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65
Jacob arrives in the control room a few minutes later with Daniel on his heels. General Hammond is already there, and there is a wormhole established.
"We finally got through to the Tok'ra with our last message," Hammond says without preamble. "The Council members want to talk to you, Jacob." He indicates the video monitor. The faces of Tellnon, Ha'mara and Fradeen are visible.
"Jacob!" Tellnon says. "It is good to see you well. And Selmak?"
"We're both well," Jacob replies. "As is Leara. Has General Hammond informed you of what we discovered?"
"He has. And we will expect you and Leara to return immediately to help us begin to withdraw our operatives from sensitive positions."
"First we require a healing device here for Jack O'Neill. He was gravely injured in the rescue."
"We must focus on recalling our operatives." Tellnon says, frowning. "That is the first priority. Once they are taken care of, then perhaps we can offer some assistance..."
He is interrupted by Selmak, who takes over. "Colonel O'Neill's life is in immediate danger, Tellnon. Without him neither Jacob and I, nor Leara and Kerlin would be alive, and we would not have this valuable intelligence. Our absence will make little difference to your efforts. Leara is of course free to join you if she wishes. However, Jacob and I will not return until we have done what we can to help him. Send the healing device as soon as possible."
Tellnon's expression hardens in anger at what amounts to an order from the elder Tok'ra, and he opens his mouth to argue.
"I will go," Lantash cuts him off.
"You are not yet strong enough," Ha'mara's symbiote, Sina, says, ignoring the hard look sent her way by Tellnon. "I will go. I have considerable experience in the use of the healing device. Selmak, expect us within the hour. If that is acceptable to General Hammond."
"Of course," Hammond answers. "Thank you."
As the event horizon dissolves, Daniel gives Jacob a worried look. "Can she override him like that?"
"Yes, she can. Sina is Tellnon's elder, and has higher standing on the Council."
At that, Daniel has trouble restraining a whoop of excitement.
"It's not a sure thing, Daniel," Jacob warns him. "But it's good that Sina is willing to come. She has a very strong ability with the device."
"It's going to work, Jacob," Daniel insists. "It has to. Can we go and tell Sam now?"
"Yes, we will." It is Selmak speaking again. "But please restrain yourself, Dr. Jackson. The healing device is not a guarantee of success. Every effort will be made, but there are no promises."
Sobered, Daniel nods. "I understand. We can't raise her hopes too much. Should we speak to Janet first?"
"An excellent idea, Dr. Jackson. Dr. Fraiser will be able to tell Sina where to focus her energy."
66
"His spinal cord," Janet says without hesitation, when she is informed of the situation. "We need to focus on reducing the swelling there. Everything else will heal on its own, eventually, even if it takes a long time. But the longer the swelling persists, the greater the danger of permanent damage. Will the device be able to help the spinal cord?"
"We can certainly ask Sina to focus there," Selmak tells her. "But the degree of success will depend upon the extent of damage."
"I understand," she says. "We won't waste any time once she arrives."
67
Sam is unaware of anyone entering the room until she feels a hand on her shoulder. "Sam," Jacob's voice says quietly.
Drawing a long breath, she turns her head slowly to look up at him. It is as if she is moving in slow motion, her eyes so reluctant leave Jack's face until they must. She only gives her father a quick glance before turning back. "Hi, Dad."
"Can we talk a minute?" he asks, pulling up a chair beside her.
"Sure," she says, but with only part of her attention.
Jacob can see that she is not really with him, so he doesn't waste time trying to refocus her. "We heard from the Tok'ra."
It takes her a second to process the words, and then she finally looks at him.
"They're sending Sina—Ha'mara—with a healing device." He sees the widening of her eyes, and continues quickly. "There's no way to tell how much it can accomplish, Sam. But it's worth a try. Sina has a great deal of experience with the device."
"When? When will she come?"
"She should be here within the hour."
"What... uh... Do you think it can really help him?" she asks hesitantly.
"Yes, I think it can, sweetheart. I just don't know how much. Janet says we should concentrate on his spinal injury."
She nods, afraid to let out the surge of hope that wants to engulf her. "Is there anything we can do to help get him ready?"
"Janet is putting together a summary of his condition to show to Sina when she arrives. I don't know that it's necessary, but she wanted to do it, and it certainly can't hurt."
"Can I stay with him while she tries?"
"That's up to Sina. I don't know what she'll require. Selmak says some healers need to be alone with the patient—to keep from being distracted," he explains. "I do know that you can't be touching him while Sina's using the device."
Just then on the all-call, they can hear the announcement; "Unscheduled offworld activation. Unscheduled offworld activation."
Jacob stands. "It's soon, but that may be Sina now. Do you want to come with me to find out?"
Sam looks at Jack and then back at Jacob for a moment, uncertain. She shakes her head. "I'll stay here. If it isn't her, you'll come back?"
"Yes. I will."
68
He becomes aware of something... a power, a light? It is pulling him away from the darkness that is all around him, the comforting darkness that is keeping him safe within its grasp. The power is disturbing, unsettling... he feels pain. He tries to turn back into the darkness, but the pull is too strong to resist. It is drawing him outward. Then suddenly the stress becomes too much, smothering him...
"He's choking!" Sam cries, starting forward; she is held back by Daniel's arms firmly around her. "Stop! He's choking!"
"He's fighting the ventilator!" Janet steps quickly to the opposite side of the bed, across from where Sina is standing, the healing device held in hands poised above Jack's body. "He's trying to breathe on his own," the doctor says, reaching toward the breathing tube.
"Do not interfere!" Selmak commands. "It will break the flow of energy, and interrupt the healing process. Sina will adjust his breathing."
Janet looks up at Selmak, stopping short of her goal; after a moment, she nods and withdraws her hand. Sam whimpers in Daniel's grip. On the bed, Jack continues to struggle for breath for another thirty seconds, and then the rhythm evens out, syncing with the ventilator.
"I believe we should leave Sina alone with O'Neill," Selmak suggests forcefully, but in a low voice. When Janet opens her mouth to protest, the Tok'ra stares her down, and the doctor nods. She turns toward the door, putting an arm around Sam, who resists for a moment, and then allows Janet and Daniel to lead her out of the room. Selmak is last out, and closes the door firmly.
Sam sinks down in a chair across the hall, and Daniel goes to find one for Jacob. Teal'c, who had remained in the corridor, moves to stand protectively beside Sam. They settle down to wait.
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I'm not entirely satisfied with this chapter, it's kind of short and choppy, but I wanted to move the story along, so I'm posting it anyway. Hope it's not too disappointing.