Chapter 57

Mitchell and Netan had talked right up until their arrival at Atlantis. He had filled him in with every detail of what Kebechet had told him. Once they had docked and Daniel had been moved to the infirmary, he had met with Sheppard and Weir to discuss the situation. He was grateful that Rodney had kept Sam busy enough that she wasn't more involved in the conversation. He didn't like having to keep things from her, but so much had happened, it was almost hard to explain.

"The Ancients suck."

"John!" Weir exclaimed as she shot a scolding glance his direction.

Mitchell nodded in agreement, "I second that."

"Look, I know that the situation with Daniel raises up some sketchy ethical issues -"

"Sketchy ethical issues? Elizabeth, the Ancients are playing god with our lives. And I don't know about you, but I'm tired of it. Look what they did to Carson. To Daniel. Not to mention what they've done to countless others."

"John, I don't excuse what the Ancients have done. Especially to Carson and Daniel. But we need to look at things more rationally before we try and figure a way to deal with it."

"Look, Dr. Weir," Mitchell replied as he tried to hold back his emotions. "I know you're trying to be diplomatic about the situation, but the time for diplomacy is out the window."

"What he said!"

Mitchell shot Sheppard a glance that cleary made him realize he was not helping the situation any.

"Sorry."

"Apology accepted. Now as I was saying before, I'm tried of being manipulated and confused and be made to feel powerless while my friends are suffering."

"What do you suggest we do?"

Mitchell looked to Sheppard with a knowing glance, one that told Elizabeth the two had been discussing something behind her back.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Now, let us explain everything before you start freaking out, Elizabeth, but Mitchell and I had a talk and we've come to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't be trying to blow up the Supergate."

"But if we don't blow it up, wouldn't that mean that the Ori would have access to our galaxy?"

"That's exactly what it means?"

"Are you insane!"

"Now, Elizabeth, calm down, you said you would let us explain."

"We just rid ourselves of the Goa'uld and you want to bring another all powerful threat upon us. How can you justify that."

"Look, Dr. Weir. As my grandma used to say, sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Now all indications tell us that our fight with the Ori is inevitable, that anything we do will only delay it. Even if we shut down the Supergate and it keeps them away for another fifty or a hundred years or hell, even two years, we will never be ready for them."

"But you're talking about starting a war. I can't in good conscience let you do that."

"Elizabeth, we're already at war. One we didn't even know we were fighting. The Ancients have used and manipulated us. Killed us. Why? Because they can. The Ori, like many of our conflicts, is a situation of their own making. I think its time that they start fighting their own messes for once."

"But. all of the universe will be caught in the crossfire."

"We'd be caught regardless, Dr. Weir. At least with this situation, we would have some control over it. We bring the war to them. Make them deal with the consequences for a change."

Weir tried desperately to form a response when a call interrupted her. She was thankful.

"Weir. Yes, Dr. Lam. Thank you. We'll be right down."

"Do they have any word on Daniel?" Mitchell asked curiously.

"Dr. Lam has finsihed with his tests, she has something she wants us to see."

The three immeidately got up from their seats and headed out the door. It had taken them only moments uding one of the Ancient lifts. Dr. Lam was waiting for them when the doors had opened.

"I'm happy the three of you can join me, please, follow me," Lam instructed as they walked into Carson's office.

"How's Daniel doing?" Mitchell asked unsure if he really wanted to know.

Her expression said everything.

"Daniel suffered a massive heart attack caused by an interruption in the electrical conduction of his heart. Its as if he got struck by a massive amount of electrical energy directly into his heart. My guess is caused by that Ancient device down on the planet."

"What's his prognosis?"

"Not good, Dr. Weir. The Ancient scans are showing extensive scar tissue caused by damage to his heart muscle. Right now we have him in a medically induced coma, in the hopes it will help, but I have to be honest . . . " Lam's words trailed off as she fought to maintain her composure. Mitchell's worst fears were realized. "There's nothing that can be done to save his heart."

"He's going to die, isn't he?"

"Not necessarily, Cam. We may be able to save him with a heart transplant."

"How likely a possibility is it he would find a donor?"

"That's why I called you here. Your gunshot victim happens to be the right blood type and size we'll need for Daniel."

Mitchell looked at the others unnerved, "You want to give Kebechet's heart to Daniel?"

"The bullet caused extensive tissue damage but managed to keep the heart intact. There is no medical explanation for why she's dying, unless Sheppard is right and she is trying to Ascend."

"But if she dies and Ascends then her entire body will revert to a glowy state. How would be able to get her heart?"

"There is lies the problem," Lam stated with unease. "Short of harvesting it while she's still alive, I don't see how we're gonig to get it."

"So in order to save Daniel's life," Mitchell said as he rubbed his face in frustration. "We're going to have to kill Kebechet."

oooo

Daniel Jackson awoke to find himself in a snowy forest. His body ached from head to tow like had been struck by a car. His head was spinning. Slowly but surely he picked himself up, taking a few minutes to gather his thought and bearings. He was surrounded by snow covered pine trees and rotted logs. It was dark, save for the light of the full moon that shone down on the clearing where Daniel now found himself standing.

"It is good to see you again, Daniel," said a deep montone voice from behind. "It has been too long."

A chill ran down Daniel's spine. He would recognize that voice from anywhere. This had to be some type of hallunication or dream. It couldn't be real. Slowly he turned around, trying to quell the terror that ran through his mind.

There stood a man, young and athetically built, dressed head to two in black, sporting an outfit straight out of the middle ages. The man said nothing, he merely smiled at Daniel. A wide, menacing grin in which Daniel found himself frozen with terror.

He closed his eyes, and swallowed hard, before he responded in kind.

"Hello, Anubis."