Potentia
Chapter 4
Jack got to his feet, his eyes never leaving the ball of energy that was Daniel as it drifted upwards to meet the Others. His mind was still reeling—not only had his ascended friend answered his call, he had completely healed him. Not to mention the field of dead Jaffa that had been decimated by his lightning-wielding friend.
The pain in the pit of Jack's stomach had nothing to do with a staff blast, though it hurt just as much. As he watched Daniel's glowy form rise to meet the wrath of the ascended beings, he had a sinking feeling that his teammate's chances of survival, in any form, were slim.
"I believe Daniel Jackson is greatly outnumbered," Teal'c rumbled behind him.
"Sir, what will they do—"
"I don't know, Carter," he replied without looking at her, his eyes still fixed on the glowing forms overhead.
The entire mass of energy forms began to glow more intensely, just as Daniel's voice carried back to them. "Go, Jack, get out of here."
"Not gonna happen," Jack muttered softly. No way was he leaving without knowing Daniel's fate. But he would heed his friend's warning and contact the SGC.
Thumbing his radio, he called SG-12's commander. "Hadden, this is O'Neill. Is the 'gate secure?"
"It is now, sir."
"Dial the SGC—tell them we're outnumbered and there could be more on the way."
"Yes, sir."
"And get a med team over here, ASAP."
"Understood, sir."
The light from the glowing red energy forms began to intensify until it was hard for Jack to look directly at it. Daniel's blue form grew just as bright as the others, and then suddenly the two sides collided with a sound like crashing cymbals, sending a burst of blinding light across the land.
Jack ducked his head, shading his eyes from the flash. The brilliance dimmed and he cautiously raised his head and squinted upwards. Tendrils of blue and red light swirled around each other in an electrifying dance. Carter and Teal'c stood next to him, eyes riveted to the battle taking place far above them. How was Daniel going to fight off an army of ascended beings? Jack watched, helpless.
Seconds ticked by and somehow Daniel continued to hold his own. Or at least, that's the way it appeared to Jack. Besides wondering how Daniel was able to do it, he was more concerned with how long he'd be able to keep it up.
"O'Neill!"
At Teal'c's exclamation, Jack reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the ascended light show to follow Teal'c's line of sight towards the city. Pouring out through its gates were scores of Jaffa, all heading their direction.
"Sir, we should go." Carter stated the obvious.
Jack looked upwards again, watching Daniel's blue energy as it battled the Others. This was not happening—he was not losing Daniel again! Another glance at the Jaffa charging across the plain and then back at the remaining SG team members scattered around them and he knew he didn't have much choice. He shouldn't have hesitated when Daniel told him to go, even if it felt like he was turning his back on his friend. "Damn it."
He closed his eyes briefly, sending Daniel a silent message, I'm sorry, buddy. Turning to Carter and Teal'c, he knew their grim expressions mirrored his own.
Hardening his resolve, he barked, "Move out!"
~oOo~
He might not have a corporeal body anymore, but Daniel still felt each attack by the Others like an electric shock. And with each strike, he could also feel their efforts to rip the Ancient knowledge from him.
It was that same knowledge that allowed him to not only fight them off, but to push back, even though he was greatly outnumbered. As focused as he was, he was still aware of the new threat to his friends. Below, Jaffa were ringing to the planet somewhere inside the city. He could 'see' Jack, Sam, and Teal'c trying to help the wounded back to the 'gate. He was glad Jack had finally heeded his warning, but he could also see that there was no way they would reach it before the Jaffa overtook them.
Daniel found himself faced with a seemingly impossible decision: should he use some of his energy to help them, even if it made him vulnerable to the Others' attack? It was already taking every ounce of his will to hold the ascended beings at bay. Even without a human body, their continued lashes at him stung like a whip.
Through all of it, he could hear Sam's pained breathing as she pushed herself to lead the survivors back to the 'gate while dealing with her own head wound; he was aware of the grunts of pain from the injured SG team members as they stumbled back down the path towards the trees, of Teal'c shouting that he had their backs, and Jack shouting orders as he turned to join him.
What good would it do him to win against the Others—to retain his new-found knowledge and power—if he lost the people who had become his family? All the knowledge in the universe—there was so much he could do with it. Some might say the deaths of a few humans were an acceptable loss, but for him, the price was too high. It was obvious he would never be allowed to use his knowledge—not without the Others trying to stop him. And it wasn't in his nature to sit back and do nothing—he had to at least try to help, to make a difference. He'd learned long ago that knowledge for knowledge's sake was worthless.
Decision made, Daniel re-directed part of his power, sending a shockwave across the plain. The Jaffa were tossed violently, scattering weapons and breaking bones.
Sam and the SG teams reached the treeline, Jack and Teal'c still firing from their vantage point overlooking the plain. All stopped to watch as the shockwave rolled over their attackers.
~oOo~
The ground rumbled under his feet as Jack stood with Teal'c, firing at the line of Jaffa moving up the rise towards them. They both hesitated as a shockwave began from a point somewhere in front of them and raced across the ground, tossing the Jaffa warriors like rag dolls and dumping them jarringly back to the ground, weapons flying in all directions. He glanced across at Teal'c, whose raised eyebrow told him his teammate had come to the same conclusion he had: Daniel.
Jack smiled to himself; he didn't know what was going on up there between his friend and the other ascended glow-balls, but he was inordinately happy that Daniel had found a way to help them. How he was doing it, Jack couldn't fathom. Something had changed—for whatever reason, the Others were finding it much harder to stop Daniel this time around. Way to go, Daniel.
Glancing upwards, his enthusiasm was tempered by the sight of Daniel's small, blue glow almost completely covered by the red tendrils of the Others. The fear that had been almost banished by Daniel's show of power began to seep back in.
Jack turned his gaze to Carter and the rest of the injured personnel who had stopped at the edge of the trees. "Move it, Colonel. Get to the 'gate."
~oOo~
The second Daniel divided his focus, the Others pressed harder and he found his strength weakening.
Below, the Jaffa were collecting themselves, re-grouping, those with minor injuries pushing on towards his teammates. Daniel had briefly tried to re-focus all his energy on fending off his own attackers, but the surge of the enemy and the vulnerability of his teammates divided it again.
Once more he concentrated some of his energy into one place and released it in a wave of lightning. It struck the front line of the Jaffa all at once—screams of agony echoing across the land as charred bodies fell where they stood. But it wasn't enough.
It was incredibly draining, and Daniel felt his own wall of protection beginning to crumble as the Others pounded against it. Each attack sent waves of dissonance through his being, making it harder and harder to concentrate.
Through the hammering in his consciousness, Daniel watched the surviving ranks of Jaffa hesitate, a few turning back, but many others pushing forward. He couldn't stop now—he needed to send another wave of lightning, but he knew it would require too much power. He had to find something that would take less energy.
Gathering what little strength he could spare, Daniel mentally formed a small force field and set it in place between the Jaffa and his teammates. With luck, it would hold long enough to give them time to make it back to the 'gate.
The relentless attacks of the Others continued to chisel away at his strength, interfering with his concentration and scattering his thoughts. He fought with every ounce of his strength, but the strain was too much and he knew he could either save himself or save his friends. That choice had already been made, though, and, knowing he'd done everything he could to buy his friends the time they needed, Daniel acknowledged it was over.
Even as he did so, he sensed the presence of more ascended beings hovering just beyond the sphere of the battle, watching, and he sent them a silent plea. Suddenly, his defenses were breached and the Others swarmed him like a thousand bees, their buzzing filling his senses while their tendrils of energy wrapped around him. Their touch was like slivers of ice slicing into his consciousness, splitting him into millions of pieces. His connection to his team was severed as portions of the Ancient knowledge were ripped away. A final flash of light seared through every fiber of his being and sealed his fate.
And then he was falling. A tingling sensation grew in him, following the paths of phantom limbs, even as he felt like he was suffocating and fought for breath. As he continued his freefall, his blurry vision caught a glimpse of a sky filled with thousands of golden lights swirling around the mass of red-tinged Others.
As coldness enveloped him, a familiar voice touched his soul. That which dooms you will also save you.
~oOo~
Jack and Teal'c stopped firing as a shimmer of energy appeared between them and the Jaffa. Several of the front line warriors tested it by jabbing at it with their staff weapons. Sparks flew on impact and the Jaffa backed off.
"That's our cue," Jack said, turning and sprinting for the trees with Teal'c on his heels. He'd take time later to be amazed by Daniel's abilities, but right now his first priority was making sure his people made it safely back to the 'gate.
It only took a couple of minutes to catch up to the slow-moving group. Carter pinned him with a questioning look and he responded to the unasked question. "Daniel's holding them off with some kind of force field."
Her eyebrows lifted in response and she simply nodded and resumed her march. Jack looped Reynolds' arm across his shoulders, taking some of the limping man's weight, then clicked his radio. "Hadden, what's the status of that med team?"
"Just came through the 'gate, sir, along with SG-10.
"Good to hear. We're headed your way."
"Acknowledged."
Jack allowed himself a small measure of relief; they'd lost personnel, but it looked like the rest of them were going to make it out. They had Daniel to thank for that. The thought dissolved his feeling of relief and replaced it with a knot of fear—fear over the uncertainty of his friend's fate.
Even if there wasn't a thing he could do to aid Daniel, it still felt like he was deserting him. 'Never leave a man behind'. Isn't that what he always said? What he'd lived by? But that's exactly what he'd done—left Daniel behind.
A brilliant flash of light suddenly filled the sky, illuminating even the deepest shadows on the dark side of the Land of Light. The entire group stopped and turned their eyes to the sky.
The knot in Jack's stomach twisted even tighter as he watched a sphere of blue light separate from the glowing mass of ascended beings and plunge like a falling meteor, its light fading as it descended.
The knot of fear rising to stick in the back of his throat, Jack quickly settled Reynolds against a tree and raced back down the path, the dead certainty of what that streak was fueling his limbs. Footsteps on the path behind him assured him his teammates were following.
Bursting across the treeline and back out into the open, Jack was able to follow the path of the fading blue light, estimating its trajectory would end close to the spot where Jack had almost died. Filling the sky above, thousands of golden lights swarmed around the red glow of the Others. He was pretty sure a new team had just taken the field, but whose side they were on was anyone's guess. Dismissing them, Jack raced towards what he knew in his heart was Daniel.
The dim blue orb struck the ground a few feet ahead of him, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Arriving at the point of impact, Jack fell to his knees just as the hazy glow dissipated, revealing the naked form of his best friend.
Daniel lay on his back, eyes closed. There was no outward sign of injury, but he was deathly pale and still. Jack refused to believe the worst, after all, he'd come back to them twice before—surely this time would be no different?
Behind him, Jack heard Teal'c's footsteps approach, followed by Carter's lighter ones. A sharp intake of breath registered her shock at the sight of their friend. Jack reached out and touched Daniel's neck, feeling for a pulse. The skin was cold beneath his fingers, increasing his fear that Daniel's luck may have finally run out. Holding his breath, he kept his fingers pressed to the chilled skin. "C'mon, Daniel, you haven't used up all of your nine lives yet."
Teal'c walked around Jack and bent to place his jacket over Daniel's body. Sam moved around, too, and went to her knees on the other side of Daniel.
Lashes fluttered just as Jack's fingers registered a slow beating heart. Lids slowly opened, revealing luminescent blue eyes. Jack's heart flip-flopped with relief as he smiled down at his friend. "Welcome back, Doctor Jackson."
"Jack?" Daniel's words were soft and strained.
"That's a good sign—at least you're not calling me Jim."
"What?"
"Never mind. It's good to have you back."
Daniel gave him a pained smile. "Good… to see you… all… of you… one more time."
"One more time before what?" Jack demanded, not liking Daniel's choice of words.
"It's… over… Jack."
"Oh, no. We've done this dance already." Huh uh, not happening again.
Forehead creased in pain, Daniel looked directly into Jack's eyes. "Time… for me… to take my… final bow."
"No, Daniel, you've gotta hang in there—help's on the way," Jack insisted.
"Can't… no… strength."
"You're the strongest person I know. Look what you just did to those Jaffa!"
"All… gone. Sorry… Jack."
Jack leaned forward, placing his hands on Daniel's shoulders. "You are not leaving again! That's an order!"
One corner of Daniel's mouth pulled upward. "Civilian… can't… order."
Jack couldn't help releasing a huff of laughter. "You're a stubborn son-of-a-bitch."
"Learned… from… the best."
Jack pulled Daniel up against his chest, wrapping his arms around his friend. He heard Carter's soft sobs as she placed a hand on Daniel's back. Teal'c bent and placed a hand on Daniel's head as it rested on Jack's shoulder.
Jack didn't want to let go; he'd desperately wanted Daniel to come back to them, but not like this—not just so he could die again, maybe permanently this time. Where were Daniel's friends among the ascended?
Jack pulled back and Daniel lifted his head, blinking moist eyes. "Can't Shifu or Skarra help?"
"Kinda… busy."
Jack glanced upward where the red and gold lights continued to swirl furiously around each other. Apparently, Skarra and Shifu and who knew how many others had their hands full. A bolt of lightning shot out from the roiling mass of energy beings and struck the Jaffa still being held back by the energy field. The few that weren't killed instantly turned and ran for the city. He quickly turned his attention back to his friend as he felt Daniel's body sag in his grip. With Carter and Teal'c's help, he gently laid him back down.
Daniel's eyes fluttered open, the bright blue irises standing out against his pale skin. He turned his gaze first to Carter and then Teal'c, a tiny smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he finally brought it to rest on Jack. Lifting one hand, he reached out weakly and Jack grasped it in his own. Carter and Teal'c each placed one of their hands over the two joined ones, connecting the teammates one last time.
"I… love you… too," Daniel said as his eyes slid shut.
They sat silently, their hands still clasping Daniel's limp one, each unwilling to break the bond. This was finally it—no second chances, no Oma to grant Daniel a final reprieve.
Before, Jack had taken some small comfort knowing that Daniel was still out there somewhere. He'd always thought he would be the first one to go. It should have been him, not Daniel. Daniel should have lived to a ripe old age, spending his golden years in some dusty library, dying peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his loved ones. At least the last part was right—Daniel was surrounded by those who loved him.
"O'Neill." Teal'c's voice broke the silence. "The medical team has arrived."
Jack met Teal'c's gaze and nodded his understanding, then returned his attention to Daniel. The tromp of boots stopped just behind him.
"General."
Jack sighed at the unwelcome intrusion, knowing it was necessary. Laying Daniel's hand on his chest, Jack released his hold; Carter and Teal'c did the same. The medical personnel swooped in, asking him how he felt and if he were injured. He did hurt—it was the deepest wound he'd ever received—but he just said "I'm fine," causing the medic that was examining his bloody clothes to look up in surprise.
Another medic was treating Carter's head wound, while Teal'c was brushing aside all attempts to check him over. Yet another was checking Daniel for a pulse.
"He's gone," Jack stated bluntly, drawing the attention of all the personnel within earshot.
Two Marines unfolded a stretcher next to Daniel and proceeded to lift the archaeologist—teammate—former ascended being—best friend—onto it. With great care, they spread a blanket over him, removing Teal'c's jacket and handing it back to him.
"We're ready, General," Major Fields, SG-10's leader, informed him, his voice quiet, obviously understanding what they were going through. It wasn't just deference to SG-1's feelings; Daniel was respected by the entire base and Jack knew his death would affect them, just like his ascension had—even more so now, knowing it was final this time. He dreaded stepping through the gate with that stretcher. "Thanks, Mike" he replied, rising to his feet.
The Marines took hold of the stretcher's poles and lifted it. Jack instinctively grabbed hold of one, waving the man off. Carter quickly took hold of the opposite pole and Teal'c positioned himself at the foot. The Marines backed away, allowing SG-1 to bring their fallen teammate home.
TBC