Cameron went over to Anna, laying his hand on her shoulder. "Doc, it's just a hologram. It's not the real Thor."

"Colonel Mitchell is correct. I am a hologram. I have all the knowledge of the Thor you knew. I also have his memories and thoughts. When he created me, he installed in me as much of himself as he could. He felt that it would provide a better interface with you and that you would feel more comfortable with a hologram that was capable of expressing thoughts and feelings."

"Thor was able to do that? I had no idea." Sam came closer to the hologram, trying to look at it from all angles.

"There is still much about the Asgard that you do not know."

"So we're finding out."

As Daniel said this the image of Thor disappeared. He had thought the Asgard couldn't surprise him anymore after what had happened at Atlantis. Yet here they were revealing things that none of them had ever thought possible, even if it was through a hologram.

~*~*~*~

"So, are we all going to die a slow agonizing death or are they just going to kill us out right and get it over with quickly?" Vala asked coming into the lab, where Daniel had been for the past 8 hours.

After what Thor had told them, the others had been working to get the ship back up and running. Daniel had gone to the Asgard library and was busy reading through some holographic material that was displayed in front of him.

"I'm glad to see that your taking such a positive spin on things. Though I'm sure the others would prefer not to die, either way."

Vala sat down cross-legged on the floor. "Oh, I want to live. I'm just not sure that's what the Furlings have in mind for us. These are the guys, Daniel, who blew up a sun to try and kill the Ancients and Asgard. And when that didn't work, they waited around for oh, I don't know, millions of years before they tried to wipe them all out again. They don't strike me as the giving up type."

"No, their not. According to what Thor said the Furlings value knowledge over all else. I think they wanted to keep that knowledge to themselves. Once they realised that the Ancients and the Asgard could be a threat, maybe even competition, they decided to destroy them."

"So, not the sharing kind then?"

"No."

"What about the Nix, Noc, the... oh you know!"

"The Nox. I don't think the Furlings saw them as a threat. The Nox are pacifists, taking action against the Furlings wasn't their way. And to the outside eye they appear primitive. It's a pretty good cover."

"Maybe we should tell them we're primitive too."

"Yes, well, it's possible that's what they discovered after searching through our minds, which is why they left."

"Why attack us in the first place? I'm still a bit confused about that part," said Vala, who was now resting her chin on hands, her arms propped up on her crossed legs.

"Well...," Daniel paused taking off his glasses, "We're in a ship filled with Asgard technology. When we went on the Ancient ship we activated it due to having the Ancient gene. I''d say those two events were enough to arouse their curiosity."

"You okay?" Vala asked, noticing Daniel rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a headache. Probably due to being hit with that energy charge," he answered, putting his glasses back on turning to Vala, "How are the others getting on?"

"Well Sam's managed to get a most of the systems up; Mitchell's been doing the commandery thing, though he met up with Anna in the corridor and ordered me to go away, so I'm guessing he and Anna are..."

"I would stop right there if I were you, I think I have a pretty good idea."

"You know they might just be talking, but somehow I doubt it." Seeing Daniel's glare she decided it was best to change the topic. "Anyway I was thinking of getting something to eat. All this living on death row has made me hungry."

As Vala made a move to get up Daniel came over taking her hand in his. "Stay." With that Daniel sat down on the floor leaning against the wall. "I'm taking a break for a little awhile. Just need to shut my eyes for a moment."

"Oh... well maybe just for a little while." Vala sat back down, next to him. She was surprised by the request. Usually Daniel was telling her to go away, he must really feeling bad if he wanted her to stay.

She glanced over at him, seeing that he had his eyes closed. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. I don't really blame you for getting into this mess. Well, not much."

Keeping his eyes closed Daniel spoke "That's okay. I'm sorry too."

"What have you got to be sorry about? I'm the one who did all the yelling. You didn't say a single word. Well except Ow! maybe."

"No, not for today. I mean for before. For what I said to you months ago."

"Oh... Don't worry about it. Haven't given it a second thought. All forgotten. In the past, that kind of thing." Vala got up, walking around the room, looking at everything but Daniel. She couldn't help but wonder why he was bringing this all up now, just when they seemed to be putting this all behind them and getting back on a friendly footing. Typical Daniel, he really did have lousy timing.

Vala stopped, knowing she was babbling, looking over at Daniel. "Look, why don't I go." Vala began walking over to the doorway. "I'll bring you back a sandwich, if you like." Before she left, she turned to see Daniel still sitting there, his eyes closed, it look liked he was sleeping. She stared at him for a few moments and then left.

~*~*~*~

"So what was that between you and Thor?"

Cameron and Anna were walking slowly towards their quarters, his arm around her shoulders, her arm around his waist.

Anna, smiled to herself. He knew her so well.

"I didn't want to say in front of Thor. I know he's only a hologram, but still he has has some of the real Thor's emotions. I think what we were talking about was... upsetting for him."

"Yeah, it was a bit strange. So, what was it that you figured out?"

"The entity, it was protecting them. When it saw what the Furlings were doing, it tried to help. In the end all it could do was protect some of them from the blast. The Asgard and the Ancients were there, Cam. They were all there in the Furling galaxy, that was part of their plan. To destroy all the Ancients and Asgard."

"Vala was right, these guys really are suicidal, mass murderers."

"That pretty much sum's them up."

"What about the entity? The way Thor reacted, the Asgard obviously thought it had died."

"To them it had. They found what was left of it, and buried it, building the memorial out of respect. They just didn't realise that it was still alive. They left it there, dying and all alone."

Stopping where they were, Cameron looked Anna in the eyes, stroking her face. He could see the tears glistening in her eyes. Not saying a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close and stroking her hair. Anna wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

~*~*~*~