"Ugh!" Daniel Jackson groaned as once again he collided with Edith Keeler, pushing her out of the way of the oncoming black truck.
Daniel, along with his friends, old and new, were caught in a time loop. And that loop revolved around a fateful moment, a focal point in time.
As Spock explained while the loop repeated, Edith Keeler was a simple mission director whose impact on the timeline was enormous. If Edith Keeler lived beyond this traffic accident, her peace movement would delay America's entry into World War Two. That would then result in Germany developing the H-bomb and ruling the world.
Actually, Spock explained part of that. Other parts were explained by the Master, the pale being of great power who was throwing the group around in time and space.
The group consisted of Daniel (obviously), Colonel Jack O'Neill, Captain James T. Kirk, Major Samantha Carter, Doctor Leonard McCoy, Teal'c and Spock.
As the accident with Edith Keeler repeated over and over again, various members of the group collided with Miss Keeler, pushing her out of the way of the truck. In some cases, they grabbed Edith and pulled her away. This was because the Master could control their bodily movements and actions, if not their thoughts.
Most of the group stood on a city sidewalk as Kirk comforted a shocked and dazed Edith.
"I hate time loops," O'Neill panted.
"We are in agreement, O-Neill," Teal'c said while being much less winded than the colonel.
"This has got to be tough on Jim," McCoy murmured.
"In what way?" Carter asked.
"In the previous situation, Captain Kirk had to allow Edith Keeler to die," Spock said solemnly.
"I know," Daniel said. He had seen the episode. While altering the timeline, the Master had created a "Star Trek" TV show SG-1 was familiar with.
"This must be quite painful for Captain Kirk," Teal'c said somberly.
"As always, you're an astute gentleman, Mister Teal'c," McCoy said. "Allowing Edith to die was the toughest thing Jim ever did. Afterwards, he nearly resigned from Starfleet." The doctor looked sad, almost tearful in fact. "I met her, too, you know. Nice lady," he whispered. He wiped his eyes.
The scene around them changed. They were in a kind of temple with white columns, red banners with Nazi symbols all around, cheering crowds raising their fists, a Nazi band on each raised arm.
On a throne sat the Master, his pale smiling skull-face above a tan uniform and black necktie.
"Glorious, isn't it?" he said. "And all because Edith Keeler lived." He leaned forward and tilted his head. "Thanks to all of you."
Kirk stood with fists clenched. "You monster! You made me relive the worst moment of my life. Over and over again! I'll make you pay!"
Kirk lunged forward but the Master rose and an invisible force sent Kirk reeling back. The captain staggered as McCoy asked, "Jim, you all right?"
Daniel was on the other side of the "Enterprise" leader. "Captain Kirk, I'm very sorry about what you've been through."
"Let's not be sorry," Kirk said. "Let's just beat this thing, this animal, this monster!"
"Yes, yes, all very nice," the Master said. "Now let's get on with the show."
Squads of Nazis converged on the group. Kirk, Spock and McCoy fired phasers while SG-1 fired their weapons. Once everyone was down on the ground, O'Neill and Kirk surveyed the situation along with the doctor.
"No blood," McCoy observed.
"They're androids," Carter said.
"Quite correct, Major Carter," the Master said in a now-thundering voice. "Once Germany ruled the world for centuries, they advanced to the point where they built android armies." He leaned forward as he smiled. "And what do you suppose results?"
A giant screen appeared. On it was an image of Captain Kirk in a sleeveless gold uniform with a black belt around his abdomen. This Captain Kirk had a wild angry manic look in his eyes.
"What is this?" O'Neill asked.
"This is what might be called the Mirror Universe," Daniel said. "Where Kirk, Spock and others aboard the 'Enterprise' are evil."
"Doesn't sound fun," O'Neill said.
"It's not," Daniel said.
"Quite correct, Doctor Jackson," the Master said. "Instead of a peace-loving benevolent Federation, Germany created an Empire and a fleet of starships to enforce their will." The pale creature's smile faded as he held a hand to his forehead.
"Everyone take a break," he said then he vanished.
"That's not the first time he's done that," McCoy said.
"You are indeed correct, Doctor McCoy. The Master displays weakness then goes away for a short time. When he returns, he continues his displays of power."
"As long as the pest is gone," O'Neill said.
Kirk stepped forward. "It's almost like he needs to recharge his power."
"I think you're right, Captain Kirk," Daniel said.
"If that is the case, it would be most advantageous to strikes while he is weak," Teal'c said.
"Spock, keep observing," O'Neill said. "Let us know when he looks weak."
"I shall endeavor to do so, Colonel O-Neill."
"The sooner he's gone, the better," Carter said.
"I'm with you, Major Carter," McCoy drawled. "At first, I thought this thing was just a prankster. Now he's really starting to annoy me."
"Really? Just now, McCoy?" O'Neill said.
"The creature is downright dangerous, Colonel O-Neill."
"Oh, you're all wrong, Doctor McCoy." The Master floated above them, and his voice was now an airy whisper.
The pale one pointed a finger. "First, let me undo this thing with Edith Keeler." The Nazi banners vanished, and they were in some other place.
"Jack, this looks like your cabin," Daniel said.
"It does, sir."
"Indeed."
"Thanks for having us over," McCoy said with a wry grin.
"No problem," O'Neill said. "Everyone's welcome. Except you." He waved his hand at the Master.
"I don't blame you there, colonel." McCoy glared at the Master. "You're an awful person. Or whatever you are." He crossed his arms as he looked away.
The Master turned to McCoy and shook his head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Doctor McCoy. My powers need not be used only for bad purposes. They can do some good."
The Master pointed two fingers. A tall brown-haired man walked in, sipping from an orange juice carton.
"Hey, Dad," he said. "Who are your friends? I mean, I know Daniel, Major Carter and Teal'c. But who are-? Wait. The guys from 'Star Trek.' Or at least people who look a lot like them. Cool!"
O'Neill made a face. "Who are you?"
"It's me, Dad. Charlie."
The Master stepped between them. "Yes, Colonel O-Neill. Your son Charlie. He managed to avoid that gun accident."
"Whoa! Who's the weird pale guy, Dad?"
"Of course, if you don't want that." The Master pointed a finger, and older Charlie was gone.
Now O'Neill lunged forward with clenched fists. "You sick, sick monster! Doing that to me!"
"Easy, Jack." Daniel held him back. Spock helped.
"Colonel O-Neill, step back. This is a situation where logic must prevail."
"And what about you, Spock? Would you like a father who actually loves you?" the Master asked.
While O'Neill was consoled by his friends, old and new, Spock looked up as he addressed the monster.
"Since you are a being of great power, why not do something of consequence?"
"I'm intrigued. Go on."
"Go back to the beginning of time."
Next to O'Neill, McCoy glanced up. "Yes, why bother with this penny-ante stuff?"
"Yes," Kirk said. "If you go back to when it all started, you could control all manner of things."
"Not the very beginning. No telling what might be there. But a time close to it," the Master said in a hissing voice.
"You would control all life," Carter said.
"You'd influence all the different races," Daniel said.
"You could battle them all and be victor," Teal'c said.
"Why bother with ants like us?" McCoy asked.
"Hey. Easy, McCoy. I'm no ant."
Kirk held out beseeching hands. "Why manipulate us, when you could be the one really calling the shots?"
McCoy marveled at how quickly Jim could recover from trauma. And Colonel O'Neill was much the same way, apparently.
"That sounds de-lightful!" The Master pointed a finger, and a portal appeared. He stepped inside. A scream followed as well as a wisp of flame and the portal popped shut.
"Well, that takes care of that," McCoy said. "Now, how do we get back to where we belong?"
"Beats me, doc," O'Neill said.
"But we'll find a way," Kirk said.
McCoy smiled. "Yes, we always do."
But then the sound of shrieking laughter, and the Master reappeared.
"You didn't really think it was going to be that easy, did you?"