous glance at Daniel who was trailing behind us.

We arrived in the infirmary, Landry was waiting there with Janet and he too looked very glum. The wriggling worry increased.

"Please everyone, take a seat."

We shuffled around and sat in her cramped office. I closed the door behind me I got the feeling that this was a good idea. I sat close to Sam and refrained from holding her hand.

Janet went into lecture mode.

"As you know, I've been doing tests since we returned from the Aschen home world. At first I wasn't quite sure what they had done to us, but now I am sure and it isn't good news."

Sam's hand slipped into mine.

"First of all, I'll start with the good news. Daniel," she turned to him and looked directly at him. "We talked a bit about this the other day, but I hadn't done full tests to be one hundred percent sure. The Aschen has lengthened your life span by about three times normal." She waited as it sunk in. "And, there doesn't seem to be any side effects at all. So far."

Considering he'd just received good news, I'd have expecting him to relax, but he didn't. Janet turned to Sam.

"Sam, you on the other hand have a lengthened life span of about four times normal. I think this is what was different to what Daniel and I was given." Janet's eyes flicked over to me for a second, worry strong in her eyes. I felt Sam grip my hand tighter, she'd seen it too.

"Now for me, I am the same as Daniel, but I have a side effect, something that isn't good." She looked at Daniel. I felt him tense even more if that was possible beside me. "The drug given to me has ruined any chance of me having children." I heard Daniel pull in a sharp breath. He had known all along, that's why the sad expression earlier.

Sam leaned forward. "Janet?" she asked.

"No, Sam you are fine." I felt her relax, but I also saw the tell tale tears in her eyes as she thought of Janet and Daniel not being able to have children.

"Now we come to the real problem," she looked at me. 'Uh oh.' "You have something totally different to all four of us. It is totally beyond my expertise." I watched her as she paced the room. "I think it has something to do with the Ancient gene you have. It has rearranged the properties in the drug used by the Aschen. Instead of giving you four times the normal life span like Sam, it has reversed the aging process."

"Wha . . ." I trailed off as I tried to wrap my head around what she was saying.

"Basically, Jack you are getting younger."

"Cool."

I turned to look at Sam. All colour had drained from her face.

"How long?" she asked.

"Jack the rate you are decreasing in age, in ten years you will no longer be with us."

"Huh?" I was confused.

She tried again. "In two to three years you'll be about ten years younger, then again in another three years and another. It doesn't stop. I don't see any sign of it stopping."

I drew in a deep breath. This wasn't good at all.

Landry spoke. "Jack, Dr. Fraiser and I have talked at length over this and we think your only hope is Dr. Beckett."

I frowned, the name seemed familiar to me, but I couldn't place it.

Daniel piped up. "He went with the Atlantis team to the Pegasus galaxy."

"Yes," Landry confirmed. "We have received a couple of data streams from the Pegasus galaxy over the past few years. They have been doing a lot with the genetics over there and he might be able to help."

"But how are we going to get there?" Daniel asked.

Sam's hand was clammy in mine.

"Prometheus is ready to go. We had tried a couple of times over the past few years, but each time our 'problem' stopped us." He was referring to the stinky leftovers from Kinsey.

I stayed seated still holding Sam's hand. It was limp, cold and damp. She wasn't feeling too good I could tell, but then I wasn't all sun and roses either. Landry, Daniel and Janet all left the office.

"Sam."

"Oh, Jack. I thought we were home free."

I pulled her into my arms and hung onto her tight. I wanted to make a crack about losing my grey hair, but I didn't think it would go down very well, so I didn't.

Over the next few weeks I put all my efforts into getting ready for the trip. Now I was a retired general Sam could order me around. She was now a full colonel. It was a recent promotion and after numerous trips to see McKenzie she was finally ready for action again. I, on the other hand had chosen to remain retired. Landry talked it over with me, but I had complete faith in Sam's leadership and it really didn't matter anyway. I don't think she would ever let me order her around like I used to.

I contacted Teal'c as I wanted him to come with us. He was a bit reluctant to leave Ishta, but when I told him we were going to the Pegasus galaxy he didn't hesitate. It was SG-1 back in full force, for the first time since that fateful day in 2004. Janet was coming too because she wanted to explain her findings to Beckett. Of course Daniel didn't mind, they had only been married two months and I didn't think Janet would have let Daniel out of her sight anyway.

The journey was the most uneventful journey I'd ever been on. Nothing happened; except Teal'c taught me another Jaffa move and I taught him some sword fighting. Oh and of course, I slowly got younger. I couldn't feel it yet, but Janet assured me after a year I would. Knee joints wouldn't creak so much and elbows wouldn't hurt and I would have more energy. I was still waiting on the energy.

Sam was very quiet. She didn't like the waiting anymore than I did. We had mutually decided not to talk about her time with Neeron anymore and the rest I knew as I was there. I did ask her why La Haia always liked to throw things at me though.

"It was easy and you weren't a very good aim so I was safe." She smirked.

But that was as far as the discussion went. I half agreed with her, I didn't want to stir all those memories up either. I had my Sam that was good enough for me.

After several long arduous days, we finally arrived at the co-ordinates that the Atlantis team had sent us.

I was relieved to hear Elizabeth's voice over the radio.

"General O'Neill is that really you?"

"Yes, Dr. Weir. It's good to hear your voice."

"You can't believe how pleased we are to hear yours."

Soon we were beamed down by Hermiod the resident Asgard. Personally, I preferred Thor, he was much easier to talk to, although Hermiod had a wicked sense of humour; one that I really could appreciate.

SG-1 plus Janet arrived in a small huddle in this huge bright area. Sun streamed in from overhead windows and I could hear the swish of the sea breaking on the edge of something. I tried to peer out, but was stopped by a P-90 thrust into my face.

"Whoa." I held my hands up in the defence mode.

"Stand down." Dr. Weir's clear voice sailed over the balcony.

"A nice welcome," I couldn't help myself.

"Sorry, General O'Neill, we can't be too careful."

"Actually, I'm retired," I said as I shook her hand. "Colonel Carter is in charge." I grinned at Sam and let her take over.

I sensed more than felt Teal'c stiffen beside me. I looked over to where he was staring. A man – a huge man dressed in what seemed to be skins with dreadlocks hanging down either side of his face. He was eyeballing Teal'c.

"Steady," I assured Teal'c. No one else seemed to be alarmed at this man.

Carter moved off with Weir towards some stairs.

"Dr. Fraiser!" The Scottish accent was unmistakable.

Janet swung around to the voice. Dr. Beckett was bounding up towards us with McKay scurrying along behind him.

"I've heard so much about you." He grinned and pumped her hand up and down.

Just then some of the marines that had been assigned to Weir beamed in, followed closely by another wave – soon the area were full of boxes and marines milling around looking at all the fixtures.

Meanwhile the dreadlock had started to walk towards us. I recognised the soldier in him. He came and stood directly in front of Teal'c.

"Who are you?" His face suspicious.

"I am Teal'c from Chulak, former first prime to the dead false god, Apophis, now part of the free Jaffa." He waited patiently for the other man to reply.

He tipped his head on one side. "Okay." Turned around on his heel and walked away.

During this exchange, Beckett had taken Janet by her arm and was steering her away, McKay seemed to be searching for someone and Daniel was . . . I had no idea, he'd disappeared.

I decided to follow the docs, they seemed to know what they were doing and talking about.

Someone grabbed my arm. "Where's Major Carter?"

It was McKay. I raised my eyebrow at him, "Colonel Carter actually," I corrected him.

"Oh, really. Cool. Where is she?" he asked again.

"Debriefing with Dr. Weir," I said, he took the information in and then wandered off muttering to himself.

They'd all gone nuts; been away from Earth too long.

"General O'Neill." I knew that voice. I swivelled around on my feet which squeaked on the shiny floor.

"Major Sheppard." I grinned and strode forward and shook his hand. "Good to see that you've survived this far. From what I've heard things have been rather tough around here."

"You could say that." He gave a crooked smile. His eyes darted over to Teal'c.

"Oh, this is Teal'c." I introduced them. "Teal'c this is Major John Sheppard." He inclined his head at Sheppard.

Sheppard nodded his head, "I've heard about you. Good to have you here. Actually, it is good to have you all here." He twisted around and observed all the marines. "I don't see any colonels."

"Colonel Carter is the ranking officer at the moment," I said. "She's in with Dr. Weir."

"Ah, I'd better get in there then." He started to walk towards where I'd seen Weir and Sam go and halted and turned around. "But, you're a general . . . he tilted his head forward in a question.

"Not anymore, I'm retired." I rocked back on my heels with pride.

"Ah, okay. So why are you here then?" He started to walk back towards me.

"I've got something wrong with me that we think Beckett can cure. Doc Fraiser seems to think so anyway."

"Isn't Dr. Fraiser dead?" he asked puzzled.

"Didn't Dr. Weir tell you? Anyway, it's a long story; she's from an alternate universe."

"Oh, okay."

"And don't even pretend to understand that either." I pointed out.

He grinned. "Come with me, and I'll show you what's happening around here."

Dr. Beckett came to collect me two hours later. Then the fun began.

"Are you sure you have enough blood?" I asked, exasperated as they took a fourth vial of blood from my arm.

"Ach, we need quite a bit, to do enough tests," Beckett called over to me from behind the microscope.

Fraiser seemed in her element although I did see a small smirk flit across her face. Where was Daniel when you needed him?

"Jack." Sam walked into the infirmary. "I thought you'd be here. Where's everyone else?"

She spied Janet and nodded to her and turned back to me to wait for my answer.

"Teal'c is sparring with that dude Ronon somewhere. Not sure who's gonna win that match. I'd have liked to have stayed around to find out." I glared at the docs who where still poring over my blood.

"Daniel found some Ancient text that no one had managed to decipher yet. Oh and McKay is looking for you." I grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah he found me." She snagged a stool with her hand and sat on it, facing me. "How are they getting on?" she jerked her head towards Janet and Beckett.

"I really don't know, they seem to enjoy drawing blood though," I said resignedly.

"I gave Sheppard the good news, he's pleased."

"I bet he is and so he should be. A promotion is always good." I smiled at Sam, remembering when she received her promotion to full colonel only three weeks before we'd left.

"I have to go meet up with McKay and get him up to speed on the Aschen technology." She didn't look very happy about the prospect, but knowing Sam she could look after herself. I already knew how annoying McKay could be, I didn't envy her. "You're gonna be okay here?" she asked as she stood.

"Yeah, sure, although I might be a dried out husk by the time you see me next."

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