Disclaimer:
Stargate does not belong to me, nor do any of the images displayed. This fic was created by me for entertainment purposes.
NA 1: This is a translation from Spanish. Before, I used to upload the translation from Google Translate, but I found this one and it seems better to me. Please comment to let me know what you think.
NA 2: If anyone wants to help with corrections or translations and serve as an editor, please send me a private message. I am too busy to do it myself. Again, my apologies to everyone.
NA3: También he publicado el original en español, ya pueden leerlo.
Stargate O'Neill 5
Jack coughed and General Hammond looked up at him from his seat at the head of the table. They were in the briefing room.
-I'm sorry, sir, I just got up. My brain is still frazzled after dealing with the Nox," Jack explained.
-Colonel O'Neill, it's been a week since that mission," said General Hammond.
-Sir, dealing with tree-huggers wears me out like it's been years," said Jack.
-You just laid down to sleep in a tree, I was the one who talked to them," Daniel accused, still annoyed by that little incident.
-Daniel, for a hippie, you don't seem to get along very well with your people," said Jack with a frown. And mind you, I was working. For a tree lover to like you, the more you cling to trees, the better," Jack explained.
-Stop calling me a hippie! -Daniel scolded. Jack sighed.
General Hammond cleared his throat to stop the discussion. Carter and Teal'c refrained from participating.
-Colonel O'Neill, before the next mission, I would like to inform you that our treasure hunting efforts on Abydos have borne fruit," the General said.
-Really? -asked Jack. Carter nodded quickly.
-Just last night the exploration team returned, they found an artifact in a hidden wall. So far, the tests are inconclusive, but it appears to be some kind of amplifier or booster. I have connected several power sources to it and always get a considerable boost. So far I have tested with a small diesel generator and it continues to show incredible results, despite being a very small object. I have not been able to determine its limits," Carter explained.
Jack knew it was the Eye of Ra and that it was not an amplifier, but a subspace power source that could power an entire ship. But they didn't have a ship now, and it wouldn't do any good to hint at it.
-It sounds like a very useful technology if we need a power source in the future," Jack said and looked at General Hammond. Is there any other useful technology? -Jack asked.
-We have at least five tons of gold and jewelry, staff weapons and some zat guns, we recognized them from Teal'c's description. There are also some archeological artifacts that we have sent to Dr. Jackson's office," reported the general.
-There are several interesting objects, but what is most striking is a tablet engraved in a language that is unfamiliar to any of the languages engraved on the other objects. It is some kind of unknown rune language. It seems to be something important, but without references, there's not much chance of translating what it says," said Daniel, without much hope that they would recognize the importance of his discovery. However, Jack knew that the object was the Alteran tablet and gave him a cold look due to the vagueness of his explanations.
-What!" chided Daniel.
-Daniel, you didn't excavate just any tomb, that thing was in a treasure room of Ra. It could be part of some other advanced species that Ra discovered, but he couldn't translate it and put it away. The Goa'uld are idiots, we know that. But I thought better of you," Jack accused.
-Do you think the tablet is important? -Daniel asked in amazement.
-Yes, Daniel, I think that tablet is very important, so make sure you spend as much time on it as you can and call whoever you think can help you with the translation. It's an urgent matter," Jack explained, looking at General Hammond.
-Colonel O'Neill, if you feel it's that important, Dr. Jackson can use whatever resources he deems necessary. At this time, we are not short of money," said the general.
-Yes, what we lack is technology. I hope the artifact in Carter's hands is something valuable we can use," said Jack. Well, what's our next mission? -Jack asked, trying to remember the explanation of the mission, but he couldn't remember anything and assumed it would be just another mission without glory.
...
As they crossed the portal, they found themselves in a huge temple, with a statue of a god that appeared to be Achilles riding a chariot and holding a thunderbolt in his hand.
"This doesn't look like a common mission," Jack thought, frowning as he heard a woman's cry, more like a stifled scream than a cry.
Jack ordered to split up and cover the sides. They advanced through the large temple and found the cause of the screams behind a pillar. Witnessing the scene, Jack finished his recollection.
-Daniel, Carter, help them," Jack ordered moodily and left without looking back, turning his attention to the statue.
Teal'c followed him as Daniel and Carter complained about his order, arguing that they were not medical doctors. However, the woman's screams and cries stifled their senseless complaints.
However, the woman's screams and cries stifled her nonsensical complaints.
It wasn't that they were doctors, it was that he was the boss and witnessing a woman giving birth frightened him, so they, as his subordinates, had to sacrifice themselves in his place.
-O'Neill, you are smiling," Teal'c said beside him, as he looked at the statue of the Goa'uld happily. He had to keep working on his expressions, but it didn't matter now because there was only Teal'c, who was his accomplice in this plan of salvation.
In front of him was the first step to safety, for this statue contained a Goa'uld computer of sorts, which was a control device for the nanites, along with what he hoped was incredible medical and genetic knowledge, which kept these people healthy and prevented them from dying grotesque deaths despite their accelerated development.
-Teal'c, this statue represents our first step to salvation," Jack stated, pointing to the Goa'uld symbols. He had been studying Goa'uld with Teal'c, but after two months and a week, he could only understand the language, although he was good at writing it, he did not recognize these symbols.
-It's Goa'uld, but it's very old," Teal'c said, approaching and going around the statue to repeatedly mark some symbols and pull out a Goa'uld writing tablet, and then begin to read it.
Jack already knew what it said there, and the tablet was for writing notes and simple matters. It was not the computer he was looking for.
-What we're looking for is inside, but we can't break it. It must be precise work, as it is a delicate artifact," Jack explained, as Teal'c nodded putting himself on guard and flashing a menacing look to warn anyone approaching the statue that they would be in trouble if they even tried to touch it.
Teal'c was taking his mission to free the Jaffa very seriously. Jack nodded in approval and began planning the theft of the statue. He also needed to obtain a significant sample of the nanites, not that many were required, a dose for one person would suffice.
...
While he and Teal'c were planning the theft and moving forward with their plan to save Earth, Daniel and Carter finished with the chilling business of the woman's delivery, who emerged from behind the pillar as if nothing had happened. Carter was alarmed, but when the woman assured them she was fine, she decided not to probe further. Jack gave her a serious look, but left her alone.
The man and his wife told them a story about a benevolent god and invited them to their village. Daniel was about to accept, but Jack stepped in and sent the two newborns, along with the other baby that had just been born, away. The fate of these people was frightening.
-Sir, has something happened? -Carter asked.
-Teal'c discovered a Goa'uld tablet. He doesn't quite understand it, but these people are victims of some kind of evolutionary experiment using nano-bugs to accelerate their growth and reduce their lifespan to a hundred day cycle.
-That's macabre," Daniel said, trying to get closer to the statue to see the symbols, but Teal'c stepped in and looked at him menacingly.
-Teal'c? -Daniel asked hesitantly.
-You see, Daniel, I suspect that inside this statue is at least something like a Goa'uld computer.
"It is the artifact that controls the nanites that affect these people, and if my suspicions are correct, it also contains the most advanced knowledge in medicine, biology and human genetics that you will find among the Goa'uld. This is the most important technology we've obtained so far, and you'll understand that we're a little jealous of the curious," said Jack menacingly.
This guy was the biggest danger Jack had faced so far, and he always had to grab him by the throat to keep him from doing crazy things.
-Daniel Jackson, this technology is of vital importance to your planet. Please keep your distance," Teal'c said mercilessly.
-Teal'c," Daniel complained.
-Daniel Jackson, you can study this. O'Neill says it is no longer of much use," Teal'c said, handing him the Goa'uld tablet. Daniel gritted his teeth, but took the tablet reluctantly.
-Sir, may I inspect the statue? I will do so with care," Carter said.
-Of course, Carter. Go ahead," said Jack, as Teal'c turned away and Daniel looked on in disbelief.
-Okay, people, I'm going to that village to get some nano-bugs. According to the tablet, they're not dangerous unless you ingest something special. To be on the safe side, don't eat or drink anything they offer you.
"Daniel, you will come with me and help me get those things. But under no circumstances, and I mean under no circumstances, will you ever tell them what is going on here and provoke a mob to destroy my goa'uld computer. do you understand? -Jack asked as if talking to a particularly slow child. Daniel gritted his teeth and stomped off.
-Just in case, Teal'c, you stand guard. Use the zat gun to knock out anyone who approaches that statue with evil intentions," Jack ordered. He didn't want anything to go wrong on this mission. He had some backups to get another computer, but they were in dangerous places, and this one was practically given away. Teal'c nodded decisively. Carter was still looking for a way to access the computer without damaging it.
...
-Jack, I thought this was important, we won't get anything sitting here," Daniel complained after five minutes of sitting in the town square, watching people smile and dance. It was creepy to think that if he lived there, he would live and die in a hundred days. These people hit the jackpot of Goa'uld madness.
-Patience, young padawan, learn from your master and don't do anything crazy," Jack advised.
-Really, patience? You? -asked Daniel. Jack ignored him and kept smiling. His words would not spoil his good mood, because his plan was going swimmingly.
...
Five minutes later, an average looking woman approached him to offer him some kind of fruitcake. Jack smiled, pulled out a bag and poured the contents of the plate and then sealed it.
The woman left in tears and everyone present gave him a dirty look. Daniel was about to reprimand him, but Jack stood up.
-That's all, young padawan. Now let's go home and count our hard-earned gains. Besides, the faster we get out of here, the fewer years of life these people will lose," Jack reminded him. He hadn't allowed Daniel to interact much with them, he had only confirmed their ages to evidence the Goa'uld experiment.
-You mean they're in there? -Daniel asked, looking at the insulated bag. Jack nodded. How do you know? -Daniel asked suspiciously.
-The Force guided me," said Jack and started walking back to the temple.
Once at the temple, they found five Argonians stunned by zat shots, and Carter holding the Goa'uld artifact in his hands, with the unarmed statue at his feet.
-Sir, we found an opening mechanism," Carter explained, clutching his technological treasure.
-Well done, Carter. We've got the nano-bugs," said Jack holding up the sealed bag.
-It looks like some kind of cake," Teal'c said. Jack looked at the bag.
-According to the tablet, the nanites are inside the special food. This is some kind of wedding gift, I'm sure that qualifies as special," said Jack. Daniel looked at him stunned.
-That's why she went crying, you're too cruel," Daniel accused.
-Daniel, we're dealing with pure babies here, I don't know what you're suggesting, but be content with your weird fetishes," Jack scolded with moral superiority and pointed to the door without giving him time to defend himself or argue anything.
-Let's call home, I'm sure they'll be happy with this technological theft, but they'll want to take security measures," said Jack approaching the DHD to start dialing.
...
-Colonel O'Neill, Dr. Fraiser has already submitted a sample of the food to a medical scanner and confirmed the presence of the nanites. The rest of the samples have been sealed because, if what you say is true, that artifact is still active and anyone could be infected. Following your recommendations, the nanites will remain sealed until the study of the artifact that manipulates them is completed," said General Hammond.
-Sir, if these nanites function as mentioned on that tablet and we are able to use the artifact to manipulate their commands, instead of accelerating growth, we could slow it down, stop it, and even reverse it. This would be like a fountain of youth," Carter explained.
-That may or may not be so," replied Dr. Fraiser, who had joined the meeting when it was explained what the nanites were and what the control device did. What is a reality, according to what they explained about the argocians, their accelerated development and their ability to recover from traumatic processes such as childbirth in a matter of minutes, these nanites could be used to close wounds quickly, as anesthesia, treat cancer, many autoimmune diseases, among others.
"The possibilities are limitless, as is the medical knowledge we could gain from this. It would represent a momentous change in today's medicine," Dr. Fraiser explained, "Not to mention the advancement of sciences like biology and genetics," she added before General Hammond could speak.
General Hammond quickly realized that he had a problem of interest on his hands as he watched Dr. Fraiser's and Carter's determined expressions.
-Sir, I don't have to tell you what a technological breakthrough the study of this artifact would be. It would be a momentous change in our computational technology. Controlling a single cluster of these nanites and programming them would already require the use of all of our current most powerful computers, and might not be enough," Carter explained.
Teal'c looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Daniel was curled up like a mouse and didn't dare say anything.
-Nice and quiet, Teal'c. Nice and quiet," Jack whispered to Teal'c. As long as the artifact stayed at the base, Jack had no objections as to who would benefit from it first.
General Hammond was in a difficult situation and Jack expected him to break a sweat at any moment.
-Dr. Fraiser, can you use the Goa'uld artifact? -General Hammond asked, finding a logical way out of the compromising situation he found himself in.
…..
In the end, the artifact was left in the hands of Carter and his technical team, who would study it and find a way to use it. It would then be passed on to Dr. Fraiser and an elite medical team, who would extract as much knowledge as possible about medicine, biology and genetics. As for the nanites, there was no discussion, as they could multiply once control of the artifact was achieved.
….
After the mission on Argos, the base was in turmoil because of the nanite control device, and many scientists were swarming around. Even so, Carter had to abandon his research on a couple of occasions to explore planets. Jack didn't recognize any of them from the original story, so his life went on without a hitch or breakthrough.
Jack would get up in the morning, and work out with Teal'c and Daniel. Carter was too busy and did not participate. Then he would eat breakfast, write reports, play games on his console, and meditate at night so he could get a good night's sleep. The only difference in her daily life was meditation.
Jack had thought that the improvement in his senses was a transitory thing that Lya had given him on the planet Nox, but so far he still had unmatched senses when he meditated. It was no advantage in his daily life, but he tired faster when meditating and could go to sleep earlier, waking up with the energies of a teenager, or so he thought. Both O'Neill and he in his old life were too old to remember what it felt like to be a teenager.
One day, Daniel called them into the briefing room to tell them about Thor and the Norse gods, which indicated that the mission would be on a planet protected by the Asgard. Jack made sure to leave Teal'c behind, as the weapon that could extract symbiotes would come in handy and he didn't want to risk losing it.
….
After the mission and talking to the locals, they gathered information about Thor's hammer. Jack made a recommendation for a team to stay on site, and figure out how to contact the Asgard. Finally, Jack took the liberty of adding Thor's hammer to the list of technologies acquired for Earth. After all, the Asgard had left the portal there for anyone to enter the planet and there was no warning about not using that technology as they pleased.
The high command on Earth, who also saw no reason not to take advantage of it, categorized Thor's Hammer as an Earth artifact, certified to mine goa'ulds. Jack knew there was an Unas in those caves, but if they had to do any mining, they would get on that.
…
After that, there were other missions that he remembered, but they were not important to his plans. Among them was the scientist stranded on another planet since 1945, and the son of Teal'c who reached larvae implantation age and they had to visit Chulak.
This mission was not important to their plan, but it was important to Earth's survival, because it put them in contact with Bra'tac, who promised to inform them of Apophis' movements and get more Jaffa for Teal'c's cause.
Jack made sure to hold Daniel by the collar every time he came up with an idea to put them in danger, and the mission went smoothly, with no one knowing about their visit to Chulak.
…
The next mission he remembered occurred when they reached a volcanic beach and Jack saw a blue fish man come out of the water, which set off all his alarms. Jack ordered the team back toward the portal and warned the fish man not to approach. The fish man saw that he could not take them by surprise and tried to attack them with his gun, but they were scattered and he only managed to stun Daniel before the others shot him and drove him away for a few seconds, as he had a shield and activated it to chase them. However, they had already scored and managed to escape.
Jack knew the alien was not evil and mourned the loss of his wife, but he did not care about their problems, as their methods were comparable to the Nazis and he would not tolerate them.
….
After a couple of weeks of no missions due to their encounter with the fish man and Daniel's shock from the effects of the weapon, their missions were cancelled and they were given a week's vacation. Teal'c and Daniel went to their wives, while Carter took the opportunity to work on the nanite controller artifact, and Jack spent all his free time playing on the PlayStation 1 and studying the Goa'uld language.
….
Their peaceful days were interrupted when a sarcophagus arrived at command and General Hammond called his team to see it. It had been lowered through the ceiling directly into the portal room and there they were, watching.
-Well, this must be secured from now on. I'd put a ten-man guard on it at all times," Jack said.
-What is it? -General Hammond asked before Carter spoke.
-It's a Goa'uld sarcophagus, like the one Ra used. Jack is not exaggerating, it can bring people back to life, although I'm not sure what the time limit is for using it," Daniel explained and General Hammond understood the importance of the sarcophagus.
-It is also prudent to use it only in serious cases. This technology is too dangerous to play with," Jack advised, to prevent anyone from using it unnecessarily.
-Sir, I don't think we'll be allowed to keep this device," Carter interjected.
-Sir, I hope you'll remember that your lives depend on this command," Jack told General Hammond.
-Colonel, I will do my best," General Hammond replied noncommittally.
As they were talking, a man arrived to inform them that there was a woman asking about the Stargate and that she had been arrested. Jack knew it was Hathor and followed General Hammond and Daniel.
The woman's hands were tied and the first thing she said when she saw them was to kneel. Jack frowned and wondered if she had been that obvious in the original series. A few seconds later, he looked at Daniel in disbelief when he asked the woman who she was and why she was tied up.
The woman introduced herself as Hathor and as Daniel was about to untie her, Jack grabbed him by the collar and indicated to General Hammond that they should leave. When they were some distance away in the hall, Jack spoke:
-Are you serious, Daniel? Are you going to tell me that the words "kneel before your god" mean nothing to you? -Jack asked.
Daniel was angry at how he was dragged, but he reflected for a few seconds and then looked surprised.
-That's not possible…" Jack rolled his eyes to stop his nonsense and looked at General Hammond.
-Sir, we have a Goa'uld on the base. Please call the cleanup team to have her disarmed, stripped, hooded, hazmat stamped and sent to intelligence. They've been begging for a goa'uld for a long time," said Jack. No, wait," he said as if something occurred to him at the last moment. Pack it up, but let's wait to hear Teal'c's opinion on the matter. After all, he knows more about the Goa'uld and he might know something about this Hathor," said Jack.
-I will follow your recommendations, Colonel O'Neill," said General Hammond.
Jack saluted and went to find Teal'c, using his presence as an excuse to warn him about Hathor's scent and her role as queen of the larvae. The NID would surely be happy this time.
…
An hour later, Hathor had been packed up after a skirmish with the guards who subdued her and took the Kara'kesh from her. There were twenty of them, and even so, Hathor still managed to hit one of the wretches, which served as an opportunity for Dr. Fraiser to test the Goa'uld sarcophagus.
….
-From what Teal'c tells us, dealing with Hathor will be a difficult task for the NID. Fortunately, we have a military attaché with Goa'uld expertise who prevented Earth from becoming a nest for one of their queens," General Hammond said in a relieved tone but with an agonized expression as Dr. Fraiser stared at him. I will do my best to keep the sarcophagus at the base," said General Hammond in a committed tone, ending the meeting.
The sarcophagus was a gift from heaven for Jack, and although it had no importance in his plans, it was like an extra life, and that was not a bad thing in any case.
When Jack saw the sarcophagus, he wondered what it was doing there, as his memories of the original story were inaccurate and he even thought that Hathor arrived first and then her sarcophagus, but it turned out that she had left her sarcophagus next to the corpse of the people who met her. It seemed that he didn't think much of it or believed he would get it back later.
….
After sending Hathor with the intelligence team, who would surely do unspeakable things and unmentionable experiments on her, calm returned to the base. However, during one mission, they came across a planet where its inhabitants were decimated by a plague and encountered a little girl.
Jack recognized this story immediately, but did not alert on the girl or do anything to alter his relationship with Dr. Fraiser.
….
Time passed and they came across a planet where they attempted to hold a trial against Teal'c, but he did not pay much attention to them. He just kept the zat gun active in case they had to make a run for it. In the end, the Goa'uld came to the rescue and left Teal'c as a hero for defending the people from them, so the problem was solved again without his intervention.
….
Thus four months passed since he had been there. Carter had not made much progress with the nanite controller artifact, but he could now turn it on, turn it off, and verify some commands. The Eye of Ra was further along in his research and eventually Carter concluded that it was a subspace power source capable of powering a city without problems. The politicians were still happy about the acquisition of the sarcophagus and had a fierce battle for its possession, but General Hammond was clinging to it as if his very life depended on it, and from the menacing looks Dr. Fraiser was giving him, Jack assumed that was the case and wondered if there was something else there.
…
Jack ignored all that and went on with his day to day exploring planets, until one day he found himself on a world where it was snowing ashes and hellishly hot, and he learned that he had encountered the second race of tree-huggers in the galaxy, the Tollan.
A few seconds later, as he imagined, they encountered a group of dying and other dead people. Jack ordered them all through the Stargate because they now had the sarcophagus and these people had just died, so he figured there would be no problem reviving them.
When they went through the portal back, they had rescued ten half alive and another fifteen corpses. Jack arrived somewhat asphyxiated and full of ashes, but it was nothing serious. General Hammond sent them to the infirmary and a few hours later they filed their report in the briefing room.
….
-The sarcophagus has worked, and the number of those rescued is twenty-five," said General Hammond with a satisfied smile. This man appreciated the lives of his men and also the lives of people out of this world, Jack thought as he saw his joy. For forming alliances, there was no better person; perhaps he could also use him to motivate Thor if his initial plan failed.
The rest of the meeting was about the report on Tollan technology and how it surpassed theirs. Daniel made a theory about the dark ages and humanity's backwardness for eight hundred years, and moments later an aide arrived to let them know that the Tollan had awakened and their leader was asking to see them.
…
Upon reaching the leader, the man told them that he needed no rescue, and General Hammond replied that half of them were already dead when they arrived. He also introduced them all, and the man who looked closer to fifty than forty introduced himself as Omoc of the Tollan and called them primitives, which prompted Teal'c's intervention.
Teal'c's intervention brought up the Goa'uld, with whom the man claimed to have no enmity. At this point, Jack approached General Hammond.
-"Tree-hugger," Jack said quietly, though Omoc and the rest heard him.
The general and his entire group looked at Omoc with a frown. "Tree-hugger" was an unpublished code for Jack to tell them that they were the same as the Nox and that they could not get technology from these people, only friendship and culture. Perhaps an avenue of retreat if they were in danger, but nothing more.
-Are you sure? -Daniel asked, looking at Omoc doubtfully. Omoc, who was acting indifferent before, frowned, understanding that he had been categorized in some way.
-Did he say he was not an enemy of the Goa'uld? -Jack asked, and Daniel nodded.
-Tree-hugger," Jack said, and looked at General Hammond. Sir, you know the protocol," said Jack.
-What protocol? -Omoc asked nervously, his facade of indifference crumbling.
-The protocol for dealing with the Treehuggers," Jack said solemnly, making him even more nervous. General Hammond cleared his throat.
-Please excuse Colonel O'Neill, he likes to make jokes. There is no protocol for dealing with Treehuggers, it's not even a word, just something made up," General Hammond assured, but Omoc was already paranoid and continued to look at them suspiciously.
-I demand that all my equipment be returned to me and we be let go," said Omoc. Jack looked at General Hammond.
-Of course, that's all there was to it," said General Hammond. Then they all looked at Daniel and left, to see if he had better luck than with the Nox.
Mere seconds later, Daniel came out and caught up with them to tell them that Omoc refused to talk about anything, not even his habits. Jack shrugged his shoulders.
…
After a few hours, Carter managed to obtain information from Narin, one of the Tollan who had been influenced by her, and they also investigated the situation in Tollan to see how things were. When they explained their situation to Omok, he informed them that they were a group in charge of sealing the portal and that their task would be completed thanks to the future destruction of the portal by the lava of a volcano. He also mentioned that their new planet did not have a Stargate and that it was far away.
Daniel reported all this at a meeting, and General Hammond decided to grant them refugee status while they found a place for them to stay, if they wished, or go to an ally's planet. Jack knew they would get nothing from them and that the NID would soon arrive, so he decided to move things along and intervene.
-"Sir, we won't get anything but friendship from them if we do them the favor of taking them on the right path to their planet, and we happen to have the right people to do it, as they are also tree-huggers. I don't think they would refuse to take the Tollan to their planet," Jack explained, and Daniel agreed immediately, so they went to tell the Tollan.
Jack followed them to hear their response.
….
They found the Tollan who had already recovered in a section of the base. Omok already had their valuable artifacts with him. He approached them upon seeing them and, for the first time, struck up a conversation.
-I thought you said half my people were dead," said Omok.
-And so they were," said General Hammond. But their deaths had not passed the point of no return, and we were able to bring them all back," General Hammond explained. Omok looked surprised.
-How?" asked Omok.
-We have a rule not to discuss advanced technology with primitive cultures," Jack interjected, unable to contain himself.
-Colonel O'Neill," said the general, as Omok looked at him in bewilderment. Excuse me, Mr. Omok, as I told you before, Colonel O'Neill has a peculiar sense of humor," said General Hammond, unable to hide a slight smile. We do not possess the technology or the knowledge to bring your people back from the dead, we simply use a Goa'uld artifact known as a sarcophagus, which we found abandoned on our planet," explained General Hammond.
-Our peace treaty with the Goa'uld prohibits us from using their technology or studying it," said Omok in an alarmed tone.
-Then it's a good thing you haven't used it, and you don't intend to study it either," said Jack raising an eyebrow, showing his doubts about the last part. Omok understood.
-Yes, that's right," Omok simply said, "Thank you for helping us," he added, sounding sincere. General Hammond nodded in satisfaction at the change in attitude.
-Sir, it's time to implement the tree-hugging protocol," Jack whispered to General Hammond in a thinly veiled manner for Omok to hear. Omok again showed alarm.
-General O'Neill, if you continue, I will have you stand down," General Hammond threatened. Mr. Omok, this is another joke, there is no such thing as tree-hugging protocol," General Hammond said in frustration at Omok's suspicious expression. Mr. Omok, we believe we have found a solution to your problems. As you know, we do not have a ship that can take you to your planet, but we have good relations with a species that is equally or more technologically advanced than you. If you talk to them and ask for help, they may be able to assist you. They are kind people and will not refuse a sincere request for help," the general explained.
Omok still regarded them with suspicion, but agreed to meet with the Nox, who said they would come to meet the Tollan soon.
….
To Jack's surprise, thirty minutes later, Lya, Atreyu and Anteaeus walked through the Stargate. Jack remembered that in the original story only Lya was introduced, although his impression of the humans at the time was not good.
General Hammond, aware of the Nox's aversion to weapons and considering their abilities rendered them useless, ordered all weapons removed from that area prior to their arrival, and he himself went to meet them in the Stargate room along with Daniel.
Carter and Jack stayed in General Hammond's briefing room, along with Omok, Narin and three other Tollan.
Jack wanted to witness how the tree-hugging species interacted with each other, even though he knew it would do him no good, he stayed to watch the show. Omok was already paranoid due to the constant mentions of tree-hugging protocol, and wanted to see if it would affect his meeting with the Nox.
The first to enter the room was the Nox boy, Atreyu, who ran to greet Carter, with whom he had played a whole afternoon on their planet the last time they met the Nox. Carter gave him a kiss and a hug, and Jack watched as Narin melted like ice cream exposed to a flame. Jack wondered if Narin already imagined himself married with children. The truth was, they made a good couple.
Then General Hammond entered, followed by Elder Nox and Lya. Jack was grateful to her for improving his meditation technique and helping him overcome Teal'c so that the Jaffa understood who was the master and who was the apprentice. Jack rose to welcome her.
-Greetings and welcome," Jack said kindly.
-Greetings, Jack," Lya replied with a smile. Then she frowned and unabashedly placed a hand on her chest. The wound in your heart won't heal," she said strangely. You've decided to make it so, that's not good. Let bygones be bygones, Jack," he warned sadly, and they all looked at him.
Jack felt his heart skip several beats as General Hammond frowned. "He already knows what this treacherous tree-hugger is talking about, he'll send me to the psychiatrist if I don't do something," Jack thought.
-Sir, I don't have any wounds anywhere. This woman must have eaten a poisonous mushroom and is hallucinating. Poor woman, she lives in a dark forest and it's hard for her to get food," Jack argued, breaking his friendship with Lya. "You can't trust these guys," Jack thought. Lya smiled with kindness and some amusement.
-"The anger is just a sign of your pain, Jack," said Lya as she walked past him as if it were nothing. "But you're still in your meditation, and that's good," she added. Jack couldn't see her face, but he could have sworn there were many implications in those words. Jack's heart skipped several more beats, and he felt his whole body go cold.
-What about my meditation? -Jack asked sharply.
-Colonel O'Neill! -General Hammond scolded him for his tone.
-General, I suspect I've been the victim of some tree-hugger trickery," Jack said helplessly.
-Colonel O'Neill, behave yourself! -commanded General Hammond.
Jack realized that there was no way he would be allowed to tie Lya down and subject her to rigorous interrogation. To his horror, Lya offered him an amused smile. 'That's it,' Jack thought. She's done something to my head.
-General Hammond, perhaps you should listen to our guest. I feel some discomfort in my chest. Permission to go to the infirmary for a full medical examination," said Jack, letting out a somewhat desperate tone.
General Hammond seemed hesitant, but he didn't miss Lya's words or her amused smile at the frightened look on his face.
-Go ahead, Colonel O'Neill," said General Hammond.
-Sir, I will accompany you," offered Teal'c, who also looked at him with concern, since he saw him as his partner in the destruction of the Goa'uld and the one who could save the planet. It would be a tragedy if he fell victim to some dark plot of the Nox. General Hammond merely nodded.
Jack was already opening the door and, if it weren't for maintaining his dignity, he would already be running.
…
-Are you sure? -Jack asked Dr. Fraiser for the fourth time four hours later. The Tollans and Nox had already left, but he was still scared, and he wasn't the only one. General Hammond was also there to confirm the results of his tests.
-Yes, I'm sure," Dr. Fraiser said despondently, "There is no alteration in your brain, even when you use the meditation technique she taught you. Your brain shows extraordinary activity, which means that your mind works better than ever when you are meditating.
"I would even recommend that you do it more often, it could improve your learning ability, alertness and ability to grasp details. If she taught you this, it's a great gift. You should share it with others," Dr. Fraiser advised. Jack frowned.
-Isn't it possible that I could become a tree-hugger if I keep meditating? -Jack asked. Doctor, be thorough. If I become a tree-hugger, the Earth would be doomed," he added to make the doctor understand the gravity of the situation. Dr. Fraiser rolled her eyes and looked at General Hammond.
-Please get these two out of my sickbay. I have a lot of things to do," Dr. Fraiser ordered.
-Colonel, return to duty," General Hammond ordered. Jack gritted his teeth. He wasn't willing to take any chances and looked at Teal'c.
-Teal'c, since you insisted earlier, I will teach you my meditation technique," Jack said benevolently. Teal'c looked surprised.
-O'Neill, I cannot become a tree-hugger. I must free the Jaffa from Goa'uld slavery and help your planet. Don't worry about your fate, if the worst happens, I promise you will be remembered as a warrior," Teal'c consoled, writing him off.
-Get out! -Dr. Fraiser spat, leading them out of the infirmary along with General Hammond.
-Sir...
-Colonel O'Neill, calm down. Remember the Nox are pacifists. Lya may have done something, but this will surely only benefit her," General Hammond consoled. He too was convinced that Lya had done something to him. Jack nodded. It made sense. What scared him was that he didn't know what a Nox would consider a benefit to him. But there was nothing to be done, he deserved it for trusting that woman who had straw in her head.