Chapter 29: Debts Repaid with Interest Part 1
Mars Base Littlefield: If the populace earth only knew of all the advancements in space people's jaws would drop. The deep space listening post named after Earnest Littlefield was the first line of defense for earth. It had the most advanced space radar. It could detect a ship in subspace light-years out. The base was heavily defended by Asgard/Tau'ri weapons. The kicker was their three squadrons (8 hour shifts) of F-302b Mongooses and 4 Prometheus size ship berths. The base had powerful hybrid shielding (Asgard & Tau'ri) along with a cloaking device. MBL was so well hidden that the tok'ra couldn't detect its presence. The base also housed the second stargate for security reasons. Visiting Allied ships could hide in plain sight. Then they could gate to earth from the base.
Deep Space Telemetry isn't just a cover... It's an adventure in space.
Mars Base 0037hrs: Deep within the base Corporal Jeremy 'Dart'' Williams was reading the Colorado News Gazette while monitoring Deep Space Telemetry (I just had to throw that in for GP.).He sprained his ankle from a base basketball game the previous week. It kept him from flying for the time being, hence forth light duty. A news article about former vice presidential candidate Albert Gore caught his attention. "I thought that tree huger was in some loony bin." He said out loud just to fill the boredom.
To his left sat another corporal, Cpl. Maximilian Jones, a communications/radar operator from Australia. "What are you talking about mate?" Cpl. Jones asked not looking up from his monitors. "Al Gore and that flag burning traitor Bill Clinton. They ran for the presidency back in the early 90's." Dart responded lowering the top of the paper. "That whacker of a polly. I was in grade school back then, only heard about the root rat on the history channel." Maximilian said finally looking up from his monitors.
His companion gave him a confused look. "I only caught half of what you said Mad Max. Could you speak English for once?" Dart asked in jest for the most part. "I speak perfect english bloke. It's you seppo's (Americans) that don't speak right." Max retorted back. "Just humor me like I humor you Aussie." He shot back smirking. "I'm glad you're a cobber (friend) otherwise we wouldn't get along you galah (silly person). Max said smirking back. Dart just shrugged his shoulders waiting for the translation. His cohort sighed for effect. "I said that idiot of a politician ran for office when I was in grade school. The term root rat means sex addict, are you satisfied now whacker?" Mad Max explained while looking back over his monitors.
"Yes, I 'am. Why they stuck me with you I'll never know." Dart said with a smile. Truth is he'd be bored out of his mind with anyone else. "You shouldn't have hit on the generals daughter with him in the room." He informed his wayward friend. "That wasn't my fault. Anya started flirting first. I wasn't about to ignore the shella." Dart shot back smiling. He did manage to get a kiss or two from her though. "I don't blame you one bit mate. She has a nice set of legs." Max commented with a laugh. "Anya sure does. I'm surprised her old man agreed to let us date after that." Dart responded pulling out a picture of her in a blue sun dress." Max looked over at his friend. He was happy for him. Dart found a woman who would tolerate his antics, a Russian at that. "Earth to Dart, It's your turn to explain." Max spoke over his shoulder tuning the space radar.
Putting her picture away he sat the paper down. "If you'd clean your ears out once in a while you'd understand." He jibed his friend. Max just ignored him like usual. "I said that Al Gore was an environmental wacko/opportunist. He makes money off of people who buy into his false claims of manmade global warming. Albert Gore attempted to have a press conference about how the U.S. Air Force pollutes the environment. Only 30 supporters showed up. The others were informed residents that ran him out of the auditorium." He explained with a fake huff. "How did they run the bushranger (outlaw) away?" Max asked half heartedly. The monitors were picking up weird space distortions. "Well they started asking pointed questi..." was all Dart got out as alarms went off.
A massive ship exited subspace stopping just beyond weapons range. It was nothing the like either have ever seen. Both men jumped into action immediately. Dart contacted the base commander, General Alik Polsky. Several other things happened as well. Defensive batteries came online, the alert fighters were getting ready to scramble with sentry ships on their way. Max was attempting to scan the ship to verify its intentions. He couldn't get a read on the mystery ship at all. The only conformation was visual. Whoever this ship belonged to was creative to say the least. "I certainly hope their friendly. That ship could probably tear us a new arse without breaking a sweat." Said Max still focused on scanning. "I agree with you. I would rather be with my squadron though. No offence to you Max." He replied with worry. "Don't worry cobber. I wouldn't want anyone else here with me anyways." He reassured his friend. General Polsky walked into the control room in his dress uniform hearing the last part of their conversation. He really liked the pilot. Giving him a hard was just too much fun. "What's the sitrep (situation report) corporals!" the general asked if full command mode.
"Sir, the ships construction is unlike any I've ever seen. The scanners are ineffective. I can only give you a visual sir." Max replied adjusting the equipment. General Polsky nodded in understanding. "Is our visitor holding position?" he asked taking in the ships deathly beauty. "Yes sir, just outside of weapons range." He answered promptly. "Keep trying Jones. Williams, what's our defensive status?" Dart was a bit nervous given this was Anya's father. He really wanted to impress him. "Alert fighters are ready to launch at your command. Asgard Plasma beams fully charged, rail guns primed, shields full strength and anti-ship nukes loaded sir." He answered crisply despite his nervousness. "Very good son, keep up the good work. You'll go places." Polsky told him genuinely proud of him. Other technicians had filed in during the sitrep taking up their positions in the room. "Okay people, let say hello to our new toverish!"
"Unidentified ship you have entered Tau'ri space. Identify yourself and purpose or be fired upon. This is your only warning!" the general said hoping that the sentry ships would get there soon. They were 3 minutes out still. The whole base was on pins and needles. This was only the second time for a mystery ship to appear. "General Polsky, You have no need to worry. I'm Supreme Commander Thor of the Asgard. This ship is a gift from the Asgard High Council to the tau'ri people. I'm transmitting my identification code general."
The room let out a collective breath when Thor identified himself. 'Thor, that's Col. O'Neill's friend. I wonder if he knows of his condition.' Polsky thought to himself. "It's good to finally meet you Supreme Commander Thor. We appreciate the gift of a beautiful looking ship. I was unaware of any scheduled visit by the Asgard." The people in the room had never seen the little yet powerful Asgard. That included the general. All were hoping to see the famous alien in the flesh. "My visit to your world isn't unscheduled. I apologize if caused you any inconvenience General Polsky. I wish to speak with Col. O'Neill immediately." Thor stated urgently. The general was afraid of this. Thor hadn't been by to visit with his favorite human for a while. The colonels friend was bound to drop by sooner than later.
"Corporal William, order everyone to stand down. Supreme Commander Thor, I'm sorry to inform you that the Col. O'Neill was injured. He is currently receiving medical treatment at the SGC. If you beam over I'm sure CMO Frasier will let you see him despite the early hour." He told the little alien with a heavy heart. "I request an earth orbit General Polsky. I wish to help my friends' recovery." Thor requested in an urgent tone blinking his eyes. "I'll have to clear it with General Hammond. Can you hold position while I do that?" Thor knew helping O'Neill was of the up most urgency. He'd have to wait for permission first. "I can hold my current position General Polsky." The general nodded in approval "I'll contact you toverish Thor when you may assume a standard orbit." he informed their ally. "I shall await your signal then, thank you again General Polsky." Thor said then terminated the contact.
Oma came out her hiding spot after the connection terminated. "I shall proceed to earth. I'll check on Colonel O'Neill. We cannot chance anything at this point." She told her friend changing into energy once again. "I will hold position here until I'm permitted to join you. Be safe and tell O'Neill hello for me." Thor replied back blinking his eyes once again. "I will await your arrival then."Oma said with a bow then left for earth through Mars Base Littlefield's stargate.
0117Hrs SGC: Oma entered the embarkation room taking notice of the serenity. She floated among the night crew without notice arriving at her destination, Col. O'Neill's bedside. Major Carter was asleep in a very uncomfortable plastic chair. Sam's head was resting on the mattress with her hand clasping Jacks. This scene just confirmed Oma's belief. She took in the colonel's appearance noticing his color returning. While the tau'ri medicine was working it wouldn't be enough. In order for the colonel to truly survive his heart and mind had to heal as well. She peered into his dream deciding to enter it.
'Jack was sitting beside Samantha with his arm on her shoulders. She was nursing their newborn daughter, Lucile Grace O'Neill. He was smiling ear to ear with a goofy grin. Jack kissed his wife's forehead in contentment. There was a knock at the door so he got up to answer it. "Oma, what are you doing here?" he asked in a concerned voice. "May we talk privately Col. O'Neill? It's urgent." Looking back at Sam holding their daughter he told Oma to wait outside. "Hey Sam, I need to step outside for a minute okay." She just nodded kissing him lightly then smiled back at Lucy. "Okay Oma, what's up in the land of glow bugs?" he asked sarcastically. You need to come back to the real world. This is just a dream. This shocked the colonel. "Tis not! (Channeling Cpt. Jack Sparrow) It's real, I remember going to the hospital, the birth of Lucy and the trip home. If this is your ideal of an ascended joke it's not funny." Jack spoke with anger. "Has your wife spoken to you yet?" she asked quietly. Angering the colonel was a bad idea even for her. Jack thought about it realizing that all Samantha's done is nod or smile. "No techno babble or anything." Jack omitted. With his omission his dream faded away to a white field much to his displeasure.
"Now what happens?" he asked in a deflated tone looking at his feet. "An ember burns of hope and desire." She said in her cryptic way. "Oh for crying out loud! Riddles again, seriously!" Jack replied throwing his arms up in exasperation. "Yes Jack, it's my way." She said with a sigh. "You're smarter than you let on. I've seen how many degrees you have." Oma finished smiling innocently."I thought you higher ups couldn't interfere with us mere mortals."Jack replied in jest rocking on his heels. Oma just gave him a glare to get her point across. "Okay, okay...You're saying that I have a spark for Carter filled with hope and desire." He answered sarcastically. She smiled softly then continued "The light you seek seeks you!" Jack was looking around pretending not to listen."I love what you did with the place. It's so colorful." He informed giving Oma a thumbs up. She glared at him again this time more pointedly. "I get it; Sam seeks me because she loves me. We've had the beginnings of this discussion before I was sho..." Jack realized what Oma was doing. If he stayed in his dream life all would be lost. He had to return to his life and soon. This is what Oma was telling him. "What do I have to do?" he asked in a worried voice. "Just click your heels together and repeat after me. There's no place like home, there's no place like home!" Oma answered straight-faced. Jacks smirked at her. "Ah ha! I knew you had a sense of humor!" He pointed at her smiling. "Seriously, do I just want to wake up?" Jack asked. Oma walked over placing her hand over his heart. "Follow your heart to your true love. She'll never lead you astray." And Jacks white world turned bright as he followed his heart." Oma left Jacks subconscious mind turning her attention to Major Carter. Her intent was to enter her dream as well. Before Oma could do so she sensed another presence, a presence far more powerful than her. She watched in amazement realizing who the entity was.
Sam and Lucy were sitting beside Jacks still form. They both were crying tears of sorrow still. Lucy stopped crying noticing a ball of light approaching. The little child became captivated by it. Lucy started clapping her tiny hand together getting Sam's attention. She looked at Lucy then at the approaching light. Sam clutched her child tightly in fear. When the light stopped in front of her it spoke. "Do not fear Samantha O'Neill. I am not here to harm you or little Lucy." The light said. "Who are you, what do you want from me?" She asked taking a few steps back. The light changed into human form to put her at ease "Do you not recognize me now?" the entity asked. "Jesus, is it really you?" she asked falling to her knees still holding Lucy close. "Yes my dear child, it is me. I came to breathe life back into your one true love. Jack has much to do before I call him home." God said waving his hand over Sam's deceased husband. In utter amazement Sam watched Jack chest rise taking in a breath of air..."
Sam felt like she was dreaming. She felt a light caressing on her hand. Looking up Sam found herself being stared at by Jack. He was attempting to speak in a strained voice. "Jack, please don't try to talk. You're just going to hurt more." She said standing up still holding his hand. "I'd love to hear your voice; but you need to heal first." Sam said lovingly while caressing his hair with her free hand. Jack just nodded keeping eye contact. "God sent you back to me. I'm never going to doubt God again. I love you Jack O'Neill with 2 LL's!" she told him kissing his cheek. "I'll page Janet,she'll want to check over you." With Janet on her way the two of them just sat looking at each other with love and longing.
"My child, you did well. You have started the process that will heal two broken hearts. Peace be with you." And then Jesus Christ left leaving her with renewed faith. Oma was speechless for the first time in her life. Her creator, her God just blessed her!