Chosen Heart Series: Never Say Never Novella - Chapter Four
Dear faithful readers,
I want to thank everyone who's taken the time to send me a review on, Never Say Never, and all of the Jack/Sam ship fics that I love to write.
Sorry for the delay on this WIP but I said it'd take awhile to complete. I hope chapter 4 was worth your long wait.
HailDorothy
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"Gracie?"
"What?" she asked.
"How come it feels like the room's moving?"
"Beats me. I'm not the family genius. I suppose we could be on a space ship."
"Wow, like the O'Neill II?"
"Nope, mom blew up both O'Neill's years ago."
"I think dad's still pissed about that."
"Naw. But he likes mom to think so. Besides, Thor said they were building another ship with dad's name."
"Cool." JJ shivered and Grace eased her arm around his smaller shoulders.
"Yeah, dad says third times a charm. Hey, don't worry we'll get out of this, bro. 'Sides we've been in situations like this before, right?"
"Don't think so." JJ wormed his way closer against his big sister. "Baddest thing I can think of is when you copied one of mom's work papers for your fifth grade science project."
"Hey, I decided to explain how a bubble is formed."
"Yeah and was grounded for a month and got me grounded for two weeks coz it was my idea. I swear dad was going to horsewhip my butt when he took me up to the cabin, alone. He told me over and over how his grandpa used a willow tree branch and tanned his hid whenever he was bad. Man oh man, was he ticked. And it was all your fault."
"Hey, I almost failed science. And mom was a lot madder than dad, especially when she found out you got the idea because dad told you how he'd once cheated on a biology paper in high school. I think dad took you to the cabin to escape mom."
"Well, I'd rather face dad's threat of being spanked until I couldn't sit than whatever this is."
"Yeah, me too." A moment fell between the cuddling siblings.
"I sure wish we could see something." JJ complained and shifted on the cold hard floor.
"Ow!" Grace yelped.
"What?"
"Something just crawled across my leg." She shuddered and pulled her knees to her chest.
"Hey, don't your IPOD have a mini-light."
"Um, yeah. Forgot. But I only use it for night reading." She fumbled and removed the earpiece from her left lobe. "This won't be very bright, but we'll at least see where we are." She switched on the light and slowly scanned their surroundings.
"Holy crap!" JJ leaped back against the wall taking Grace with him. "What-what's those robot thingys and how come the walls and floor's moving?"
"I think they're what dad calls Replicators. Smart bugs." Grace gulped. "Man, I hate bugs!"
"So what'll we do, sis?" JJ was practically in her lap.
"Stay still." She whispered in his ear. "From now on we talk in our heads."
"But dad said we can't do that."
'JJ we're in trouble here!' Grace said telepathically. 'We talk this way all the time and mom and dad don't know. We gotta send an S.O.S. to them and Cass, and pray they get us the heck out of here.'
The room became bathed in bright light and a tall slender man with curly black hair walked out from the opposite wall.
"Who-who are you?" Grace asked, sounding stronger than she felt as he approached and hunkered down before her and JJ.
JJ clung to Grace for life.
The man's eyes were black as night. "I am your friend, Grace O'Neill. My name is Fifth. I know your mother, Samantha, personally. She and I are to be how would you say? Lovers, husband and wife."
"Sorry to burst your bubble but my mom's married to my dad, General Jack O'Neill," she countered.
"Not for long." Fifth smiled evilly.
"I don't like you." JJ found his voice.
"Nor I you. But I need you and your sister to help me understand your Ancient gifts and why Samantha has such a strong bond with you. The better I understand you, little creatures, the easier it will be to convince Samantha to come away with me. To be my queen."
"I don't think so." JJ stuck out his chin. "My mom is already a queen and my dad's her king."
"JJ shut up." Grace ordered.
"No! He needs to know that dad'll kick his smarmy butt!"
Fifth laughed and with the flick of his right wrist elevated them off the floor then slammed them against the opposite wall. The wall became alive with little building blocks that secured themselves around each child, until all that was exposed were their heads.
JJ started to cry.
"Stop it, Fifth!" Grace struggled to break free but couldn't move an inch.
"When I have extracted what I need, I will stop." With that, Fifth extended his hands, inserting one hand into JJ's forehead and the other into Grace's.
The children screamed and then went silent!
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Jack insisted that he and Sam have some privacy. Thor escorted them to private quarters that resembled their bedroom right down to their king size sleigh bed and the new comforter and matching pillow cases, Sam had purchased two weeks back.
Thor seemed concerned about whether or not Sam liked what he'd done with the décor. If Jack didn't know better the little gray guy had the hots for his wife. Now that he thought about it, Thor seemed overtly attentive to Sam. Then again, the Asgard was not stupid and knew who needed to be charmed and it sure wasn't Jack.
"You are pleased with your accommodations, Samantha?"
'Samantha?' Jack mouthed at his wife.
"It's wonderful, Thor." She bent down and gently hugged him. "Thank you."
"Then I am exceedingly blissful, Samantha." He returned the hug that included pressing his small mouth to her right cheek. Jack gaped at the first kiss between an Asgard and his wife. Thor turned and walked out looking rather smug—for an Asgard.
"He's getting more human all the time." Sam touched where he'd kissed her and then strolled to their bed and collapsed onto the mattress.
"Uh huh." Jack joined her. "Odd, do'cha think?" He gestured around the softly lit quarters as they perched on the bed with Sam resting her head on his shoulder.
"Knowing, Thor, its not odd. He's considerate and a psychological genius. He's not just here to get the kids back, he wants us to save the galaxy, again."
"Long as he doesn't charm the pants off you." Jack snorted.
"Jack! That's disgusting." Sam did a body shudder.
"And that's a relief." He grinned down.
"But ya must admit he's sort of cute." She waggled her light brows.
"Sure if gray's your favorite color." Jack did an eye roll.
"Actually it is." She locked her gaze with his and suggestively trailed her hand through his silvery hair. "Especially yours, sir."
"That was a compliment?"
Sam nodded yes and then glanced toward the ship's hull. "Um, are you aware that this ship is designed for humans, not Asgard?"
"Yep, first thing that caught my attention." He cleared his throat, hoping his fib went undetected although, he had noticed the ship's re-altered dimensions. "It's more a duplicate of the Ancient's battleship. I'll ask Thor what's up."
"You do that." Her hand under his pillow Sam beamed her mega watt smile that proclaimed she'd discovered something brilliant. She revealed her find and waved a black satin thong in his face.
"Holy crap!" He snatched the undergarment from her and glanced around, fearing someone might see. "I um . . .you wore this last night."
"Sure did." She winked.
Jack stuffed them in his pocket, then lifted his pillow and sniffed, smelling her. "This is just wrong on so many levels."
"It's our bed, Jack. I suspect Thor transported our room the same time he brought us. Which means we've got clothes." She bounded off the bed and went to their dressers. Sure enough, she waved a pair of blue jeans at him.
"Ah." He'd nodded and tried to let the Thor issue go, but that wasn't his nature. When he got a gut ache there was usually a nasty significant reason. "See that just isn't right. So not my buddy Thor. He doesn't think about beds, let alone romance or our sex life."
"Well, he got an eyeful in the shower, Jack. Remember the Asgard are very aware of their original human anatomy and they want to one day be able to reproduce like we do." She flung him a pair of boxers, socks and a t-shirt. Next his jeans and a sweater smacked him in the face.
"Hey, watch where you're aiming."
"I was." She said over her shoulder as she rummaged through her dresser's drawers and pulled out a pair of black jeans.
Snorting, Jack stood to dress, responding to their Asgard reproduction debate. "Sorta like being in a candy store and not being able to eat the candy." He chuckled at his witty remark as Sam dropped her robe and turned her creamy skinned backside to him. The world had no idea how many delicious freckles were hide beneath her clothes. Jack did. His gaze took in her slender shape and round firm derriere. Ah, yes that naughty little mole. All his!
Sam didn't appear to be listening and pulled a blouse over her head. "If we'd done it my way, we'd be able to mind merge with them, Jack." She turned and faced Jack.
"I know. I tried. Maybe they're sedated?" He wondered why they were dressing in civvies when they'd agreed to wear their BDU's. Then again, what if the uniforms no longer fit. Jeans were fine.
"Maybe if we'd agreed to raise them knowing their unique abilities, we'd have known the moment they'd been abducted." She countered angrily.
"Don't pull a Doctor Jackson on me." He hobbled over on one sock-dressed foot.
"And don't blame Daniel because you want to act as if our family is like everyone else on mother Earth when we're not!" She got in his face.
"You don't wanna got there, Carter. Not now!" Jack felt his restraint losing ground. He didn't want to get into a shouting match. Not that they still didn't have their fiery rounds. Heck, life would be boring without an occasional verbal Carter-O'Neill sparing, plus the making-up part never got old.
"Why not?" Sam pushed away. "Neither of us have been the same since Nirrti abducted us the first time. And yet you still keep up that stubborn O'Neill wall of denial and pretend we're the Brady Bunch." Tears warmed her eyes.
"Fine, fine." He returned to the bed and lifted the bed-duster looking for his sandals or shoes. No shoes! "So we're not the Brady Bunch. We're the new Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Eve, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I want our kids to live as normal as possible."
"I want normal too, Jack. But in a few years Grace will reach puberty and change like Cassandra did. Look how long after Nirrti supposedly fixed her, that she concealed her abilities from Janet and everyone else. She nearly went insane when her powers got out of control. We've got to get Grace and JJ safely back, tell them the truth and help them adjust." She began to shake again. Her tears flowed freely and Jack's heart tore into shreds seeing her this way.
"C'mere." He walked toward her.
Sam fell into his embrace and held on tight, sobbing. This also wasn't normal, Sam crying like a child. Jack nuzzled the sweet curve of her neck and kissing her there, he whispered, "With the stars as my witness, we'll find them, Sam. I promise!"
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Jack was relieved when Thor insisted they speak. He needed to get into military mode and stuff his emotions like he had in the old days. It proved not so easy after almost ten years of wearing his heart on his sleeve with Carter. But he'd adjust, he always did.
"O'Neill."
Jack was glad Thor sat in his commander's chair, because he feared if he'd have to hunker down on his knees, he'd never get up.
"What's so important that you couldn't talk to me around the rest of SG-1?" Oy, had he just said SG-1? Yep.
"They will know in time, O'Neill, but I feel it imperative you hear this from me first."
"Okay, shoot." Jack waved a hand of permission.
"Matters are far graver than I first relayed."
"Oh, I don't think so." Jack felt his contained anger seeping through.
"There is a serious reason why we left Earth's orbit."
"Smarmy Kinsey/Tanith have my kids. Don't get much graver than that."
Thor blinked and if Jack didn't know better his pencil thin mouth arched into a sneer. "As much as I am saddened by your personal lose, I fear your galaxy and mine are in far greater danger than ever before."
"Because of Tanith?"
"Yes. His recent action only complicates the real danger, O'Neill."
"Fercryin'outloud, Thor, get to the point." Jack scrubbed his hands over his face and into his hair.
"A highbred Wraith species are out to dominate the major galaxies. As we speak, Wraith are attacking Atlantis while a Hive ship and its fleet are in route to Earth."
"First off, the Wraith and Tauri made peace five years ago. Most of the Wraith have been freed from the virus and turned back into humans."
"This is a new hive that just arrived in the Pegasus System. They know nothing of the residential Wraith's treaty with Atlantis and Earth, or about the cure for the virus. Nor do I believe they want to be cured."
"Thor, if you're right, I'd have known of such that situation." Jack snorted and shoved his hands into his jean pockets.
"Why, Jack?" Sam came around the corner, her cheeks flushed and hands fisted at her sides. "You're as much out of the loop as I am."
"Um, because Hank would have called me."
"Really?" She rolled her gorgeous blue eyes.
"Yes." Jack straightened to his intimidating height. "It's an agreement we made when he accepted the Homeworld Security position five years back. Just like I kept him appraised, Hank always keeps me . . ." He patted the robe for his cell phone. "Dang! So does Mitchell." He glared at Thor.
"Forgive me, O'Neill." Jack's cell phone materialized at his feet. It was ringing.
"I know I have a great long distance plan, but I don't think it includes hyperspace."
"I took the liberty of interfacing your audio function with the ship's computer mainframe. You may speak with whoever has rung you, O'Neill."
"Cool." After he retrieved the phone he found Sam standing before him, her arms folded over her chest, glaring. Great now they both were angry. Daniel and Teal'c were behind her and they weren't happy campers.
"I'd have told, you guys, but . . ."
"Answer it." She glowered. "On speaker, please?"
"Oh, sure." He looked at the incoming numbers. One was the SGC the other, Homeworld Security. He opted to talk to Mitchell first. "O'Neill here." He hit the speaker button.
"General, sir! Are you and Sam okay?"
"We're fine, Cam, just a spaced out."
"I've bad news, sir."
"Yes. I know Grace and JJ were abducted. We're on it with some help from Thor."
"What a relief! NORAD picked up the transfer beacon from their school then your house two hours ago, but we couldn't determine if it was Asgard or Goa'uld. Are Teal'c and Daniel with you? Because they've also vanished."
"Yep, SG-1 is all accounted for. We're onboard the Jack O'Neill II."
"O'Neill III." Thor corrected.
"Really?" Jack scrunched his face. "When'd that happen?"
"After Samantha blew up the O'Neill II."
"Ah, yes. She's got a fetish for blowing up my namesakes." Jack gave her an accusatory look.
"Sorry, sir." Sam grinned.
"No, you're not." He snorted.
Jack looked up to find Daniel and Teal'c had entered the bridge. Thor looked paler than ever as the little guy slumped into his seat. Was there something else going on with the Asgard?
"SG-1, sir?" Cameron interrupted the silence.
"Long story, Cam. Any word from Landry?"
"Oh, yeah, he's wild! Serious shit going down. The President's called an emergency session of the Chiefs of Staff and Homeworld Security. The United Nations is locked down and Homeland Security's on high alert. So's South America, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
"We just got word that Atlantis launched with a Wraith fleet in pursuit. Yet nothing from Weir, Sheppard or any of the Atlantis SG teams. Whatever occurred there happened so fast they had no time to communicate. And we don't know who has command of the Atlantis land post.
"Oh, we've also lost contact with the Alpha and Omega posts. Our gate crashed about five minutes ago and Walter still can't dial it up. I evacuated all civilian personnel. Meanwhile we're on lockdown. If base security is compromised, I will engage the self-destruct device, sir."
Jack took a sharp breath and exhaled. "You talk to Landry?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I'm outa the chain of command. That's your call, but if it's any consolation, I'd do the same, son."
"I know, General. We can't let the enemy—whatever or whoever it is, get a hold of the gate or our technology."
"And you've engaged Bogus Charlie E-2 regarding the gate?"
"Of course, sir. No matter what the gate's safe. Wait!" Jack heard Cam's connection click.
Jack stared wide-eyed at his phone, then at Sam and Thor. "He put me on hold."
Sam wasn't smiling.
Daniel glared.
Both of Teal'c's brows had vanished into his black hairline and his fat lips were thinned out.
"Guess I'll um, hold." Jack donned his dense look and glanced innocently around the bridge.
"Sorry, sir," Cam's voice rang out. "That was Landry. Area 51 at Nellis is now in the same defense mode."
"Well that makes me all warm and fuzzy." Jack exhaled. "Okay. Hey any word from Atlantis?"
"Not that I'm aware. Before all this happened, Doctor McKay gated over this morning to brainstorm with his sister, Doctor Miller, on a pet project. But we started picking up strange sub-space signals around 0500 hours. Don't know from where the signals originate. They're not Wraith and definitely not Goa'uld or Ori."
"Peachy. How about the Tok'ra?"
"No, sir. Nothing in two years. Oh, Landry's tired of being on hold, sir."
"Gotcha." The call from Landry beeped through again.
"Okay, Cam, keep me apprised. Gotta go." Jack switched over to Landry.
"Sorry, Hank. I sure hope you have better news than what I just got from Mitchell."
"Hardly. Are we on conference call, Jack?"
"Yes."
"We need to speak privately."
"Okay." Jack blew out his lips and turned off the speaker option. Sam took a step forward but he raised a hand and shook his head. His narrowed glint spoke volumes and she backed off. Daniel and Teal'c said nothing. They knew when not to cross Jack's line of fire and this was such a time.
Thor seemed suddenly interested in his communication stones. Jack turned and walked over to the observation window. "Speaker's off, Hank. Now what's up?"
A minute later the only audible word to escape Jack's lips was, "Crap!"
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No one asked Jack what Major General Landry had relayed to him, but Jack knew it was eating Sam up. All those years of being in on the world's greatest secret, the Stargate, she didn't handle being left out the loop.
And the news was horrific! He was glad they were out of Earth's orbit. Glad Sam couldn't see what was about to happen on their beloved home world, Earth. One thing he did was to curse the world leaders for letting the Stargate Program go public and that lead to a false security and a lowering of expenditures for Earth's defense. Everyone had to have a piece of the pie. Well just peachy, no there was no pie!
Jack redialed Cassandra's cell phone and got dead air. He called Cameron and learned she was on base in the infirmary. Much as Jack wanted her off the planet, he knew that Cassandra would detest his interference. She had a job to do and like her mother at that age, duty came first, even before family.
Finally alone with his wife, he knew Sam was ticked off to learn that he had never stopped being part of the loop after he'd retired. It was just a matter of time before she cornered him. All he could do was pray he'd have time to create a believable enough story to protect her.
Thor once more insisted they dress military. Succumbing to his wishes, they'd just divested their civvies and donned their green BDU's.
Buttoning up her starched shirt, Sam looked over at him. "I can't believe Thor brought our SG-1 BDU's. You know I had them boxed up in the attic."
Jack nodded and crinkled in nose. "Yeah, the mothballs were a dead give away." He twitched his nose and grimaced. "Hey, maybe the Wraith are allergic to them, ya know like bee stings."
Sam delivered one of her exasperated looks. "What blows my mind is that Thor beamed up weapons, a Naquadah reactor and the two ZPM's from the SGC."
"I was just thrilled to see all that C-4." Jack smirked.
"And the gate travel equipment, that include MAPs and UVAs."
"Are those what I tripped over before?" Jack's smart mouth got him a dirty look, but he didn't apologize.
"Strange that Cam didn't mention he was missing some toys."
"Don't worry, Hank mentioned it very loudly. Told ya, the little grey guy has a heart as big as Kansas." Jack chuckled, adjusting the worn belt and pleased to discover it on the same notch as ten years ago.
"You look darn sexy, General O'Neill."
"Not Colonel?" he grinned, assuming this was her way to charm the truth out of him.
"Only if you wanna play CO and 2IC?" She winked, pulling her hair into a ponytail, which made her look younger than ever. Considering she had turned forty-nine this May, she didn't look a day over thirty-nine, then again, she hadn't looked thirty-nine even when she had been. Was that a double negative?
"And no, I'm no longer mad that you are in the loop, Jack. I always figured, even hoped you were."
"And?" he was still waiting for the other shoe to fall.
"And nothing." She walked over and kissed his cheek. "Now can we talk about how we're going to save our kids?" Her eyes misted over. "I want to kick Kinsey-Tanith's slimy ass."
"Slimy?" he snickered and held her tightly to him. Jack was glad Sam was back to her former confident self. He knew she was putting on a front, but the fact she tried, made him more secure about what they were about to do. Trouble was, no matter how stressed, it just wasn't like Sam to get weak-kneed or whiny. He worried. Only time that had ever happened had been when—Nay, no way! Gut ache! Sweet! He grinned at the prospect. But wait he'd had a nip and tuck seven years ago. What was this, an Immaculate Conception? Nope, that'd been done before.
"Jack, Sam, you two decent?" Daniel called out, breaking Jack from his newest concern.
"Yeah, Daniel." Jack answered, "C'mon in."
The men entered the furnished quarters dressed in green BDU's.
"Hey, Jack?" The linguist gawked at the bedroom set.
"Daniel?"
"Err . . .um, isn't this your and Sam's stuff?"
"Yes. And don't ask."
"Okay." He flinched at Jack's harsh tone.
"Wow, freaky flashback." Sam commented to Daniel and Teal'c as she finished blousing her pants cuff over her right boot.
"Feels weird." Daniel glanced at everyone and shuddered. "This is worse than 1969."
"Ah, yes, 1969. It was a very good year," Jack singsonged then winked at Sam, who blushed.
"I concur, Daniel Jackson." Teal'c added, smoothing his jet-black dredge locks with one hand while the other held his staff weapon. The married Jaffa and father of four still had that muscle-bound animal magnetism that made women drool and men cringe. Jack couldn't help muse that now instead of talking weapons and battle maneuvers they discussed kids, sports and gardening on their weekend get-togethers.
After SG-1 disbanded, Teal'c became Earth's first ambassador to Chulak. The Jaffa nation was still in turmoil and petty civil wars. True to his word, Teal'c had helped free his people from the Goa'uld. Sadly, they remained enslaved to the old ways. However, all those years of being branded a Shol'vah had taken their toll on the former Jaffa. When the high council had looked to Teal'c for leadership, he declined, walked away. Like Jack he wanted to live out his days in quiet peace with children at his feet. Jack was not surprised when Teal'c declared Earth his new home. He was not only a legal alien; he was a U.S. citizen and an Earth liaison. He'd not carried or used his staff weapon in years.
As for Rya'c, he and his wife remained with the disbanded Free Jaffa. He'd been elected to head the Jaffa council and had his hands full keeping the tribes united. Bra'tac was getting on in years, and lived with Rya'c, but stayed in shape and visited Earth often.
Teal'c and his wife Ishta had purchased a home near Jack and Sam's and their three oldest children were enrolled in school in the Springs with Grace and JJ. SG-1's vow to always remain family had yet to be broken. Well almost. When Jack's regard turned to Daniel, his brows shifted and his eyes narrowed on the linguist.
Jack watched Daniel secure his BDU cap over his head, his graying temples made prominent by the green camouflaged cap. Jack glanced at Sam, who appeared to be tampering with his thoughts. He blocked her, at least tried. He looked away, sucked in air and blew out.
Daniel married to their daughter. What were the odds? Was Daniel bonkers or what? They had to talk man to man, no holds barred. If Daniel had gotten to fourth base with Cassie, he was so dead! Wait, if they'd married, he'd definitely made a home run!
That did it!
Sam finished her left boot and stood as he started toward Daniel who was chatting with Teal'c about donuts.
'What?' He innocently mouthed as she stepped in front of him.
'Don't you dare get into that now with Daniel!' She shook her blonde head and did her stern eyebrow shift.
'Yeah, yeah,' he muttered in his head. 'I'm a dad, watcha expect?'
She sighed. 'Military restraint would be nice.'
He snuffed a breath. 'Tell that to the hand.' He mocked with a twisted smile, letting her know he was teasing, for now.
'Last time I bit the hand.' She winked.
'Careful!' He chuckled, then cleared his throat when he saw Teal'c's right brow shift as he observed them, knowingly.
Teal'c, Daniel, and the Asgard knew that ever since he and Sam branded eleven years ago, they didn't need verbal exchange to communicate about anything. No one, not even T or Daniel, knew just how deeply they were emotionally, mentally, and physically bonded or that they strove to not know each other's every thought or emotion.
Thanks to Loki's assistance they'd basically learned to disconnect and tune out. Considering, how private they were, that had been a joint mandate or they'd have been divorced before the ink dried on the marriage license. Just like this morning, he knew Sam intended to play hooky, he'd just chosen not to know when. Like there were things you want to be surprised about, right?
Tuning his wife out, Jack checked his Swiss Army knife, Zat and 9mil. He then slipped the strap holding his trusty P-90 over his shoulder and patted the automatic weapon against his hip. True there were better rifles out thee now, but Jack had always preferred this weapon. Odd, how natural it felt in his arms, just like holding Sam.
"Now what, kids?"
They looked at him oddly.
"Hey, I admit I'm clueless. Been out of the game awhile."
"Haven't we all?" Sam sighed, as she locked the safety of P-90 then checked her zat sidearm and pistol.
"Well, at least the three of you get to play off world occasionally." Jack groused.
"So do you, Mr. General Consultant," Sam injected.
"Yeah, well, I don't consider negotiating with flying monkeys who consider Peanut Butter an aphrodisiac, eventful." He snuffed a breath, recalling the weird occupants of PX0-551. Way too much like Oz.
"And that's a lot to do about nothing, Jack." Daniel snorted.
"Ya don't say?" Jack countered.
"The last eight years all my trips have been just as monotonous. I haven't fired a weapon since the Atlantis rescue mission, let alone a Zat." Daniel pulled out his Zat and flicked the handle release that raised the weapon into a firing position.
"Hey, hey, watch where you point that!" Jack warned, pulling Sam out of Daniel's range and stepping protectively in front of her.
"Oops sorry." Daniel shut down the weapon and slipped it back in his holster.
Sam swatted Jack aside but grinned at his chivalrous behavior.
"Sorry. Old habits die hard, ya know."
Sam planted a hot kiss on his open mouth. "I like your old habits, flyboy."
"Excellent." He tried for another kiss, but she eluded him.
"Jack, Sam? Teal'c, Thor and I were talking," said Daniel.
"And?" Jack and Sam asked on cue.
"Well, I know this might sound like a dumb idea, but . . .under the circumstances, we, that is Teal'c and I—would like . . ."
"Jeez, Daniel, clock's ticking." Jack tapped his watch and scowled.
"I believe what Dr. Jackson suggests is that we become SG-1 again. You, O'Neill, would be our CO and we would all assume our former posts before you became General."
"Yeah, like that's a really dumb idea!" Jack shook his head and hoped his kids were still safe and alive.
"Umm, Teal'c has a point, sir." Sam spoke up.
Jack's eyes bugged out. "Oy! Not you too?"
"Not necessarily." She put up a hand.
"Well that's a relief."
"However—"
"Ahh, here we go." He dropped dejectedly onto their bed and tossed his hands into the air, muttering.
Sam grinned at his drama-queen performance. "Jack, I've gone over our options and there aren't many. I assume Hank and Cam want us to work with them on this."
"Yeah. That's the plan."
"Well Daniel, Teal'c and I are onboard with your plan."
"There's a plan?" He looked at his friends with his deer caught in the headlights expression.
"Jack." Sam let out a frustrated sigh.
"Sorry. Just we need plan A before we get carried away here."
"I know. Now we assume our satellites detected the energy surge when Kinsey abducted the kids, not to mention there were probably witnesses at school and the media is all over it."
"Exactly." Jack argued, "In fact we should contact Cassandra again."
"Again?" Sam stared at him. "I tried several times and got nothing but dead air."
"I know, but Cam said she's on base —"
Thor entered the room. "I already spoke with Cassandra. She is well. As for the media, General Mitchell is managing that problem. Oh, yes Atlantis has safely entered the galaxy."
"Oh, thanks." Jack turned back to his friends and stood up. "And for the record, Thor, I think your idea to reinstate SG-1 is wacko."
Thor blinked. "Considering the dire circumstances, it seems the most logical course of action, O'Neill."
"Well, I'm too old for that stuff. So are you guys." Jack looked at Daniel and Teal'c.
"Speak for yourself." Sam did her Turtledove chin tuck.
"Thought I just did." Jack groaned. Ah, here it comes.
"Hon, Thor's right, logically it makes sense. If we resume our former team roles, we will get back into form much faster. Our trust and comfort zones as well as level of team functionality will return, as will our military skills. But I don't think we have to demote ourselves. You should still be General and I'll be Colonel. Just like our last off world mission before we got married."
Jack scrubbed his hands over his face then looked at the three eager faces, four counting Thor's. "So you all buy into this psycho team gibberish?"
They looked at each then back at Jack and grinned.
"What?" He whined.
"I'm game if you are, General Jack." Daniel nodded.
"As am I, O'Neill." Teal'c nodded.
Jack looked at his wife—um, Colonel. "Sam?"
"In concurrence, General, sir." She saluted.
"Guess that's my answer." He stood and pulled her against him.
"Indeed." Teal'c smiled at the embracing couple.
"In other words you're all going to be a royal pain in my assets, again."
"Yes, sir." They answered as one.
"Well there you go. Grace has a recital Saturday night and if we miss it there'll be heck to pay."
"And I wouldn't be too pleased either, Dad."
All heads turned as the SGC's Chief Medical Officer Captain Cassandra Fraiser-O'Neill waltzed around the corner, and then without hesitation walked up to Daniel and kissed the linguist. Daniel's original stupefied expression was priceless. Yet the intimate way he held Cassandra said he was enjoying himself.
"Oy!" Jack's mouth dropped open as he glanced at a smiling Sam and then choked out, "Just where did our daughter learn to do that?"
"Must be the O'Neill genes." Sam smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Whatever!" he said miserably, the let go of his wife and stalked off.
"Jack, where are you going?" Sam called out.
"Someplace I can be alone and wrap my head around all of this!" He emphasized by stretching his arms as if describing a huge lake bass. "Thor, which way to the head?"
"Follow me, O'Neill." Thor led him out of the cramped quarters.
Cassandra and Daniel had broken their kiss. Daniel frowned at Jack's stiff backed departure. "Boy, he's really torked."
"Ya think?" Cassandra made eye contact with her mother who wasn't looking well.
"Mom, you okay?"
"I—I," Sam covered her mouth as nausea washed over her.
A flash of light enveloped SG-1 and Cassandra and transported them onto the ship's bridge near the helm. Another flash of light and over a dozen familiar people stood in various stages of motion and to Sam's horror, dress.
One familiar face, retired General George Hammond wore a colorful Hawaiian print shirt, white shorts and sandals. He and his family had retired to Hawaii five years ago. His remarried daughter, two married granddaughters with their spouses and children arrived in various positions.
George looked around the Asgard vessel and bellowed. "Will someone explain what the hell's going on here?"
"Beats me, George." Harry Maybourne in medieval garb and his kingly crown looked around. "I was about to marry my eighth wife. Which means Jack's got a sneaky hand in my kidnapping. I swear he just can't stand me being happy!"
The next moment eight women and dozens of children appeared and clamped onto Harry like their life depended on him. If Sam didn't feel so lousy she'd have laughed. This was just way too bizarre for words. Meanwhile flashes of vertical light revealed more arrivals of former, past and present employees of the SGC.
Doctor Lee, Doctor Jay Felger and his wife, Cloe and kids. The next to beam up were Silar, Harriman, Colonel Reynolds, General Mitchell with his wife Vala Man Doran and their two kids. Sam noted the spouses of the other men and their children were also popping in, that included infants and toddlers. It was as if the entire SGC daycare center had arrived. Yep, Sam recognized four of the center's staff.
Then came Rodney McKay and his sister Doctor Jeannie Miller. "I demand to speak to whom ever's running this gravy-train." Rodney blasted as he made his presence known.
"Chill, Rodney." Jeannie tried to sooth him.
Sam winced and snuck away. She didn't want to deal with McKay right now. A moment later, Teal'c's wife Ishta and family arrived looking equally shocked. Next the SGC's medical and commissary staff popped into the adjoining corridor.
Sam got dizzy counting heads. What was Thor doing? If she didn't know better he'd just beamed up the entire SGC. Sam craned her neck and spotted Thor at the helm. His mouth was moving and he appeared to be struggling to stay upright. He looked gravely ill. Jack's previous suspicions that something was seriously wrong with Thor proved correct.
Next, the SGC teams appeared, as well as armed SF's and Marines. Sam was shoulder to shoulder with a Marine eating a hot hamburger. He dropped the loaded bun and landed on his butt. He stared in shock when Sam helped him to his feet.
"Ma'am?" he asked staring at her uniform.
"Sorry, Sergeant, I've got nothing," she quickly said.
From the corner of her gaze she saw General Landry, Colonel Sheppard, and his wife the newly elected President of Atlantis, Doctor Elizabeth Weir, and their kids.
"Elizabeth?" Sam stepped between bodies and came to her side. "I thought you were aboard Atlantis."
"We were. We couldn't take a chance transmitting to Earth. We just submerged her in the Pacific and got beamed up."
"Who's in charge down there?" Sam asked as Daniel came to her side.
"Colonel Caldwell." John explained. "Hey, I know Jack's got a problem with how that all went down. But after I was promoted to Brigadier General over Stevo, well we've come to a mutual understanding, even are friends. Besides, he's a first rate officer and my 2IC."
"Did I say anything?" Sam shared a smirk with Elizabeth.
"So what is Thor up too?" Elizabeth inquired. John gave a look that asked the same.
"We're as in the dark as you. Well, other than Grace and JJ were abducted by Kinsey and Tanith this morning."
"Oh no!" Elizabeth hugged Sam. "Are you all right?"
"No. But I have to be strong for them. And we'll get them home soon as we understand what's happening on Earth."
Everyone heard Jack's bellow, "Thor, what the hell are ya doing?" He was shoving his way through the overflowing corridors and onto the cramped bridge. He maneuvered to where Thor had slouched over the consol.
With Hammond, Landry and other officers in her wake, Sam wormed her way to husband's side, where he held Thor. Jack glanced at her then shook his head in regret at Thor's failing health.
"Cassandra, get over here," Jack yelled above the din. "And someone get one of those Asgard stasis pods in here ASAP!"
Her medical bag in hand, Cassandra attempted to make her way through the maze but got blocked.
General Mitchell clambered onto a horizontal side panel behind Thor and putting two fingers between his lips, whistled, then ordered, "Shut up! And you, Jarheads, over there, let the doc through, now!"
The Marines parted like the red sea for the physician.
Meanwhile, Thor spoke softly to Jack and Sam. "I—I fought him the only way I could, O'Neill. I've transported everyone who can help you defend Earth and your galaxy, as well as weapons, ammunition, food and supplies. I fear my ship cannot accommodate anymore. However, the Prometheus II and three of your Earth defense vessels are out of harms way."
"But we need them to defend earth." Sam insisted.
"They would not succeed. It is as Jack would say, 'Better to run for the hills and live to fight another day.'"
Sam smiled down at the Asgard then caught Jack's glum expression. Her smile faded.
"I manned your fleet best I could, Jack. I had to act without his detecting my intentions. I fear that task has drained my life force. You must initiate Plan D."
"Thor, that's a joke right?" Jack paled and gaped at Sam who was openly perplexed.
General Hammond's ruddy complexion paled as he shut his eyes and let out a groan. Sam glanced at Landry who didn't look any better. While Cameron muttered, "Now this is not what I'm talking about."
'Jack,' Sam asked in his head. 'What's plan D."
'Not now, Carter.'
She grimaced, and then suddenly understood. The official procedure's title was Operation Armageddon. Sam recalled that Jack had called it Plan D for Doomsday. Sam began to shake as she remembered the specifics of that critical plan and her part in designing the secret headquarters. Oh, Lord, this is really happening!
"I do not joke, O'Neill." Thor seemed to have found his last wind. "We designed that joint operation a decade ago for a time such as this. You have since proceeded with the intricate arrangements, yes?"
"Sure, we're a little behind coz of military cutbacks, but it's viable. Especially after what you just did." He glanced around the packed ship of military folks and their families.
"Good. Then it might not be too late for your world. Too late for the Asgard. We are, as you'd say, Jack, dead meat. Our worlds were infiltrated from within. No warning. My race destroyed. The enemy can now look and behave like any species they chose. But you have a weapon they don't know about. You must defend yourselves."
"What weapon?"
"My namesake, your dog, Thor, and all other canine species. They can detect Replicators."
Familiar barking revealed their pet had also been beamed aboard.
"This is nuts!" Jack said as Thor bounded over and nudged Jack's palm with his wet muzzle, then did the same with Sam, who pet him.
The Asgard, Thor, weakly turned his head to Sam. "I'm sorry for what he made me do to you, Colonel Carter."
Sam and Jack exchanged looks.
"Um, did what?" Jack asked as he gently gripped the Asgard's slouching shoulders. Thor's large eyes blinked then shut.
"Thor!" Jack shook him. "What'd he do to Sam?"
"Of the specifics I am not certain." The Asgard opened his dim black eyes. "He took control of my mind and body. He is too powerful for me to read his thoughts or to control. The only way I can remove him from myself is to perish."
"We're talking Kinsey-Tanith, right?"
"No. They were mere fabrication. They are both dead as a doorknob."
"Then who's doing this?" Jack asked as Mitchell squirmed between General Hammond and Landry.
"Fifth." Thor slumped against Jack and Sam.
Cassandra squeezed in and checked the Asgard's pulse then looked into Jack's troubled gaze. "Sorry, Dad, Thor's dead."
"We'll put his body in stasis." Sam insisted. "It worked before. Maybe we can revive him later."
Sam saw a tear in Jack's eyes. But he swiped it clear and his military mask of indifference dropped back into place. An airman came through with the weightless Asgard stasis pod. The helm's occupants drew silent and watched with respect as Jack placed Thor's small lifeless body into the pod then sealed it shut.
"Oh, my God!" Someone yelled from the bridge's window port. It sounded like Rodney McKay.
A weird tingling sensation pulsed like an energy spike through the ship and passengers. The vessel's power shut down.
"What was that?" Cameron asked.
"Don't know. I'll check it out." Sam motioned to do go to the ship's engine room.
"Wait?" He held her back.
"It's my job, Jack."
"I know, but—"
The flashing emergency lighting ceased and the ship's power returned.
"We're back online." Walter announced from the helm's control module.
"Sirs," Walter spoke through the PA. "I've determined our position. Thor brought us back to Earth. Just behind the moon."
"Ah, duh." Jack muttered, as the Asgard ship hovered over the dark side of the moon's surface in full view Earth.
Walter then engaged the Asgard 3 D screen that projected a magnetized view of Earth for everyone on the bridge. Voices of shock and horror filtered through the ship. General Hammond led the way and respectful bodies parted to let the commanding officers through. Once in front of the ship's expansive view bay, they stared at the projected devastation below them.
"We are cloaked?" Landry asked Jack.
"Yeah. For what good that'll do." He cringed as they took in the dozens of Replicator ships appearing in Earth's orbit and firing upon their planet. Bright flashes of orange spiraled up through the atmosphere. It was like war of the worlds.
Sam tried not to tremble at the horror they witnessed. Billions of people were dying and she couldn't do anything to save them.
"We have to do something, Jack."
"I know. I'm thinking." He gave her a hug, but there was no light in his eyes. He felt as helpless as she did.
"We should attack!" Harry Maybourne yelled out in frustration.
"And then what, Harry?" Jack faced him. "One Asgard ship against a fleet of Replicators. They've clearly advanced over the decade. I trust Thor. We wouldn't last five minutes."
Harry's shoulders slumped with Jack's reality check.
"We can't just sit here and hide," said Cameron Mitchell.
"Yes, yes can." Landry patted the younger man's back. "We might be the last of the human race. We have to protect our families."
"I—refuse to watch this!" Harry stalked away and looked for his wives and children.
Sam and Jack exchanged sorrowful looks.
Meanwhile, familiar with the Asgard ship Walter was matching coordinates from the control console and yelled out, "They just hit D.C., London, Beijing, and Moscow, sirs."
"Crap!" Jack tucked his arm tighter around Sam's waist. Teal'c came to their side, while Ishta averted their children's curious gazes away from the one-sided battle. It appeared there was no defensive action taken on Earth's behalf. The orbiting armed satellites appeared inoperative. A moment later the international armed Space Station exploded.
"Why isn't the planet fighting back?" someone yelled out. Other voices of concern filtered the air.
"I've lost communication with Earth." Walter announced. "It's like the planet's completely disarmed and cut off."
Maybourne walked back with his entourage in tow and a crying infant in his arms. He actually looked concerned and held the child with the tenderness of a father. Sam and Jack starred at Harry's impressive parenting skills. Who'd have thought? Even stranger knowing that Thor had beamed Harry off his primitive little planet in another galaxy. Thor had been busy.
"So there are no safe houses on Earth?" Harry asked, his worried gaze meeting Jack's, searching for an answer. Jack looked away regrettably. Sam suspected he wasn't looking to share with Harry. She couldn't blame him.
"Hopefully there's still one place we can eventually land this ship," Mitchell said holding Vala to him and their two toddlers.
Jack met the younger man's gaze and nodded. Cassandra found her way into Daniel's arms and the couples stood staring at the continuing onslaught to Earth. As North America came into view, all eyes settled on Colorado. It wasn't pretty. Orange and red flares of light pulsed on the screen.
"What about the SGC?" Cameron asked worriedly.
"Don't know, sir. Besides if we're all here, the base is unmanned," said Silar.
"Jack?" Sam quietly asked.
"Huh?"
"Look at the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and the Great Lakes and part of Canada." She grinned knowingly.
"There's no signs of destruction. It's like there's an invisible umbrella over that region," said Elizabeth Weir with a big smile of awareness.
"How come I feel like I'm missing something," Harry whined.
"Because you are." Daniel acknowledged with a smirk.
"Indeed." Teal'c nodded.
"This is fantastic!" Landry slapped Jack's back. "It means Plan D worked."
"Well, I said it would." McKay swaggered forward and smiled at Sam.
"We said it'd work." Sam reiterated, remembering the four-year sleep-depriving project.
"Let's hope it stays that way." George added less enthusiastically.
"What in blue balls are those?" Vala pointed at a fleet of advancing ships.
Sam looked at the dark haired woman. Figures the first words out of her mouth were well, very Vala.
Sheppard stepped forward and let out a breath of disgust. "Wraith. Lots and lots of hungry highbred Wraith. Did I mention they destroyed over half of the peaceful Wraith in the Pegasus Galaxy before we fled? And I doubt if they're willing to share the spoils of war with the Replicators. Or visa versa."
"So we've got two races of control freaks to deal with?" Daniel commented.
All heads turned to him.
"What?"
"You're the peacemaker, Daniel," Jack said. "So make peace."
"Um, sorry guys. I pass." Daniel waved his hand. "The last thing I negotiated for was a naquadah mine on PX0-551."
"Which we failed to get." Cameron reminded.
"Not my best day." Daniel grimaced. "But I refused to mate with a—"
"Horny flying monkey?" Jack shuddered with recall.
"See! See! You wouldn't mate with them either." Daniel jumped and pointed at Jack.
"No! No! I didn't mate with the monkeys, Daniel!"
Sam and Cassandra exchanged smirks.
"Gentleman!" George brought the two men back to the present crisis.
"Where's Condalisa Rice when you need her?" Jack mumbled and rolled his eyes at Daniel.
"She's our President." Sam elbowed him.
"I knew that. Like I said, where is she?"
"In an underground bunker last I spoke with her face-to-face." Landry piped in sadly. "I sure hope she realizes I didn't desert her or my country."
"I'm sure she does, Dad." Doctor Carolyn Lam squeezed through the crowd. Hank smiled relief as he hugged his daughter, who'd just made her way forward from the other end of the Asgard vessel.
Carolyn had no sooner embraced Hank than a Wraith Hive vessel released
Wraith Dart crafts at the Replicators mother ship.
'Mom? Dad?' Grace's telepathic cry rang in her parent's heads.
"Jack!" Sam tugged his arm.
"Yeah I hear 'em." He closed his eyes and concentrated. 'Grace, it's dad. Where are you?'
'Don't know. A space ship with those creepy robotic creatures you called Replicators. They're everywhere! And some man called Fifth. He stuck his hand in my head, dad. It hurt a lot."'
"That bastard!" Jack yelled for everyone's ears.
"Please?" Sam looked at Daniel and Cassandra who understood they were mind melding. "Fifth has Grace and JJ."
"Shit!" Daniel raged.
'Daddy? Mommy?' JJ cried out. 'I'm scared.'
'Hang in there, kids.' Jack ordered.
'Grace?' Sam spoke, 'It's important that you don't anger the Replicators, okay?'
'Yeah. We know,' Grace replied. 'They don't seem to notice us right now.'
'That's good,' Jack said. He then spoke out loud to Sam, "They're too busy waging war. Which'll give us an advantage. We've got to board that mother ship now."
'Hurry, Mom.' Grace pleaded.
'We will,' Sam said back.
As the Wraith continued their onslaught of the Replicators, smaller Replicator vessels formed a circle of defense around their mother ship. The Replicator fleet vanished.
"No!" Sam yelled. "Where'd they go?" she couldn't believe she was asking what she already knew. Hyperspace!
"Walter, follow that Replicator fleet." Jack ordered.
"Sirs?" Walter looked to Landry, Mitchell and then Hammond.
"Jack?" George said calmly, "I understand the need to rescue your children, but our first duty must be to Earth."
"We know, George." Jack shut his eyes and blew out through his mouth. Sam reluctantly nodded and sniffed back tears.
"Good." The five-star general looked at the couple and smiled.
"What?" Jack asked in confusion and glanced at Sam.
She shrugged.
"Kids, just before Thor beamed me aboard I'd been reinstated by the President as head of the Chiefs of Staff. So because this is wartime and as the highest-ranking General here, I am reactivating and promoting you, General-General Jack O'Neill and you Colonel-Colonel as officers of the United States Air Force."
Sam grinned while Jack did the math. Yeah, George had just skipped over an entire rank. Jack's expression went from shock to military respect as George saluted Jack and Sam. Standing at attention, she and Jack smiled about their promotions and then sharply saluted the five-star General Hammond as well as the Mitchell and Landry. If there was resentment from the two generals none was shown.
However with this promotion there were no cat whistles or cheers. The mood was seriously dark. Silence followed as the packed bridge looked back at the monitor. Below them, the Wraith fleet had turned its attention to a defenseless Earth. Drones and Darts shot into Earth's atmosphere. Faces turned away from the bright colored screen. Sam knew the rest of the SGC crewmembers were observing from portholes on various decks. Human sobs of lose echoed throughout the Asgard vessel.
"Now what?" she asked Jack softly.
His face drawn with regret Jack looked at his wife and the other concerned generals, officers, enlisted men and women who became silent at Sam's simple but grave question.
Jack shut his eyes and called it like he saw it. "We are so screwed."
End of Chapter Four