A Set of Jacks
I really wasn't planning on another chapter, but a couple more ideas came to me. Thanks to those who have reviewed my story. I can't take credit for linking Jack and MiniJack during the Antarctic fiasco. I came across that idea reading another fan fiction story. Unfortunately, despite going through the MiniJack community archives twice, I couldn't find the story that originally had it. Sorry to that author for being unable to give proper credit.
This chapter takes place during season 8. I guess the first part could take place at the same time as Zero Hour, but I suppose it could fit later in the season as well.
Chapter 5
As a part of his campaign promise to improve schools in the United States, President Henry Hayes occasionally visited grade schools across the country when his schedule would allow for it. Two weeks after the school year began, the president had plans to visit SGC on the way back from a California trip. Despite the anticipated time crunch, the president set aside ahead of time close to three hours to visit Mountain Springs High School.
MiniJack was in his Spanish II class when a knock interrupted Mrs. Hova's lecture. Three secret service agents quickly entered the room and visually scanned it while Principal Butler addressed Mrs. Hova,
"Pardon the interruption, Mrs. Hova," the principal began. Before being able to continue, though, the secret service agents had exited and President Hayes showed himself.
MiniJack stood up immediately. After some prompting from Mrs. Hova, the rest of the students followed.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your class, Mrs. Hova," Hayes said.
"Oh, you're welcome here, sir."
"I made a pledge to involve myself in America's schools, so I hope it's all right that I drop in and observe the last fifteen minutes of class, here."
Mrs. Hova became increasingly nervous. "Oh, of course, President Hayes. Of course."
"It seems Principal Butler managed to keep this a surprise."
Mrs. Hova chuckled anxiously. "Yes."
By that time, the secret service agents secured the entrance to the classroom, Principal Butler had left, and the students had sat back down.
"Before you continue, though," President Hayes said as he walked over to MiniJack. "I have to introduce myself to this young man here."
MiniJack stood up and shook Hayes' inviting hand.
"Considering how fast you stood up, you must be Jack Neilson."
"Yes, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Trust me, son, the pleasure's entirely mine. I've been very eager to meet you for a long time. Now, you have a different perspective from the other students here at this school. How are you enjoying it?"
"It's good, sir. The teachers I've had are very dedicated and truly determined to bring out the best in us. I'm enjoying my time here."
"It can't beat the cockpit, though, can it?"
MiniJack laughed. "No, sir."
"Well, you'll be back in the air piloting in no time, I gather. I'm tempted to let you fly Air Force One for me one day, but I think the head of my secret service detail would have an aneurysm."
MiniJack and Hayes both laughed before Hayes took a seat in the back and observed the rest of class. The students at school eventually gathered in the auditorium to hear the president deliver a speech. Hayes spoke about the opportunities students had in and out of school to develop skills that would help them in their careers and help them contribute to society outside of their occupations.
Three weeks later, MiniJack and MiniDaniel were in English class when an office secretary interrupted.
"Mrs. Jarrett?"
"Yes?"
"We just received a call from a Colonel Samantha Carter from the Air Force on behalf of Jack Neilson's and Jack Share's emergency contact. She would like them to get to base as quickly as possible due to a personal emergency, particularly Jack Neilson."
"All right, thank you." Mrs. Jarrett looked at the two clones. "The benefits of being emancipated, I suppose."
MiniJack and MiniDaniel walked to their lockers.
{"I have a feeling this has to do with my other,"} MiniJack said. {"I'll teleport to my ship and to SGC. You should take my truck. We shouldn't leave it here."}
{"All right."}
Seconds later, MiniJack teleported to Carter's lab. Finding her absent, he instinctively headed to the infirmary. Once there, he saw Daniel, Teal'c, and doctors looking at Jack in bed.
"Daniel," MiniJack said. "What's going on?"
Daniel turned around and was immediately relieved when he saw MiniJack. "We're not entirely sure. Last night, I brought back an artifact from P4X-764. It's a small device that's very old, but I'm pretty sure it's Asgardian and didn't seem to be dangerous. I activated it near Jack and he passed out. He was fine at first, but his blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate have all been steadily declining and now he's in danger. We tried contacting Thor, but haven't gotten a response yet. Can you see if you can get a quicker response from him using your ship?"
MiniJack immediately teleported back to his ship and summoned Thor. Twenty minutes later, Thor appeared and teleported MiniJack, MiniDaniel, SG-1, and Jack to his ship. After a brief summary of what happened, Thor began examining Jack.
"You are correct that this is one of our devices," Thor said. "However, I do not believe we have used such devices in centuries."
"What does it do, Thor?" Carter asked. "I've been working with several others and we can tell that it's meant to induce sleep, but we don't know why it affected the general in the way it did. Could it have something to do with how decrepit it is? I'm surprised it still works."
"The device was originally adapted from Ancient technology and therefore keyed to their genes." Thor paused his examination of Jack. "Unfortunately, reversing its effects has become problematic. The state of the device is one factor, as you mentioned, but I am also detecting poison coursing through O'Neill's body."
"What?" Daniel exclaimed. "How?"
"I can tell that this was very recent. I have been able to extract the poison from O'Neill's body, but its interaction with the device and its state have left me only one option to help him. I must reset his brain."
"Reset? What does that involve?" Carter asked.
"I'm afraid the process will revert O'Neill to a blank slate. However, all other effects from the device will be reversed and he will be healthy."
"Is there no other option?" Teal'c asked.
"I am afraid that is the only choice for this body."
"But we can't just wipe his mind," MiniDaniel said.
"I am sorry," Thor remarked. "This is the only measure I can take on this body, and I must do it soon before O'Neill's health deteriorates too far. I could clone O'Neill, if that would be a better option."
MiniJack sighed. "Thor," he began, not truly believing that he had began speaking. "Reset his brain, but transfer his consciousness into my head and then transfer it back when you're done."
"Are you sure, O'Neill?" Teal'c asked.
"It's the only way to save what is really him."
"But your brain has changed, Jack," Sam said. "Thor, would that still work? What about transferring the general's consciousness to the ship?"
"We normally use perfect clones for transferring our consciousness. However, the contents that need to be transferred here are significantly smaller. The clone's brain will work. It will be safer and quicker than my ship."
"All right," Sam responded. "Do it."
MiniJack woke up later with MiniDaniel nearby.
"How is he?" MiniJack asked.
"He'll be perfectly fine. Everything worked out. Thor thinks he'll regain consciousness in a few more hours. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine." As soon as he realized that he really was okay, MiniJack sat up. "We shouldn't wait a few hours before acting on my new memories. I know who poisoned him."
MiniJack and MiniDaniel teleported back to SGC with Sam and Teal'c.
"After Jack's last meeting in DC last week, Senator Levi introduced Jack to Stan Lessig. Jack thought he felt a small prick when they shook hands, but he dismissed it. He also dismissed a burst of light-headedness later in the day because of how short it was," MiniJack explained to everyone.
Sam later briefed everyone that an FBI agent talked to Senator Levi, who had no idea about Lessig's intentions. Lessig was a friend from college that he trusted. Levi handed all the contact information he had on Lessig and the FBI tried to track him down. By that time, Jack and Daniel were back at SGC and Thor departed, but Jack remained in the infirmary for observation.
The next morning, MiniJack and MiniDaniel were contacted and they both went back to SGC.
"Stan Lessig was spotted in Pueblo late last night heading north," Sam told the group.
"To around here?" MiniDaniel asked.
"Yes, there are records linking him to a building fifty minutes away from here. NCM is also linked to that building."
"What's that?" MiniDaniel asked.
"It's sort of an offshoot of the rogue branch of NID, completely separate now," Daniel responded. "That light show in Nebraska over the summer? That was them. They are trying to get the US government to open up about our alien encounters so they were planning hoaxes across the country. Now it looks like they are trying to destabilize the Stargate program with a slow poison."
"So what are we waiting for?" MiniJack asked.
"The FBI and absolute confirmation that he's there."
After an hour, the FBI, SG-1, SG-3, and MiniJack arrived at the NCM's building. The FBI stormed the building and apprehended nine individuals. Four ran off in various directions and were chased by Teal'c and MiniJack. During a gunfight, one individual shot at MiniJack, hitting the car behind him. MiniJack delivered a fatal shot, but the car behind him exploded, knocking him to the ground. Lying on his back, MiniJack noticed a news helicopter hovering above the action and pondered its implications. Then, he heard a door slam open and footsteps retreating. MiniJack rolled onto his belly, saw the last two NCM members, aimed his gun, and hit the backs of their kneecaps.
Later at SGC, the group learned about Stan Lessig's conspiracy confession, the fall of NCM, and the standard public relations response of condemnation from NID.
"Daniel told me what happened on Thor's ship," Jack told MiniJack when the latter paid him a visit before leaving. "Thanks a lot."
"I only did what you would have done, if you were . . . well, you know what I mean."
"Yeah, thanks."
Later that night, MiniJack and MiniDaniel caught the news at MiniDaniel's apartment. They watched a spokesperson for the FBI at a press conference.
"The matter concerned Air Force security and procedures. Members of the Air Force were there for logistical support and information only," the spokesperson indicated. "As you can all tell from the footage taken by the helicopter, the FBI agents were the ones who stormed the building and made the arrests. Therefore, the Air Force did not violate Posse Comitatus."
"Who was the teenager in the footage?" a reporter asked.
"There is no information available about him."
"He took out those two men with bullets from a considerable distance."
"I don't have a comment about him."
"Will you later?"
"No. Thank you." The spokesperson promptly left, ignoring the rest of the press' questions.
"You're sort of famous," MiniDaniel remarked.
"I wish they would forget about that."
"Speaking of memories, how are you dealing with the upgrade?"
MiniJack chuckled. "It's fine. The time overlaps were really confusing at first, but I'm adjusting well. The same probably goes for Jack. You know, it's one thing to hear about bringing down Osiris or defeating Anubis' fleet over Antarctica; it's an entirely different thing to have first-hand memories of it."
"The bad stuff, too, though . . . Pete, stasis, not to mention Janet's death."
"Yeah, you're right."
MiniDaniel suddenly perked up.
"Wait a minute, you remember the time when Jack was under the repository's influence?"
"Oh, yeah. I can't heal anyone, though."
"How much Ancient do you know?"
"Only as much as the original had semi-consciously known before going into stasis. You remember it was a gradual thing, right?"
"Yeah. Wow."
"I know. Maybe we can practice some of it at school tomorrow."
"Nah, we'll stick with what you know. You'll probably butcher Ancient. It'd be horrible."
MiniJack gave MiniDaniel a light punch on a shoulder before both turned their attention back to the news and unwound from the day.