Warnings and disclaimer in chapter 1.
Enjoy.
"I think it's definitely worth looking into, Sir." SG-1 had finished their postgate medicals and were in the conference room debriefing the General. They had finished going over the facts and were now debating on how to proceed.
"Do they have anything valid to offer us?" Hammond asked.
"Their telepathic powers are more advanced than any I have ever witnessed, General," Sergeant Jorgensen answered. "They've already said the Sanctuary is open to all who need help. The relief for mental strain in the military in general, and the SGC specifically would be enormous. Also if they would permit us to do some tests to learn how they have these abilities, the results could change the way we view mental illness immensely, even revolutionize our whole understanding of the brain itself."
"Also there's huge potential from the series of worlds that make up that system," Major Bailey added. "If the Goa'uld did not abandon that world voluntarily, there's the possibility that there are still valid naquadah veins on the planet that could be mined."
"Don't forget the possibility of profit," Vala spoke up. "There's always a market for cargo ships, even if they are a bit old. It sounds as if a good mechanic is all that is needed to hit the jackpot. Not to mention any other items that we may find." Cameron rolled his eyes at her. "What? I would of course split the profits with them. Five percent is more than generous."
"What about the political situation there," Hammond asked, ignoring Vala's profiteering. "You said yourself the neighboring planets have a history of a near constant state of war. I don't want to send my people into a potential warzone."
"Yes Sir," Cam agreed, "but they also all agreed the Sanctuary was neutral ground. All who go there are safe." He stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Sir, let us do the DNA comparisons and talk to these people again. I believe they have much more to offer to us than they want from us. We just need some time."
"Very well," Hammond sighed. "Proceed with negotiations on P7X-375. Dismissed." Hammond stood and exited to his office, barely noticing SG-1 as they filed out. Shutting the door behind him, he engrossed himself in paperwork. A knock on his door made him jump. "Enter," he called, surprised to find several hours had passed.
"Sir," Colonel Jack O'Neill called as he entered the office. He casually looked around, noticing the piles of folders on the general's desk. "Is this a bad time?"
"Not at all, Colonel. Come in." Jack nodded and sat down in a chair, handing a folder to Hammond as he did.
"The results of the latest group, Sir. I think they should be ready for a field trip in a few days."
"How are the new recruits doing Colonel?" Hammond asked. He would read the report eventually, but he wanted Jack's opinion rather than impersonal military reports.
"There's potential there, Sir." Jack started massaging his temples. "Woods and Rogers show real leadership abilities. Michaels is soaking up new technology like a sponge. Long keeps getting killed."
Hammond chuckled at that before getting serious. "How are you doing Jack?" He could see the dark circles around his eyes, the signs of many sleepless nights. Hammond knew he had his own set.
"As well as can be expected, given the time," Jack answered honestly.
"I know son." They both sat there unmoving until Jack cleared his throat.
"Sir, I hate to drop this and run, but I have lots of fun things to plan for the group. May I?" he asked, gesturing to the hall. Hammond nodded and Jack quickly left. Returning to his office, Jack turned on his computer. Pulling the top file from his In Box, he quickly got to work. An hour later he got tired of looking at a blank screen. Putting the file back on top of his In Box, he folded his arms and put his head on his desk. He was so tired. Just rest his eyes for a bit, then he'd get back to work.
"Remind me what we're doing again?"
"We're trying to help them," Sam replied, heading up the ramp.
"Why?"
"Because it's what we do." He grinned at her joke and followed her through the wormhole. Organized chaos on the other side. SG personnel going everywhere as they tried to help the Creillon.
Heading over to the power planet when he heard of the shooting. Arriving just in time to see the local authorities drag a shell shocked Sam away. The President not authorizing the use of force to retrieve her.
"Jack!" she cried as they led her away. "Jack!"
"Jack!" Jack jumped as the sound invaded his nightmare. Eyes wide, he looked around the room, calming when he saw Daniel standing on the other side of his desk. Forcing his shaking hands to stop, he took a calming breath before answering his friend.
"Daniel. What can I do for you?"
"Teal'c is due in a few minutes. I thought you'd want to be there." He didn't ask Jack about his nightmare, he had a pretty good idea what it was about. He started having them about this time of year too.
"Yeah," Jack said, standing up and stretching. He casually replaced the items he knocked over on his desk before leaving with his friend. "Hey, how was P…"
"8X289," Daniel supplied for him as they reached the elevator. He swiped his card and waited patiently for the doors to open. "It was nice." The doors opened and they got in. Jack punched the button for level 32. Daniel waited for the doors to close before he continued. "Nice people. We were actually able to find a lot of important artifacts. The walls were incredibly preserved, along with everything else inside. It was a nice tomb." Daniel stopped, suddenly realizing what he said. Turning to Jack, he opened his mouth to apologize only to be stopped by his friend.
"Don't," Jack said, the pain clearly showing on his face. The rest of the trip was made in an awkward silence. Jack burst out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened. By the time they made it to the Gate Room, Daniel could tell his military mask was firmly in place again.
"Colonel, Dr. Jackson," General Hammond greeted them as they joined him at the foot of the ramp. A few seconds later the Stargate activated. The iris slid firmly into place to protect the base, but soon opened up when Teal'c's iris code was received. Teal'c emerged from the event horizon, followed closely by Bra'tac.
"Shal'kek nem'ron," he greeted them in Jaffa style as he firmly clasped their arms.
"Welcome back Teal'c, Bra'tac," Daniel said, returning his greeting. "How is the Jaffa rebellion?"
"Growing stronger day by day. Many of our brothers are seeing the Goa'uld for the false gods they are."
"That's good to hear," Hammond said. "Dr. Fraiser is waiting for both of you in the infirmary, after which I would love to hear all about the Jaffa." The two Jaffa nodded and headed for the infirmary, Jack and Daniel accompanying them. The medical check complete, the debriefing took place. Everyone was happy to hear the rebellion was progressing better than anyone could have thought. The official debriefing was soon over. The men made plans for the next day before retiring for the night. Teal'c and Bra'tac were given guest quarters, while Jack and Daniel went to their own rooms.
The next morning, the three former members of SG-1 met in the mess hall. After eating a quick breakfast, they piled into Jack's truck. They decided to hit the grocery store first, knowing they wouldn't be in the mood to shop later on that day. They bought everything they needed then returned to Jack's house to unload. A few minutes later they were on their way.
Nobody spoke as they made the long drive; even Jack's driving was unusually tame. Arriving at the cemetery, they parked the truck and walked unerringly to the grave. "Hey Sam," Daniel spoke at last, breaking the silence. He leaned down and placed the small bouquet of flowers next to her headstone. "You'll be happy to know we're doing better. Not perfect, not by a long shot, but better." He then proceeded to tell her what had been happening at the SGC for the last year. As he talked, his voice got weaker and weaker, finally breaking as he shed tears for the woman he considered a sister. Giving himself a few minutes to cry, he traced his fingers over her name before walking off to the side.
Teal'c took his place, kneeling next to her headstone as he whispered his own tale. After a few minutes he joined Daniel, grasping his shoulder to show his support. He weakly smiled his thanks, than as one they turned as Jack began his tribute. They watched as he knelt beside her, softly talking to her in a way that he could talk to no one else. They watched as his shoulders started shaking, the one time he allowed himself to cry publicly. They gave him the time he needed, honored that he trusted them enough to cry in front of them. There was a time after the incident when Daniel wondered if they would ever have that trust again.
"O'Neill," Teal'c called out, knowing Jack did not want to cry in front of others. Jack pulled himself together, wiping furiously at his eyes before standing up and rejoining his friends. A few minutes later General Hammond, Bra'tac, and Jacob arrived at the gravesite. He could see a car pull up and saw Janet and Cassie slowly make their way toward them.
"Sir," Jack called out, as they joined the newcomers. One by one they went over and talked to Sam. No one in the group said anything, just providing silent support as they paid tribute to their friend. Cassie cried openly after she returned from the headstone, Sam's death hit the young girl hard. Daniel grabbed her in a bear hug, clinging for dear life as his own tears mixed with the teenager's. The others surrounded her, giving the support they knew she needed. After a few minutes she quieted down, smiling her thanks though she dared not vocalize it in case she started crying again. When everyone was done, they piled into their vehicles and drove over to Jack's house.
Within minutes, thanks to everyone helping, they had their BBQ started. They would laugh and tell stories of Sam which would have everyone smiling. Occasionally there would be tears and sniffles, but they never lasted long. That was what the gravesite was for, to mourn her. The BBQ was to commemorate her. Hammond glanced over at his once premier team, arguing over Jack's ability to burn steaks, and thought about that day four years ago when everything fell apart.
He knew as soon as they exited the Stargate that they would never be the same again. He also knew they had witnessed her execution. They didn't say anything, merely walking past him toward the infirmary. The yelling started later, when they learned her death had been in vain.
The Creillon were a simple people, working to rebuild a world a disastrous civil war had torn apart. They had promised to share their knowledge with Earth, if the SGC would help them retrieve it. The President eagerly agreed after he learned the damage could only be caused by very advanced weapons. Everything was going good until the incident.
Major Carter had been accused of murder. She fiercely denied it, of course, but the local authorities wouldn't let them talk to her to find out what really happened. The SGC diplomatic core tried to get her released, promising she would be brought to justice when she returned home, but the local government refused. Hammond, and Jack, had requested the use of force to extract her, but the President denied the request, stating the potential for technology outweighed one human life. Hammond didn't like that, but he could accept it. He knew Sam would gladly give her life to help defend Earth, and he knew eventually the other members of SG-1 would realize that. When they returned without her, he knew that was the case.
He never made them return to the planet. He was wondering where her body was until SG-9 quietly told him there was no body to bring back. The funeral went as well as could be expected. He gave the team downtime, but was unsurprised to find out they came back to the base to work. Knowing they needed something to keep them occupied he left them to their projects. Everything was getting back to normal until SG-15 returned from the Creillon with disturbing news. The Creillon had no advanced technology. The advanced weapons came from an invading race, the invasion was the reason their civil war started. They had absolutely nothing that could help Earth.
Hammond was considering retiring right then and there. Jack did retire, after punching a hole in the concrete wall and disappearing for three weeks. Teal'c compared the US Government to that of the Goa'uld, caring about their own petty whims more than the people who serve it. He then demanded to go to the Land of Light to be with his wife and son. Hammond numbly agreed, insisting he take a GDO and reminding him he would always be welcome though he secretly wondered if the Jaffa would ever step foot on Earth again. Daniel, following his two teammate's leads, found the furthest archeological dig he could and left without saying goodbye.
A month had passed when he felt inexplicably drawn to her gravesite. He was surprised to find Daniel and Jack there, even more surprised when Teal'c arrived an hour later. Tensions were high. They were blaming each other and themselves, just as he was. He wasn't sure when the screaming started, but he knew it would go on a while. The shouting was interrupted by a sniffling voice. "Shut up!" The four men turned around and noticed Janet and Cassandra for the first time.
"Cass," Jack said, stepping toward her.
"Don't," she spit, tears flowing down her cheeks. Janet's arms tightened around her daughter as she continued. "You can't keep blaming each other. That's not what Sam would've wanted. It's not what I want. I just lost Sam. I don't want to lose all of you too." She choked on the last sentence, turning in her mother's embrace to cry on her shoulder. The men looked at each other ashamedly before joining the two women in a group hug.
That was the start of the healing, Hammond recalled. The insight of one young lady whose world was crashing down around her had saved them all. Hammond returned to his office and shredded his resignation, unsurprised when Jack showed up and asked him to do the same with his. Teal'c and Daniel joined them and they sat down to discuss the future of SG-1. Hammond wasn't surprised when they said they didn't want to go through the Stargate on a continuous basis anymore, but was pleased to learn they did want to stay at the SGC.
Daniel took over the archeological department. He began to supervise the teams studying the various artifacts that were brought back. He would go on the occasional offworld dig, but was content to spend most of his time in his office. Jack took over training at the SGC, which after his initial grumbling he was surprisingly adept with. He also would occasionally go offworld, on training missions with new recruits and the occasional rescue mission where they needed his expertise, but like Daniel he was content to stay on base.
Teal'c was the difficult one. Having felt betrayed by the government, he felt he could no longer remain on an active SG team. While he still trusted the men and women of the SGC, he could no longer trust the organization that commanded them. He began training with Jack, when he heard news of a Jaffa rebellion. He contacted Bra'tac and learned his people had started fighting for their freedom. With General Hammond's blessing, he left the SGC to fight with his people. Hammond insisted he take a GDO with him again, although this time we was sure his friend would return. Teal'c ended up spending more and more time with the rebellion, nursing it through its infancy and helping it stand. He was also instrumental in a treaty between the Tau'ri and the Jaffa. They had plan, fought, and won many battles together. But as hectic as Teal'c's schedule had become, he always returned on this day to pay homage to his lost friend.
The BBQ was winding down as the day grew longer. The BBQ was common knowledge at the SGC, having been unofficially made the SGC's memorial day. Several personnel, both military and civilian, stopped by to celebrate life and mourn death, not only for Major Carter but for all who had died in the service of the SGC. As night fell, Hammond said his goodbyes, noticing Janet and Cassie did the same. He knew Daniel and Teal'c would spend the weekend here, taking and giving strength, pulling each other through the way that team always did. On Monday morning, they would be ready to face another year.
Monday came too quickly for the General's liking. He had taken the weekend off himself, and had been dismayed to see the number of folders in his In Box. He went to work with gusto, stopping when the Klaxon's blared announcing the arrival of a wormhole. Leaving his office, he went to the control room in time to receive SG-1's iris code. Colonel Mitchell reported negotiations were going well with the Healers and they requested to come learn more about Earth and the possible medicine's that could help them help others. General Hammond readily agreed. He watched as SG-1 stepped through the Gate, followed by an alien. Hammond was introduced to the alien, Healer Vash, before they headed to the infirmary. Not only did Healer Vash need to be examined, he was also curious about the medicine they told him about.
He smiled as he made his way back to his office. Jack was waiting for him, having made himself at home while he was waiting. "Colonel," he greeted as he took his place behind his desk.
"General," Jack jumped, not hearing the man come in. "I hope you don't mind?"
"Not at all, Jack," Hammond assured him.
"I was thinking about the latest batch of kids," Jack said, motioning to the file on Hammond's desk as he retook his seat. "They're a little too cocky for my liking, Sir, like this is all a game for them. I was wondering if we could get Teal'c to ambush us on one of our soil sample missions. You know, bring them down a notch or two. Show them how serious this is. And you know Teal'c always loves scaring the new recruits."
"That he does. I think we can work something out. I'll leave you and Teal'c to work out the details." Jack nodded. "Now about those personnel reviews." They spent the next couple hours reviewing the new recruits, discussing the best place to put them when they completed Jack's orientation course. Hammond was just about to call for a break when there was a knock at his door. "Come," he ordered, grateful for the respite. He looked up when he saw Dr. Fraiser enter the room. "Doctor?" he asked, concerned when he saw how pale she was. Jack looked up when he heard the change in Hammond's voice.
"Janet?" he asked, quickly grabbing her arm and helping her to her sit down. She looked pale, like she saw a ghost, and was trembling slightly. She hadn't looked this bad since… "Is it Cass?" he asked, starting to panic.
"No," she quickly reassured him. "She's fine as far as I know."
"What's wrong Doctor?" Hammond asked. Janet glanced at him before looking at Jack. She silently debated with herself if she should ask him to leave, but quickly abandoned the thought. If she was right, he would be furious with her for shutting him out. She motioned toward the door, which he stood and promptly shut. He detoured to the side desk, pouring a glass of water which he gently handed her before sitting down in the next chair. She gratefully drank the water, using the time to prepare herself for what she had to say. When she was done, she turned so she was addressing the General.
"Sir, as per your orders, I had my team analyze the blood samples retrieved by SG-1. The preliminary report was on my desk when I arrived. One of the samples had some abnormalities: naquadah and a protein marker."
"Well, that answers the question of where did the Goa'uld go," Jack said, trying to lighten the mood. This was starting to sound familiar, and painful, to him. He looked at Janet, hoping she would roll her eyes at him, only to notice she had gone even paler.
"The protein marker looked familiar," she continued, not daring to look Jack in the eye. "I rushed a DNA comparison. The results got in a few minutes ago." She held out a folder to the General. "It's…" she faltered, praying the General could figure it out himself.
The General slowly opened the file. Inside were two DNA charts. Studying them, he saw they were identical to his untrained eye. He wondered why Janet had been so upset until he caught the name on the second sheet. "Could there be a mistake?" he asked quietly, shutting the folder as if it had burnt him. The doctor merely shook her head.
"What?" Jack asked, grabbing for the folder when Hammond had also turned whiter. It took him a few more minutes before he understood. "Sam," he whispered. His momentary calm soon disappeared and he began pacing around the office. "This can't be," he told her.
"DNA doesn't lie Sir."
"A Clone? Someone from an alternate universe?"
"I'm sorry Sir," she apologized to Jack, hoping to calm him down. "The DNA is a perfect match. Even with the Asgard's superior cloning technique, there was still a differentiation. An alternate universe is possible, but I don't believe it's likely."
"Can we even be sure the sample came from Major Carter?" Hammond asked, needing answers.
"Yes Sir," Janet answered. "The only person the sample could have come from was Sam."
"But that's not possible," Jack said, running out of steam and returning to his seat. Holding his head in his hands, he continued, "We saw her… I saw her being eaten alive by that thing. There was nothing left." He closed his eyes tightly, shuddering as the memories rushed through his mind.
"It's possible," Janet said quietly, "that they obtained the sample before Sam died. But why would they do that?" She looked back and forth between the two men; hoping one of them had any answers on why she was testing a blood sample from her dead best friend.
"Let's find out," Jack suddenly said in a sinister voice. Before they could stop him he was out the door.
"This is your medical facility?" Healer Vash asked in an awed voice. He suspected he would need to undergo some sort of medical exam when he asked to come to Earth. He was impressed by the cleanliness of the area, something the clinics on the other worlds lacked.
"Doesn't have the best view," Daniel said, joining the team in the infirmary when they returned, "but it is one of the best."
"Healer Vash," Cameron began as Daniel moved to join them, "may I present Dr. Daniel Jackson." Daniel nodded deeply toward him, having learned long ago that a handshake was not a universal greeting.
"Dr. Daniel Jackson," Vash repeated, bowing his own head in greeting. "Do you work here?" he asked, indicating the infirmary.
"In this installation, yes, but not in the infirmary."
"But you are a doctor?" he asked, finding these people very strange.
"I am a Doctor, but not a medical doctor," Daniel explained. "On our world, most professions have differing levels of education associated with them. I have completed the doctorate level in my particular field, so I am given the title of Doctor.
"I see," Vash said, understanding more of their society. "And what is your profession?"
"I am a Doctor of archeology and anthropology," he explained. "I study the culture and history of people, both those of our own planet and those we meet throughout the galaxy."
"I see," Vash said again. He was led to a bed and instructed to get on for his medical check. He was amazed when he saw several different people doing the same procedures on the members of SG-1, and constantly bombarded Daniel with questions. He learned that there were different levels of education for all professions, which allowed for much more flexibility, both choosing a profession and keeping the required number of people in any profession.
"Is that not how it is on your world?" Daniel asked, as curios about his planet as he was about Earth.
"No," Vash replied. "When our young are born, the wisest among us looks into their mind. They find their power and place them in a clan that will promote their power. They are never given a choice of what they want to do. Many of them never leave the profession into which they are placed."
"Really." Daniel was flabbergasted. He couldn't imagine not being able to choose his own life. He was about to ask another question when he Dr. Warner made his way to see them.
"Healer Vash, I am pleased to say you appear to be in perfect health. I was told you would be interested in our genetic sequencing?"
"Very much so," he said as he followed him to the far side of the infirmary. "Many of our visitors have minor, but persistent episodes. If there is medicine that could help these poor people, we could devote more attention to those who truly require our help." Warner spent the next few hours showing Vash the genetic results, patiently explaining the charts and graphs and telling him what would be needed next. Vash was astonished that something as complex as the body could be broken down into such simple pieces. More and more he was beginning to realize science was a powerful thing, and he despaired for his people that had just recently began learning it. He never heard the footsteps behind him as a pair of strong hands grabbed him by the throat. He found himself flying through the air, landing hard against the wall while the same hands turned him around to face his captor.
"Why?" said the man, his voice as cold as ice. He looked into the man's mind and almost passed out at the intensity of hate and anger he found there. The man's fingers started tightening around his throat and he did the only thing he could think of. He sent a powerful suggestion to the unruly man. The man remained standing for a few more seconds before succumbing to the suggestion. Vash grabbed hold of the man, carefully guiding him to the floor as he fell. Once the man was safely on the ground Vash looked around, sensing nothing but surprise and confusion from the people in the room.
"What did you do to him?" Vash looked around, not sure if they were talking to him or the man. He was unprepared when a lady rushed towards him, violently pushing him away from the crazed man.
"Janet, what's going on here," Daniel asked as he helped Vash stand up. He jumped when the General rounded the corner with several security forces, their weapons pointed at him. "General?" he asked again.
"What do you want with my people?" Hammond demanded.
"What?" Daniel and Vash asked at the same time.
"One of the samples of blood you provided was of one of my Officers. What did you want with it?" Daniel shuddered at the venom in Hammond's voice.
"What?" Vash repeated, clearly confused. He looked at Daniel helplessly.
"General, what are you talking about?" Daniel asked, putting himself between the scared alien and weapons.
"How did you get a sample of Major Carter's blood?" Hammond coldly asked, ignoring Daniel for the moment. Daniel turned and looked at Vash, comprehension dawning for him. He looked down at Jack and then to the angry face on the General. Turning back to the Healer, he suddenly jumped back as if he was burned.
"Sam," he whispered softly, searching the alien's expressionless face for any signs of deception.
Vash was scared. For the first time since he left the Sanctuary he didn't think he would be able to return. And it wasn't just the man's attack, for he dealt with violent visitors on a daily basis. He was truly worried when the current of the room began to change. He had tuned out the General's words after the first question, not knowing what he was referring to. Instead, he focused his attention on the feelings of the others in the room. He could feel them move from confusion and surprise to distrust and anger. He was startled when he felt Daniel jump away from him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he told them, pouring all of his truth and fear into the words. Normally he would use his abilities to send calming thoughts to his visitors, something he was adept at, but his instinct told him it wouldn't work on these people. Instead he used his abilities to make them understand his feelings.
"General, what's going on?" Daniel asked, regarding Vash with distrust.
"One of the samples SG-1 brought back a few days ago was a vial of Sam's blood," Janet told him from her position on the ground. "What did you do to him?" she asked sharply, referring to the Colonel on her floor. The rest of the room winced at her tone. That tone out of the gentle doctor was never a good sign.
"I sent a calming suggestion to him," Vash replied truthfully. "He should awaken soon." Janet glared at him, motioning some orderlies to get Jack into a bed. As she examined him, Daniel was trying to fit the pieces together in his mind.
"How did you get Sam's blood?" he asked, Jack's attack making more sense now.
"Please, I don't know who Sam is. Please," Vash begged.
"Major Carter… Sam was my friend." Daniel told him harshly. "How did you get a sample of her blood?"
"I don't know who she is," he repeated. "I took samples of many of the visitors' blood, as was requested of me." Daniel sighed before looking at Janet.
"Were the samples labeled in any way?" he asked. Janet merely shook her head. Daniel sighed again. He didn't think Vash was malicious in any way, but Jack and the General, and even Janet he realized, had some doubts. Daniel turned, running into Janet's office, returning a few minutes later with something pressed against his chest. "This is Sam," he said softly, unfolding his arms and handing Vash the picture of his friend that Janet kept on her desk. Vash took the picture, studying it for a minute before his face began to soften.
"Kianna," he whispered.