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Chapter 8
Iconia Prime...
Henry Deacon was in one of the computer cores of Iconia Prime. It wasn't the only computer core, but rather one of many. The Iconians had learned many millennia ago that redundancy was a very good thing. The construction of the sphere was designed around nodes of fifty. The center cell of each node held the machinery which would rebuild the sphere, as well as a computer core, and any other equipment that the sphere needed.
If the sphere were somehow destroyed, as long as one cell remained relatively intact, the entire sphere could, and would, rebuild itself. This redundancy allowed for millions of seeds from which a new sphere could grow. It also allowed for constant error checking in the SARAH mainframe.
"Captain Barclay is arriving, Doctor Deacon," Sarah announced.
Henry looked up from where he was working. "Thanks, Sarah. Go ahead and bring him in here."
In response, Reginald Barclay entered the room, seemingly from thin air.
"Welcome, Captain Barclay," Henry told him.
Barclay stood with a small memory unit in his hands, unmoving for several moments, just taking in the sights. The computer core was a huge chamber. There were shelves lining the walls, containing innumerable small boxes, every one with an optical cable leading into it. Spaced throughout the center of the room were what appeared to be large tanks. There were six of them, each a cube about ten meters on each side. Their walls appeared to be made of some type of optical receiving material, which shimmered from millions of red points of light. They flickered on and off as they transmitted messages to and from whatever was contained inside.
"Wow," he said as he finally stepped away from the place where Sarah had deposited him. "This is, impressive."
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Henry said as he watched Barclay's reaction. He didn't often see a new reaction to the computer core. The last one had been when The First's non-Q counterpart had entered for the first time. That had been less than satisfying as Spock was a Vulcan. His only reaction had been to raise an eyebrow and murmur, 'fascinating'.
"Want a tour?" the Iconian scientist offered.
Barclay nodded his head, and followed as Henry walked toward one of the six 'tanks' in the room. As they neared it, a panel opened on the side, and they were able to enter. Henry turned and watched Barclay's face as he realized what he was looking at. The captain's jaw dropped as he took in the largest diamond he had ever seen.
"It's a logic diamond," Henry explained. "There are six of them here, which form the cores of a photologic processor. On the deck below, there are twelve more, each fifty percent larger than this one. They are used as Sarah's memory."
They exited the tank and walked to the nearest wall. "Do you know what these are?" Henry asked.
"If I had to guess, I'd say this is an absolutely massive network hub," Barclay responded.
"You're exactly right, Reg. May I call you Reg?"
"Yes… that's fine. That's what Commander… sorry, Captain LaForge always calls me."
Henry smiled. "And call me Henry, ok?"
"Certainly, uh...Henry." Reg agreed, smiling back.
"Each of these modules connects to a node somewhere in the sphere through quantum entangled molecules. We learned early in the development of the sphere that there was simply too great a distance involved for standard electrical, or even optical connections between different sections of the sphere. Entangled particles just don't have the bandwidth necessary to transmit the data we need."
"Amazing!" Barclay gazed around the room. "So this computer core controls the entire sphere through quantumly entangled molecule communications?"
"Yes and no," Henry answered. When he saw the expression on Reg's face, he laughed. "This processor is certainly capable, and in fact, is Sarah. However, we also learned to utilize redundancy early on in construction."
"So there's another, duplicate computer elsewhere in the sphere?" Reg asked.
This time, however, Sarah answered him. "Iconia Prime was built modularly, Captain Barclay. Each module consists of fifty cells, most of which can dock a city ship. You are in Support Services Cell Seven Hundred Sixty Five. Each support services cell is a duplicate of every other one. This cell, if intact, has all of the information necessary to build a complete sphere of any size. All it requires is time and material."
"Uh, h-how big is a s-single cell?" Reg asked. He didn't normally stutter, but when he got excited, it happened.
"Each cell," Sarah answered, "is a hexagon shaped structure three thousand meters across and two thousand meters deep."
"That's not including the landmass that is setting on top of many of them," Henry added.
"L-l-landmass?" Barclay asked, unsure of what Henry was talking about.
"Inside the sphere. The mountains, fields, oceans, fjords…"
"Oh. Of course."
They were walking back to where Reg initially appeared in the room when he stopped. His mind had been working on rough calculations. "That would mean that there are millions of rooms like this one in the sphere!"
"That is correct," Sarah confirmed.
Reg shook his head at the scale of redundancy, then started walking again. He stopped beside Henry and handed over the memory module he held.
Henry took the module and placed it on the console. The air shimmered and the perfect cable appeared, already plugged into the starfleet module and Iconian computer. Lights started flickering on the module and then, a man in Victorian garb appeared near the two scientists.
"Hello, Lieutenant Barclay," the man said. He pronounced the title in the British manner, Lef-tenant.
"Hello, Professor Moriarty," Barclay said, working hard to keep from stuttering.
"And you are?" Moriarty asked, looking at Henry.
"I'm Doctor Henry Deacon."
"Ah, yes. Admiral Picard told me about you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir."
"Likewise," Henry said as he shook the professor's proffered hand.
Moriarty got right to the point. "Admiral Picard explained to me what was going to happen. I must say, I'm disappointed to discover that we had been duped into thinking we had been released from the computer." Reg started to say something, but Moriarty held up his hand to quell him. "However, I must say that in retrospect, I deserved it. I had duped you in similar manner, so it was only proper that you do the same to me."
"I'm s-s-sorry, P-professor. W-w-we were only d-d-doing what we needed to t-to free o-o-ourselves."
"No need to apologize, or to work yourself up, Lieutenant."
"Actually, I-i'm a c-c-captain n-now."
Moriarty smiled and said, "My apologies, Sir, and my congratulations."
"Thank you." His initial nervousness at Moriarty's appearance was dissipating.
"Excuse me, Professor," came Sarah's voice, "I've extrapolated your genetic sequence, and have forwarded it to Doctor Carter."
"Enterprise doesn't have a body printer," Barclay objected.
"Not Doctor Allison Carter," Henry explained. "Doctor Zoe Carter, here in Iconia Prime. She's head of medical at Atlantis."
"Atlantis?" Moriarty asked, surprised. "Surely not the Atlantis from Plato's writings?"
"Yes," Henry answered simply.
Deep Space Nine…
Jack and Sam O'Neill were on the station along with Teal'c and Thor. They had arrived a couple of days before, and had been billeted in guest VIP quarters by Sisko's crew. On the third afternoon, they were seated in the Klingon restaurant on the promenade with Worf. They had all become very good friends, and the Iconians had acquired a taste for Klingon fare, as well as Klingon company.
As the food was brought to their table, SGA-1A arrived and sat down at an adjacent spot. As they took their seats, Teal'c inclined his head in greeting to Ronan. The Satedan just glared.
"Hello, Sheppard," O'Neill said.
"General," Sheppard replied, "I hear congratulations are in order for you and Colonel Carter."
"Thank you, Colonel. Sam's a general now too," Jack informed him.
"Yes," Sheppard said, "it's a lot to take in." He watched as Thor picked up several writhing worms from his plate and lifted them to his mouth. "What is that?" he asked, grimacing as the Asgard closed his mouth on the moving things.
Worf answered, "It is a Klingon dish, called gagh."
Thor chewed and swallowed, then explained, "Usually, it is served live like this, but stewing it makes for a fascinating flavor."
"I'll bet," John said before turning away. He looked at Ronan who was watching Thor eat with obvious relish. "If you want to try some, Chewie, go for it. I think I'll pass, though."
Rodney was looking at the menu, and asked, "What is pipius claw? It says it's 'tame'.
Sam glanced at her husband with a wicked gleam in her eye. "It's a kind of crustacean, Rodney. Admiral Picard says it tastes somewhat like crayfish. You'd like it."
"I don't eat crustaceans," he complained. "People usually use lemon for flavoring them."
"Klingons do not use lemon," Worf growled. "We are not that soft."
"Yet you like prune juice," O'Neill teased, as the proprietor refilled the Klingon's glass.
Worf went back to his blood pie with no further comment.
"I guess I can try it then," Rodney said with a shrug.
The conversation around the two tables settled into a lighthearted banter. When the food came, Rodney attacked his with gusto, but on the first bite, he let out a yelp! "This tastes like fire!" he said, reaching for his glass of bloodwine.
Sam was about to say something in response, but an alarm sounded, and the lighting on the promenade changed. People began scurrying this way and that, sealing up shops and heading for safety. Jack O'Neill's communicator beeped.
"General, would you and your party please come to ops," came Sisko's voice.
"On our way," O'Neill said. He stood, and indicated Sheppard. "Why don't you join the party as well. If Picard doesn't want you there, he'll let you know."
They made their way to ops, and when SGA-1A entered, Picard didn't comment. Instead, he strode up to O'Neill and announced, "Twenty-five Dominion ships have come through the wormhole. Our forces were able to destroy some, but while we were engaged with them, others slipped around our blockade."
"How many?" O'Neill asked.
"Fifteen made it into warp," Kira announced from her station.
"You let fifteen Dominion ships get by?" the Iconian General barked.
"O'Neill," Thor said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "I am certain that they did not pass easily."
"Why weren't we notified that they had come through?" Sam asked. Everett Young, a newly built Valhalla class ship, was under her command, and part of the blockade.
Before Picard could answer, Kira announced that Cameron Mitchell, commander of the Iconian carrier, Valhalla, was trying to hail Deep Space Nine.
"On screen," Sisko ordered.
"Looks like fifteen got away, Admiral," Mitchell said. "Do you want us to go after them?"
"Yes," Picard answered. He turned and looked at the O'Neills. "General Jack O'Neill will coordinate from Everett Young." Once the communication to Mitchell was cut, Picard said, "While I am under no compulsion to explain anything, I want you to know that you were called as soon as the wormhole opened. The entire battle lasted less than one minute."
With that, Picard turned toward the lift to leave ops, but Jack called after him, "Admiral!"
Picard stopped and turned back. "Yes, General?"
O'Neill looked toward the floor for a moment, then met Picard's eyes. "I apologize, Sir. What I said was out of line."
The Admiral considered for a moment, then nodded and resumed his way to the lift.
"Your rebuke of Picard was unnecessary, O'Neill," said Teal'c, softly. "He feels that he let them get through, and if anyone is killed because of them, he will hold himself personally responsible."
O'Neill watched as Picard disappeared in the lift, then tapped his communicator. "Jack O'Neill to Everett Young. Bring us over."
A short time later...
It didn't take long for the Iconian vessels to catch up with the Dominion force. The fifteen ships were flying in a tight formation, and O'Neill ordered his ships to hold back from exciting them. Under his command were Everett Young, Nathan Stark, and the O'Neill. He was waiting for the Wayne Kwan, Jimmy Perkins, and Daniel Jackson to arrive, before engaging the enemy.
Something must have told the Dominion that reinforcements were on the way, because tactical suddenly exclaimed, "General O'Neill, they're slowing!"
"Evasive!" Sam shouted to her helmsman. To her right, Jack was standing, watching the screen. He muttered a curse as their quarry suddenly got larger on the display. On the side screens, he saw the Stark and O'Neill move away from them at high speed.
Then, tactical announced, "Two Ha'taks are moving in from behind the Dominion. Sir, it's Master Bra'tac, and Ishta."
Sam looked over at Teal'c and saw him beaming. Both his wife and mentor were now on the scene.
"Well, now," O'Neill said, "this is more like it. Tactical assessment?"
"They appear to be standard Dominion ships," the tactical officer reported. "We could probably handle them easily, even without the Ha'taks."
"Hmmm…" O'Neill pondered for a moment, then told Sam, "Tell the Ha'taks to keep the enemy from retreating. Then, order the Young, Stark, and O'Neill to come in from the sides and take them out."
Sam told the helm to change their flight to take them in towards the Dominion ships at the four o'clock position. Stark and O'Neill would take the eight and twelve positions, respectively. As they drew in closer, their prey tried to fan out in a wide formation, but several judiciously placed shots from the Ha'taks showed the foolishness of such an idea.
Jack watched the dance on the screen, and was about to praise it when he felt something cold in the pit of his stomach. It had nothing to do with his training, or years of combat experience. Instead, it had to do with his link to the continuum.
"Break formation!" he suddenly shouted. "Evasive action!"
The tactical officer glanced at him for a split second, then relayed the orders into his microphone.
It was too late, however. Nathan Stark erupted in a shower of debris and expanding gasses. A split second later, O'Neill suffered the same fate.
"No!" screamed the general as he watched his friend's ship explode. The next instant, the entire scene was a tiny dot on the screen as the Young gave a quick warp burst in reverse.
"Bra'tac and Ishta are reporting in," came the disbelieving voice of the tactical officer. "They've retreated a safe distance. The Dominion ships are jumping to warp again." A moment later, "They're gone, Sir."
"Follow them," Jack said, his voice grim. "Keep pace until the other ships arrive."
The stars swirled around them as the Valhalla picked up speed. "We're getting a message from Ishta. She's picking up survivors from Nathan Stark. So far, nothing from the O'Neill."
"Understood."
Jack turned to leave the bridge, and everything swirled around him, and became an entirely different place.
The Continuum...
Jack O'Neill was seated on the dock at his cabin. Sam was, naturally, beside him. He was surprised to find himself there, but as he felt a tug on his line, he reeled the fish in. He held up the trout appraisingly, then put it in the ice chest at his feet. He was about to cast, when he heard a voice behind him.
"General O'Neill."
He turned to see Admiral Picard standing behind him with The First and Daniel. "Yeah, I kinda figured this was coming," he said, sighing.
Sam turned a quizzical look on her husband. "What is it, Jack?" she asked. He didn't answer, but pointed at the men standing on the shore. She turned her head, and let out a sigh. Standing beside Daniel, was Thor. "You didn't," she said quietly.
"I did," he confirmed. "I just couldn't let Thor die."
Thor stepped onto the dock and placed his hand on Jack's shoulder. "I appreciate what you've done, O'Neill, but the price is high. I do not desire to see you fobbed, my friend."
O'Neill stood and faced the Asgard. "Thor, Buddy, I can't even imagine what things would be like without you. Fobbing isn't permanent. I'll be back before you know it." He turned to the admiral, "It's a stupid rule anyway, Picard. You made your wife Q, and were never fobbed, not that I blame you. I would have done the same thing in your place. Hell, Sam did the same thing with me! She just did it accidently."
"When Picard made Beverly a Q, the law had not been established," The First said gravely.
"I understand that, First," O'Neill said, "but how does it look for the admiral to pass judgement on others when he has done the same thing. Just sayin'..."
"It is not up to him to be fobbed for a transgression committed before it was illegal."
"Of course it's not. I'm just sayin' that any of us would have done the same thing," O'Neill argued.
"Jack," Picard said softly, "I agree with you, that any of us might do the same thing. That's why the law is there, to prevent these instances."
"The best you can hope for is to minimize them," Jack argued.
"Perhaps it is, but that may be enough," Picard replied. He waved his hand, and Beverly appeared by his side. "I see your point about me having never been fobbed, and I will permit it."
"Jean Luc?" Beverly asked, surprised.
"In the interest of fairness," he told her.
Beverly flashed a look at O'Neill, but didn't say anything more. The First nodded his head, then said to Picard, "We will need The Commander."
"Yes," Picard agreed. "Who will fob Jack? Our law says it must be a parent or grandparent. No one so related to Jack is here."
The First looked grave for a moment, then said, "I believe his mother-in-law should suffice."
"Mother-in-law?" Beverly exclaimed.
In reply, The First waved a hand, and Janet Fraiser appeared beside him. "You've heard what has happened here?" he asked her.
"Yes, First," she answered calmly. She turned and told her parents, "One of the times I was fobbed, I was Debra Carter, Sam's mother."
Beverly turned to Sam and demanded, "Did you know?"
There were tears in Sam's eyes as she nodded. Then she asked her grandfather, "Can I go with Jack?"
"It's not uncommon for the spouse of one being fobbed to voluntarily accompany their spouse," Janet told her.
Samantha was still looking at Picard, and he gave a small nod. Then, Janet waved her hand in front of the O'Neills, and they disappeared.
The Commander stepped forward. "Jean Luc," he addressed his great-grandson, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Most assuredly," Picard answered. He turned to his wife. "I already know your answer, but will you accompany me?"
"You're right. You already know the answer." She turned to Janet and said, "When we get back, we are definitely going to have a chat with you, young lady!"
Janet smiled in response, then The Commander waved his hand in front of the Picards, and like the O'Neills, they disappeared.
"Who will accompany Jack and Samantha?" The First asked. There were several answers of, 'I will'. The Vulcan almost smiled as he stated, "One will suffice." He looked gravely at Thor. "You said you will go, Thor. As a new Q, you don't have the necessary training to fulfill this task." He turned to Teal'c and asked, "Master Teal'c, will you train Thor in the use of his powers, and in the task of accompanying the O'Neills?"
"I will," Teal'c said solemnly. He, along with Daniel and Janet, had been willing to take on the task.
The First drew himself up to his full height, and when he next spoke, his voice was somehow more full and resonant. "I ask the entire continuum; does anyone object to Thor taking this task as his own?" He waited for a few moments, then said, "As no one has objected, you are appointed to be the O'Neill's guardian."
"Now, who will accompany Jean Luc and Beverly?" he then asked the continuum.
Again, several people offered, but The First met the eyes of just one person. "You will treat this task seriously?"
"I am not the same person I used to be, First. I will look after them."
Again, the Vulcan regarded the potential guardian gravely. Finally, he intoned to the continuum in general, "Does anyone object to Janus taking this task as his own?"
When it was clear there were no objections, The First said, "You and Janet will be born partway through this time. Because of this, I will need one more person to assist when you have to leave. This is rather unprecedented; however, this fobbing is also unprecedented."
He looked at Daniel, who had again offered his services. "Does anyone object to Daniel Jackson accompanying?"
"You may take Vala, Daniel," The First told him. "You will find conditions on the world to which they have been sent rather primitive by our standards, but no more so than many of the worlds you visited through the stargate." As he spoke, Vala appeared beside Daniel, who quickly filled her in on the situation.
"We're ready," Vala soon announced.
"Very well, Daniel and Vala. Safe travels." He gestured with his hand, and they were gone. Janus disappeared a moment later.
He turned back to Thor, and said, "Teal'c will transport you to Jack and Sam when you are done training. I wish you safe travels as well, Thor."
"Thank you, First," the Asgard said, then he and Teal'c were gone.
The Everett Young…
"What the?" the tactical officer exclaimed. He had been concerned about O'Neill, and saw him disappear. He turned to say something to Sam, but found her gone as well. He started to sound an alarm, but Teal'c stopped him.
"That is unnecessary, Captain Mendez. Both of the O'Neills are needed elsewhere at this moment in time, as are the Picards. Until the E arrives, I will lead the force, as per The Commander's orders.."
The tactical officer started as a message came through on his board. "I'm receiving a message from The Commander confirming," he announced. "The other ships are confirming receipt of the information as well."
Galactica…
The conference had taken another break after Daniel Graystone spoke, and during that time, The First, The Commander, and Daniel Jackson had flashed away. They had immediately returned, but they were more somber. They were in a corner of the room, and Daniel motioned Merlin over.
"My younger self was just fobbed," the wizard said when he joined them.
"Yes," The Commander said, "as were Jack and Sam."
Merlin thought about what had happened to his former self and wife for a few moments, then asked, "Is Guinan aware that O'Neill is here?"
"I'm not sure if she knows or not," Jackson stated.
"She might pick up on another Q in the vicinity, even if he isn't aware of the fact himself," Merlin suggested.
"You didn't pick up on Guinan being Q," The Commander said with a smile.
"Guinan has been a Q much longer than I had at that point," the wizard pointed out.
"True," his great-grandfather conceded.
The subject of their conversation must have sensed that she was being discussed, because she suddenly turned to look at the four men, then headed quickly to them. "Where's Jack?" she asked without preamble.
"He's been fobbed," Jackson told her honestly.
"By?" she asked, although she was almost certain of the answer.
"You."
"Why?"
"Guinan," Merlin interrupted, "I seem to recall you telling me, years ago, that I would simply have to wait and see why you were fobbed. Presumably, your reasoning was that if I knew what you had done, I might stop you. Wouldn't you agree that the same idea applies here?"
"You were young, and I wasn't sure if you would have the necessary self control to resist," she argued. It wasn't a good argument, she knew. In the past, Picard had often displayed his reluctance to meddle with time. The fact was, informing those whose relatives would have to be fobbed, was frowned on by general consensus of the continuum.
Merlin didn't argue with her. He simply looked at her with an expression remarkably similar to one she had favored him with many times. She hadn't realized how infuriatingly smug she had appeared.
Finally, she smiled. "I'm sorry, Father. I understand your reluctance to say anything, and as hard as it may be, I won't ask again."
"Guinan," Merlin said in mock solemnity, "Don't make promises you can't keep."