"So how are we going to do that?" his loving wife asked laughingly. "It's not like we clean their houses or deliver their mail. I don't see that the Tauri going on strike will bother them one little bit."
"Well, maybe not just us", he grinned, "but if we join together with our other allies it might."
"What do you mean Jack?" Daniel frowned. "Other allies?"
"Sure. We've got lots of friends out there. There are the folks from the Land of the Light, the Free Jaffa, the Enkarans, the Cimmerians, the Argosians, the Orbanians, Shyla's people – do I need to continue?"
"Well no, but how can they help us? Most of them don't have the technology that the the Tokra or Tollan have – that is, even if they want to help us."
"True, but there is power in numbers – and most of those planets have gates. As for wanting to help us – most of them owe us and we'll get you to negotiate. No one can resist you Daniel." Jack looked around, an excite expression on his face. "We can set up our own little alliance and not allow any of our erstwhile allies to use those gates or the corridors between them."
Sam laughed. "Are you planning on setting up inter-space picket lines Jack?"
"Sure", he grinned, "why not? We can do that can't we? I mean, set up some kind of connections between the gates of our friends and stop travel between them?"
She got a frown of concentration on her face – the 'scientist presented with an impossible problem look' that Jack knew and loved. After a couple of seconds she nodded, first to herself and then to her husband. "Yes, we can. I can set up an energy field, something similar to the one Ba'al used – or the one that kept us in the time loop. It won't have the serious consequences of either but we will be able to have some control over who travels between certain planets – or across the connecting points."
"So, a picket line?" he smirked.
"Yes Jack – a picket line."
"Okay. Daniel, Teal'c, Cam, let's start getting in touch with all our friends. We can make up a list of planets we want to contact. Sam, you work on the energy field – what it will take to set it up, how long, etc. In the meantime I'll stall the delegation."
"What about me General?" Vala asked, sounding put out that she'd been excluded.
"Uh – well – "
"I can contact some of the planets I have traded with. For a small – consideration – they would be happy to join this new alliance."
Jack wasn't quite sure what to make of Vala Mal Doran. He'd only met her a few times, although he'd heard lots about her (most of it not very good) from Daniel. Hank always spoke of her with a long-suffering sigh and Teal'c would raise a brow every time her name came up. Still, she had proved useful on more than one occasion. But again, she'd also created her share of problems!
"Actually Vala, I was hoping you could help me", Sam interrupted; pretty sure she knew what her husband was thinking. "I could use some help with the energy field and with the children."
"You want me to look after your children?" Vala asked, her eyes wide.
Uh oh – Sam hoped she hadn't offended the woman by asking her to babysit. But then she noted the softening of Vala's features. The next thing she knew the alien woman had thrown her arms around her and was practically crushing her.
"Thank you", she said. "No one has ever trusted me with their children before."
Jack was suddenly rethinking having Vala start contacting her friends. He really didn't know if he wanted this woman to look after Alex or Kate. The quick frown from his wife had him thinking better of saying anything, although he still worried.
"Okay Jack", Daniel stood up from where he'd been lounging. "I think you're crazy, but hell, most of your plans always were and they kept us alive so – let's go folks. We have some calls to make."
With Thor's help they were able to establish contact with many of their friends. He also allowed Daniel to use the gate to those places where it was more difficult to simply 'call'.
The archaeologist was leery as to whether this plan had any hope of working, although it was crazy enough that it just might. He'd been pleasantly surprised at how nearly all of their friends had instantly agreed, seeming to relish the idea of establishing an alliance with the Tauri and other planets. At one point Daniel wondered why they hadn't thought of this before.
The next morning Jack got dressed and kissed Sam before heading off for another session with their supposed 'allies'. Until he heard from Daniel and the others, and until Sam managed to figure out this energy thing, he'd have to stall. Oh well – that was something he'd done in the past. He just prayed that those at the table wouldn't see through him.
The meeting started at much the same place as it had stopped yesterday. There was a lot of posturing and back-biting and nothing of any interest. It was almost lunch before he even had a chance to speak or to defend Earth's position.
Okay Jack, he said to himself, here goes nothing! "Ladies and Gentlemen", he stood and addressed the room. "It seems clear that most of you have decided that you do not wish to continue to have a treaty with the Tauri if we decide to let our world know about the gate. I find this attitude both reprehensible and, frankly, incomprehensible. As I said yesterday, the Tauri have managed to save most of your butts at one time or another. In fact, I'd like to take some time to go over what the Tauri have accomplished in the ten years or so we have been going through the Stargate.
Jack then proceeded to go into detail of missions right from the beginning of SG1. A couple of times Gullveig tried to interrupt and object, but Jack simply told him he had a right to bring out all the facts. And damn it, he thought to himself, he was going to let them know every single one of them!
Two days later he could tell everyone was ready to scream. His throat was killing him and he desperately wanted to sit down with a tall cold beer, put his feet up and do nothing more than watch his kids and his wife. Still, they hadn't contacted all their allies yet and Sam was still working on the energy field.
It was the third day - just at the point where he didn't know how much longer he could speak without collapsing, when the alarms went off.
At least he thought they were alarms, although he'd never heard Asgaard alarms before. At the same time as the alarms there were lights flashing off and on. He stopped speaking and looked towards Gullveig, who looked frozen, but only for a brief moment.
"We must be under attack", the Asgaard said, standing up and sounding strangely relieved. "Let me find out what is happening." He approached a consul over to one side and moved one of the Asgaard stones.
Crap! Jack wanted to run out of the room and find Sam and the kids. What if this was a replicator attack? He should never have brought his family – things always went wrong on missions, he knew that. What the hell had possessed him?
"They are reporting that an alien presence has been discovered in one of the air vents", Gullveig approached the table with the representatives. "The Council is sending someone to -"
"Jack!"
Everyone turned as the voice interrupted the Asgaard. Sam stood at the door, looking slightly frantic, a crying Kate in her arms.
"What?" Jack rushed over to her. "What is it Sam? What's wrong?"
"It's Alex – he's disappeared. He was with Vala but I can't find either of them and now the alarms are going off – I don't know what's happening."
"There is an intruder", Gullveig told her calmly. "Security will see to it."
"An intruder?" Sam looked in confusion at the Asgaard. "But I thought your defenses were almost impossible to get around?"
"That is true. I do not know what could have happened. We shall have to wait here for word from security."
"Show me where the intruder is located." Sam handed Kate to Jack and headed towards the consul.
Gullveig looked a little shocked, but he followed the Tauri woman and showed her on the consul. "There – you see? There is some kind of being in the duct and another one close by. We shall soon discover -"
"Oh my God!" Sam turned and ran towards the door, shouting behind her. "Tell security not to do anything. Tell them it's okay."
"Sam?" Jack called after her. She didn't even stop so, with an apology he handed Kate to Lya. "Watch her please?" At the Nox woman's nod he turned and ran out the door, following his wife. He could still see her up ahead, although she was about to round a corner. "SAM!"
She barely glanced around. "Just follow me", she called. "And hurry!"
He didn't know what the hell was going on but something in her tone frightened him. He was sure this had something to do with Alex but couldn't imagine what it could be – unless she thought the intruder had the little boy. Oh God – if that was the case he – he didn't know what he'd do.
"Here." Sam came to a dead stop. "This way", she pointed. By this time Jack had caught up to her and walked quickly by her side.
"What is it Sam?" he asked, his voice showing his fear.
"Alex", she said shortly, "and Vala."
Just then Jack thought he could hear voices. Sure enough, as they got closer to the sound he could tell it was Vala speaking and she sounded as if – as if she was trying to get someone to do something.
"Come on baby, come to Auntie Vala."
Jack rounded the last corner only to see an attractive butt, clad in skin-tight leather, sticking up – the remainder of the person was stuck halfway into an opening in the wall. "What the hell?"
"Ow!" Vala bashed her head on the top of the duct. She then pulled back and looked up to see General O'Neill and Colonel Carter standing watching her. "Oh good, you're both here." She struggled to stand. "Maybe now you can get your son to come out. He appears to be stuck in there", she pointed to the entrance to the duct.
"What?" Jack immediately got down on his knees and peered in. There – about eight feet away sat Alex, looking pleased as punch with the world and himself.
"Ays hiding Daddy!" he cried. "Auntie Vawa an' me pwayed Hide an' gow sick!"
"I see." Jack could feel the person kneeling beside him – Sam – sag in relief. He also could feel the relief course through him and found that he was shaking slightly. "Well, you did a good job of hiding Alex, but now it's time to come out. You've been found!"
"No Daddy", the little boy frowned. "Auntie Vawa haz to come get me!"
"Uh – I don't think she'll fit Alex. I'm afraid you're going to have to crawl out yourself. Come on son, it's time for a snack!"
After a few more minutes, during which time Alex refused to come out, the little boy started to whine. It was only then that his parents realized he didn't know how to make it back out of the duct. He couldn't figure out how to turn around and was starting to get frightened. Unfortunately, none of the adults could fit down the narrow passageway.
"How are we going to -"
"Let me General O'Neill." An Asgaard interrupted his words. For some reason the voice sounded familiar, although it wasn't Thor. Jack looked around and there stood a little gray alien – "Njord!" Great – just what he needed, the moronic Asgaard who'd kidnapped Sam and him resulting in them having Alex on Othalla.
"Yes, it is I General, Colonel. If I may, I believe I can retrieve your son. I shall be able to fit down the passage."
Jack looked at him, speculation in his eyes. Alex's whimpers were getting louder. "Okay." He bent down and looked at Alex. "Son, a nice Asgaard – a friend of Thor's – is going to come and get you, okay? Daddy is too big to fit but Njord can come. Just do what he says, okay?"
The little boy sniffed but nodded. With a brief – "please get him", Jack stepped aside and allowed the little alien to crawl into the duct.
With Njord there, Jack and Sam could no longer see Alex, although they could hear his sniffles. Neither of them realized that the room and corridor outside were filled with people – both human and others including all the delegates. Thor was watching, extreme worry on his face, as were Daniel, Teal'c and Cam. Vala stood by looking frightened and teary eyed. She also kept glancing at General O'Neill – worried about what he was going to do to her.
They could all hear Njord speaking softly to the little boy, his voice echoing weirdly in the metal duct. If Jack hadn't been so worried he would have laughed to see the teeny tiny little Asgaard butt as it moved down the passage. He really wondered how they even sat on something so – insignificant. They certainly were the poster child for not cloning.
"There Alexander, you may now come with me", Njords words could still be heard clearly. "Your mother and father are anxious to see you."
"Mommy Daddy mad at me?" the little boy asked.
"I do not believe so", Njord answered. "They love you very much. I believe your father said there is food available for you."
"Daddy yikes cake" Alex said, sounding much happier. "Ay yike cake too. Kat is too yittol fow cake. She yikes Mommy's boobies."
"Indeed, that is understandable", Njord answered, starting to coax Alex forward. "Young infants need their mother's – uh 'boobies'."
Jack snorted – he couldn't help himself. He knew Sam would probably kill him but it was funny. He glanced at his wife and was relieved to see her grinning as well.
"Definitely a memory to keep", she said. "I just wish I had a -"
A flash went off and Sam and Jack looked up in time to see a smiling Daniel, camera in hand. "Never know when you're going to need one!"
Just then an Asgaard rear end poked out into the room, swiftly followed by the rest of him. Holding on to one of his hands was Alex, looking slightly frightened. He took one look at his mother and burst into tears and rushed over to be folded into her arms.
Jack watched as Njord pushed himself to his feet. He walked over to the Asgaard and put out his hand. "Thank you", he said quietly.
"You are welcome General", Njord answered. "I have long wanted to apologize for 'kidnapping' you and Colonel Carter. When I heard your son was trapped I thought maybe I could help. I know you cannot forgive me for what I did, but -"
"Njord", Jack stopped the alien. "Of course we forgive you. After that", he pointed to the hole in the wall, "especially. No hard feelings okay – as long as you don't go kidnapping anymore Tauri!" Since he said this last with a smile the Asgaard relaxed.
"I hope your son will be alright?"
"Oh he'll be fine. Now his babysitter!" Jack turned to see Vala cowering at Daniel's side.
"I am sorry General", she said with a sniff. "We were playing and he ran away from me. Before I had a chance to stop him he'd ran in there. The cover was off for some reason. I tried to stop him – really. I'm so sorry." She sniffed again and a single tear dripped down her face.
Jack was pretty sure that crying wasn't something Vala did often – at least not if Daniel's face was anything to go by. Although still feeling a bit shaky, Jack recognized that what had happened today could have just as easily have happened to Sam or him. Alex was quick!
"That's okay Vala", he told her. "He's okay now. You just have to always remember to watch them like a hawk. I'd just like to know who the hell left the grate off!"
Of course no one stepped forward to admit to it, although Thor did say they could probably discover the culprit. By this time both children were fussy from hunger. Lya had arrived with a laughing Kate in her arms but now the little girl was starting to whimper.
"Time to feed some hungry bears Jack", a relieved looking Sam said. "And then it's to bed!"
Gullveig had been standing to the side and approached Jack as he walked past with Alex. "General, we will adjourn for today since I understand you will wish to settle your children."
"Yeah – thanks", he told the Asgaard – one of the only ones he didn't like. "See you tomorrow then."
When they'd all been fed and the children put down, the members of SG1 sat in the O'Neill's room and discussed the events of the day.
"Although I wouldn't want anything like that to happen again", Daniel said, "the thing with Alex did help to stall things a bit."
"Yeah, I know", Jack said. "I didn't know how much longer I could have spoken for anyway. My voice was starting to go."
"What all did you talk about for heaven's sake?" His wife wanted to know. She'd been so busy trying to figure out the energy corridor she had barely spoken to her husband. Right now she sat curled up beside him, one leg draped over his lap.
"I went through our missions in detail – any of them that I could remember where we'd helped the folks at the table."
"How much detail?" Daniel asked, grinning.
"Absolutely everything I could think of", Jack laughed in return. "I even talked about the weather, the trees, what artifacts we'd seen, even the soil samples Sam took. Any time someone tried to interrupt I'd put on my fiercest 'General' face and tell them I had a right to defend Earth's decision. It was boring as hell. If I hadn't been the one speaking I would have shot me!"
The others all laughed and agreed that Alex had probably saved the day. "He takes after his father, O'Neill", Teal'c told him. "He thinks of unconventional ways to solve problems."
"Yeah, that's one way of looking at it, although I think it's more like unconventional ways to give me more gray hairs!" After a few more moments of laughter, they got down to business. "So, what are we hearing from our friends out there?"
The next morning Jack approached the meeting room with a sigh. He really wished he hadn't been asked to do this. Some of the people in the room he actually liked and respected – others gave him gas. Still, he'd rather have them as – allies – even if he couldn't call them all friends. Oh well, they were the ones who had brought this on.
"Good morning everyone", he said cheerfully as he took his seat. He was rather pleased to see the pained expressions on everyone's faces. They probably thought he was going to continue from where he'd left off yesterday. He rather suspected everyone had been grateful to his son for the interruption.
"Good morning General O'Neill", Gullveig tried to smile but looked rather pained. "Now that everyone is here, it is time for us to continue."
Jack took a drink of water and then cleared his throat. He was grateful to Sam, who had spent almost all night working, that he didn't have to start talking again about past missions. He was afraid, however, that as soon as he started speaking everyone here would wish he was going through them again. He knew they wouldn't like what he had to say.
"Thank you Gullveig and delegates. I'm not going to talk anymore about SG1's missions." He was pretty sure he didn't imagine the sighs of relief around the table. "Unfortunately, it has become obvious that most of you do not care that the Tauri have helped you over the years and that you are intent on breaking the treaty with us if we go ahead and publicly announce the Stargate. After discussion with my colleagues, we have decided that the Tauri are tired of being treated like second class citizens. We have agreed that none of you have any right to dictate the decisions we make regarding our own people. Therefore, as of this moment, the Tauri are withdrawing from the treaties we have with each of you – except the Nox." He turned to Antaeus and Lya. "I will understand if you must stand with your colleagues on this, but please know that we are grateful for all you have done and value your friendship. If it is at all possible we would like to maintain our treaty with you."
He turned back to the others, who were all sitting there stunned, their mouths hanging open. "Starting from today", he told them, "Earth has entered into another treaty with the following worlds." He handed out papers to each of them with a list – he was pleased that it was so lengthy – of all the worlds who had agreed to take part in the Earth Alliance. "I also wish to inform you that we have, as of 0700 hours this morning established a 'highway' system between these planets and their gates. This 'corridor' is under our control and cannot be travelled or crossed without the agreement of Earth and its new allies." He really wanted to grin at the faces around the table. They were not a happy bunch. "We are concerned that each of your races, again, excepting the Nox, has engaged in warfare on such a scale that it could be deemed dangerous for any of our worlds. We believe it is in our best interest, therefore, to insist that you go around our area of space or agree to certain terms if you wish to cross."
There was more silence in the room as the people there tried to figure out what he meant – and if what he said was true and feasible. It was Falin who finally broke the silence. "This is ridiculous", he said. "You can't expect us to believe you've done this? And what right do you have to tell us where we can travel? You don't own space."
"No?" Jack looked at the Tollan. "Well you folks certainly seem to think you do. You're more than happy to pressure us because you don't like what we're planning to do on our own world. So, if you folks aren't interested in working with the Tauri and remaining allies then fine, we'll make our own. As for the corridors – I've told you – we think you're too dangerous and you'll bring trouble to our worlds."
So there, he said to himself. How'd you like them applies? He really wished Sam and SG1 could be here to enjoy the faces in front of him. Unfortunately Daniel and Cam were finalizing the last minute details of their agreements and Sam was resting. Teal'c and Vala were watching the kids. Sam had spoken quietly to Teal'c, making him promise that he wouldn't let the kids out of his sight!
Although the whole picket line/energy corridor had started out as something rather crazy and a way to make a point, as they'd spoken to planet after planet Jack had realized that what they were doing was actually both feasible and potentially of real benefit. Some of the worlds had already begun to talk about setting up trade routes with each other.
"You can't do that O'Neill", Freya said. "That would severely hinder the Tokra!"
"Sorry", he said. "I'm afraid that we have to put our own interests first for a change. We did what we could to help you guys, but that obviously didn't matter to you, so now we're going to worry about us – oh, and our true friends of course."
"This is an outrage!" Falin stood suddenly, his chair falling over behind him. "You will not get away with this!"
"Why not?" Jack asked, looking relaxed in his chair. "We're not doing anything to you other than leaving you alone and asking you to stay out of our little area of space. You should be happy about that. You won't have to even think of us anymore."
"I am afraid that what you have described is not such a small area of space", Gullveig spoke for the first time. "With all of these planets you have effectively split the galaxy in two. There is no way to cross from one side to the other without traversing this corridor you spoke of."
"Really?" Jack looked rather pleased. "I guess we had more friends than we thought we did."
"The Nox shall be happy to remain as an ally", Lya spoke up, a twinkle in her eye. "Since we rarely travel away from our home world this would not have affected us greatly anyway."
"I'm glad guys", Jack said. "We'd really like to stay friends with you."
"And what about us General?" Gullveig had also stood by this time, although he wasn't nearly as imposing as the Tollan. "Have we not been good friends to the Tauri? We have also protected you on many occasions. For this you would cut us off?"
Crap – now Jack was feeling guilty. "The Asgaard have indeed been friends of the Tauri", he said. "So I cannot tell you how disappointed I have been in these meetings hearing you condemn the Tauri, Gullveig. We have been friends but now we have to consider the fate of our planet and all our people. You chose to let our friendship go, not me, so don't be blaming us for this."
"This is an act of war!" Ber'sil spoke up for the first time. "We will not tolerate this!"
"So you're going to go to war with the Tauri now?" Jack said. "Good luck with that. You did just great against the Goa'uld. Look", he said to the people at the table, "we don't want to hurt any of you. We're more than happy to have you cross our area of space but you'll have to sign some new treaties and agreements with us and with our allies. I don't like bullies, which is what this council is. You came here to tell us what to do – now we're telling you what we've decided. You can take it or leave it."
"And if we decide to rescind our objections to you disclosing the gate to your people?" Anise asked quietly.
"Well then, I'm sure we can work something out that's mutually beneficial", he answered. "Although again it will be our decision. All of you are on notice that the Tauri are full and active members of this galaxy. We are not children."
She nodded and turned to Gullveig. "I suggest we have a vote on whether we wish to keep the treaty with the Tauri, regardless of their decision to disclose their gate. I for one agree with O'Neill. What they decide to tell their people is really not our affair."
"Are you crazy Anise", Ber'sil almost shouted. "You're just saying that because you've always had a thing for the Tauri. Your emotions are getting -"
"Enough!" Anise/Freya turned to him. "You overstep yourself Ber'sil. I am the one who will vote. I am the one who will determine what we shall do. You will remain quiet."
"I'll take this to the Council!" he answered sharply.
"Fine, you do that. In the meantime – Gullveig?' she looked at the Asgaard.
"Yes, it is time this was ended. We shall need to discuss this more O'Neill", he said. "However it is time we dealt with the first issue. So – who here is willing to let the Tauri remain as allies, even if they disclose their gate to their people?"
Lya and Anise/Freya both put up their hands. It was pretty obvious that Falin wasn't going to vote for maintaining the treaty so the decision rested with Gullveig. If he voted with the women it was all over. If he decided to vote with Falin it would be a split decision. At that point they'd start the negotiating all over again. Or they would have done if Jack hadn't given his ultimatum. As it was, if Gullveig voted no, he'd simply up and leave and let the consequences fall where they may.
Jack had a brief moment of concern, wondering what the President and others would think of what he'd done. In actual fact, they could simply negate the whole thing, telling their new allies that he'd gone beyond his authority in setting up a treaty. Damn – and it had seemed like a good idea at the time.
Gullveig's hand went up – slowly, hesitatingly it was true – but it did go up. Jack was sure that Falin growled and he had to keep from grinning. He really didn't like the Tollan at all.
"We are in a majority" the Asgaard said. "General O'Neill, will you tell your government that we wish to keep our treaty with the Tauri. We hope that you will not attempt to enforce your new corridor."
Jack looked around at the people sitting in the room. He gave a small smile to Lya and Antaeus and then one to Anise/Freya – although he was careful to make sure it was a very small one. He didn't want either of them to get any ideas. "I'm sure we can work something out. I would like to thank some of you – I don't think I need to say who – who have continued as friends of the Tauri. I will ask Daniel Jackson to continue with the negotiations. Now I'm going to see my wife and children." He stood up and gave a sharp nod and then turned on his heel and headed back to his rooms. He'd had enough of aliens for a while. He just wanted to see Sam and his babies.
"You never know what to expect from the Tauri", Anise said to Lya as they prepared to leave.
"That is true", the little Nox woman said. "It is what gives me hope for their future and that of the universe."