Chapter Thirty: Cure


Monday, 20th March 2000.

Richard rubbed his temple again as the others discussed the results of the scans that others had been assessing all weekend. He regretted heading back to England for St Patrick's day with some old buddies, as he was still feeling the aftereffects of a weekend of solid drinking. Something that the firm yet personable arguing was not helping.

"Alright, alright. So, we are writing off Tenebris as less than hospitable. Gelu's too cold. Calor's dangerously volcanic. Sabulum stopped being feasibly habitable long-term about five thousand years ago unless we want to be full-on desert hermits. Recalcia has the worst case of dangerous fauna we've yet encountered." Harry summarised after almost three hours of discussion. "Basically, we're left with Verda, Umbra and Litum. What are people's feelings on those?"

"There is something off about Umbra," Luna said plainly. "It's beautiful, but I would not want to live there. Something sinister lurks between the trees."

Harry watched her for a moment as she stroked Nyx calmly, as though she hadn't just written off an entire planet for being a little spooky.

"Anyone else?"

"Litum feels more like a vacation spot. Lots of lovely beaches, but its star is acting up in weird ways. Until we understand more, I wouldn't suggest long-term habitation." Natalie said. "My money is on Verda."

"Agreed." Neville and Parvati said at the same time.

"Something special about it?" Harry asked the girl with a smile.

Parvati blushed. "Little bit. It was the first planet I ever set foot on outside of Earth. And it's how I knew this stuff is what I want to do."

Padma gave her sister a supportive smile and the others just nodded.

"Nyx and I," Luna said dreamily, "have set up a tracking system in the cave. It collates any data collected by the vulta and any new scans on the habits and territories of the predators. So long as we steer clear of the denser forests, we should be completely safe. Closer to the mountains seems to be the least patrolled by any sort of dangerous fauna."

"Excellent," Hermione said with a nod. "Verda does seem to be one of the most stable planets in the Ring. No odd anomalies were detected in the system with a large asteroid belt for resource mining. Any other thoughts?" The table remained mostly silent and Richard enjoyed the moment of peace.

Natalie gave him a firm shove from the side and he groaned, drawing Harry's eye. His wife was taking far too much enjoyment from his suffering. Though she had warned him against going drinking with Conor. The Irishman had always been a bad influence on Richard at the best of times, but on St Patty's he was like a man possessed.

"Anything to add, Richard?"

"Anywhere is fine." He grumbled, glaring at his wife out of his peripheral vision.

"To vote then. All those in favour of choosing Verda for our new home?"

Harry raised his hand and several of the others followed suit immediately. Not everyone seemed completely keen on the planet, and they had agreed that the decision had to be unanimous. No one was going to be forced to a location they didn't like. But their options were limited.

"You know what, sure. It's as good as anywhere." Padma said, after arguing strongly for Vanatai despite an erratic orbit so large that it would make for significant changes in its hot and cold seasons. She raised her hand at the same time as Dobby and Richard.

"Everyone is sure?" Harry asked, not letting them lower their hands yet. Each of them nodded in turn. "Alright, that's settled. Verda will be the new capital of the Aetherial nation."

"Luna has already submitted numerous different design options," Hermione said, leaning forward and allowing Harry to take a moment of respite. Richard liked the young lad, even though he was officially dating his daughter. He'd be hard-pressed to find someone better for her. "Depending on what sort of sites we find, we should have plenty to choose from."

Another prod in the ribs, drew his attention away from matters as he openly glared at his wife as she held out a full glass of water to him. "Drink." She instructed and he followed the order, knowing it would help with his headache.

"We've prepared a small structure, similar to the one we found Myrddin in, to house the integration hardware. But now that we've settled on the planet, we need to properly survey for a location to build before we can settle on what we want to build. Harry has volunteered to do flights to narrow it down to a few areas."

"Of course he has," Neville said, gently ribbing the boy beside him.

"Right." Hermione acknowledged. "So, unless anyone else has any urgent business, we should be good to call it a day."

"I think," Natalie said, turning away from Richard and addressing the group, "we need to give Harry's suggestion another look in."

The others turned to her and several seemed less than thrilled at the idea.

"Now don't be like that. We're all here to try new things. And if we're moving to another planet to avoid association with and to limit causing undue risk to Earth, probably best not to be running about yelling at each other in English. Not to mention it may have saved their lives in their encounter with Klorel."

"We are all fluent," Hermione added. "It's just a matter of practice, really."

"Don't we have enough to worry about right now?" Richard moaned.

Natalie side-eyed him with a wicked grin. "Not really. You seemed very keen to study the intricacies of the language a few months back."

"It's a great language, but full-time?"

"Harry's point from the other day stands. English marks us as part of the SGC out there. We could pick one of the other languages we know, but Alteran is the civilization we're basing ourselves upon." Parvati said. "Perhaps we should adopt it fully once we move to Verda."

"I vote yes," Neville said, raising his hand and pushing the matter to vote again after the group chose to delay such a decision once already.

"Fine. Yes." Richard said, raising one hand and burying his face in the other on the tabletop, hoping that agreeing would speed things up.

The others all soon agreed with the sentiment and the motion passed. He would worry about speaking an alien language full-time later, right now, he just wanted this all over so he could rest. He and Natalie shared a vote, there was literally no need for him to be here beside his wife punishing his overindulgence.

"A preliminary report has been submitted by Major Carter," Merlin said, drawing this meeting out even longer. "She has begun assessing the new messages coming from the porta we installed. So far they have averted two dialling processes due to error messages they had once ignored."

"Really? I didn't expect it to work so fast." Harry said surprised.

"Yes, I was most surprised. Though the inspection seems standard procedure. It took them almost a week to connect it to their system at all."

"But it is working smoothly?" Hermione queried.

"Correct. There have been no anomalies thus far. And it is even drawing two-thirds of the energy that the process used to require. I shall continue to watch matters. The upgraded nature of the device may come in handy should we ever actually need to interfere."

"That was part of the idea," Harry replied. "I just hope we never have to."

"I think that once we have our new home settled and ready, we should make a concerted effort to find a way to introduce ourselves," Neville said. "We won't need to hide our presence anymore in order to avoid questions we don't have satisfactory answers for."

"It does seem to be approaching the time for it. But we can have a proper discussion on it once we settle on Verda." Harry agreed, nodding at Neville. "Any other business?"

No one spoke and Richard prayed they would remain silent so he could escape.

"Great. We'll call it there then." Harry said with a wide smile and Richard knew the boy was about to rush to the hangar and get to surveying sites for their new home.

Without a word, but a slight glare at Natalie and her shit-eating grin, Richard stood and left the room, heading straight down the hallway to his quarters, where he would be locking the door and silencing the intercom immediately. And once his head cleared, he would find a way to repay Natalie for her concern for his wellbeing.

ϟ

Thursday, 23rd March 2000.

Carson rechecked the results for the fourth time, this being the sixteenth run of tests on these samples and the result still came back as clean.

"That is a relief," Hermione said, shimmering in place beside him as a hologram while the others watched from further back. "You're certain of the efficacy?"

The teen looked up at the gathered medical experts and they all seemed in agreement. The formulation they now had showed complete destruction of the viral cells in all samples. Not only that, but it seemed as though it would function excellently as a prophylactic as well, possibly allowing them to inoculate everyone to prevent any chances of spread.

"I don't think we can ask for better than 100% remission. I just wish the other three had survived long enough for us to administer to them as well, but even tests on their tissue showed success. And there are no signs of rejection by the host cells. I believe we're ready." Carson summarised for the members in attendance.

"Alright then. Let's get it done." Hermione said, giving them the go-ahead to move into the last room.

While they had a camera feed showing the status of the frozen woman at all times, this was actually the first time most of them had been in this room. The live sample of the virus within her made it too dangerous to come inside unless absolutely necessary.

"Aurora, if you would," Carson said, indicating the stasis pod.

The only other interaction anyone had with the body was when Merlin had precisely beamed away all of the external ice and placed her quickly into the stasis pod, so that they would not need to go through the arduous and slow process of defrosting her before administering the cure. While still allowing them to carefully beam tissue samples for the research. And now it was time to reverse that process as well.

"Summer," Carson said, holding out his hand and the healer passed him the injector. Leo was standing nearby with a vial filled with the potion form of the cure but that method required the subject to be awake to properly administer, so the first dosage was going to be given via injection.

Carson nodded to the younger healer and she took a deep breath. Not only did they have an audience, watching in hologram form as they worked, but this was the one and only chance to save this woman's life. If something went wrong, it was unlikely they would be able to adapt to the physiology quickly enough to resolve it.

Aurora entered the defrost string into the panel on the wall and stood ready to support the woman, though the stasis pod was intentionally reclined to help prevent those inside from tumbling forwards.

They all watched silently as the crystalline structure of the pod brightened and began to retreat around the figure within. Carson got his first proper look at his patient and he was taken aback at how pristine she was after millions of years in the ice.

As the pod finished the process, he quickly stepped forwards as Aurora held the patient by the shoulder, keeping her upright and in place.

"Alright, here goes nothing." He said, pressing the injector to the patch of bare skin visible above the woman's collar. He located the largest vein, to ensure one of the first stops was the heart, and pulled the trigger. The pneumatic device pumping the substance into the patient instantly.

"Vitals?" He asked Merlin as he handed the injector back to Summer who immediately moved over to the nearby terminal and began running scans on the patient.

"Alive, extremely slow heartbeat and respiration." Summer said, tapping away on the controls. "Increasing temperature on the pod lining."

Carson gently massaged the place where he had injected the cure and felt the barest hint of a pulse through the thick gloved hazmat suit. "I can feel a pulse. It's very weak."

He pulled down a halo at the top of the pod and placed it gently over the woman's brow. "Good signal." Summer stated. "There is definite brain activity."

"Excellent. Aurora, the fluid line, please." Carson said, as he carefully cut open the odd fabric sleeve and revealed the arm beneath. He quickly identified the necessary vein. "Thank you, dear."

With a steady hand, he inserted the cannula and connected the drip, allowing them to administer fluids to the body. While she was still technically alive by modern medical standards, there was no telling how long it might be before she would be able to eat and drink herself. It would possibly take years of rehabilitation just for her to be able to function on a basic level.

"Administering a small dose of epinephrine." He said, using a small needle to apply the stimulant directly to the heart muscle, hoping it would help the heart rate rise to a more stable level. "How are those vitals, Summer?"

"Very good. I had not expected her to recover this quickly. We're up to ten bpm. And gradually rising."

"Providing oxygen," Carson said, placing the shaped mask over the lower part of the woman's face. "You prepared the bag as I asked?" Carson said to Aurora, who nodded in reply. It was a nutrient mix with a very light sedative to help keep the patient calm if she did wake suddenly. He could only imagine what it would be like to awaken in this room surrounded by people in rubber suits. "Lovely."

After he gave her another injection of the cure, on the opposing side to where he'd put the epi, Carson adjusted the dial on the fluids and watched as the drip began feeding a clear liquid down into her arm.

For the first time since the process had begun, Carson stepped back and joined Summer at the terminal. He watched as the monitor showed the woman's vital signs gradually increasing. Heart rate, respiration, and brain wave activity were all climbing.

"Well, it's official. She's alive. Whether or not she is cured, we just have to wait and see." Summer said.

"Aye."

"Excellent work," Hermione said. "All of you. You've already exceeded our wildest hopes by the fact that she lives. After so long in the naked ice, we hadn't even dared to truly hope."

"We're not out of the woods just yet. We're best served to let her awaken on her own at this point. The sedative is quite mild, so it should only be effective as long as she lacks the strength to properly wake. It will best allow her body to use its energy against the virus. Merlin here will monitor her life signs, and one of us will be in here round the clock." Carson explained.

"I will keep a close watch on her," Merlin confirmed and Aurora rolled a chair over to sit by the wall where she could see both the terminal and the patient.

Leo placed his vial down and nodded to the others, apparating out of the room and back to the decontamination room to scrub down and get some rest.

"I suppose we'll keep you posted," Carson said, turning to face the others with a smile.

"Really, though. Good work." Luna said, standing beside Hermione.

Carson gave a modest shrug. "These three did most of the work before I ever arrived."

"Take the compliment, Beckett. You did good work." Summer whispered and the pair smirked.

He turned back to face the patient, her chest moving ever so slightly with her breathing. Carson couldn't believe it. They had successfully revived her from stasis. Unfortunately, that was the easy part. Now came the hard part, figuring out what exactly they had managed to revive.

ϟ

Tuesday, 28th March 2000.

Darkness.

Small snippets of thought snapped through her mind as she lay in place, something across her chest keeping her in position.

Adrift.

As sense returned, she reevaluated that thought. Her eyes hurt, even though they were closed. Some source of bright light outside was hammering against her already sore body.

Groggy.

Something was clouding her mind, making it hard to think. Breathing was easier, but easier than what she did not know. Some memory of deep pain filled her body.

"Easy now." A voice sounded in her ears and she felt her head shifting towards the sound. It was so different to what came before. "You've been asleep for a long time."

There was a difference to the voice, a sound she'd never heard before. At least she didn't think she had. Her memory was so foggy, unreachable in the miasma of her mind.

"Sssss…" A soft hiss escaped her mouth.

"Aurora. A hand please." The voice said and she heard movement nearby.

She lacked the strength to open her eyes. The cloudiness was covering everything.

"Easy now, love. This should help."

A sharp pinch appeared in her arm and she felt the grogginess lift very slowly. Her strength was still nowhere to be found, but she could feel the rest of her body now. It was heavy, sluggish.

"Just relax. Take your time. No rush."

The voice was accompanied by a hand, shifting hair away from her face and easing her back. It was only then that she realized she had shifted and fallen forwards.

"Hhhh…" She hissed softly again, still not strong enough to speak. Nor was she certain she even could. So much was missing in her mind.

"Vitals?" The voice sounded out again.

"Steady. Within human norms." Another higher voice sounded nearby.

"It's probably the sedative. It'll wear off soon now you've changed out the bag. Just rest for now. You'll be back with us sharpish. Let's turn down the lights in here for a bit, and see if that helps."

She let her body go limp, resting against the wall. Gravity felt off, but she was still too tired to care. She allowed the fatigue to take over once more, and she drifted back into the dark.

ϟ

Aurora watched quietly as Carson sat by the figure. She had stirred for a short while earlier, but soon fell back asleep, despite Beckett giving her a mild stimulant. Evidently, being frozen in ice for millions of years left one a little tired.

A quick glance at the terminal indicated a change. The heart rate was climbing again, and brain activity was spiking higher than any recorded level they had yet noted.

"Doctor Beckett." She said, drawing his eye for a moment.

The man spun back to the figure as she opened her eyes for the first time. Aurora was stunned at just how pale blue they were, almost matching the ice in which she had supposedly been found. Her skin seemed as though it was normally pale, but with the temperature in the room turned up so high, she was flushed more than usual.

The woman's eyes locked onto Aurora, standing as she was directly opposite the figure. She was unable to break the connection as the woman stared at her intently.

"Hello there," Carson said, finally breaking the spell and drawing her eye.

Aurora took the respite to note the rest of her features. The dark red hair had been obvious for days, but her face had a sharpness to it that had been lacking during her rest. There was an intelligence within that seemed to be appraising them all.

"You just relax, and we'll have you up and about in a jiffy," Carson said in his usual fashion. Aurora could hear the calming smile on his face from here.

The figure just stared at him, and Aurora was uncertain if the woman could understand them. "Perhaps she doesn't understand English."

Carson turned and smiled at Aurora. "Well, that's good. I was never particularly good at it myself. I mean, you can hear the accent. I chew on every word I try to pronounce."

Aurora couldn't help but chuckle at the man. He had been a welcome relief from Leo's stubborn dryness. Summer was alright, but there was an age difference there that made it difficult to get along with her as Aurora had hoped.

"How do you feel?" Carson asked, trying to indicate his meaning with his hands.

"Feel?" The woman said, mimicking his words.

"Incredible," Aurora whispered, the woman once more looking up at her.

Aurora smiled at her through the plastic hood, still not sure exactly what to think of the figure.

"That's good. Shows that certain functions are still intact. Can you lift your arms for me?" Carson asked, once more indicating the action himself, raising both arms up.

The woman watched him silently before she raised both arms to about forty-five degrees before they dropped again.

"Easy now. It's been a long old nap you've just woken from." Carson stood from his chair and waved Aurora over. "We're just going to pop you free of these restraints. They were to prevent you from coming loose while you slept. There's a room we've prepared for you."

The two unfastened the clips holding the straps in place and the figure lurched forwards. The pair managed to catch her firmly by the arms.

"Careful. Try to put your weight on your feet." Aurora said, copying Carson and indicating working her legs.

The woman seemed to understand and tried to copy her, but she lacked the energy needed to do so.

"It's alright. The beam limit is lifted for now, within this section. On three, Merlin. One, two, three."

Bright white energy surrounded the three and within a moment, they were in a comfortable room with a soft bed laid out.

"Easy now," Carson said as the two helped the figure onto the bed where she quickly fell backwards. "Grab her legs there, love."

Aurora smiled at him and helped the figure shift her legs up onto the bed, covering them with the warm blanket. Carson helped her lay back on the bed and shifted the IV closer to the bed.

"You just lay back and let your strength come back. Aurora here is going to be nearby, in case you need anything. Alright?"

The woman nodded, her piercing blue eyes watching Carson closely as the man adjusted the rate on the drip, allowing more of the nourishing supplement through. Aurora knew they wanted this woman to regain her strength quickly, but Carson was adamant that they were cautious and allowed her strength to come back in its own time.

"There we go. That should help. Just rest. We've all the time in the world for everything else once you're feeling better."

Aurora smiled at the man's jovial nature. The fact he continued to speak to the woman as though she understood him completely was refreshing. She had greatly enjoyed working with him. She had made up her mind. Once they were officially cleared and released, she would be staying on with the team.

Not only did she want to continue working with Carson, but she also wanted to help this woman through her recovery. And perhaps even learn a thing or two from her, once communication was no longer an issue. She had proven capable of speech at the least.

"Aurora?" Carson said, now standing right in front of her. "You were off on your own there for a moment."

"Sorry. Just considering everything."

"It's quite alright. I need to pop back out for a while. You're sure you're alright to keep watch? I can get one of the others."

"No, I'm good. Got plenty of sleep last night. And she is recovering quickly. Probably best to keep a familiar face around."

"Aye. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the excitement of it all." He said knowingly and Aurora blushed.

"What can I say? I'm young and easily excitable." Aurora replied with a smirk.

"I'm approaching middle age and all of this still thoroughly excites me too. Keep an eye. I'll be back in a jiffy."

ϟ

Wednesday, 29th March 2000.

She sat upright in the soft bed, far nicer than she ever recalled having slept on before, though what she was recalling she had no idea. Her memory was a black sea of emptiness. She knew that there should be something there, but she couldn't hold her breath long enough to submerge and find it.

Turning her attention back to the nearly empty plate, she scooped up the last of the soft white gloop that tasted delicious. She would have loved more, but as she wiped the last of the residue from the plate, two figures once more arrived in her room, via the door now though.

The man approached, still wearing the thick suit that they all wore whenever they were around her. It made her curious more than it frightened her now. There was obviously a purpose to them that was currently beyond her reasoning.

"Good morning." The man said, his ever-present smile calming her even further. "If you're done eating, might we take a blood sample?"

He held up a small tablet that had a video playing on it, an arm in view as an object was pushed into the flesh and with a few movements, a dark liquid was filling the tube. As the object was removed, a tiny ball of the red liquid pushed outward from the arm before a small white fluffy cloud was pressed over the top.

The man continued to smile at her and she nodded softly.

"Alrighty, hold very still. I'm afraid it will hurt a bit." He said as he pressed an identical object into her arm and she flinched at the pinch. Suddenly the tube he added began to fill with the same dark red liquid, and she assumed this must be the blood he had referred to. "There we go. All done."

He smiled at her again as he passed the now full tube to the woman who waved at her and left the room. The man pressed the same soft white fluff to her arm that she had seen in the video and covered it with some white tape.

"Here now, lift your arm." He guided her movement until her arm was vertical and gave her another soft smile. "How do you feel? Hungry?"

He pointed at the plate as though offering her more. She nodded again, still feeling sluggish compared to what she believed was normal for her.

"Alright. I'll ask Merlin to prepare you some more. Do you feel up to talking today?"

She gave an odd movement with her shoulders that the man seemed able to interpret. It annoyed her that she didn't understand why her body made such movements even though she was sure that they were correct.

"How about your name? Do you think you can remember that?"

She paused at the word, trying it out for herself. "Name?"

"Aye, name. My name is Carson." He said, pointing at his chest.

"Car-son." She mimicked once more.

"That's right. And the lady who just left, her name is Summer."

"Sum-mer." She repeated once more.

"Do you remember your name?" Carson asked softly, gesturing towards her.

"Name. Carson. Cyla." She said, still not knowing exactly where the impetus came from to associate that word with what he asked.

"Cyla. That's a lovely name you have there." Carson said with a big smile.

Cyla smiled back at him before a white flash on the table beside them indicated the exchange of the empty plate for a new hot dinner.

"Mmmm." Cyla moaned, as she picked up the plate and began eating once more. Whatever this white paste was, she loved it. And the thick roasted flesh was divine as well.

"Good to see your appetite is solid. You need your energy up. I'll bet your body is starving for a few things after so long in that ice." Carson said, sitting back and letting her eat for a moment.

He picked up his tablet again and entered a few different commands before he turned it to face her again.

"Does this look familiar?" He asked, indicating a large ring surrounded by lots of letters in sharp squarish shapes.

She pondered the image for a long while. There was definitely something familiar, but once again she could not access the actual memories associated with them to have any understanding. She shifted her shoulders again and Carson just smiled.

"Ok. How about…" He rattled off several words she did not recognize, though there was something to the sounds that was also familiar. "Never mind, I'm pants at saying it at the moment. And phonetics was never my speed. Merlin?"

A hologram appeared in the room and Cyla stared at it silently, continuing to eat as Carson addressed it.

"I'm still no good at this, can you say this to her?"

"Of course. Good morning, Cyla. My name is Merlin. Can you understand me?"

This was far more familiar to her, but she still didn't quite truly understand, though she seemed to be able to glean the meaning. She nodded in reply and both figures seemed pleased. Her attention shifted from them as the door opened once again and Summer entered, a new tablet in her hands.

"Good news." She said, as she moved towards them and handed the tablet to Carson. "Completely clean."

"Wonderful. I say we give it one more day and I think we can safely say she's no longer infectious."

"Agreed. And the clock on our escape can finally begin." Summer said with a smile as Cyla watched them both confused.

"Eat up, love. Summer's going to stay here with you for the day. Let us know if you need anything." Carson finished with his usual smile as he stood.

Merlin's image vanished and Carson walked out, giving her a wave as he left, one she returned as Summer sat in the corner and pulled a magazine from a small pile that the others had been reading. Cyla allowed her presence to drift as she finished her meal and retreated inwards once more, hoping that with renewed effort she might be able to remember something of detail.

ϟ

Thursday, 30th March 2000.

O'Neill rapped his knuckles on the open door once, drawing the attention of the bald man inside.

"Jack. Come in." He nodded and followed the instruction. "Shut the door."

Jack paused for a moment before he followed this one too. He often spoke one on one with Hammond, but it was uncommon for such a conversation to require the door to be closed. Even the glass panel that usually allowed one to see out into the conference room was obstructed by the projector screen at the moment.

"Something wrong, General?" He asked as he took the seat opposite the man in charge.

"How's the team?" Hammond asked, seeming to ignore the question, but Jack knew the man's tells after so long.

"They're good, sir. Daniel's fully recovered and eager to get back out there. Carter is writing another novel on our visit to Ida and Othalla. And Teal'c… well, he's Teal'c."

"Good to hear. However, starting this weekend, I am assigning you all some temporary leave. Two weeks."

"General?" Jack asked, recalling the two previous attempts he had just made at taking leave. One resulted in him being beamed out of the base in his civies.

"Relax, Jack. I know what you're thinking."

"Little bit, sir. What brought this on?"

"SG-1 has been on active duty longer than any other team. Reviewing your files, you've only taken time when it has been a requirement, such as Dr Jackson's recent surgery."

"General, I just spent over a week camping with Teal'c and Carter on another planet. Before that, there was the three months on Edora. Even got in a little minimalist fishing. Not to mention the one entire week of retirement."

Hammond chuckled softly to himself and Jack smiled in return. Despite their occasional disagreements, he very much liked his commanding officer.

"What's this really about, General?"

Hammond sighed and glanced at the closed door for a moment. "Things out there are a little precarious at the moment, Jack. It seems that several Russian fighters were in the air near the descent path of Thor's ship a few weeks ago. The Russian government is quietly asking the other world governments some rather pointed questions we don't have answers to. The uncontrolled portion of the descent began over China, and they too are claiming to have footage of the event from several sources.

"Coupled with the complete lack of debris we've been able to find on the seafloor, and the necessary internal spread of some non-specific information about this Program required to explain the events these countries are asking about to those involved in our rebuttal… The Pentagon is very nervous right now. Either your sabotage was so successful that the entire ship was completely disintegrated, or someone else on Earth is now in possession of some of the most advanced alien technology we've ever come across."

Hammond paused and Jack was left to consider this. The mandate of the SGC was to acquire alien technology for the defence of Earth. No inclusion or exclusion of any country was a part of that mandate, but he very much doubted that the higher-ups had shared much of anything brought back through the gate with their fellow countries. Least of all the Russians and Chinese.

"They think the Russians and Chinese are lying to them about the sightings, but that they managed to sweep the area before we could?" Jack summarised in his own way.

"It's a distinct possibility. I've even heard talk that some think an ally might have done so. Projections placed the final splashdown somewhere between Australia and New Zealand. Both allies, and both in possession of equipment capable of making the necessary dives to retrieve whatever may have survived. And there is the complete disappearance of the old stargate. The one on Edora survived being hit by a meteor strike, yet we can't find any trace of it down there."

"Understood sir, but why stand down SG-1? It sounds like you need us in the field right now."

"I've got nothing solid to go off of here, Jack. But I can see some of the maneuvering going on over my head right now. The instability this incident has arisen is the kind in which politicians flourish while others take the heat. The President is obviously hoping to remain in office. While it won't see any coverage in the papers, I know that this program is currently being discussed fervently. Those in the know will be looking to use their knowledge of this program for their own gain."

"Kinsey, sir?" Jack asked, wondering how that slimy piece of crap had managed to remain in office.

"Like I said, I've nothing concrete. But it appears by shutting down Maybourne and his side operation, we've put ourselves squarely in the spotlight again. Whoever was truly behind those events," Hammond paused for an extended moment and Jack knew all too well what he wasn't saying. "Well, let's just say they aren't likely to leave it at this. I suspect something is coming, Jack. I want your team to be as fresh as possible when it does."

"We're ready to go now, sir. You know that." Jack replied.

"I know," Hammond replied, a wry smile on his face. "Take the time anyway, Jack. Show Teal'c some sights. I want SG-1 to have a little downtime. Take everyone fishing." The General said, drawing a thoughtful smile from Jack. "Hopefully, this time our allies will cooperate."

Jack sat back in his chair, looking at Hammond closely. He did not envy the man his position. While one day, he thought a command would be nice, he was realizing that he was far from ready to deal with the requisite posturing and politicking such a role would involve.

"Yes, sir. We'll think of something."

"You always do, Jack. Dismissed, Colonel."

"Yes, sir."

Jack stood and walked to the door, he considered turning around and asking for more, but he didn't. Instead, he turned the handle and opened the door, stepping back out into the base with a lot swirling through his mind. He doubted these two weeks would be terribly restful given what he'd just heard, but he'd do it nonetheless.