CHAPTER 70

EPISODE……………………..PROTOTYPE

Ford had recently just finished cooking breakfast, left with people thanking him once again like always and just had gotten off the elevator to level 28. Re-adjusting his coat as he got off, he headed for his office, wishing he was instead going anywhere else instead of to more paperwork.

"That's the only thing I hate about this job, the paperwork. Well, not the only thing…."

"Sir, wait."

Ford stopped and turned around.

"Sam, why do you do that? You know how much I hate it."

"Because I'm the only one you'll let get away with it. Besides, force of habit with a superior officer." she said with a smile that went away quickly. "Kidding aside Ford, I need you to see this."

"Where's Sally?" he asked looking at the paper.

"My lab with K-9. She ate and now she's sleeping."

"We better enjoy it while we can. Once she starts staying awake, she'll never let us have alone time, much less anytime." he said still looking at the paper as they both started walking again.

"Looks like the Ori are trying it again." she said.

"Hmm. Been awhile since we've heard anything from the Tok'ra. Kinda figure with the Goa'uld out of the picture, pretty much, they'd come out more. Try to enjoy life now that they have freedom from being hunted."

"I miss Selmak." she said.

"So do I. Seeing your father come through the gate, seeing his face and eyes light up seeing you. Him feeling like he was making a difference in everything out there. I can tell he misses it."

"Yeah. He does, but he loves being with mom again and seeing me more. And Sally. Even talking to Mark and the kids again."

"Yes." he said putting a arm around her shoulder giving her a small hug. "I'm guess, with this information here, you have a plan?"

"You know me too well. I located a planet really close by, where we could check things out. If we can send a team." she said as they entered his office.

"Let's see. Where's that…here it is. Reynolds….Reynolds….ah. His team leaves in a couple of days." he said smiling as he looked up from the weekly gate roster. "Want me to come?"

"Sure. I can tell in your eyes you're practically begging to get out from behind this mess."

Pushing the intercom button.

"Walter, get Reynolds for me please."

"Going off world General?"

"Yep. Let's see….ah, SG-5 is free. Have them report to the gate room to go off world as well Walter."

"Understood General."

"Well Sam, let's go get ready."

"Great!" she said walking out. "I'll get ready while you take Sally to the nursery. You know, I really like the fact you're in charge here."

"Hmm. Why's that I wonder?" he asked with a certain smile.

"Well, for one thing, it's easier on doing reports. I can write them better than I could with General O'Neill since you can understand them. And though you keep the rules and regs still right, you have bent them a little to where it's a little funnier around here. I seriously doubt that O'Neill would have allowed Sally on the base if it was his own child."

"I'd have to agree. I like being General." he said with a smile. "I really looking forward to her teenage years."

"You want her to leave already?"

"No. I look forward to teaching her how to protect herself and what to look for in a man. And seeing the smile on her face when she finds a love like we have."

"She'll really be looking then if she has to find someone like you. One the bright side, at least she'll be able to protect herself with your skills. I have to admit, I am looking to those mother and daughter moments. Clothes shopping and such."

"Talking about men." he muttered. "Like I know you and Janet do."

Twenty minutes later, the two along with SG-5 came out onto the planet.

"This isn't the right planet. The M.A.L.P. is missing." she said.

"Defensive positions." Ford said pulling his guns as he looked around.

"I don't think anyone or anything is here, hostile anyway." Carter said looking around with her gun pointed.

"Same here. I don't feel anything threatening either. But this is the wrong planet and we've been sent to the wrong planet before."

"True. I'm going to check out where we are." she said pulling out a instrument and scanning.

Half an hour later, she said she got what she needed. Ford had one of the other members of SG-5 dial home.

"We've dialed out General. G.D.O. activated."

"Carter, you first, then everyone else."

They all came out onto the ramp with no trouble.

"That was quick. You were suppose to be gone a couple of hours. Anything go wrong?" Reynolds asked as they met him at the end of the ramp.

"You could say that." Ford said dismissing SG-5.

"We ended up on the wrong planet." she said. "Walter."

"I'm reviewing gate diagnostics Colonel." Walter said.

"I checked our telemetry on known star positions and found out we were very far off course from the planet we were suppose to be on." she said.

"Unfortunately, this means the gate is down until we find out the problem, again. Walter call the Alpha site and have them…."

"Already on it General."

"Hate to loose you Walter. The SGC couldn't run without you." he said.

Walter nodded with a smile.

"I still have a lot of paper work?"

"Never got the chance to sit down and look at it." Reynolds said.

"Bummer. Okay Sam…"

"Find out why the gate isn't working right, got it. You'll help when you get the chance."

"Right. Sooner we get finished, the sooner we leave again."

An hour later, he came out finding Daniel walking through.

"Hey Daniel. What's up?"

"Nothing much. Came to see how Sam was doing with the gate problem. Still doing that dreaded paperwork?"

"Done thank god. Going down to see if I can help." he said following Daniel down the stairs.

Sam was standing behind Walter as they both looked at a computer screen that was showing lines of information. They both walked up and looked.

"Run a cross comparison program."

"Any luck on finding the problem?" Daniel asked.

"No. As far as the computer is concerned, the dialing sequence to P3X-584 ran perfectly normal."

"Except for the fact you both ended up 12,000 lights years off course." Daniel said.

"There's that. I had a quick look around but found nothing while she was scanning. Nice planet otherwise."

"I found something." Walter said pointing at the bottom of the screen that showed a squiggly line with a large spike in it.

"Looks like it wasn't our fault." she said.

"Abnormal signature. Great." Ford said as he read the small blinking box that said the words next to the spike. "We need to know what that spike is. And pretty quickly too."

"Why?" Daniel asked.

"Pentagon and the other's are tired of the gate having to be shut down because of trouble. Now that the Goa'uld aren't really a problem, they think it will be easily to send out teams to get technology without being hassled."

"Ah." Sam and Daniel said.

"There's a lot of them here." Walter said as he made the readings move along.

"More? Oh great."

"Yeah. About 8.5 seconds apart from each other. This isn't our doing though. And its been happening for sometime."

"Doesn't explain why it's happening though." Daniel said.

"It's a defense mechanism built into the system, isn't it?" Ford asked. "And you know why don't you?"

"Very good Ford. You have been paying attention despite the amount of time you've been unable to help me lately." she said.

"I try. Let's get the rest of the team before continuing this discussion. Don't want them feeling left out." he said walking over to the phone.

Ford was at the head of the table, Mitchell and Teal'c on the left with Sam and Daniel on the right as she explained what she thought.

"Basically, it's a built in defense mechanism. The off world gate we tried to dial is asking for an authorization code." she said pointing at the large screen that showed a paused picture of the screen that Walter and them saw in the Gate Control room.

"And since we don't have that code, we were sent somewhere else. Interesting. Would be a nice way to find other planets out there, if not for the fact we can send just about anything except organic life." Ford said.

"And this is based on?" Daniel asked.

"The M.A.L.P. is currently on the planet we tried to go to." Carter said.

"Ah. So what you're saying is that we can send mechanical stuff, such as the M.A.L.P. and even a U.A.V. to check out that planet, but if another team goes, it will somehow….scan them and because of this, code, if it's not sent, they get send somewhere else." Mitchell said.

"Exactly." Ford said. "I don't think Jack would have gotten that."

"Probably true." Daniel said.

"Now I'm only theorizing that most likely the person or persons sent through will probably be sent to a hospitable planet. But that's only a theory. I have no actual facts to back it up." she said. "Thankfully, whatever the case is, we ended up on a hospitable planet."

"So, how do we get to this planet then?" Mitchell asked.

"Sending the Prometheus was an idea, but it would take them about two weeks to get there and if this is an actual attempt by the Ori to try another invasion, we don't have the time. I'm guessing that the Jaffa could get there sooner, right Teal'c."

"Indeed. I can ask the High Council if you wish it so."

Ford mulled it over a bit before speaking.

"I don't think that would be a great idea. Look what happened last time." Daniel said.

"Yeah. They might wait and start a war they couldn't win." Mitchell said.

"Agreed. Let's keep this to ourselves for now Teal'c. If you had a ship, I'd let you and whoever you felt trustworthy among the Jaffa, but since you unfortunately don't."

"I understand." he said nodding.

"Is there any way you two can come up with a way to….bypass this code?" Daniel asked.

"Between the two of us, not a problem, right Sam?"

"Seeing as this is a top priority situation, it would count enough for you to be away from the desk. I'm confident we can do this. I could do it alone, but it might take more time."

"Well then, let's get on it before it's too late." he said getting up. "Can't wait to do something else for once other than giving myself carpel tunnel, figuratively speaking."

About an hour later.

"So, what's the plan?" Mitchell asked as they all walked toward the gate room.

"We placed a small amount of organic bacteria in storage compartment of the M.A.L.P. we are going to send through. Hopefully, the gate will hold the M.A.L.P. and ask for the authorization code." she said.

"And when it does, the program we came up with should figure out the right code needed and then, off we go." Ford said with a wave of his hand. "If not, then we will come up with something else and have to report a missing M.A.L.P."

"How will you know if it worked?" Daniel asked.

"If we see the other M.A.L.P." she said.

"Makes sense." Daniel said.

"Yes. You guys can go ahead, we'll be right down."

Once in the Gate Control room, the two had Walter dial up the planet and send it through. The gate halted the M.A.L.P, just like they figured and asked for the code. The program kicked in and several small bars popped up at the bottom of the screen all saying locked.

"I think it worked." she said.

"We'll know in a moment Colonel. Now receiving M.A.L.P telemetry."

"Pan to the left. If we see the first M.A.L.P." she said as the screen was moved. "There it is. We did it."

"Yes we did. Nice to know we still can do the impossible. Okay Reynolds, we'll be back later. A couple hours or so."

"See you later General, Colonel."

SG-5 came out after they did, carrying scientific equipment.

"Nice planet. Really nice." Ford said looking around. "Almost like a gardener is around."

"Yeah. Kinda does look like it. I'd say we have several hours until nightfall. Then we can get a visual confirmation of the black hole." she said.

"Until then, what do you want to do Mitchell?" Ford asked.

"Look around. See what's out there. Basic recon. Unless you have any ideas."

"No. You're team leader." he said as Carter told SG-5 to set the stuff down and set up the gravity sensors. "I'm just going to help Carter get set up."

"Works for me General. I'm going to tell Reynolds we made is safe and sound."

Ford and Sam walked away, mostly to check on being able to dial home.

"SGC, this is SG-1 leader, we have arrived safely."

"Good to hear Colonel. We'll dial back in 15. Prometheus is standing by, just in case."

"Hopefully we won't have to have them come. Nice looking planet and all, but two weeks of waiting doesn't sound all that appealing."

"I can understand that Colonel. SGC out."

"We're going to go have a look around." Daniel said.

"Stay sharp." Mitchell said with a nod as the two left.

"This is different." Ford said looking at the interior under the DHD.

"Yeah. A lot different. This is most likely what caused the code request we had to put in."

"I'd have to say yes, since I've never seen this sort of thing on any DHD." he said opening one of her cases. "You know, if it wasn't for the fact this planet is so far away and that we are on a mission here, this would be a nice place to have a romantic walk by the moon light. Glad Daniel has a camera."

"I know." she said smiling as she took a couple of clip wires from him and attached them to the inside of the DHD isolinar like chip panels. "That's assuming that this planet has a moon. Maybe two or three."

"We'll know tonight. Maybe then we can try if it isn't serious up there."

"Well, dad and mom have Sally again, so for the moment, we would have the free time."

"Free time for what General? Or did I butt in on a private conversation?" Mitchell asked as he walked up and knelt down.

"I was talking about a possible walk tonight. If there is moonlight."

"Ah. I get it. So, anything here yet?"

"No. This is unfamiliar to me. Don't want to do too much at the moment much less even think of removing it." she said. "But we can dial home at any time, or anywhere from the looks of it."

"Colonel Carter, we have the gravity sensors up and running." one of the SG-5 team said through her com.

"Good, I'll be right there." she said.

"Hey guys, it's Daniel. You might want to come and check this out first."

"I've got it, you check out the black hole." Mitchell said getting up.

"You go check it out too Ford."

"Why?" he asked getting up with her.

"Because you're the only other scientist on the team, and since I'm not there and if they need…"

"I got it. Call if you need anything. Mitchell, wait up."

"Not staying to help Carter General?"

"If it is something that needs a scientific approach."

"Right."

A short walk later, they came to a area where Daniel was standing and Teal'c was kneeling next to a set of transporter rings. There was a slight misty fog around the area and a small chill. The rising sun had yet to reach the area they were in.

"Well, it's amazing what people leave lying around. Wonder where they go?" Mitchell asked as they walked up.

"Only one way to find out." Daniel said as Teal'c was working on activating it from one of the small slots that opened on the outer ring.

"Sam, we found some transporter rings. We're going to see where they go." Ford said stepping into the ring with the others.

"Okay. Be careful guys."

"Weapons ready, just in case." Ford said pulling his.

They beamed down into a very dark area underground.

"This is nice." Ford muttered looking for his flashlight.

The other's got there's on and looked around before stepping out of the small enclosure where the rings came down into a semi large cavern. A bright blue beam came from behind them making them turn around.

"Just me." Ford said aiming it toward the ceiling, making things easier to see.

"A blue light?"

"I always liked blue flashlights. My favorite color. Now what have we found here?"

"Not sure." Daniel said looking around.

"Doesn't look like anyone's been home for awhile." Mitchell said.

"This set up looks familiar." Ford muttered looking at some small standing panel. On the other side was a small ring on the floor on a half a foot raised platform.

"It does?" Daniel asked. "I can tell it looks like a science lab, but nothing I've been in."

"It does indeed look familiar." Teal'c said looking at the raised platform. "It's Nirriti's DNA manipulation device."

"Damn. Another bunch of people died for her stupid obsession. Glad she's gone. You know, if there is one here, there's probably one on Melissa's planet. One we never found."

"Probably." Daniel said. "Hopefully they found it and destroyed it. We never did ask even with the occasional reports we get."

"That was a cool file to read. Animals like us. Gotta go there sometime." Mitchell said.

"I can take you later. They think they own me a debt they can't repay." Ford said then jumped as the machine next to him came on. "Jesus Christ Daniel! I was almost standing in that!"

"Sorry. I didn't think it would….uh oh."

"Please tell me that isn't my DNA you pulled up." he said looking at the glowing blue DNA strand that reached the ceiling.

"I don't think so. It's in Ancient, but I don't think it's yours. Sam showed me where your abnormal gene's were and they don't appear to be here."

"Thank god." he said with a sigh. "Wait a minute. Nirriti couldn't speak Ancient."

"I know. That's what's got me worried." Daniel said.

"Well, well, well. I was wrong. There is someone home here and maybe he might know what's going on." Mitchell said walking over to a far wall that was lit up.

"It's one of those suspension booths that Jack walked into in Antarctica." Ford said shining his light.

Mitchell walked up, shining his light on the inside and then noticed a panel on his right next to the machine. He reached out pushing one of the buttons as Daniel and Ford both started telling him to stop, but it was to late.

"What?" he asked as they walked up. "I was looking for the light switch."

The machine with the DNA strand shut down as Daniel walked away.

"New guy. You forgot to tell him the rules Ford."

"I know. I know." he muttered rubbing his face with one hand. "I figured the reports alone would.."

"Hey, Daniel touched that thing."

"We can read Ancient. You can't Mitchell. Next time, please wait or call us." Ford said as the booth activated and let the unknown white male free from being suspended.

The unknown man started falling forward. Both Ford and Daniel caught him and set him on the floor.

"I've got a faint pulse." Daniel said.

"Barely anything in the wrist." he said as the man started convulsing.

"Carter, get back to the gate and contact the SGC. We need a medical team here, now." Mitchell said into his com.

"Teal'c, get the transporter ready. We're leaving this place."

"Moving him could…." Mitchell said.

"Staying here could kill him before they arrived. I'll carry him to the gate. The rest of you, just go ahead."

Back at the SGC, they under went test. With the exception of Ford, as always who just got a blood workup. Daniel and Teal'c were on the planet still. Mitchell was on one bed with Carter across from him. Ford sat on the edge of her bed as Lam walked away from a x-ray screen.

"Well, you're all clean. No sign of any exposure to infections agents." she said.

"Great, so how's pod guy?" Mitchell asked putting his SGC coat back on as did Carter.

"Also going to be fine. I suspect the convulsions were just a reaction to coming out of stasis." she said. "Although his preliminary test results are quite interesting."

"If he was put through that machine, I would be surprised. What did you find doctor?" Ford asked standing up.

"Well, with some of the information we have on you and with the information we have from the characteristics about the Ancients sent from Atlantis database. Our patient, X, definitely shows some physiological similarities."

"How similar to me?"

"I'm not an expert here General. But it is possible, he might be immortal. He has a few other unknown's that I have test being run on, but he looks to have that particular gene like you."

"Not possible. They give off a strange energy that only Immortals feel. That buzz feeling, whether they are pre Immortal or not."

"Is there any way that it is possible to mask such a thing? The…Quickening, you said it was I think." Carter asked.

"I don't really know. I've heard that it is possible to mask it or cover it, something along those lines, but I don't know if it's true. I've never really did much research into what I am. I've barely looked at the Watcher files." he muttered. "I'll need to see the blood work doctor."

"Well, there is another idea General."

"Such as?"

"You could ask if he knows anything." she said as she walked over.

"There's that." Mitchell said following behind Carter.

The unknown, short blonde haired man, now wearing hospital garb, was laying the bed, slightly raised. He had a few wires going into the front of the shirt attached to his chest. Mitchell stood at the end of the bed while Sam and the doctor were on the right side. Ford stood on the left with his hands in his pockets.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Carolyn Lam. Do you understand me?" she asked as his eyes rolled around under heavy lids.

"Yes." he said weakly after looking like he had tried a few times.

"Good. Try to relax. There's nothing to be afraid of. You're safe. You're on a planet called Earth." she said as he glanced around in a groggy state.

"I'm Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter. United States Air Force."

"Cameron Mitchell. Ditto on the other stuff."

"General Ford Carter. Same as them."

"Do you know your name?" Carter asked.

"It's…..Kahlek."

"Kahlek. We found you on another planet. In stasis, in what looked like some sort of science lab." she said.

"Earth?" he asked tiredly and still groggily.

"Yeah, that's right." Mitchell said.

"I want to go home." he said with a little more effort in his words.

"Not a surprising request. Ah, do you know where your home is?" Ford asked.

"He took me." Kahlek said.

"He?" Ford whispered.

"I was a prisoner, so long." he said weakly. "He did experiments on me."

"He, who?" Mitchell asked.

"I never knew his name."

"Anubis." Ford said.

"What?" Mitchell asked.

"He was the only Goa'uld that knew Ancient and then being half ascended would mean that he knew……" Ford said turning away muttering to himself.

"Please, I just want to go home." Kahlek said reaching for Lam.

"Do you know the symbols to dial." Carter asked.

"Yes." he said weakly.

"Okay. Right now, you rest and we'll see what we can do later." Lam said then moved Carter and Mitchell away. They walked out into the hallway finding Ford tapping his chin while he paced.

"Why do you think it's Anubis?"

"He needed a body. He was half ascended and had access to knowledge he shouldn't have. Though he couldn't use it unless he learned how to normally, like any of us. This machine would have allowed such a feature. And if he found someone with the Immortal gene, he'd be even more powerful and…god like. He tried to take me over once, but failed."

"Makes sense." she said.

"Maybe it was some other Goa'uld taking after that Nirriti." Mitchell said.

"We can only hope." Ford muttered.

"Well, Daniel is back on the planet. He might find something that will help."

"True. In the meantime, Sam, check out the address he gives you. I need to look at the blood work on him."

She nodded as he went back in to Lam.

Daniel was working on the computer, reading what he could when the rings activated. Teal'c and SGC-5 walked into the room.

"Hey, what's going up there?" he asked knowing it was now around nighttime.

"Nothing. No Ori super ring or invasion taking place. Just a regular old black hole." the leader of SG-5 said setting his case down with the rest of his team.

"That's good news."

"Teal'c said you needed some help."

"Yeah. Something is wrong with the power supply. Thing's driving me nuts." he said pointing at the flashing screen that was acting like it was dying from power loss.

"We'll look into it."

"Colonel Mitchell says that the man we found in stasis is not an Ancient." Teal'c stated as Daniel went back to the screen. "He was being held prisoner and experimented on. They do not believe that he knew his captor. General Carter states that he thinks it was Anubis. Have you found out anything Daniel Jackson?"

"Anubis huh? Would make some sense. All I've found is pages and pages of logs. Notes about the exper…." he said stopping as he turned a page.

"What is it?" Teal'c asked.

"Oh, this is bad. We need to get back to the SGC."

Ford was waiting at the end of the ramp to hear the bad news as Teal'c and Daniel exited the gate.

"Where's is he?"

"Isolation room one Daniel."

"Under guard?"

"Yeah. Especially after finding out he is Immortal, though a pre me. Just tell me if the bad news is I was right."

"If you mean was Anubis experimenting on him, yes." Daniel said.

There was a few explicit terms Ford muttered under his breath as he looked at the ground and rubbed his forehead.

"Walter, have the guards surrounding the now prisoner in the isolation room be given zat guns. I want more guards down the hallways from there as well."

"On it General."

"Let's go see how much he's lying."

"It's worse."

"How much?" Ford asked turning around.

"He wasn't a experiment. He's a genetic hybrid."

"Son of a…..any other news that's bad?"

Khalek was now strapped into a chair, in the isolation room, under heavy guard. A monitor was set up in the briefing room for them to keep a watch on him as they talked at the table.

"The log entry said that Anubis managed to replicate his pre ascension DNA using the genetic manipulation device. Then he combined it with human DNA and was able to rapidly grow, our friend there." Daniel said with distain as he sat down on Ford's right.

Mitchell was on his left with Sam while Teal'c and Doctor Lam sat on the right.

"The analysis that I did on Khalek suggest that he is significantly more evolved then we are, much more in line with the Ancients prior to Ascension." Lam said.

"Except he also has the Immortal gene as well." Ford said.

"Yes. Though I don't know how he did that." she said.

"So you're saying that he could have all kinds of super funky powers?" Mitchell asked.

"Super funky?" Ford said.

"You know what I mean General."

He shook his head with a small chuckle.

"Nirriti's experiments had telekinetic and physic abilities." Carter said.

"Like the Priors." Mitchell said.

"Not really. The Prior's have yet to read our minds, that I know of anyway." Ford said.

"According to what I read, the entire goal was to create a advanced human." Daniel said.

"One Anubis could inhabit and it not die on him." Ford said. "Seeing as he wanted the power of immortality. No one would think of taking his head off. Any other injury would heal up quickly, making him look like a god and seeing as he wouldn't need a sarcophagus anymore, that would show his god like powers even more."

"But why? I don't see why he would want to step back to a non evolved form. Having a mortal body, though with immortality, what purpose would that serve him?" Carter asked.

"Well, from what he learned back when he was on the base with that Russian Colonel, he couldn't stay in a human body too long before it started dying. So having a body that would constantly heal would be perfect. You can't manipulate much when your non corporeal. Certainly can't be a 'god' and served if you can't punish or force servitude."

"When you put it that way." she said.

"So, the question is what do we do with him?" Mitchell said. "Put him back in stasis?"

"I think we should shoot him in the head and throw his body in the incinerator before it heals." Ford said.

"I agree." Daniel said.

The four gave them all looks, more at Daniel though.

"Look, the fact here is we don't know how successful Anubis was. Kahlek is advanced, yes. But we don't know how far along he actually is. If he is aware of his own state of evolutionary advancement, and I think he is, then the only think that is keeping him from ascending right now, is that he hasn't figured out how."

"And if he did, he'd be possibly sent back, or go work with the Ori, in either case, we couldn't stop him and be in serious trouble." Ford said.

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm trying to say." Daniel said slapping the table lightly.

"Well, I can't think of any way he would be able to progress his state of being while in stasis." Carter said. "Maybe he might not have any advanced powers."

"Look. You know me and what I think of this sort of subject, killing someone like this. But him being who he is, I think we have to ask ourselves if there is any point in keeping him alive."

The other's looked like they were thinking about it, except Ford.

"I'll do it if you all agree to let me."

"What was that General?" Mitchell asked since Ford only muttered it.

"I said, if you all agree, right now, I'll go down there, and shoot him in the head."

"You mean just the way he is?" he asked pointing at the screen.

"If you're asking me if I have killed in cold blood before, as they put it. Yes. Many times, most of them regrettable and some unavoidable. So, make a decision here people. You already know my vote." he said with an air that said don't ask.

"What about what our superiors would say?" Mitchell asked after a moment.

"I'll tell them I felt that it was wiser to eliminate a potential threat before he got the chance to try anything and that I did it without you all knowing."

"Doubt they'd believe that considering our relationship." she said.

Ford shrugged.

"We can't General. What if there's a chance that he doesn't know anything." Lam said.

"He's a Goa'uld. He has all that information up there doctor."

"I can't agree to this General." Lam said.

"I can't either." Mitchell said.

"I agree with you both, he's probably to dangerous to have around, but I think you should call the President and find out what they want." Carter said slowly.

"I agree that he is a danger General Carter. However, to do so without informing your superiors could put in much trouble." Teal'c said.

"I'm going to go call them then. I want you all to drop everything else for the moment and find out anything you can from him then. That and keep watch on him too. I don't want him escaping. This goes for you all, but Sam, if he does get free, run. No amount of bullets are going to take him out if he can heal as fast or faster than me. Unless you have a zat to knock or take him out, run. That's an order to you all."

They nodded as he got up and told them dismissed.

"I hope this doesn't come back to bite us." Daniel said.

Daniel went down, pretty much reluctantly, and came into the upper room to observe Khalek. He sat down, really wishing Ford had just came down and shot the man, but then he could understand that Ford couldn't do so because he wasn't a civilian anymore. Daniel personally felt that if Ford had never been re-inducted back into the Air Force, he probably would have came down, not telling anyone, and shot him despite orders. He opened a notebook and got his pen ready as he looked out the window. The desk had two small monitors on it, both in either corner. One just showed the man's head, the other showed the same and his vitals. A couple of other closed folders sat near the monitor with the vitals. Two guards stood behind him, keeping watch from above.

"Khalek, can you hear me?"

He awoke slowly. Khalek was strapped to the chair, with a few wired hook ups attached to his chest under the now gray outfit he had on. Another tube was put into his right arm, a I.V. tube.

"Yes." he said still slowly waking up.

"My name is Doctor Daniel Jackson."

He woke up completely, looking around, almost wildly.

"Why have you restrained me like this?"

Daniel looked up and interlaced his fingers.

"Why is everyone suddenly acting like they fear me?" he asked fearfully.

"Look, you can drop the act." Daniel said putting his top back on the pen.

"I don't understand." he said still confused and afraid.

"We found you on your home world. I can understand Ancient. Those research notes that Anubis left….we know that you were grown in that lab. That you possess Anubis's DNA, and his genetic memories."

Daniel watched as Khalek's eyes and facial mood changed. No more fright or confusion was there anymore. Instead, it was more like a deep hatred. A sadistic look.

"My memories do include you Doctor Jackson." he said with a small but wicked smile. "A confrontation you once had with my father. I sense it is some time since I was last awake. What has become of him?"

"I'm not here to answer your questions." Daniel stated, slightly glad the ruse was over.

"The other's…" Khalek said looking around. "They wish to study me, don't they? Why else would I still be here given the danger you know I pose. They want to learn what I am, how I came to be, but you. Have you ever taken a life Doctor Jackson?"

Daniel just kept looking at him, and tried not to show his distain and anger.

"I believe you have. Killed a man." he said then looked up with his eyes closed. "My memories are so sharp and clear. It's as if they only happened moments ago. The countless lives my father extinguished, of those that came before him and did the same, such pleasure it gave him. But I have yet to experience it myself yet."

He turned back and looked at Daniel through his eyebrows.

"Does it feel that good?"

Daniel dropped the pen and put his face into his hand, looking away.

"Millions of slaves bowing before me, a galaxy of desperate pitiful life forms at my feet, that's clearly intoxicating. I can almost taste it as if it was me there and not those who's memories I possess. But nothing, nothing do I anticipate more than the sweetness that I will feel when I have killed for the first time."

Daniel looked back up.

"I can hardly wait to watch as fear stops a man's heart. It's so much more intimate, one on one. To watch as the blood flows from his veins, and savor his ever fading hope for life. There's only one way to stop it. I know you wish to take my life, and I promise you, that before this is over, one of us, will feel the pleasure."

Daniel smiled, though not a happy smile as he closed his notebook and stood up. He started out the door then came back.

"For the record, I'm not the only one that would like to see you dead. Though after this little conversation, I may get to see it happen to you."

"So, it's official. He might as well be Anubis." he said shutting off the recording a few hours after Daniel had done it. "Damn it!"

It took Daniel that long for him and Ford to be able to get together long enough for him to get a report. Prior meetings with other teams and important paperwork, followed by a hour long talk to the President and Jack didn't help.

"Yep. No remorse at all." Daniel said.

"That's enough for me. Seeing that short conversation as you call it." Ford said standing up. "To hell with what the people in Washington think. I'm ending this now before it escalates out of control."

"You're going to shoot him then?" Daniel asked, part of him glad to see action taking place, but part of him in fear of that trouble Ford would get in.

"No. I want to, but not in this case. As much as I shouldn't, I'm giving him a chance. We un-restrain him and then I kick his worthless ass until he's dead. I could use a good fight." he said as they walked out and down the hall. "Then we zat him into oblivion."
"Oh. Should I call anyone, such as the rest of the team or…"

"No. Though I guess Teal'c would be…..oh you've got to be kidding!" he said stopping as the elevator opened. Daniel slightly jumped, unsure of why Ford was suddenly pissed and shaking with fury.

"Ah, I guess I didn't have to travel as far as I thought, General." Woolsey said stepping off. "Where do you think you're going, because if I'm right, considering your past, then forget it."

"I never should have called! Damn I am a complete idiot!" Ford growled then yelled turning around.

"I've missed something." Daniel said as he followed the two.

"I called, like I said, told them the different recommendations you all provided and what I personally thought should be done. But I can only guess, and I'm damned quite sure what that bunch of jackasses they call a committee said." Ford yelled.

At first, when he made the first outburst, a few guards came running, then when they noticed part of what was going on and realized it completely with seeing Woolsey, they went back to their post and everyone slightly stared or ignored them.

"That committee, which you have trouble with General, oversees this facility and makes the rational decisions that can't be done by one person when the need arises."

"Let me guess, they didn't decide to let us return his sorry ass back to stasis?" Ford asked sarcastically as they entered his office.

"The International Committee sent me to make sure that you did not harm or kill the man you have locked up. They want him studied." he said sitting in the chair despite the fact that the other two stayed standing.

"See, see! This is exactly why I don't like calling you people." he shouted while waving a arm then pointing a finger.

"Don't you know how dangerous he is?" Daniel asked crossing his arms.

"We understand that you all think he's dangerous. There's very little collaborating evidence at this point. That's why more study is required."

Daniel shook his head and sat on the edge of the desk. Ford kept clenching and unclenching his fist, keeping his hands by his side.

"Okay." Ford grumbled out. "What is their insane reason for this idea?"

"Shortly after you took command of this facility, which many have thought to be a bad idea though cannot do anything about, you made it clear on your position with certain demands. These demands have been met by the Appropriation Committee and you still have all your funding and more. You have stated that the money is needed to continue keeping this planet safe from enemies. So far, the biggest one you have claimed is a new threat called the Ori and their Priors. And, so far, all we have heard, is that the Ori must be taken even more seriously than the Goa'uld. That these Priors that represent them are extremely powerful and dangerous in their own right. You have even sent a report that you would possibly have a problem with them in a personal confrontation, possibly. And in the months since that threat has emerged, not one countermeasure proposed, not one shred of technology, not even so much as a theory or strategy on how to fight these missionaries with the still ongoing Stargate operations, until now."

"You've got to be kidding! It wouldn't matter if he came straight out and gave us all the information he knows! Because I seriously doubt he even knows how to stop or injure or even kill a Prior, much less attack the Ori themselves! Even that fat ass Nerut, Neret or whatever his name is, don't correct me at the moment Daniel, he told me, before he was taken away, that even if the Goa'uld were all still around, they wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight for long."

"According to the information the reports stated, this Khalek character is advanced close enough to be like the Priors. Studying him may reveal a possible weakness in fighting this new threat."

"Thought about it, didn't think it was worth risking the base, or the planet."

"The committee thinks otherwise. They also think with his advanced physiology, that studying him may help us get closer to ascension."

Ford laughed, darkly.

"The members of the committee feel very strongly about this and sent me to make sure you do nothing to hinder any research warranted."

"Then neither you nor the committee understand the risk." Daniel said speaking up as he stood up and leaned over into the guys face.

"We do." Woolsey said not intimidated. "The issue here is, if this command does not have the ability and security in place to take advantage of this opportunity like this, then we may have to re-evaluate it's leadership, and or have the subject moved to another facility. Not to mention its operation."

"Wait, let me get this straight. You're, being the lackey for this pompous committee, are threatening me, by trying to take my job away? You have any idea how much trouble I will cause if you or anyone else tries to do that, not to mention the trouble with the allies we have, that will come if people with certain criteria that I know for a fact would be put into place here, making allies become instant enemies. You have any idea?" he asked angrily. "Those allies will come, and annihilate this planet. We won't have to have the Ori do it! The only reason the Asguard are any friends to us, is because of what this facility has done and the fact we have kept ourselves from looking like the other people we unfortunately really are out there in the world! Greedy, selfish, power hungry….need I go on?!"

"Your point will be taken under advisement General." Woolsey said as he got up, unfazed. "Your transfer, which I have to say, wouldn't be the best of ideas, would be a crippling blow to this facility. But I have to agree with the committee as does the President, which I know you have been in contact with. The study will take place, whether it is here, or somewhere else."

"He isn't leaving this place, unless it's in a body bag with dice up parts. You can tell that to the committee if you wish. This unfortunate study will take place here." he said grumbling out the last part.

"Hopefully you'll see it our way General." he said then walked out.

"That damned committee should all be fired and staffed by people who have worked at the SGC and know the true dangers." Ford growled out.

"I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but maybe with those threats you have out there, maybe…." Daniel said slowly.

"Not enough people here that old Daniel. The committee is mostly made up of international people and they want to keep it that way."

"You could take up the leadership role there then…..never mind." he said seeing the glare he suddenly received.

"I hate politics. One of the reasons I don't want to become President of this almost god forsaken country. Daniel, take Mitchell and go back to that planet and go through that computer system with a fine tooth comb. I want information that gives me proof he needs to be dead. Take Teal'c too."

"Not a problem there."

Daniel and the team Ford sent were back in the hidden cave. SG-5 was still there stabilizing the power problem. Daniel was looking at and writing in one of his notebooks. Mitchell was talking to Daniel after hearing about the conversations Daniel had been in with both Ford, Woolsey and Khalek. Standing lights brought from the base now lit up the room.

"Damn. The General is in a tight spot."

"Yeah. He's not thrilled. Pissed off is a better term." Daniel muttered. "Needs information that would state how dangerous Khalek is, before he can act."

"Then we better find out what he capable of and fast before he gets loose, somehow. Make the General happy again. A angry boss is not a good thinking boss."

"You know what made me wonder, Khalek kept trying to goad me into killing him, like it's what he wanted."

"He knows he on the path to ascension. Maybe he thinks that's the final step."

"If that's the case, then we have no other choice but to free him."

"With strict instructions never to defrost." Mitchell said nodding.

"Indeed. Unfortunately, we must now convince other's this is the most prudent course of action." Teal'c stated from just behind Mitchell.

"Major Altman seems to think that he has something that will help us." Daniel said looking at the Major who was holding some small device he got from the DNA machine. About the size of a small thermos, but looking a lot like one of the chevron locks on the Stargate, just cut in half and gold.

"Yeah, this unit, it seems to be self contained. It's what analysis the subject current physiological status and feeds in back into the DNA manipulator. We should be able to bring it back with us and rig us a device that will tell us how advanced Khalek really is."

Daniel and Mitchell nodded.

"Nice work. I think the General will be in a better mood with this."

"I'm going to keep working on these translations." Daniel said as Mitchell, Teal'c and the Major left with the device.

They came off the ramp with Ford at the bottom, not looking all that happy as he kept his arms crossed.

"Teal'c, Colonel, Major. Have anything?" he asked sternly.

"Well….go ahead Major." Mitchell said.

"We…I found this unit on the DNA manipulator machine." he said quickly explaining its function and the idea.

"Cool." he said smiling as he looked at it. "After all the bitching Woolsey did, we finally bring home a piece of technology that we could even use on ourselves, and it's medical. Lam will be impressed. Really good job Major."

"Thank you General." he said with a smile.

"Go get it installed. Colonel Carter will be along shortly to help, as will I."

Shortly, after seeing her and giving her a run down, they headed down and helped out. Sally was thankfully sent home, with the grandparents picking her up after learning who Khalek really was. Sam worried a lot less, as did Ford, now knowing their baby was in no danger. The Major was putting the finishing touches on the device that was attached to a armature behind and above the chair that Khalek was sitting in, hunched over at the moment from being knocked out be sedatives. Sam finished working on a computer system near the door while Ford stood just off to the side of the chair while Mitchell stood in front of it, with a zat pointed at Khalek. Woolsey was in the upper room, watching and writing things down.

"He's old cold Colonel. I gave him enough sedative to keep him out for hours." Lam said sitting in a chair near Carter.

"No offense, but I ain't taking any chances doctor. I ordered him to do this." Ford said. "I can't shoot him, and be objective enough about it, possibly. He will. Not to mention, if he's like me, then he'll fight off the drugs rather quickly."

"Can't be to sure with that info." Mitchell said.

"That should be it." the Major said activating the device.

Five bright red beams shot out of the side of the device connecting with the back of Khalek's head. Carter's screen popped on giving them a very detailed view of the man's brain.

"Okay, what am I seeing here?" Ford asked as he walked up.

"We're pretty sure that these red area's are where the brain's synaptic activity has been maximized." Carter said. "A normal human brain, the Colonel or I, would show only 5 to ten percent coverage."

"I being five and you being ten you mean." Mitchell said.

She smiled lightly.

"What about me?"

"You're not entirely human, so I'm not even going to venture a guess. But with this, we can find out, later."

"Can't wait." Ford said lightly smiling.

"So, what's his at now?" the Major asked also watching. "60?"

"68 exactly. Daniel said the research theorized that 80 possibly 90 activity was needed for conscious, willful ascension."

"So, he's not there yet?" Mitchell asked with his arms currently crossed.

"Well, no…"

"I think he's waking up." Ford said walking away.

"What?" Carter said looking at the screen as Lam pointed at it.

"What is that?" Lam asked as part of it became red suddenly, upping the percentage level. "That wasn't there a minute ago."

"No. The percentage just jumped to 71." Carter said.

"You're not fooling anyone. Might as well wake up." Ford said standing on the right of the chair with both hands on the chair.

"Are you sure he's awake General?" Mitchell asked stepping closer.

"Oh yeah."

"Wait, his heart rate is increasing." Carter said as they heard it beeping faster.

"Maybe is has something to do with the brain scanner." the Major said going over to the small device and checking it.

"I'm going to administer more sedative." Lam said getting up and walking behind Ford to a medical tray in the corner.

"Belay that doctor. I want to talk to him." Ford ordered.

"Are you sure that's wise Ford?" Carter asked as the Major went to the left of the chair and looked at the monitor there and the lines.

Khalek's eyes opened suddenly and quickly. The monitor that the Major was looking at exploded throwing him back to the floor. Woosley got up quickly as the restraints were broken in seconds and Mitchell's zat was pulled from his hand as he was raising it. The zat then was tossed up into the air, bouncing off the ceiling, hard. Khalek was tossed from the chair, spun away by a backhanded punch landing him hard on the ground. He recovered quickly, as though he never hit the ground and went for the Major's gun on his belt. He got hold of it, but never got it from the belt as he fell to the ground from two gun shot wounds that Mitchell inflicted. The resounding sound of gun fire, that brought security in the room though was not the two shots that Mitchell inflicted into Khaleks chest, but the loud round that Ford fired from his personal cannon, that put a nice hole in the wall where Khaleks head was. The brain device continued to shoot out the red beams, only hitting the floor for everyone to see.

"I…..I don't believe it. I,… I missed. You out drew me Mitchell." Ford said shocked as he looked at his gun a moment.

"Ah…." he said standing up slowly, not sure of what to say.

"Nice job. I'll check him. Lam, get a team in here for the Major."

As Carter helped move the injured and unconscious Major away, Ford turned Khalek over and felt his pulse. Mitchell stood by keeping the nine on him.

"Well, I can say one thing. He's strong, very strong. And not yet Immortal." he muttered so Woolsey wouldn't hear. "Doctor, fix him and don't let him die. He does, he becomes more dangerous."

"I got it." she said understanding.

"Wow. I hate to think what would have happened had he gotten free." Carter said as Ford walked over.

"Same here. Woolsey, that is the danger I was talking about." Ford pointed out as the man was taken away on a gurney. "Airman, I want this man guarded by a dozen men outside the infirmary, and two inside, but out of her way. He gets off that table, empty your clips into him and call me."

A crisp salute and he was off.

An hour later, and the surgery all done, they were up in the briefing room, talking about the current situation. Carter was sitting on his right with Lam next to her. Mitchell was on his left, pointing at the screen that was showing Khalek back in the chair.

"I shot him, twice, at point blank range." Mitchell said.

"And he's not Immortal." Ford said.

"And he appears to be healing, very quickly. And yes, it's not as fast as you heal General."

"I should have emptied the clip. No, that wouldn't have worked would it?" Mitchell asked.

"Not unless it was all in the neck. Take that off, he's harmless. Unless your right and dying would make him ascend, but with that theory that he needs more going on up here." he said pointing at his head. "I don't think he would have."

"Forgive me, but how can Woolsey not see how much of a danger this guy is and that making him a study subject for research is a bad idea?!" Mitchell said fidgeting with anger.

"Despite some good qualities, he's an ass, as is the people he works with." Ford said.

"What is it then, are they waiting for some catastrophe to embarrass us all?"

"Woolsey is a pretty straight shooter. I think he thinks that this is going to be a benefit for us all." Carter said while Mitchell continued to fidget. "Despite the troubles we will have. We're the ones that have spent the last eight years justifying the enormous risk for the advancements we've made."

"Well, the bright side of all of this is we are recording some incredible data. Since we haven't been able to make any progress with your uniqueness General, he has. Khalek's healing ability, his advanced brain functions, that scanner was still operating when he used his telekinetic ability." Lam pointed out. "And we've been able to isolate the areas of the brain that he was using at the time."

"You see, this is the problem here. He has telekinetic abilities and continuing to evolve while we all sit around here, still yammering about it." Mitchell exclaimed with a few arm waves and stabs at the table.

"All the while, he's getting closer and closer to ascension." Carter pointed out.

"Well then, since we can't kill him, at the moment." Ford said with a grumble. "Anyone have any bright ideas?"

The room was changed while Khalek was still out. The floor became highly electrified, lethally. A Tok'ra force field was placed on the open door allowing anything in, but nothing out. He also had more I.V.'s in his arm, just in case. A few guards were stationed outside the room, with semi auto rifles. He awoke and looked around, before looking up. Woolsey and Doctor Lam were up there, watching. The device was still being used to scan his brain and showed the results on more than one screen.

"You should know that there are 50,000 volts running through that floor sir." Woolsey said as he set down his pen. "And a Tok'ra shield generator barring that door. It's one way. So we can still fire bullets into there if we have to. Finally, Doctor Lam believes that your abilities can be controlled by a dopamine inhibitor. Finally, a shunt has been inserted into the base of your skull, and a massive dose will automatically be injected if you try anything else."

He looked at the bag, the machine, the door then back at Woolsey.

"Thanks for the warning Richard. Or do you prefer Dick?"

Woolsey glanced at Lam.

"No, you didn't tell me your name. Shame about Major Altman." he said with no concern or remorse.

"He's going to be just fine." Woolsey said.

"We'll see."

"Any further outburst will not be tolerated."

"Whatever you say Dick." he said putting his head back against the headrest and closing his eyes.

"So, it looks like he might have telepathic capabilities then. Nice." Ford grumbled as he sat back in his chair.

"Yeah. Woolsey didn't contest the use of his name. It may be because he is still healing that he didn't try to exert himself." Lam said sitting across from him.

"Keep a close watch on him. Very close. I don't care what the higher ups think anymore, he gets loose again, he's dead. To dangerous to keep around."

"I understand General. Though part of me doesn't agree."

"I know. You can do whatever you want with an autopsy, that is when he have to kill him. Sometime tells me, we will be doing so soon. Thanks for the report." he said hitting the com button. "Walter, get the gate ready to dial for the planet Daniel and Teal'c are on. I want Carter to go there and help them get finished."

"On it General."

Daniel and Teal'c were looking at the machine when they heard the rings activate. They turned to see Carter walk in.

"Hey, I heard you guys could use some help." she said walking up and setting a large base case down.

"Ford's not here?" Daniel asked.

"With that guy on the base, no way he's leaving." she said.

"Hey, we heard about the action at the base. Glad Ford was there otherwise it could have been worse. How's Major Altman?" Daniel asked.

"He's going to be just fine. A day of rest at most. The Ascendometer says that Khalek is about 80 there."

"Ascendometer?" Teal'c asked confused.

"Mitchell." she said shrugging.

Teal'c smiled and rose an eyebrow at the funny thought.

"Wish I had thought of it." she muttered. "Anyway, after Khalek was shot and started to heal, it shot up another five percent or so."

"Yeah, we're helping him. The healing process helped him to learn another aspect of his advancement. I'm betting that he wanted to get shot." Daniel said.

"You think?" she said with strange confusion on her face.

"Well," he said looking at the small raise platform on the floor as he walked around it. "According to the research, the way it works is, the subject gets treatments from this machine, and certain…..physiological changes are made in the brain. Then it takes some time, weeks, months to adjust. The individual needs to get used to the changes, learn how they work. It's a gradual process. That's what the scans are showing us. Khalek is learning to use the advancements from the latest treatments it gave him. Now, with enough physical evolution and mental control, he will reach a critical stage where he will learn how to shed his physical body and exist as a state of energy."

"Wait, I always felt there was a spiritual component to ascension, such as you had to be a good person at heart to do it." she said.

"Certainly, when there is an Ancient helping you, though obviously when the process happens naturally, there are no rules." Daniel said.

"If you can call this naturally." she grumbled.

"The Ori have proven you don't have to be moral to ascend. Who knows, maybe it's part of the grand cosmic balance. Good and evil have to exist on all levels."

"Well, for now, Khalek is still mortal. I don't think he really wants to die until he has figured it all out." she said. "Unless he's hoping that by gaining immortality will help him."

"I don't know. Considering he has to hit that area of the percentage before being able to consciously ascend, that would explain the immortal factor in his gene's. If he was killed before hand and there was no way to make another clone, then having the ability to come back from the dead would make it possible for him to attain that goal. Even if we manage to keep him from getting there for sometime, such as being placed in stasis again, eventually the power would give out and he'd be released. And if someone else were to free him, then he'd still reach that goal."

"All unfortunately true. Only another Immortal would stand a chance against fighting him after coming back from the dead, maybe. And then they'd be on borrowed time to finish off Khalek before he ascended."

"True. I really should read up more on the Immortals. Ford said he had access to their database. Khalek's also probably been hiding the full extent of his powers from us too. For all we know, he's mocking us, because he knows we can't really hurt him. Or the more likely case is he's doing it to make himself look less dangerous so Ford doesn't have a reason to get rid of him."

"There's that." she said. "So, what else have you learned from this?"

"Not much. I don't think this database is going to be much help anymore. We've been through it twice now." Daniel said. "If K-9 was here, maybe he could find something."

"Can't. He's in the Gate Control room, just in case Khalek ever makes it that far. If he does, K-9 is to shoot to kill. Head shot."

"Good call."

"I do have an idea though. Based on the data we've collected on the scans of Khalek's brain, I'm thinking we can run a simulation on the DNA machine to see where it is going. To the best of our knowledge, this has never been done before right?"

"Indeed."

"So, artificially advancing a human being to ascension, using technology rather than the help of another Ascended being is new, to us anyway."

"Well, the log is incomplete." Daniel stated. "Anubis seems to have been stopped before he could finish his experiments."

"Let's see if it is really going where we think it is. In the very least, we might get a time frame."

"Better than nothing." Daniel said.

Back at the base, Khalek was slightly slouched forward and would have fell out of his seat if not for the restraints. Woolsey was still sitting in the chair at the desk keeping watch. Lam was sitting in the chair against the wall.

"General." Woolsey said as Ford walked in and stayed standing as he looked out the window with narrowed eyes.

"After that little spell of trouble, I talked to the committee, mostly about calling you home. This is a total waste of time and more importantly, too dangerous to keep going."

"Since I haven't been told about any calls and since I don't see a folder or paper on you that says for me to leave, I'm going to guess that they didn't take your recommendation General. He has not talked to me since that short conversation she reported to you. His progress level in advancement has stopped at 80."

"That may have something to do with the dopamine inhibitor." Lam said.

"How long does this committee plan on keeping this idiocy going on?"

"Until we find a way to counter act someone with his abilities in the field." Woolsey stated.

"I'm the only one that can do anything to him! And since he can read minds, there is hardly anyone I know that can block that sort attack. If he's currently awake like I'm damned sure he is!" Ford yelled at the window. "Then he already knows what you're thinking along with anyone around here. If I'm lucky, with the skills I have learned, he shouldn't be getting anything from my mind except anger."

"For those of us without whatever those skills you have, this is why we need to study him. The very fact that there are dozens of Priors, or more, with abilities like his that are out there roaming the galaxy is a great concern to me and to the committee that represents the free nations of this world General."

"You and that committee have no idea the dangers that are out there. All those alien take over movies that Hollywood has made are pointing out the problem right in front of everyone. The people on the hill, who only care about lining their pockets and making everyone think they know what's best for everyone, don't and won't listen to the people who really know what's going on. When this facility says that something is bad, seriously, dangerously, dreadfully bad. We aren't saying it to be funny, we are saying it because it's our job to save this planet and its people. Cases like this, are situations waiting to go out of control."

"For the moment, in my opinion, I see that this situation as under control, General."

"You better hope it stays that way. Because the next time he gets loose, he'll be studied through an autopsy." Ford said sharply looking at Woolsey. "Lam, better check those readings. He's smiling out there about something, and I hope it's because he's dreaming."

An hour later, and he woke up and just stared ahead with a smile and a look like he was waiting for something.

"You wanted to see me General." Woolsey walking into the office.

"Yes. Unless you have noticed, he's awake and because he isn't talking anymore and I feel that he is too serious a threat to this base, I'm having him returned to the stasis pod. Despite what I really would like to do."

"The committee will not…"

"Woolsey. The committee provides money and a few other things to this facility, mostly through a ongoing threat you can call it. They don't have any pull or call really and I've only allowed this to go on because of what my team and several other's say about giving it a try. But in my opinion, its become to dangerous to have him around. He's waiting for something to happen and I can't let it. If he ascends, we might as well have just let the Ori and several dozen Priors onto the base and the planet at the same time. You can tell the committee anything you want to. I don't care. Finish whatever reports and studies you have going."

"Understood General." he said walking out.

Carter was finishing working on the project with her laptop. She had it hooked up to the DNA manipulator console and got the simulation running.

"Just about done." she said pushing a few more buttons as the other two walked up and finished the simulation.

The screen showed a topographical picture of a brain, that was in the left top corner and in 4D. Below it showed seven different words with information across from them. The rest of the screen showed a large bar graph, with 8 bars. Starting off very small at first, then growing quickly, then becoming like stairs.

"Each of these sections represents a treatment in the machine." she said pointing at the bars. "And the results of advancements. Now you said that Khalek had five treatments?"

"Yeah, according to the log."

"Then this is where he should be now according to the chart." she said pointing at the fifth bar which had a blue tint to it. The other three past it, were of a lighter blue color, almost a cloud white.

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

"We need to report this to Ford, now." she said urgently.

"Yeah. There's one more thing I think you should do first though." Daniel said with worry.

Khalek was awake and looking up at the upper room. His restraints were taken away from his arms, and instead he had chains on his wrist and they were attached to his feet. The drip still attached to him and his shunt. His face on all the screens. There was a Corporal with a small assault rifle pointed at him. The electrical field was shut off and Ford along with Mitchell were in the room. After he woke up and kept staring with a smile that got on Ford's nerves, Ford knew something bad was about to happen, and that was it. Ford ordered him to be returned to stasis, mostly because he had no choice because of what the higher ups wanted. They figured that maybe, sometime in the future, they could bring him out again and possibly keep him from ascending and then study him more. Ford thought it was a terrible idea, but was told to take the subject back anyway, despite protest. At least he was able to have it on report that he disagreed with the idea. Mitchell was standing next to the dopamine machine while Ford was just to the right of the chair.

"Just to give you a heads up, we're are going to keep you attached all the way home." Mitchell said pulling his nine. "If you try anything, you'll become a drooling idiot in a couple of seconds."

The other airmen in the room started removing the leg restraints while the other three kept guns on him.

"Does any of those memories you have include me?" Ford asked keeping the one gun he had pointed at him.

"Yes." he said with a smile. "Even though you are an Ancient, and an Immortal. You are still no match for me."

"Nice try." Ford said with a wince. Woolsey and the committee had no idea about that info. Suddenly the gate activated as the alarms sounded. "At least Reynolds is up there to take over."

SG-1 came down the ramp to find Reynolds waiting.

"Where's the General?" Carter asked.

"That Khalek character's brain activity went up to 85 percent, or something like that. He just told me to take over for the moment. I didn't get all the fine details, but the plan is to have him taken back to the planet to be placed in stasis." Reynolds said.

"That's the last thing we want to do with him. In fact, it's probably the thing he was hoping for." Daniel said.

"Dammit!" he said racing over to the com unit on the wall.

Down in the room, they had gotten his slowly to the doorway. Mitchell in front with his nine still pointed at the guy while holding the dopamine drip machine. Ford behind with his gun at the back of the man's head. The guard with the MP-5 kept his weapon pointed but was back a ways.

"General Carter. This is Reynolds. SG-1 just returned and have stated the prisoner shouldn't go back to the planet."

"Figures. Get you ass back in the seat." Ford said grabbing his shoulder roughly and pushing him into it as Mitchell walked along quickly with the dopamine machine. "I want him strapped down so hard he can hardly breathe. Reynolds?"

They didn't get a response.

"Airman, hit that com button please."

The guy with the MP-5 walked over and hit it.

"SG-1, report in through your com units on your chest and tell me why I'm not removing him from this base." Ford ordered as he kept his gun in the man's face. His other hand reached into his coat and pulled a ear piece out. "Place your setting to five."

"Ford?"

"I hear you Carter." he said holding the small unit in his coat. "Go ahead."

"We found the reason his levels have plateaued is not because of the dopamine inhibitor." she said.

"And?" Ford asked as the other's all slowly left the room.

Khalek was strapped down, but just on his legs and arms again, the chains still in place. The machine was back on scanning his brain again.

"He's gone as far as he can. Now, he may have learned to use the physical advancements he now has, but he'll never be able to ascend in his current state." Daniel said as Mitchell motioned for Ford to come with him. "He needs more treatments in that machine to make it happen."

With the guards now out of the room, they both left, Ford being last and though keeping his gun on the man in the chair, he felt something was wrong with the way Khalek turned his head away, not looking at them.

"Okay, I get what you're meaning now. Go on." Ford said as Mitchell went to the large panel on the wall and activated the electrified the floor again.

Mitchell waved a hand and the guard hit the small blue panel on the wall activating the shield.

"Sending him back to that planet, that lab is the last place he needs to be." Daniel said. "Sending him there is exactly what he wants."

"Got it Daniel. Short of shooting him….." Ford said as the machine's inside suddenly beeped quickly.

The monitors showed his brain activity had increased, heavily. Woolsey looked up from his writing and saw Khelak look at the door. Both of the guards were instantly pulled into the room, hitting the floor and were electrified quickly. Their guns firing off rounds in quick burst as they jerked until the circuits blew. Ford, who felt the pulling coming, grabbed the edge of the door and pushed against it as his face came inches from the field. Mitchell shut the power off quickly and kicked Ford away from it as Khalek broke free from his chair and pulled the I.V.'s and such out. Mitchell quickly pulled his gun and aimed it through the doorway. Ford dived into him as Khalek waved a hand at Mitchell. They were both out of the doorway but both thrown into the wall landing in a heap on the floor. Two more guards came up and got right into the doorway, but never got the chance to fire as they were both thrown into the wall. Khalek came out, after making the shield fail as he stuck his hand through. Ford had rolled off Mitchell, gasping in pain.

"Pathetic. You have it in you to be so much more and you waste your ability with this pathetic form." he said picking up Ford's dropped gun.

"Well, a one on one fight. About time." Ford said getting up.

"I think not." he said aiming the gun at Ford's head. "I shall use this to leave this place."

Ford smiled as he pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. Ford knocked the gun out of his hand, swung himself around connecting his elbow into the mans chest, cracking ribs, and then grabbing him by the head, throwing him over his shoulder onto the ground. When he let go, he expected to be able to get his gun, but was instead kicked in the head by the mans feet. He never had time to recover as he was picked up, by a wave of the man's hand and thrown into the wall, more than once before being tossed down the hallway.

"That was fun." he muttered spitting out blood from a few broken ribs, or more. The pain was too great to tell and seemed to be intensifying. He heard Khalek run away as he got up and hit the com unit inside the former prison room.

"W….Walter." he coughed out, leaving blood on the wall. When he couldn't remember the exact code, he used the universal words. "Red alert."

Then he dropped to the floor. Daniel and Sam and several guards along with Doctor Lam and a couple of nurses came running up moments later. The alarms now blaring as Walter got the message.

"You okay?!" Daniel asked as they found Mitchell trying to get up.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just help me up."

"I'm guessing Ford went after him." Carter said looking around.

"No, he's in there." Mitchell said waving a shaky hand. "Or at least, I think I saw him in there."

"Colonel, we need to get you to the infirmary. I think you have a concussion." Lam said as Carter let go and entered the room quickly. Mitchell instantly started falling as Lam grabbed his head.

"No time. We just got him secured when he broke free and killed two SF's. Took out me and Ford and then ran off."

"He's headed for the gate room." Carter said as she helped Ford out the door. He was still bleeding from a head injury and slightly from the mouth.

"I saw him with a funny look on his face as we left the room and I talked to you on this." he said removing his earpiece.

"He heard what we were saying then." Daniel said. "But…"

"No time to talk. Go with Mitchell. I'll be there behind you soon." Ford said through a few coughs as he waved them all on.

The guards and SG-1 left quickly.

"General, are you okay?" she asked as Ford staggered.

"No. He did….don't know. Not healing right. Gotta go, save these guys….the base…..." he said walking away after getting his gun off the floor.

Guards all over the base went on full alert quickly and the barriers came down sealing off sections.

"Level's 12 through 28 now secure." Walter said to Reynolds. "Full emergency contingent is now in position and on high alert."

"Where is he?" Reynolds asked as they looked through the security camera's screens that came up. "Uh oh, looks like the General is in trouble."

The screen changed quickly to another one then finally to Khalek as he walked down an empty corridor. The screen that they saw showed Ford clutching his chest as he tried running, but ended up spending most of his time hitting the wall, but not stopping.

"Target is on level 21, hallway B, heading north!" Walter announced.

Khalek turned the corner to find a closed doorway and a few armed troops.

"There!" one of them yelled and quickly opened fire.

Khalek raised his hands and the bullets bounces going other directions. They stopped firing as he got closer. He pushed his hands outward and the four were thrown back, two of them hitting the wall.

Mitchell, Carter, Daniel and a few guards were headed for the gate room, through a passage of corridors that had not been sealed.

"I'm detecting several explosions happening in the base sir." Walter said.

"Where? It isn't him." Reynolds said looking at the screen.

"I'm not…." Walter said when suddenly the power went out as Khalek pulled the power cables that were on the wall where he tossed the four armed troops. "Security system is down! We've gone to auxiliary power!"

"Damn!"

Mitchell and the group stopped for a moment then took off again as the security lights came on.

Khalek came to a junction in the corridor and turned seeing the number 21 on a small door. He walked up and made it open with a gesture of his hands.

Teal'c and a few guards were walking through the corridors, looking around with PC-90's at ready. They came upon the elevator for level 24 and pointed their weapons at it as they heard noises. Teal'c turned feeling something was wrong and turned to look behind him as Khalek showed up suddenly there. He threw them all into the wall with a wave of his hand and then kept going. SG-1 and the guards came around the corner to find them on the floor. Mitchell helped Teal'c up quickly.

"He went that way." Teal'c stated.

Teal'c stayed as Daniel, Carter and Mitchell kept running.

"Medical team to level 24, hallway D." Carter said through her com.

"Meet me at the gate, call this in." Mitchell said as they came across a open emergency escape door.

"Target is headed down emergency exit tube three!" Daniel reported as he, Carter and the two guards kept running. They heard a small explosion seconds later, but kept going despite being confused.

Khalek came out from the exit tube, blowing the door off into the guards outside it with a wave of his hand. He stepped out and looked to his right to find several men with guns. They aimed as he gave them a evil look.

In the Gate Control room, everyone heard gun fire and men screaming, along with another explosion, but on the opposite side of where the gun fire was taking place. Down in the gate room, the door on the right of the control room opened as Khalek used his hand to wave it out of the way. He walked in, looked up in the control room and then back at the door. With another wave, the door closed, making the same screeching noise.

"Get those doors open Walter!"

"I'm trying sir! The controls are not responding!" Walter exclaimed as Khalek walked over in front of the ramp.

SG-1 walked into the Gate Control room and Carter sat at the computer as he looked up from the gate room with narrowed eyes. The keyboard started pushing down buttons, but no one was touching them. The computer came on moments later and the gate started dialing P3X-584.

"Shut it down Walter!"

"I can't….!" he began yelling when the door on the left of the gate room, where everyone left when they came back from another plant suddenly exploded in a massive shower of flying metal and sparks. The shockwave causing the glass panels to fracture and crack.

A large section of the door was suddenly halted in the air as Khalek stopped it with a hand held out. The piece blew up, making everyone in the gate room get down as shrapnel flew from the former door. Several more intensely loud bangs followed by a few explosions making them stay down, especially after the glass panels shattered along with some of the computer screens. And then they felt the control room shake as one of the explosions happened too close.

Outside the other door, that Mitchell was trying to get through, with his card, part of the wall, near the door blew up making him drop to the floor. A few guards came running up with Teal'c as they heard the loud bangs and the dust around the door. Mitchell crawled away from the door as a few things bounced off it. Suddenly it was totally quiet. The sounds of the alarms going off, sparks of electrical trouble and the sound of everyone breathing was the only thing heard.

"What the hell just happened?" Reynolds muttered.

Walter got up and looked out the window from his seat.

"The gate room is pretty trashed sir. I'm not sure if the gate is functioning." he said seeing some sparks coming off one of the attachments to the gate.

A couple of wires that normally were attached to the gate were swinging and sparking as they hit the wall and other objects. One of the lights was flickering as it hung by its wires. The fifty cal gun on the right of the ramp was broken in half on the floor. A large hole was in the ramp at the bottom along with part of the railing on the right side.

"Someone go down there and see what's happening. Walter, get the doors open and see if the Iris…"

"Computer's are down sir."

"I'll try it manually." Daniel said following the guards.

Mitchell, Teal'c and the guards came into the control room as everyone else was getting up.

"What the hell happened sir?" Mitchell asked.

"We're still trying to figure that out." Reynolds said as Daniel hit the switch causing the Iris to close.

"Colonel, we need this computer working before…."

"On it sir." she said handing over her weapon.

"We need a medical team down here, quickly!" Daniel exclaimed.

A couple of hours later.

Lam had a lot of people in the infirmary. Unfortunately, a few people had died, in the line of duty protecting the base. The gate was functioning again, repairs were going on in many levels. Cleaning up the gate room wasn't all that fun. The found Khalek, but his arms were in a few places. His chest practically nonexistent, his legs intact but in different places. His head was, identifiable. Lam wasn't happy that he was brought back in a body bag to look at. There was a lot of damaged from finding a hole on each level from the level Khalek was on all the way to the 28th. One level was in trouble of being flooded, but thankfully they got the water shut off in time. The Gate Control rooms glass panels and its doors were going to be back and working in a couple of days. It wasn't until they found bullet casing's that they found out who did it. And the blood trail that lead from the observation room that Khalek was in all the way to the gate room made it pretty clear who did it.

Though it was killing Sam, she helped with the repairs as Lam and the other teams of doctors and nurses worked on the injured. They managed to get Janet in to help since she had a good idea of Ford's physiology. He was healing, but not as fast as he was suppose to and they had no idea why he was still alive. His insides had severe bruises. Like someone was trying to squeeze them. One of his lungs was completely collapsed and badly tore up from a few broken ribs puncturing it. His brain had swelling from multiple concussions and his left eye was so blood shot Lam was sure that he was never see out of it again. He was found under a small pile of concrete that had been blown off part of the wall under the Gate Control room. Best guess, he dropped and fired off a round by accident with a explosive round. Currently, he was in intensive care with K-9 keeping a watch on his vitals. Because he hadn't healed up instantly like he should have, Lam and Janet refused to have him die and wait to see what would happen. He crashed three times on the table, but they got him back. Surgery went well and he was currently unconscious, surprisingly not in a coma. Still had stitches that hadn't went away too. Everyone was waiting to see what was going to happen and many wondered if he was going to wake up. His blood work was really messed up, like his gene's were almost played with.

Daniel was walking through the corridor, trying not to think the worst. SG-1 and everyone else were not allowed to be near him at the moment. Pissed Carter off something fierce, but when Janet explained it wasn't the best idea, especially with how he looked, she took Janet's advice and left to go do some work. Daniel walked up to the elevator and slid his card. Woolsey came up behind him, startling him from his thoughts.

"Doctor Jackson?"

"What?" he replied tiredly as he turned around.

"I just wanted to say I am sorry for the events that have turned out. I'm only sorry that it took this situation for me to realize what the General meant about the trouble you all go through. Despite the trouble that he can be, Ford Carter is a good man and cares very much for the people under him. I hope he recovers, I sincerely do. The men who unfortunately died today, I will personally see that their families will be well taken care of. I can assure you that much."

"Yeah. Ah, look, for what it is worth, I can understand how you felt, and why you took the position you did. But because of you and those you work with, Ford may be in serious trouble. I can personally say, if he doesn't recover right, Colonel Carter will quit, in which case, this place will suffer greatly. Because I might join her. He's been the only person that has truly ever gave a damn about this place and its people enough to fight the system. Though a lot of his methods are wrong and illegal, his heart has always been in the right place."

"I've noticed through the reports many of the personal here have filed in their normal day to day routine's. I can only hope that someday, you might find it in yourself, to forgive me."

"No." Daniel said flatly.

Woolsey nodded, understandingly.

"That doesn't mean that we don't want what you're all looking for. The answers are still out there. We just need to find them."

"You were right about the risk." he said.

The elevator opened and Daniel stepped in.

"Believe me, I wish I had been wrong."

He nodded and put a hand in the door quickly before it closed.

"I don't know what that man meant when he spoke of General Carter being a Ancient or about something to do with immortality, but I can guess why this information is not in the reports or his personal file. And if he ever recovers, let him know, I'm not going to say anything. I can understand why he keeps it secret. I'm quite sure, if he wasn't here, many more people would be dead and there would be a even bigger enemy to deal with out there. Or, the planet would have already been taken over."

"Yeah." Daniel said as Woolsey removed his hand. "Um, piece of advice, I'd stay as far as possible from Colonel Carter."

He nodded sadly as the door closed.

The next day, when Lam came in to check on Ford the next morning, he wasn't there. And neither was K-9. The bed wasn't warm either and a blanket was missing. She at first ran to the phone and started to call for security, when she realized where he probably was. When she arrived at the on base room for them, K-9 was outside the door, guarding it. She knelt down quietly.

"K-9, is he in there?"

"Affirmative doctor. He awoke at 3:02 am. He proceeded to grab the blanket and come here doctor. His orders are to be left alone until 10:00 am, unless a emergency arises."

"What's the condition of his health?"

"The Master is physically at 100 doctor."

"Mentally?" she asked not thinking first that she probably wouldn't get a response.

"The Master is extremely fatigued doctor. As is the Mistress. Her health greatly improved when he woke her up."

"That's good news. How many people know he's been up and around?"

"Just you doctor. We encountered no one on the trip here. The Master had me tamper with the security tapes on purpose. He wishes that you please inform Colonel Reynolds he will be in charge when he arrives."

"Ah sure. Just alert me when they awake. I want to check him out and ask him a few questions before he tells anyone else."

"Affirmative doctor."

She walked away feeling much better and with a smile on her face.

Hours later and many people happy to see he was back in his office. Everyone got the full report when he told SG-1 at the briefing table while having a base wide com unit on for the whole base to hear, at least the personal that were allowed to hear anyway. Lam was also present as was K-9.

"He knew he couldn't get into my brain and attack me, like with other people on the base. He couldn't read my mind. He also knew what I was and anything he did to me would have healed rather quickly, making me a threat to him and his ability to get out of here. So he attacked me with his mind, by attacking my body. Halting my healing capability somehow and attacking me on the inside. Somehow, near the genetic level. Once I got rid of him, I didn't have anything to worry about. Had he made it through that gate, there's a good chance I wouldn't be here much longer. And neither would anyone else if he had ascended. He's gone and I know not coming back. The loss of the personal will be felt by all and I regret that I didn't do anything to prevent it sooner. A all day memorial to them will take place tomorrow for those that wish to stop by and say goodbyes and or leave anything for the families, such as gifts and such. The families are being taken care of financially as we speak, so….that's it. Everyone back to work then." he said then shut it off.

"So, what is it you're not telling them?" Daniel asked.

"Mostly that by blowing his head off first, and then empting the rest of the clip into him, I made it impossible for him to come back to life at all. He never got the chance to become Immortal. Pretty much is was the blowing off if his head. Though Lam is somewhat grateful I didn't shoot him in the head, I kinda wish I had."

"By why wasn't there that….Quickening is it?" Carter asked.

"As a pre-me, as they call them. They are normal. Can't have kids though. Once they have their first death, assuming that it isn't a be-head-ment, that's when it activates that gene."

"Okay, so. What would have happened if he had died, then came back, like when I had shot him? And then, assuming all this had taken place and you still blew his head off, what would have we seen, because despite what I've read, I still don't get it." Mitchell said scratching a little at his bandaged head.

"Well, think if a lot of lightening coming from the body. A lot of it. And going everywhere as it strikes the closest Immortal in range, that is still alive. The only problem is that if he had done that sort of thing, the control room would need all its computer's replaced. Might have even activated the gate."

"Wow, that bad." Mitchell said.

"Yep." both Ford and Carter said.

"Well, let's all go home for the day. Nothing is suppose to happen and with everything that has, I could use some sleep. And you're suppose to be resting Colonel."

"Glad to see you made it through General and are still here. Thanks for the save to." Mitchell said shaking his hand. "I'm going back to the infirmary."

He left as the other's got up and Lam followed him to make sure he made it back to bed safely.

"The rest of you go home like I ordered. We could all use the rest. Including you Daniel."

"But…."

"SG-1 is on down time for today. Go home. Or if you decide to not listen like I think, then at least take your work to your room here, so you sleep right. Teal'c, you can I guess do whatever you wish."

"I believe I shall go see Ishta then." he said with a smile.

"Sam, let's go home." he said patting her hand. "You drive."

"Wow, must be bad if you want me driving, without asking." she said as they walked out.

"I just got my ass kicked, seriously kicked." he said hiding a yawn. "I don't remember the last time that happened, and what you did doesn't count."