CHAPTER 71
EPISODE……………….The Fourth Horseman, part one.
A couple of day later, and the repairs completed, everything was getting back to normal. No calls from the committee thankfully, the President not entirely happy along with a few other people about what had happened, but with a report from Woolsey, they didn't do anything either understanding that the planet and universe would have been in serious danger had Khalek gotten away.
The small memorial went well, with a few people speaking and gifts taken to give to the families, just like every other time someone had died under Ford's watch. It wasn't something that was really done under Hammond or O'Neill, unless outside the base. Ford changed it for those that couldn't get to the funeral's because of whatever reason. So, though the bodies were elsewhere or already buried, their pictures were put on display and what time you had on the base, even if it was a five minute break.
Since Teal'c was busy off world at Dakara, Ford was busy with paperwork, debriefings and didn't like sports and Cater was constantly busy with some project, Daniel and Mitchell played a few rounds of one on one.
"I'm just saying that, it's pure ego." Mitchell said as him and Daniel walked away from another basketball game on their way toward the gate room.
"Pure ego?" Daniel said tossing his towel over his shoulder. "I don't know. At that level of enlightenment? I mean, arrogance is about pleasure, right? Wallowing in the pride of one's achievements."
"Well, you don't think that getting a whole galaxy to bow down and worship you is something to write home about?"
"No, I'm just saying the ascend beings I've met could have all the satisfaction anyone could need. They don't need to lord over us." Daniel said as they rounded a corner. "They kinda look at us the way they look at bugs, insignificant. Amusing. Which is one of the reasons that Ford doesn't ascend."
"Right okay, I get what your saying….what was that about the Gen…..whoa." he said suddenly sniffing his armpit. "Damn, that smells. Is it you?"
"No." Daniel said taking a sniff as they passed by the left door to the gate room.
"Oh, Barns, right of course." Mitchell said as two men from another SG team came out of the gate room. "I should have known that stench was you."
They were in very old and worn looking clothes, kinda like monks of the Dali Lama wore, except these were very stained, dirty and stunk really bad. The two men were also both very dirty as well. Barns, the leader with a slight tan, laughed lightly, though not funny like. The man behind him, very dark like Teal'c, looked at Mitchell with a not funny look, more like now's not the time for jokes. The other two members of the team walked past them and kept going for the infirmary.
"Very funny Mitchell." Barns said as he took off the hat, removed the belt and took off the robe like coat. Under it was a black sweater like shirt. "We've been undercover on P2X-885 for the last two weeks. 10,000 poverty stricken peasants and only one fresh water well."
"Not to mention, 130 degrees, in the shade." the other teammate said.
"Well, you seriously will want to take a shower before being debriefed by the General. From what I remember, the last team that came to the debriefing like you all are, they ended up having to clean the table, chairs and carpet." Mitchell said.
"Yeah. I heard about that one." Barns said. "Right after Lam clears us we'll be going."
"Yeah, lucky her." Daniel said.
"Maybe if we're lucky, she'll give us all a sponge bath." the other man said with a smile.
"I wouldn't repeat that around the General, Lieutenant." Barns said with a very upset look.
"I wouldn't repeat that around me." Mitchell said as him and Daniel gave the guy the same look.
"Sorry sir." he said quickly loosing the smile.
Daniel and Mitchell gave him a few seconds of the upset look before leaving.
"Let's go." Barns said walking away.
"Okay, seriously." the Lieutenant said after walking in silence for about three seconds. "What's his problem?"
"Aside from the fact that that was a completely inappropriate comment, you know the Generals rules concerning woman on the base. Woman get treated with respect, no matter what their job is here. And if he heard you made that comment, he'd probably transfer you out of here."
"I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again."
Though not entirely common knowledge, for awhile, even back when Hammond had taken command of the facility, there was some men who thought that having woman go off world, much less be in the military was a bad idea. A few voiced it, and Hammond got rid of them, quickly, mostly because they wouldn't shut up about it. It wasn't a big problem anymore, but still around slightly. Jack did what he could, but it wasn't much, just like with Hammond. Ford put a different plan into action, though it was barely within the rules. Any woman on the base, whether civilian or enlisted, if hassled by some man or woman, sexual, degrading because they were female or anything in those lines, only had to inform him personally. If the allegations panned out, then he'd get them help or transferred. If the man or men did something that was, physical, and never apologized much less changed, the woman or women were allowed to slap the guy or guys and then that man or those men never returned to the SGC. One guy had raped a woman, off base, but they both worked at the SGC. Both enlisted. He threatened her life if she spoke and she came to Ford anyway. The man's punishment was a hard kick in the nuts, that Ford didn't authorize, but allowed. He just said she could punch him in the face. The man also got an instant court martial and went to jail. So far, eight men and two woman had to be transferred off base and only one court martial.
Quite a few people in the beginning thought that having Carter on the front line was a bad idea, but Jack straightened them out quickly as did Hammond. And some of the those people were people on the hill that wanted Carter out because of her gender.
"Hey Barns, how did it go?" Mitchell asked from the other end of the hallway.
"Not good. 885's went Ori."
"Damn." Mitchell muttered as he tossed the ball to Daniel. "Third planet this month. Hey, what did you mean a moment ago about the General?"
"Oh. He told me yesterday that while he was on the table getting the surgery and all that he was watching at the same time while his mother was there, offering him the choice to ascend." he muttered quietly. "Sam doesn't know this and he doesn't want her knowing that he knows how to go…."
Mitchell nodded as he saw Daniel point up.
"I can see why he wants it quiet. What about this knowing how…"
"He says he just knows, but as to explaining it….not one of those things that's even explainable. Kinda like faith in something, you know that you know."
"Ah."
"It was after he told us all that Oma was gone. When he wanted to speak to me in private."
"Ah, yeah. Sorry I never got to see her. At least we know why Anubis was defeated. Wait, why did you tell me then?"
"I wasn't thinking while talking again. Just don't tell her. He'll know I said something."
"Got it doc. Keep it quiet."
Ford came down after the team had came back. Walter informed him which team was coming back while he was up finishing paperwork.
"Whoa. What died recently Walter?"
"That was the team I mentioned that came back General."
"They died?" he asked with confusing and shock. "But…"
"No. I'm sorry General. They came back from being undercover. That really hot planet with barely any fresh water. The one we're trying to see about helping depending on if they join the Ori or not." he said helping Ford remember, since he obviously looked lost.
Walter had noticed that Ford had sometimes forgotten which team was where. But he always knew who was out there.
"Oh. That team, that planet. Right. But….oh. Okay, I just hope they remember what happen to the last team. Wasn't too bad though. Got to finish all that paperwork up there in Carter's lab. Still took a couple hours to get rid of that stink."
"I remember that General." Walter said telling him the team went to the infirmary.
"I feel sorry for her already."
Gerak was sitting in his room, behind a table about the same size as a desk, kinda like the one Ford had, but no drawers. Various items were on it, Jaffa stuff. Candles were lit up on nice metal stands, crafted with an art form. A few other small dressers and shelves sat against the walls that where light came in from the outside. A chandelier with six candles on it hung above the table. A couple chairs near another small desk against the wall. Metal cross lacing covered the windows leaving shadows on the walls. Gerak was sitting back in his chair reading the book of Origin as the loyal Jaffa friend, who would be called a secretary on Earth, came in telling him he had a visitor.
"I asked, not to be disturbed." Gerak stated forcefully.
"Forgive me, but he is here."
Gerak turned quickly as he looked past his Jaffa friend to see the Prior walk up. It was the Prior that Vala tried to kill and for once, he didn't have his staff.
"Greetings." Gerak said standing up while still holding the book.
"Have you contemplated your destiny?" the Prior asked as he removed his hood.
"I have read from the book and have found it to be most, illuminating."
"Ah, Antaris and the river, how the people from the lowly valley were freed from the yoke of the iron serpent who ruled over them without mercy." the Prior said as he walked up closer to the table. "Do you see this as more than mere coincidence?"
"You suggest it is prophecy."
"Such is the wisdom granted by true enlightenment and the road we all must take."
"Many Jaffa are without faith and direction, hurt by the lies and betrayals of those who enslaved us."
"You have been burned by evil, let it not keep you from the warmth and light of the eternal flame. Let Origin show you the way."
"I'm merely saying that ah…" Gerak said walking out from behind the table. "That it may still take some time, for other Jaffa to see Origin as I have come to see it. But, I vow to spread the word of the Ori to all Jaffa."
Gerak's friend was shocked and it was evident on his face, but he kept quiet.
"Hallowed are the Ori." the Prior said.
"Hallowed are the Ori." Gerak said meaning every word.
Ford came out of his office, finding SG-1 at the table ready for the briefing. Daniel was looking at some book as was Mitchell.
"Interesting read?"
"Yeah." Daniel said not looking up from where he was sitting next to Mitchell.
"Hmm. I thought so to." Ford said as he sat down and set aside the large booklet Carter had made. "I like the idea here Carter. I only hope it works. Wish I had been able to be more help with this though. Okay, I'm going to guess you're lost Mitchell."
"Some." he said looking at a few pages with confusion. Though he tone said he was completely lost.
"Thought so. Looks like you have to explain it anyway Sam. Unless you want me to."
"I got it. Simply speaking, with the research that was done on the clone, before and after you blew him up, we may have a technology that will inhibit a Prior's special abilities."
"You mean something like a anti-Prior gun here? Because I don't remember seeing the word gun anywhere in here." Mitchell said flipping through the book.
"Well, it wouldn't be a gun exactly. Though you'd probably like it to be." she said to Ford.
"No. Besides, I don't need anything except to get close to them. Besides, I thought it wasn't going to be a gun or anything like one."
"The gun idea was only thought possible because of what you were able to do. You were able to distract him with the explosion which made it possible to quite literally blow him to pieces. Which showed he wasn't omnipotent."
"Despite what they can do, I know the Priors are not anywhere close and I know for damn sure that the ascended Ancients aren't either. Especially with Oma gone, unfortunately."
"Most of the information we got, came from what that device told us during the time that Khalek used his unique abilities." she said. "With what help you've been able to provide, Doctor Lee, K-9 and I, we've been trying to develop a way to neutralize the areas of the brain that Khalek was using when he used his, powers. Hopefully the Priors are using the same areas and the field generator being built will neutralize their abilities when it emits a series of fluctuating ultrasonic frequencies."
"See, now that I understand better than this." Mitchell said closing the book.
"Kinda sound like Jack is still here sometimes." Ford said.
"Yeah." she said.
"I hope that's a compliment." Mitchell said.
"Trust me Mitchell. It is. I also think you're a lot smarter than Jack. You've managed to understand much more than he has ever tried to. Though I've wondered if Jack was playing stupid sometimes to be a pain."
"I think a little of both." Daniel said.
"So, any time table here?" Mitchell asked.
"Maybe a couple of days if we are lucky. Sooner possibly if Ford gets more time to help." she said. "But since it is a prototype, we'll only be able to test it. If it works, we'll be in business."
"If it works, then we can say that those men's deaths were not for a complete loss. Though that device we have is rather handy, medically speaking. Okay, that's it then. I'll finish up the stack in there and be down to help as quickly as possible." he said getting up and walking away.
"What was that look Sam?" Daniel asked as they got up.
"What look?"
"That one where he stated the device and it's medical use."
"According to the readout, he uses 12.5 percent of his brain. I always thought I was higher. Not sure why I feel insulted."
"Didn't you have a high reading Colonel?" Mitchell asked as they left the room.
"11.02 is well above average."
"Did you try it Mitchell?" Daniel asked.
"No. I'm better off not knowing how low I probably am. What about you doc?"
"Oh, something like 8.2. Maybe we should have Jack sit down in it next time he is here."
"I'd like to see that." she said with a little excitement. "Then we would really know how much of the idiot he likes to play."
Back at Dakara, while the Council was seated, Gerak was walking in the middle of the room between the two large half circle tables as he told them about the Ori. And he was being very forcefully about it too. Pointing at them as he spoke.
"If the Jaffa at Kallana had heeded the wisdom of the Priors, they'd all still be alive today!"
"The Jaffa at Kallana was defending themselves against a military incursion." Bra'tak stated as he stood up. "The Ori were attempting to construct a means by which to invade our galaxy and attack us."
"They offered us the wisdom of the ages and everlasting life, and we met it with force." Gerak said slapping the book of Origin he held. "Were their actions not justified?"
Teal'c came down the stairs, listening with extreme worry on his face along with anger with what he was hearing.
"Thousands of lives were lost." Bra'tak stated angrily.
"All the more reason why we should respect their power." Gerak said forcefully back.
"If you are suggesting that we have no other choice but to acquiesce, that would be cowardice!"
Gerak took a couple steps toward the table.
"Gerak!" Teal'c exclaimed.
He looked at him then back at Bra'tak, holding up the book, he shook it slightly.
"I believe their intentions are pure. The offer us enlightenment, knowledge, salvation…" Gerak said as Bra'tak shook his head. He turned to everyone as he continued. "All of these things can be ours, if we have the courage, to embrace our destiny."
"I believe a recess is in order." the head female Council leader said standing up next to Bra'tak as he and Gerak looked ready to go at it. "The Council will deliberate over Gerak's proposal."
Everyone left, with Gerak almost rushing out first, leaving the two old warriors alone.
"I came as soon as I heard." Teal'c said sitting down next to Bra'tak.
"Gerak has proposed that the religion of the Ori should be adopted by all Jaffa."
The look on Teal'cs face was, if any of the rest of SG-1 would have been there, would have said priceless. He was more than shocked, more than surprised.
"As law?"
"To be taught to our children, its benedictions and traditions followed to the letter." Bra'tak said with distain, sadness and anger. "Should it be ratified by the Council, all Jaffa would have no choice but to accept the Ori as gods."
"True belief cannot be legislated. Such an event would make the Tauri our enemy. Surely the Council must believe this is beyond their purview."
"Indeed, such an action would make us loose our allies. Unfortunately Teal'c, but Gerak has seemed to have swayed many. He is convinced that the Ori represent the true gods we have all sought for generations, and that only by worshiping them can we truly find peace, and enlightenment."
"Then Gerak is a fool and must be revealed as such."
"Gerak is many things, but he is no fool Teal'c. Because of us, too many of the Jaffa now know that the Ancients in this galaxy will never offer us a quick path to ascension."
"Indeed. Still, the Ori are not the answer." Teal'c said nodding.
"No. But Gerak is old, as are many of the Council. For them, the Ori represent the hope for life beyond that which we now know. For that reason alone, this proposal will carry weight."
Teal'c sat back thinking.
"I must inform General Carter soon."
"Indeed Teal'c. Though somewhat doubtful, maybe he has information that will help us."
Carter walked down to the lab where Lee mostly worked, with Ford coming to help, since he finally had time. Lee was already working on it, the best he could. On his screen was the information and a picture of Khaleks last brain scan before he left the machine. Sally was left with the grandparents for the day, seeing as there was a lot of work to be done. They didn't like it, but it couldn't be helped.
"General, Colonel. I don't think we can have anything made in that time table." he said after they walked in and she said the time table.
"It shouldn't be any problem Lee. I'm here to help so it shouldn't take as long. I'd say we all stay till about midnight, then go home and come back the next day to keep at it." Ford said as she sat down at a computer at another table behind Lee's. "If it wasn't for the seriousness of the problem with the Priors, I'd give you all more time."
"No offense General, but that doesn't help. I don't think, even if we could call in more people who would understand this." he said waving a hand at the screen. "We couldn't even get this done in a week, much less a month."
"Have to try anyway. What other choice do we have?" he said pulling up a chair near hers.
Lee muttered something as he pulled up his sleeves and turned back to his three monitors.
"What are you doing?" Ford asked as she pulled the laptop closer, so they both could see it better and put something in her left ear.
"Oh, I listen to music while working. Have for a long time. Well, since you took over and aren't around to talk to." she said pulling out a IPOD.
"Where'd you get that? I've never seen it. Better question, what do you listen to?"
She gave him the other small ear piece.
"Hmm. Not bad, I like country better." he said giving the other piece back.
"I know. And all that other stuff which I can't understand because it's in Japanese."
"Good thing really. Half the words sometimes never makes sense. So, lets see what…."
"General Carter to the infirmary."
He slumped making her laugh as he got up, still slumped.
"This better not be for some physical. Otherwise I might bust her a rank or two." he muttered. "I'll be right back, unless it's an emergency."
"I'll be waiting." she said with a smile as she put the other earpiece in.
He started leaving, then turned around quickly looking around.
"Something wrong General?" Lee asked.
"I don't know. Something feels…I don't know. Probably nothing, but if anything looks or seems funny, call me."
"Okay, what's up Doctor Lam, and it better not be you needing to do a physical or anything on me."
"No General. We have a problem." she said taking him out of the infirmary to a observation room, the upper room.
They were looking down into the room where a man was in a bed, with a oxygen machine mask attached to his face. Despite the oxygen he was getting, he was breathing hard anyway. A couple of other doctors were in the room, in isolations suits.
"It's Colonel Barns. About three hours ago, he came in complaining about fatigue."
"With a planet that hot and the return here to a cooler climate and air conditioning, no wonder. But I'm guessing it's more if he's in isolation. Please tell me it's not what I think it is."
"He's got all the symptoms. About an hour after coming in, he could barely stand. High fever, chest pain, respiratory distress. I think we have a problem on our hands and that with these symptoms, he has the same thing…."
She stopped as he muttered something in Japanese that she was quite sure was a rather bad word.
"It's the Prior plague General. I need to see anyone he's been associated with, and more importantly, we need to find Lieutenant Fisher, fast."
"I feel just fine and the de-briefing went on for almost an hour. Though I did feel funny for awhile after the briefing. Kinda lightheaded and slightly tired. Figured I needed something to eat so I ate, and then felt better."
"You sure you're feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. Fisher, Fisher……oh no. He's off base and going to see General Hammond speak….ah, excuse me doctor." he said bolting out quickly.
Everyone got out of the way quickly and Walter thought the base was under attack when he rushed in. A quick explanation got Walter into action with finding the needed phone numbers.
Lieutenant Fisher and a large group of other officers were outside a airplane hanger at a Air Force base listening to General Hammond speak. A F-16 was parked in the hanger as well as outside. He was speaking from a moveable blue podium with the Air Force seal on the front, a mike built into the top and a U.S. flag on a stand on the right. A Air Force flag stood on the left. The men and woman, in uniform, were just inside the hanger in seats. Hammond was in a black suit and tie, no stars or anything signifying his rank.
"In my many years of service, I have met with our men and woman in uniform around the world. Active, guard and reserve, those on the front lines and those here at home, and then, as now, I am continually amazed by your courage, dedication and patriotism. Our airmen, soldiers, sailors and marines, are symbols of the pride and strength of this nation. Be proud of what you do. You make our nation stronger, and our world safer. Thank you."
Everyone got up clapping as he finished. He stepped down talking to a few, shaking hands with most. Fisher walked up slowly, smiling like everyone else. He wanted to meet the man that started command of the SGC and helped keep it running for people like him. As he got within a few feet of Hammond, a couple large blue vans pulled up, quickly.
"What's going on?" Hammond demanded as a few large GMC SUV's pulled up. Some airmen got out and escorted him quickly into one of the vehicles as doctors in isolation suits got out of the vans. They quarantined the others off quickly and took Fisher into one of the vans.
Back at the SGC, where it wasn't looking good.
"I thought you cleared SG-6 when they came back from….ah hell, I can't remember, anyway….what happened?" Ford asked as they walked away from the observation room.
"I did clear them. I found nothing at the time. We've been taking extra precautions since the outbreak on 412, but we can't take test for a virus that you don't know exist. This strain has a completely different genetic make up and what's worse, it seems to be mutating right before our eyes."
"This is just prime." he muttered rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"General!" Mitchell exclaimed running up.
"Oh no." he muttered.
"They've found Fisher and they are bring him in. Everyone at the speech has been quarantined."
"Good. What's else doctor?" he asked both of them.
"Airman Ryan is now showing symptoms and Lieutenant Brooks is now quarantined. Unfortunately, we have no idea who Fisher came into contact with prior to leaving this base or how far this is even going to spread."
"The President is going to love this. Contact me as soon as it becomes possible to talk to Fisher. Run whatever test you feel is necessary doctor. Since Barns said he came into contact with that Prior, then he's the carrier. Which might explain why he's still okay."
She nodded and walked off.
Fisher was returned to the base, rather quickly, and got a exam as quickly as possible. A couple of hours later, Doctor Lam called him again from where he was helping Carter and Lee. He and Lam where in the observation room overlooking the isolation room Fisher was in. Mitchell was there with them as well.
"It was a couple of days before we left the planet. Airman Ryan and I went there to morning prostration." Fisher said as he stood at ease and reported what happened on the planet. "The Prior was there preaching."
"You had no idea your cover had been blown?" Mitchell asked through a mike.
"No sir. There was no way that anyone from that planet could have known we were from Earth."
"Damn. Must have read his mind."
"Uh, the Prior walked among us, touching people on the head, some sort of benediction."
"Wonderful. It wasn't reading his mind that way, if it was reading his mind. Fisher, you didn't put that in your report he touched you?" Ford said through the mike.
"I'm sorry General. I didn't think it was that important."
"Just breathing around a Prior is dangerous Lieutenant." Ford snapped.
"Sorry General."
"Don't worry about it right now." he said letting it go. "He must be the carrier since he looks just fine."
"Yeah. If he were to get sick and die, the virus wouldn't have anywhere to spread then. Unfortunately, it's a very effective attack." she said as the phone rang.
"General Carter. Okay, thanks Walter." he said after hearing some information for a couple of minutes. "Well, that nice piece of intel says that two of the people at Hammonds speech have tested positive for having the virus. Thankfully General Hammond is doing just fine."
"Some good news at last." Mitchell said. "What about the restaurant and gas station Fisher visited on his way into town."
"The CDC is working on containing the situation. Quarantining anyone they think may have the symptoms or came in contact with the Lieutenant. They've also sent out bulletins to every hospital and medical center in the state. Anyone with the symptoms will be referred to this facility."
"What's the cover story?"
"A new strain of influenza that was reported a St. Francis medical center about two days ago. Almost sounds the same considering how close the symptoms are. Press release is in an hour. Can you go out there and find out more about the Lieutenant's activities? Just in case anyone misses something."
"Sure. I'll get right on it." Mitchell said.
"You'll have to get scrubbed and in a Hazmat on the outside." Lam said.
"Yes ma'am." Mitchell said as he walked out the door.
"12 infected base personal have been quarantined." she said. "Four of those people are starting to show symptoms. Now half of those people came into direct contact with SG-6. Which means the rest of them didn't. We have to assume the worst case scenario."
"We have no idea how quickly this will spread seeing as it could be airborne."
"Yes General."
"Damn. Going to have to…." he began saying as they left the room and Walter came over the speakers telling them of an unscheduled off world activation.
"General Carter to the control room!"
A few minutes later, after running through the halls.
"What's up Walter?" he asked seeing the gate active, but the Iris closed.
"It's Teal'c General. I've established a video link with him on Dakara."
"Teal'c, what's up?"
"Chief Harriman has informed me of the situation. Is there any way I can provide assistance?"
"Not at the moment. Not sure what you could do anyway. We've restricted gate travel, both in and out for the time being. Unless it's a dire emergency, we aren't doing much with the gate."
"Understood."
"Tell me you have some good news."
"Despite our position on this matter with the Priors, the Council is leaning toward his proposal. Bra'tak and I believe that this battle cannot be won with diplomacy alone. The Council must know of our resolve by other means."
"What do you have in mind?"
"We will travel to Chulak and meet with other Jaffa leaders that feel as we do. No matter what the Council decides, we will resist any alliance with the Ori."
"Good to hear. You tell those that refuse the Ori, they are welcome here. Those that accept the Ori, are not friends and will be shot if they attempt to come to this base. I can't have anyone that is in contact or has had contact with a Prior or the Ori on this base Teal'c. We've got a bad situation here because of such an incident."
"Understood."
"I hate to say it Teal'c, but if the Council decides to go with the Ori, the Jaffa will be in a massive civil war. A war we may not be able to help with. If that happens, I'll do what I can, but the higher ups may not allow anything."
"Understood. I wish you success in fighting off this attack General Carter."
"I wish the same for you in this civil problem Teal'c. Call if you need anything."
He nodded and shut off the link. Walter then shut down the gate.
"Oh brother. If not one thing, it's another. I've got a call to make."
"The President again General."
"Well, that's one. The other's are personal." he said getting up.
Once in his office, he made the personals calls first, then called her.
"Carter, I'm having your parents come to the base. We aren't in lockdown yet, and I'd rather they be here, since it has the best in medical treatments anyway. I want you meeting them up there. Just tell them what you can and whatever else you feel is necessary. Make sure they stay in their room or ours for now."
"Sure. I'd feel better with them here. Especially with how bad I hear it's getting. I know the base isn't all that safe, but they should be okay."
"All right. I'm calling them right now." he said hanging up.
After calling Jacob, and telling him to pack what they needed and to bring some of Sally's things, he explained Sam would be waiting and told them to hurry. Then he called the President and informed him of the latest development with the Jaffa Council. Next he called Jack, who didn't like the info, but hoped the best. Charlie was brought home and Jack went home as well, making sure his family stayed indoors, just in case. After that, he left going down to help with the sonic device.
Didn't take long for him to get a call though and was down in a room where the base looked at information about Earth, dealing with stuff about the SGC or alien stuff in General. He was on the phone, looking at a map of the U.S.A. that was on a large plasma screen, listening to Mitchell. The map currently showed the area where Mitchell was and the surrounding counties.
Out at the gas station, Mitchell was there with the CDC people in isolation suits.
"It's a self service gas station General. According to the receipts, 22 people have used the same pump that Fisher used. We are tracking down the folks who used credit cards. But six used cash."
"The National Guard, what's left of them anyway, have been called in. I've talked with the governor and he agrees that we may have to close down the state."
"It's pretty bad General. The attendant has been put under quarantine. It looks like he has it."
"Damn. Okay Mitchell, keep me informed the best you can. Be careful out there."
"Thanks for the concern General. I'll keep you posted, Mitchell out."
Ford hung up the phone and then went back down to the lab again. He met up with Sam who had recently got finished with her parents, putting them in their room for now. Sally was happy to see Sam, and didn't really like her leaving.
"You okay?"
"Sally wanted me to stay and hold her. Hopefully we can make a breakthrough and then I can go to her later. Until then, I just need to try and not think about it."
"The bright side is she's okay and here instead of at home, which is farther away." he said then apprised her of what Mitchell said.
"This isn't going to get any better is it?"
"I don't know."
"What in the hell?" she said as they rounded the corner heading for the lab where they heard loud music being played.
They both entered the room to see Lee sitting at the computer, with a few very large speakers that were blasting the music so bad the speakers and a few other things in the room were shaking. Ford walked up, startling the poor man as he reached over and turned it down.
"When you asked to use my CD, I didn't think you'd be blowing your ear drums." Ford said as Lee removed some ear plugs.
"Sorry. Your Transformer CD has some nice loud music, but this Instruments of Destruction was the loudest and hardest of the music on the CD." Lee said looking at the back of the case.
"We could hear it half way down the hallways." Carter said. "What are you doing?"
"I was testing frequencies." he said.
"Get anything?" Ford asked putting his CD away.
"Well, we all know our auditory senses are a direct line to certain areas of the brain, and we know they respond differently to different sonic frequencies."
"Just because some of these sounds make me want to dance with them doesn't mean I do." Ford said putting the CD case down. With the stares he got. "What? Everyone has the feeling with some music."
"See, that's what I mean. Music will effect people in that way as it targets certain areas of the brain or maybe even one area. In the case of what we are trying to do, it's like…..trying…to do the impossible." Lee said tossing his hands up.
"Nothing is impossible Lee."
"We just haven't figured it out yet." Carter said sitting back in her chair as Ford did the same.
"Right. Given time…." he said stopping suddenly as he slowly looked up and reaching behind into his coat slowly.
"What's wrong?" she asked quietly and then suddenly felt something as well as she turned with him quickly.
He spun around with his gun pulled, but nothing was there.
"What's wrong?" Lee asked a little frightened.
"I don't know." they both said.
"I could swear something was there on that wall."
"So could I." she said. "I think it's fatigue and worry."
"Yeah. I'd have to agree." he said twirling it a few times before putting it away. "Way to much stress."
"Are you sure you're both okay?"
"Yes Lee. Don't worry. Just concentrate on getting this done." he said really unsure of the strange feeling he was still getting.
"Okay." he said shrugging.
Sometime later, the phone rang with Mitchell calling in. He took the phone, staying in the room. Mitchell was now at the restaurant as it was being checked out by the CDC.
"The waitress who served him, the cook, the manager, they are all testing positive. We have 14 customers that have been unaccounted for. Bulletins are being issued on both local and national televisions and radio."
"I've been told the press and media are having a field day."
"Have you closed down the state borders General?"
"Too late. We've been getting reports in Utah, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico."
"Damn, that was fast."
"Too fast. All the transport places are being secured, but someone has gotten out, or more than one person possibly. Keep searching Colonel. We need to contain this before it spreads to the whole world."
"Got it General."
Ford hung up and ran his hand through his hair.
"Not getting any better is it?"
"No." he said sitting down. "We got to get a breakthrough like you mentioned with this, and soon. Then we might be able to do something with a Prior and get a antidote from them, somehow."
Some more time later.
"This is getting us nowhere. I can't think of anything and being sleep deprived isn't helping any." Lee said turning to them.
Sam rubbed her face as Ford sat back popping his neck.
"Maybe….I don't know. Something like a different kind of spread spectrum. Maybe even a combination of waves." she suggested.
"None of the other possibilities seem to be working." Ford muttered. "So much for all our high I.Q's. I thought even trying something on a sonic frequency, but….."
"Yeah…ah. I can't think straight at the moment. Too much sleep deprivation. I'm going to go get some coffee. You two want anything?"
"No, I'm good." she said.
"Thanks, but no." Ford said.
Lee nodded and walked out. Ford pulled a bag from his pocket and set it on the table as he opened it.
"M&M's?"
"Different form of caffeine."
"True. Bring that bag closer." she said reaching in after he slid it closer. "Hmm, not brain food, but just as good."
"I got that weird feeling again." he said rubbing his eyes.
"So do I." she muttered quietly like him.
"You're both so close." a unknown voice said beside them.
"We know." they both said, then suddenly realized it wasn't Lee.
Ford turned sharply to see a small boy to a few feet to his left, and he jumped. Sam managed to keep herself from falling as he fell off the stood. Her stool went down as she slid off being knocked over as Ford fell into it. She just barely caught him and even more barely could keep him from falling down. He managed to stand back up before falling on her.
"You've got to stop wearing that coat sometimes. Especially if there is no immediate danger." she grunted out.
"Yeah. Sorry." he said slowly as he walked away and looked out the door. "Thanks for the scare kid! Where'd you come from and more importantly, how'd you get here?"
"Something wrong General?" a guard asked walking up quickly with his hand on his gun.
"No, nothing. As you were." he said then closed the door.
The boy hadn't moved at all, but stayed standing. He had on a white sneakers, blue jeans, a green T-shirt and a striped button up shirt that was open and sleeveless.
"Who are you?" Carter asked kneeling down near the young boy as Ford picked the stools up.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startled you both." he said, though no actually remorse could be heard. His voice seemed more like it lacked emotion.
"Don't worry about it." Ford said kneeling down too. "You seem to know us."
"I do. I had no choice but to take this form. It's good to see you again Sam."
She was confused at first, then realized who it was.
"Orlin?"
"Yes." he said nodding.
"Whoa." she muttered standing back up.
"Wait, weren't you a adult? What happened to you? Other than me, you seemed like the best person she ever met." he said with a jerk of his thumb.
"Such information is not important at the moment. I am here to help you finish this."
"Oh, well please do. I'm tired of thinking. Can I get you anything?"
"No. I am fine right now."
"Wait, what are you doing?" she asked. "Why do you think it's him?"
"You said his name. Besides, I somehow know he's an Ancient."
"You have the ability to feel other's like me and your self." he said sitting down in Ford's stool. "And no, I am not Immortal like you. I know you don't trust me yet Sam, or even believe that I am Orlin. But I have information that only Orlin would know."
About an hour later and him giving them the information they needed to complete the project, they took him down to the infirmary, for regulation purposes. Currently, they were up in a observation room looking down as he sat in a chair at a table, with a glass of water. Daniel was sitting on the edge of a table just looking. Sam was next to him with Ford then Lam.
"Well, according to the test, he's a normal human adolescent." Lam said.
"Who's given us what we believe is the key we needed to finished the anti-Prior technology."
"The report that we have on this Orlin states he was a older gentleman." Lam said.
"Yes." she said.
"Why's he a young boy now?" Lam asked.
"He didn't have a choice from what he told us." Ford said.
"It was the only way to keep his Ancient memories preserved." Carter said.
"The knowledge he possessed as a ascended being was way too massive for a normal human brain to handle. Being a child will allow him to keep the knowledge just a little longer." Daniel said.
"That's makes a lot of sense actually. The neural make up of a still developing mind has to potential for more memory retention than that of an adult." Lam said.
"That explains why I remember being smarter those many years ago. Turning old sucks."
"You don't turn old." Carter muttered. "Unfortunately, he says he's going to loose most of the knowledge."
"I don't want him becoming a test subject, as much as it would be nice to have him sit down and tell us everything he knows while it's still up there. He doesn't need that." Ford said crossing his arms. "We'll have him help us with what he can. He should know a way to counter act this plague. I want him out of there and in the briefing room. I think we've got a few questions first before we do anything else."
"Such as?" she asked.
"Why'd he risk his life to help us for one."
Now in SGC BDU'S, his size surprisingly, he was seated at the table next to Sam. Daniel across from her on the right of Ford.
"I'm sorry, aren't you breaking some cosmic rule here?" Daniel asked in confusion. "Why did the others let you go without wiping your memory clean?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I guess that enough of them felt that it was necessary that someone step out of line and warn you."
"About the Ori. We know how bad they are and I know they are the Ancient's enemies." Ford said.
"Believe me, you don't know everything. A long time ago, the Ori and the Alterans were one society of humans, on a evolutionary path to ascension."
"I can see where you're going. One group decided to do one thing, the other decided a different path, and there was a big disagreement."
"Close. The Ori had a religious belief while, for a lack of better term the Alterans believed in science. The Ori tried to wipe them out."
"Figures. Religion always starts wars." Ford muttered.
"No. There was no war."
"Instead of starting a war, the Alterans built a ship, left their galaxy and they came here then." Daniel said understanding.
"Yes."
"Okay, so we all know that they both eventually ascended, but the Ori passed on a religion called Origin, the next evolution of humans." Daniel said.
"Yes. But the central promise of the religion, everything the followers devote themselves to, is a lie."
"I knew it. There's was a catch for why you had to either bow down or die." Ford said.
"Same here, but why force servitude?" Daniel asked. "Is it that the followers don't get ascension?"
"No, most certainly not. Then they'd have to share."
"Ah. I don't get it." Ford said. "Unless the Ori want everyone to worship them because of ego's."
"No. They sap power from those that worship them."
"How's that possible?" Carter asked.
"This reminds me of a movie. Of which I can't remember at this moment." Ford started out saying, then dropped off to a mutter.
"I know we all miss General O'Neill around here Ford, but…."
"No seriously. This reminds me of a movie Sam. Some…..bad guys or evil creatures kept the humans alive because they needed something from them, like their life force. Treated like cattle, to a point."
"Your reference is to farm animals is right. Except for the Ori take better care of their followers, to make sure that they live long lives to have their power removed from them later." Orlin said.
"Same question as when I was interrupted." Carter said giving Ford a quick look.
"It is very hard to explain. Basically, the more people they have worshiping them and relinquishing their free will, the more power they gain. Nevertheless, it is also one of the main reasons that the Ancients have believed in a strict non interference in the lower planes."
"Because the temptation to manipulate and align the lower life forms in some order for your own purposes could result in this exact act of abusive corruption." Daniel said.
"The Ori empower themselves by sapping the life force of those who willing give themselves to them."
"Unknowingly. And this promise of salvation…"
"Is death of the most meaningless kind." he said making Sam shake her head in pity.
"Oh my god." Ford muttered. "This is just as bad as those suicide bombers. Only in this case, you don't kill yourself to get rid of unbelievers."
"Do the Priors know this?" Carter asked. "I mean, are they complicit?"
"No." he said shaking his head. "They are merely pawns. The more worlds the Priors convert, the more powerful the Ori become. They must be stopped. If they become too powerful, even you will not be safe anymore."
"Ouch." Ford said. "Okay, if they are this bad, then why aren't the rest of our people doing anything? Such as trying to stop them."
"We are not one of them, not really. Even if I was though, I do not think such a action would be taken, because it is unclear whether such action would result in victory. Nor is such a endeavor, at that level, necessary to be the next best step to further enlightenment. All I can say for sure, if this galaxy were to succumb to the Ori, it would very bad for everyone."
"Well, I think that was pretty obvious to begin with. Almost worth taking the time machine and going back to stop this all from beginning." Ford said.
"To do such action would completely destroy everything that has been. I would advi…."
"I said almost. I'm not that stupid as to try. Not unless they start winning. Better to never exist than to die meaningless deaths."
"I hope that never happens. I'd hate to be the one that stopped everything from happening because of the Ori almost won." Daniel said.
"We need a plan of some sort. Do you know anything that can help with this virus and maybe any way us mortals can fight the Priors?"
"Yes."
At Dakara, Gerak was returning to his chambers, only to find someone there.
"You have spread the word of the Ori well Gerak." the Prior said as he looked out the window.
"I believe that their wisdom, was worthy of my efforts."
"Such wisdom still falls upon deaf ears. A group of unbelievers, Jaffa, who stand against your leadership and the Ori, are meeting as we speak, on Chulak."
"True belief, cannot be forced upon other's." Gerak said walking in with his hands intertwined. "I believe, that in time, they will come to believe, that this is true."
"The Jaffa are strong willed. You are a people that understands the nobility of bloodshed. The necessity of sacrifice."
"What would you have me do?"
"Go to Chulak, mark it as the last place that the Jaffa will ever doubt the power of the Ori. Destroy all those who will not walk the path to enlightenment."
Gerak was unsure if he could do such an order.
Back at the SGC, they had set up a lab with lots of medical equipment so Orlin could come up with some sort of way to make a cure. He stated he couldn't heal them as he once could being ascended, but with his knowledge, he might be able to make a cure. Sam was unsure what he meant when he said that Ford had the power to help and didn't have time to ask as he left having to deal with another phone call he couldn't miss.
Gerak had just finished writing up a few pages on actual paper. He sat back opening the Ori book as his friend took the papers away, or started to when he turned around.
"Gerak, the battle at Kallana. I lost a cousin there."
"Hmm. Their deaths still haunt me today, but it does not cause me to reconsider my decision."
"I have read from the book of Origin, searched for this wisdom that you speak so highly of, and I do see fables meant to fill a soul bereft with purpose, stories of morality and righteousness."
Gerak closed the book and shook it at him.
"And this is not worthy of your respect?"
"So are the traditions of the Jaffa." the man stated with insult. "Are we just suppose to abandon all that we are?"
"No." Gerak said getting up. "But, if you are to look real close, you'll find that everything that we want, is in here. Everything that we have ever desired, is in here."
He set the book against the mans chest, and when he grabbed it, Gerak tapped it a few times then waved a finger before going back to sit down again.
In the medical lab that had people in isolation suits, Orlin and many other doctors and scientist worked on the problem with the Prior virus. Sam came in also in a isolation suit and walked up to Orlin who was working on a computer that also had a microscope attached to it. The set up was placed in a locked down section of the base to keep containment and had extremely restricted quarantine going on for that section, unless you had a suit on.
"How's it going?"
"Basically, I know what I need to make. I just don't have the right materials or tools."
"This is the best we have. Anything else you think of, just ask and Ford will get it, off world or otherwise."
He nodded.
"I could get you a toaster if you need it."
"That would only be okay if you wanted toast." he said remembering what he did to her toaster.
"Waffle iron?"
"No." he said smiling as he knew she was joking.
"I don't mean to sound pushy, but do you have any kind of time frame on this?"
"Honestly, time from your perspective is not something I am familiar with."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"You can keep me company."
"Okay." she said sitting down on his left side. "Um, what did you mean about Ford having…some power to help?"
"If he has not told you, then I'm sure that it would not be my place to say."
"Almost sound like Daniel. Do you know about his past?"
"I think I did, once. I remember talking to his parents once. But I can't remember the conversations though."
"I'm guessing
that this power he has, which I'm going to bug the hell out of him
for answers about, has a consequence to using it."
"That,
would be correct. I can't say much more."
"One of these days, I'm going to learn what he hates about his past."
"It is very dark, that much I remember."
Ford was in the Gate Control room looking at some news report that was on a monitor on a rolling TV stand. With the massive outbreak and so many people getting sick, it helped everyone to know how bad it was, making them work harder for solutions. He was able to get some cooking done, mostly because he had time, was hungry and needed a break from all the problems. He also got to see Sally and bring them all food. Sally was so happy and he hated having to leave. With Sam helping Orlin, and K-9 helping Lee, he was sure that their problems were going to be fixed rather soon. Part of him was worried about Sam being with Orlin, seeing as he knew about their past, though from what he understood, they never did anything actually, other than a kiss. But he knew that Orlin loved her, but with his young age, nothing could happen much less he doubted would. But he was still uneasy about Orlin, feeling something was wrong. He ignored it as he watched the news.
"General, Colonel Mitchell is calling."
"Put him through." he said sitting at the computer. "What have you got Mitchell?"
"General, we have a problem." Mitchell said out at the commercial airport he was at. "Looks like one of the people that used the gas pump Fisher used boarded a plane before the quarantine went into effect."
"I'm guessing no one really knows where he is."
"Oh, we know where he is. But he caught a flight to Denver, with connections to New York and Chicago. I think we lost control of the situation."
"Oh god." he muttered dropping his head into his hands. "Come home Colonel."
"Yes General."
"I'm going to make some calls Walter. And while I'm at it, I'll try to keep from causing any destruction on the way." he growled out. "I so hope that Lee succeeds with that device. If it works, this place is going head hunting."
Walter tried not to think about what that meant, but understood the situation was getting worse and they were quite literally at war. Only this enemy was using biological warfare.
Ford's first call, was to some more friends, telling them to stay home. Then he called the President, advising him that shutting the U.S.A. completely off from the rest of the world would be the best thing they could do right now to save the planet, if that.
"I have to admit, it's nice to be out of the uncomfortable suit for awhile." he said as they got some food, thankfully, recently made by Ford.
Moral wasn't that great, at the moment, but the food helped and even Walter gave him time for that, unless it was a dire emergency. Paperwork could wait and unless the phone calls were seriously important, Walter gave him the time. Thankfully he had some help from the other chefs in getting certain foods done. Unfortunately, he never was able to make any brownies, but he did get cake made.
"I know that I am vulnerable as a human, but I can't quite still get my head around my own vulnerability." he said as they sat down at a empty table with his fresh roast beef sandwich, steamed vegetables, and a small slice of cake that Sam suggested he try. All the portions were small, such as the sandwich being one piece of bread.
"You've been at it nearly nine hours straight. You need to eat something."
"I am hungry."
"So am I. Sleep is what I really need, but with all this going on I've only been able to catch it every so often over the last couple of days." she said taking a drink of coffee.
She had mashed potatoes, gravy, the roast beef without the bread, blue Jello, and a roll. When it came to making bread at the SGC, it was all done by hand.
"Really, it's just me, but it has been awhile since I experience human senses." he said picking up his fork. "This food smells rather good."
"That's because Ford was the cook. Only here does he really make that extreme magical touch to food." she said taking a bite of her mashed potatoes. "If he did this at home more often, I think I'd be in trouble of needing to go on a diet."
"I remember eating pretty well the last time I did this." he said taking a bite. "But this seems much better."
"Like I said, his magical touch. Don't know how he does it." she said taking a few bites. "Um, this is the last time for you right? They won't help you ascend again will they?"
"I don't think so." he said shaking his head.
She looked down at her food before eating again, a little slower.
"I know it must seems weird for you, me being this young."
"A little. I'm not sure whether seeing you like this is a good thing or not."
He had confusion on his face.
"I'm not meaning anything bad, but if you had came back, as the adult you were, I'm not sure how Ford would have taken it. You get what I mean?"
"Yes. I know you have a family now Sam." he said with a hint of sadness she heard. "Despite that, my feelings have never changed. It was one of the reasons I had to take this form."
She wasn't sure what to say and after not saying anything for a moment, jumped when someone put a hand on her shoulder. Everyone that was around looked their way, and he waved them back to what they were doing.
"Calm down Colonel. It's just me." Ford said sitting down next to her as she cleaned off her shirt where her fork had hit when she dropped it.
"You scared me!"
"What were you doing that made you not notice me coming? Usually you can tell when I arrive. Unless I'm trying to sneak up on you."
"I was….uh…" she said unsure of what to say.
"Any idea's Orlin?" he asked.
"I think I may have…caught her off guard."
"I'll say. I don't catch her like that easily. What were you two talking about? Let me guess, the past?" he said tapping his nose first before pointing at them.
She tried to hide it by saying no.
"Nice try Sam. I can tell he still cares for you, and that part of you still cares for him. Not surprising since he's the only other man who ever treated you right." he said quietly. "Despite the mess he left in your basement."
She tried not to think about it in that way, about how right he was, and then couldn't help but laugh as the last comment.
"That was a big mess. SGC ended up taking it all away."
"So Orlin, what do you think of my cooking?"
"It's really good. Well, I remember eating pretty well the last time I did this." he said taking another bite. "But this seems much better."
"That's good to hear."
"Wait a minute, those were the exact words you said to me." she said. "I talked about his magical touch…."
"Thanks." he said smiling.
"Oh right. I forgot. I'm used to hearing my own thoughts in my mind and it's sometimes hard to distinguish which ones I say out loud."
"Give it time. You'll start remembering when you spoke and what not."
He nodded and took a drink of his water, then set it down slowly as he looked at her.
"Did I tell you I still had feelings…."
"Yes. Yes you did. Thank you. We don't need to discuss that again. Why did you come here?" she said quickly changing the subject.
"Well, I came to talk to you about something with Orlin. I wanted to…."
"Ford, gotta minute. This is rather important." Daniel said walking in.
"Is it General related duties?"
"Yeah. Sorry." Daniel answered as Ford groaned.
"I'll tell you about it later Sam. See you around Orlin." he said walking out as he followed Daniel.
"Well, what's up?" he asked as they took the elevator to the level where the room that showed the world events was going on.
"We've got 5,000 cases of confirmed infections. Now the bulk of those are from the Colorado Springs and Denver areas."
"That bad. Damn. What about those cities…um, Chicago was one that Mitchell mentioned. New York was the other, right?"
"You sure you're not sick too?"
"I've been awake for more than 24 hours, maybe 3 days now Daniel, as has been a few others. Once upon a time, I could go about five days or more, but since I never kept in practice and right now can't afford to try resting."
"Oh gotcha. Well," he said as a guard opened the door letting them in. "45 new cases have been reported in Utah, 36 in New York, 20 in Chicago and now 20 in San Diego."
"The country is in a panic." Lam said as they walked up.
"I've called the President and told him that the U.S.A. needs to be closed off from the world. Other than that, I had no other ideas and it seems that the Asguard aren't able to answer any calls. What the hell happened at those other two airports? Didn't the CDC get on it fast enough? They had all the information on everyone, unless the computers quit, which I have heard isn't the case."
"They managed to get most of the crew from the manifest and such, but we still have a few unaccounted for. They're doing the best they can to track them down." Daniel said.
"We've been getting new cases reported in at new locations almost every hour now, opposed to three or four a day." Lam said.
"I hate to ask, but how many dead?"
"There are only eight people dead so far, five of them SGC personal."
"Dammit. This is not getting better, but I had expected a high number. Okay, how long until that number climbs, rough estimate?" he asked rubbing the bridge of his nose again in god knows how many days.
"Well, because of the long incubation period, it's hard to say. This virus is meant to be spread quickly. With 5,000 people incubated and no treatment as of yet, that number is going to climb very soon. When it starts, and if we have no cure by then, it will be a domino effect."
"More calls to the President I see. All right. Keep me posted and I'll keep on the workers to get things done quickly. I need some coffee, badly."
"You need rest General."
"No time Doc."
A few hours later, he was sitting behind the desk, feeling like sleeping. Sam had managed to get some sleep, as did a few others, and despite people telling him to get some rest, he refused. He had drank god only knows how much coffee, had several cold showers to help wake himself up, helped Lee out to the point the looked like that had a effective weapon finally, though Sam had went over it to make sure. The cure was still being worked on. The bags were starting to appear under his eyes as he called Walter in to have SG-1 come to his office.
"Sit or stand, don't care. Just tell me you have something." he said tiredly and with a grumpy tone.
"You still haven't slept General." Mitchell observed as he stood near the door to the briefing room.
"Report people." he ordered.
Daniel sat down next to Sam in the chairs.
"Well, with you, Lee and me and the other's working, we finished the device. We just needs some Prior to test it on. As for the cure, Orlin says there is a vital component he needs before he can continue. He's at a dead end and this looks like a good time to test if the weapon works." she said.
"I'm going to guess that it is off world otherwise he would have asked for it already and with you talking about the weapon…."
"Close. What he needs is a blood sample from the Prior that infected Lieutenant Fisher." Mitchell said.
"A blood sample?"
"Yes." they all said.
"He thinks that the Prior essentially manipulated his own DNA to create the virus. Now it has mutated several times since then, but he thinks that by having the root DNA base may help." she said.
"Okay. So anyone know where this Prior is?"
"Well, it was the intel from the Sodan who led us to 885 in the first place. Apparently they are expecting the same Prior back their tomorrow."
"As bad as it sounds to send you out with possible bad intelligence and the fact we aren't sure if the weapon will even work, you're going to have to go anyway. You Colonel, Daniel and one of the SG teams that aren't infected. We just have to hope you get lucky and can bring him back or at least get the sample."
"Well, Orlin also wanted to try and see what would happen when we told the Prior the truth about what's happening." Daniel said.
"Reform a Prior?" Ford said with a snort. "Oh yeah. Even if he believed you, don't you think the Ori, which watch their every move aren't going to do something to them? That one Ori burned to the ground out there."
He raised a hand before they could say anything.
"If you want to bring him back, to tell him such info or want to tell him thereon the planet, then go ahead. But after you get a blood sample. We don't need him exploding, burning alive or that stuff before getting that sample. And if you want to bring him, do not let that staff come with. Understand?"
"Yeah. Blood then talk. No staff." Mitchell said.
"Good. Now let's go look at that machine so you know how to use it." he said as the phone rang. "Sam, you go show them, I need to take this."
They left as he sat back down. The news was not good and he made sure that before he left that Sam was not around to see him run.
"Jacob, how bad is she?" he asked entering the room quickly. Jacob and them were put in a new room after seeing that no one was really leaving the base, despite there not being a lockdown.
"She wasn't feeling well when we arrived a few days ago. Every time Sam came around Amy always made sure she looked okay. She didn't want Sam worrying, and the same with you. Doctor Lam kept it quiet and has her on the oxygen, but she refused to do anything else than a few shots." Jacob said taking him into the bedroom on the right.
Amy was not conscious and had the oxygen mask over her face. She looked worse than everyone else, but still was alive somehow.
"When was the last time she was awake?" Ford asked kneeling next to her.
"A few hours ago. She passed out and then I tried to get hold of you a few times, but when anyone else picked up, I just asked for a report and told them to have you get back to me later."
"I knew she was sick and keeping it quiet when I saw her. Now I know who he was taking about. Kept thinking it was Sam's brother, someone in his family or Sally. Maybe even you." he said removing the oxygen mask.
"What? Who, who was talking about?" he asked sitting on the other side of the bed.
"That other me mentioned something about someone in the family needing help and he….showed me something. A gift somewhat. Sam doesn't know I can do this, so don't tell her." he said placing a hand between her breast, on the shirt.
"What are you doing?" he asked about to take the hand away.
"I can heal her, but it comes at a price. I know the price, but have never done it. Just stay back."
Jacob watched while Ford closed his eyes, bowed his head and muttered something that sounded like god I hope this works. His hand glowed for a moment, and after three seconds it quit and she started breathing right and even woke up. Ford's hand went limp and he dropped to the floor hitting the nightstand. Jacob rushed around and turned Ford over to see him sweating rather badly, looking a hell of a lot more tired and that something had changed. He looked a little older, only because he had gray hairs in his side burns. Not many, but enough to be visible. When she got up and Jacob reached for the phone, Ford stopped him quickly.
"No. No one must know. Not even Sam. I'll tell her later." he said in a whisper. "Just help me up. If Lam comes, tell her to come to me and say nothing to no one."
"I don't know what to say." Jacob said with tears.
"You don't have to, just get me off the floor."
He walked out, with a slight limp of fatigue.
"You okay General?" the airmen outside asked.
"Just really tired." he said keeping either arm on the side of his head with his fingers intertwined behind his head. No one could see the hairs this way. "No sleep for a few days does this to anyone."
Once in his office, he put the coat on the rack, hung up his guns and sat down. He never even got to signing the first folder off as he passed out.
Unbeknownst to the rest of SG-1, much less anyone else really, Sam was explaining the device's function. It was a black object, like a turned over wash pan used for panning for gold, with the same look for the bottom. It almost seemed more like a glorified game station built by SEGA, as Ford mentioned once. It had a couple lights on it, though not on at the moment. It was sitting on top of the large back case the it was suppose to go into soon.
"So, how does it work, assuming…it actually does work?" Mitchell asked waving a hand at it from where he stood next to Carter.
He crossed his arms with a skeptical look. He was truly expecting a gun type weapon, not something that looked like a flying saucer.
"You know, I keep telling myself, that one of these days, I'm going to do something that gets me a little respect…" Lee was saying as he walked around the table to stand opposite from Carter. Daniel almost rolled his eyes as he stood next to him.
"We're all waiting for that day Bill." Daniel said.
"Theoretically, once activated, the device will emit omni-directional ultrasonic field." Carter said ignoring the two.
"And that, it will prevent a Prior from accessing those higher brain functions that give him those super human abilities." Lee said as Daniel sniffed Lee's coffee cup.
"That's assuming that those staff weapons, or whatever they are that the Prior's carry are also mentally activated."
"While we are at it, why don't we all assume that I can fly." Mitchell said sarcastically.
"Actually I have a theory…." Lee started saying.
"You said yourself it would be risky." Carter stated.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. But the more I hear it, the more it is crossing over into crazy. But hey, I like crazy which is why I asked for this job." he said as Carter put the device in the case.
"One more thing. There is a range of frequencies built into this thing. If the first one don't work, try the others." she said.
He shrugged as she closed the case and looked up slowly like something was wrong.
"Sam?" Daniel asked.
"Any of you feel like something isn't…..I guess right?"
"What do you mean?" Mitchell asked seeing she really looked worried about something.
"I don't know. Suddenly, I felt like something is wrong. Still feels like….K-9?" she asked into her wrist. The other's were still getting use to that.
"Mistress."
"What are you doing?"
"Currently watching Sally Mistress."
"Is she okay?"
"Her condition hasn't changed Mistress."
"What about my parents?"
"Their condition is unchanged Mistress."
Considering that Ford had just recently helped Amy, she was back to normal with her health just like it was before she got sick. So for K-9, he didn't explain seeing as she never asked that sort of question and Ford had ordered K-9 to keep it quiet.
"Then what seems so wrong? Maybe I'm just tired. Thanks K-9." she said then lowered her arm.
"Maybe something's wrong with the General." Lee said. "I know he hasn't slept much if at all lately."
"Doubtful. He always tells us if something is wrong." Daniel said.
"Just a suggestion." Lee said.
"Forget it. It's probably just fatigue. You two get going with this, get that sample and come back as soon as possible." she said handing Mitchell the case.
"We'll come through on this one. That's a promise." Mitchell said as they walked out.
"I'm going to see how Orlin is doing." she said. "Maybe it's him I'm getting the feeling from."
At Chulak, Gerak's mothership pulled into orbit. On the planet under a tent, there was several Jaffa leaders talking about what to do with the problem with Gerak and the Ori.
"Even if the Kal'jak region commits to our cause, we will still be outnumbered in ships and armies, nearly six to one." Aaron said.
"Hopefully no shots will ever be fired." Bra'tak said.
"You believe that our mere willingness to fight are own brothers will force the Council to hear us." he said.
"The Council is lost." Teal'c said walking to stand next to Bra'tak. "It is the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters that will take notice."
A Jaffa in battle armor walked up speaking into Bra'taks ear.
"They must be made aware of the threat the Ori pose." he said just noticing the other Jaffa speaking to Bra'tak.
"If he is unarmed, let him enter." Bra'tak said.
They waited a few seconds after the Jaffa guard left and Gerak walked in. Teal'c instantly took a dislike and walked toward him with a growl.
"You are not welcome here!" he hissed as Bra'tak put a hand out holding him from going further.
"The powers of the Ori, cannot be denied." Gerak stated with a stern look. "I have come to beg you, to cease this madness, or be destroyed."
"By who's hand?" Teal'c demanded.
"My Hatak is in orbit around this planet."
"You would murder your brother's and sisters. Innocent children!" Bra'tak said forcefully keeping a hand on Teal'c's chest. "For choosing the life of a free Jaffa!"
"You leave me no alternative. You have been warned." he said then left. Teal'c tried to go after, but was still being held back.
After seeing Mitchell and them off, she found him working further on the cure and such. Computer programming stuff. After awhile of some helping, she told him to go get some rest. He said okay and left. Sometime later after looking things over, she went to her lab to check on things she hadn't got around time to work on. Orlin was in one of the labs that's nearby working on a computer.
"What are you doing? I thought you were going to get some rest." she asked. "You're human again so you have to sleep like the rest of us."
"I know. As soon as I finish the DNA sequencing program. Once we get the sample from the Prior, we can plug in the decode strand….."
"Wait. You've already done and explained this." she said with worry.
"What?"
"This." she said pointing at the screen. "You've already done this all. You finished and I told you to get some rest."
"I….was on my way and suddenly felt like I forgot something."
"Orlin?"
"It's okay. I'm just tired." he said rubbing his face.
"No. Something is wrong. I want you to go see Doctor Lam."
"I think she has enough to deal with."
"Orlin, you're our best hope for a cure. We need you to be okay. Now let's go see what's up."
Back above Chulak, Gerak was told by the Jaffa at the controls they had a target lock on the location.
"The only true darkness is within those who will not follow the true path." the Prior said holding his staff close inside Gerak's room. "Otherwise there is always some measure of light, and where there is light, the Ori see all!"
He turned around to look at Gerak, who looked almost afraid. The Prior was not happy.
"I spared their life because I believe they will soon see."
"You defied me! We do not serve the Ori at our whim!" he yelled walking up to Gerak who jumped slightly.
"You cannot win the hearts of the Jaffa, by needlessly spilling the blood of the innocent." he said.
"We are mere mortals. We cannot begin to question those with the knowledge and understanding of the infinite universe. If a few Jaffa must give their lives so that all Jaffa till the end of time can find true enlightenment, then who are you to stand in the way?!"
"Would you forgive me?" he asked sincerely.
"Ask me not for forgiveness. I sense your doubts Gerak." he said walking up to him. "But fear not. The Ori do not require blind obedience. They will show you their power."
He lifted his staff and with a bright glow, they suddenly were not on Dakara. But on the Ori's home planet.
"Where are we?" he asked looking out a window.
"Your physical form remains on Dakara. The power of the Ori has brought your mind here, to Celestis, the city of the gods."
He looked out the window with Gerak for a brief moment.
"Come."
They both walked down a hallway and rounded a corner to enter a room. The room Daniel was in when he saw the wall of fire. The man in white opened the metal grate door and showed him the wall of fire.
"Hallowed are the Ori." the man said.
At the planet with the Sodan warriors, Mitchell, Daniel and another SG team walked down a path through the woods. Daniel was jumpy and pointed his weapon at anything that moved. After another quickly point of the gun, once again, Mitchell laughed. The other SG team were outfitted with some heavy weapons and helmets. Mitchell had a black cap on while Daniel had his black bandana again.
"Relax Jackson. I spent two weeks with these guys, remember. We've got nothing to worry about."
"Well, considering what happened the last time we were here. I am tending to be cautious."
"We'll be fine." Mitchell said as several guys de-cloaked around them.
No gun fire happened, but they were all subdued quickly. Mitchell took longer because he fought off one guy before one man got behind him and placed the bladed weapon to his throat.
"Are we still fine?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, we're fine." Mitchell said keeping his hands in the air.
"Good, just checking." Daniel exclaimed with a grimace.
Sam dropped Orlin off at the infirmary and then left to go get Ford, seeing as he wasn't picking up his phone or his watch alarm. Doctor Lam said she'd have results of some test by the time they got back. She entered the office to find him passed out on the desk.
"Well, it finally got to you. Even I can't stay awake that long." she said walking over and shaking his arm. "You even got tired of wearing your coat…..and guns?"
He still hadn't moved despite the shaking. She pulled him off the desk and turned the chair. She gasped loudly and stepped back seeing how sweaty he was and the gray hairs that now made up his sideburns.
"Ford, what the hell happened to you?" she asked grabbing his arms and shaking them. When she reached for the phone, she jumped when his hand grabbed hers.
"Amy….was dying, from the virus. I…..saved her." he said weakly as his hand dropped.
"What? Wait, moms been okay since the day she got here. You're dreaming Ford, and probably have the virus as well. I'm calling…."
"No. I'm, not dreaming." he said opening his eyes. He tried to put a hand on the phone, but ended up shoving it off the desk. "Oops. Oh….well. I, saved her, you can ask Jacob, he was there."
"I don't understand." she said backing up as he got up slowly, very slowly.
"You're, going to, have to help, me to the locker room."
"Locker room? You need the infirmary." she said getting under one of his arms.
"After a very cold shower. I can't go to back to sleep. Might cause more trouble than good. Tell me how things are going." he said as they walked out.
"General! Is everything okay….oh my, what happened?" Walter exclaimed as he had run up to see what happened to the phone, since it was signaling something wrong on his board.
"I'm fine. Just did something I….I'll explain later. If Reynolds isn't down and out, get him up here to help with anything you need."
"Everything is quiet at the moment. No incomings or outgoings so….I guess you'll explain the hair later too then General."
"Yeah, later. I'm going for a shower then the infirmary if you need me." he said walking away with help. "Oh, don't say anything to anyone about my condition Walter. People have enough o worry about."
"Yes General."
"So, as I was saying Sam…"
"I want to know what the hell you did before I say anything else."
"Remember when Jack used the healing power of the Ancients on Bra'tak?"
"You can't do that. Can you?"
"I can, but at a price. Not sure why. The other version of me, taught me." he said somewhat weakly.
He had to wave off people as they walked to and entered the elevator.
"I still don't understand." she said really worried he was in trouble. The door closed and he leaned against the wall. "You're not dying on me?"
"No." he said quickly as he heard the fear. "No. Doing what I did, took a few years out of me, best way of saying it. You could say I'm….probably 55 or 56 now. Maybe a few years older than that, maybe."
"You age if you use this power? Oh my god. That's what Orlin was meaning about you not wanting to use it. Mom was dying and she wasn't telling me!" she exclaimed in anger, worry and sadness.
"Look at what we're all dealing with Sam. Especially with you having to deal with worrying about Sally too. Having to work constantly. Hell, I didn't really know until a few days after they showed up. I could see she wasn't well and knew I had to do something soon. Jacob called me." he said as the door opened and they headed out.
"I came down and did it. Hopefully I won't have to do anyone else, ever."
"Orlin is in trouble. I think he's dying." she said explaining what she found out before taking him to the infirmary for test.
"Damn. I thought something was strange back in the commissary. We'll find out how bad in a bit."
She had to wait outside, and ended up waiting a good fifteen minutes. He came out, looking like he was shaking and having trouble standing. He had on the normal BDU clothes, and his name tag on, crooked.
"You going to pass out on me?"
"No. I'm freezing." he said with a chatter. "But I'm awake. Adrenalin is pumping, for now. Damn I'm cold."
Once at the infirmary and needing help to get in. Lam rushed over thinking something was wrong. He quickly explained and sat down on a bed opposite of Orlin's. Orlin was asleep finally. Lam had a monitor pulled up to show Orlin's readings and explained them as she looked Ford over.
"I'm just tired…"
"Ah. I'm the doctor here and pulling medical rank."
"Fine." he said weakly, gesturing a airman over and telling him to get something from his room. "Now, what's his condition?"
"Always looking out for the people under you despite your own problems. At least you're cooperating better than other Generals I know."
"Report doc…." he ordered as she shoved a thermometer in his mouth cutting him off from finishing.
"It's not good. With that device we got when finding Khalek, and this being the most recent scan, I've been able to see his synaptic interactions and from these scans, it looks like a lot of his cells are just breaking down." she said then covered Ford's mouth as he went to speak.
"Let me finish then you can ask questions General. Don't make me take your temperature the other way. Are you going to cooperate?"
He visibly stiffened making Sam cover her mouth as she tried not to laugh. He slowly nodded and she continued.
"I'm guessing here, but best guess, they are shutting down because of extremely unnatural overuse."
"It's all that information he has." Carter said standing beside Orlin's bed. "He said he'd loose it all eventually. The human brain wasn't meant to hold all that information."
"I think it's worse than that." she said reaching over and hitting a button that turned the 4D brain scan to show a right side view, then placed the stethoscope on Ford's chest under his shirt. "I think the brain cells are dying because they can't handle all the synaptic activity. Breathe."
"What do you mean?" Carter asked.
"Your heart is working a little hard from the sounds of it General. You're going to have to explain a little better what you did to her." she said then removed the thermometer.
"In a moment. Keep going with the report here."
"Hmm. Temperature is down."
"The ice cold shower."
"That would do it. Okay, as you mentioned Colonel, the human brain isn't suppose to have that much information. Again, I'm guessing here, but whether it is conscious or not, he might be trying to hold onto that knowledge." Lam said setting the thermometer aside on a tray.
"Which is slowly killing him then." Ford said.
"At this rate, yes."
"General. Are you available?" Walter asked walking in.
"What is it Walter?"
"President is on the line."
"Doctor?"
"You should be resting. But I'm going to guess that you aren't going to listen."
"Maybe later. I'll tell you more about this later too." he said waving at his sideburns. "Ah, this will help me get around."
He took the long octagonal pole from the airmen who was still looking at it curiously. It was a dark oak, six feet tall and about an inch wide.
"You have a walking cane General?"
"Never know." he muttered getting up. "Besides, I like hiking and always use a walking stick if possible."
"Seems about right for you. Colonel, stay by him and if he passes out. Call me. I suspect he won't be awake for too long with what you told me about finding him."
"Thanks. Tell the President I'll be right there Walter."
He nodded and walked off.
"Ford, I almost hate to ask, but…." Carter began.
"I could try." he said walking over.
It felt strange and probably looked even stranger to see him walking around with the staff, and having to actually use it.
"Wait General. In your condition, you could cause yourself more harm than good."
"I have to try Carolyn." he said placing his hand on Orlin's head. It was about a minute before he pulled his hand and started for the door. "I can't. I'm being prevented."
"What?" they both asked as he stopped in the doorway.
"Sorry. Either he won't let me or they aren't. All I know is I tried."
"Thanks anyway." Carter said as they walked out and toward the elevator.
"Before the….before when I came to the commissary, and was taken away. I was going to ask you if you would think about the idea of bringing him home with us."
"Bring him home?! But…"
"He's got no one and knows us, you mostly. And because of his age, someone has to watch him. He can't just stay here for the rest of his life, which may not be long now. I can try again later. Maybe it's because I have tried and need to recover first. Don't know." he said hitting the button.
"Yeah. We could do that. He doesn't have anyone else." she said holding her arms close to her body as they stepped in.
"You okay?"
"I will be. I'm just hoping we can save him, somehow. Tell him to try and forgot before it's too late." she said as the door opened to the level with the room where Earthly things were monitored.
They walked in and he got a few stares as he grabbed the phone. She quickly told them back to their duties.
"Yes sir. I'm fine sir. Fatigue is all. Yes sir. I'm already helping the best I can with the hurricane problems already. Yeah, the weather and now this doesn't help this country at all. I'm glad you approved of my recommendation sir. Ah no, I never got…oh, this must be it here that my man is now coming with." Ford said as Walter entered the room with a paper in his hand. "Take care flying up there sir. Don't need your pilots getting sick. If any of them suddenly feel funny, land. Goodbye sir."
"This just came in." Walter said.
"Patch me through to the whole base please." he said taking a deep breath.
"What is it?" Carter asked walking up giving it a glance.
"We patched in Walter?"
"Yes General." he said handing him the phone off the wall.
"Your attention please. I just got off the phone with the President and just now received a communiqué from the White House. We now have over 8,000 people reported to have the virus, in 13 states. Thankfully not in Hawaii or Alaska, no surprise there really. Anyway, because of this, as of 0800 hours this morning, and partly from my recommendation, the President has ordered that America close its borders. Nothing comes in or out anymore. Anything that was coming in or leaving recently has been stopped, divert to other places, or brought back. The United States of America is now under complete quarantine. Unless it becomes a planetary emergency, the Stargate is down. No one leaves."
"What about Colonel Mitchell and his team?" Walter asked as he hung up the phone.
"They get to come back, no one else. Not even the Asguard, and not even if the Atlantis team calls. We tell them to go to the Alpha site or somewhere else. If the Daedalus shows up, you tell them not to land and not to beam down either, no matter the emergency. They have to go to the Alpha site too."
"Yes General." he said walking away.
"This isn't getting better is it?" she said with fear, that was also on everyone else's face.
"Mitchell is our only hope right now. If he isn't home in a week, or things get worse well before hand, I'm considering evacuating the base. Let everyone go home and spend what time they have left, doing whatever." he said as they walked out.
"But…..yeah. It would the best thing left to do. A last act before the end." she said realizing what he meant. "Where are we going?"
"Your parents." he said faltering slightly. "Hey, remember that lady you all found in Antarctica?"
"Yeah. She died saving…wait a minute. You're not saying…."
"I'm kinda like that, I guess. I use the power, I pay a price, just like her. But in my case, I age a few years." he said holding the wall with one hand. "Sam, I….don't feel so well……."
He dropped barely hearing her yell for medical help as he passed out.
At Dakara, Teal'c was practically yelling at the Council about the fact that they had no right to decide for all the Jaffa about joining the Ori. Unfortunately, Gerak was now a firm and steady believer. And it was causing much trouble within the Jaffa ranks. While the Council was seated, he was walking in the middle of the room between the two large half circle tables. He slammed the book of Origin onto the table as he spoke.
"You cannot ratify this proposal until all members of the Council have been heard from! So far, six regional…."
"You are only delaying the inevitable!" a Jaffa yelled. The same Jaffa that was Gerak's right hand man.
"If and when all Jaffa wish to embrace the Ori," the female leader exclaimed as Teal'c walked a little too quickly to the guy. "Then we shall act accordingly."
"If our brothers refuse to accept Origin into their own hearts, then they seal their own fate. We cannot turn our backs on are our fates because of indecisiveness!" the right hand man of Gerak's exclaimed.
Everyone got up slowly as the door was forced open and a bright light was shining. Shining from a staff of a Prior. Gerak was now the newest Prior.
"And they will see their way, to the path…." Gerak said entering the room. "For it is the destiny of all Jaffa, to follow Origin."
Bra'tak and Teal'c were afraid and could see it on each other's face.
