SG 1 and Dr. Fraser were gathered in the conference room with General Hammond to discuss the Pack's test results. To say they were stunning would be an understatement.
"You're certain of your results, Dr. Fraser?" General Hammond asked.
"Yes, sir. The Pack members, all except Miss Lehane, who has none of the gene at all; have the highest concentration of the Ancient gene I've ever seen. It could be the reason why the augmentation procedure that their people use, works for them. And why so few people can be augmented using it. The gene, combined with a few other factors, like a genetic predisposition towards increased flexibility, for instance, could be why this process does work for them. We already know how rare the gene itself is. How the Tribe's are able to test for it, though, that I don't know. If they were using Ancient technology, I think we would have found out about it by now. Especially since, as I understand it, Tribes in Africa and Australia have been using the same method for just as long. Or it's possible, the process itself, either introduced the gene or increased it's efficacy or concentration. Without knowing more about the process itself, I can't say." Dr. Fraser answered.
"But if Miss Lehane underwent this procedure, wouldn't she also have the gene?" General Hammond questioned.
"You would think so, unless there's something they're not telling us about Faith, perhaps a different procedure was used on her. Which could explain why her augmentation is less than the others. They did say, there were things we weren't cleared to know. That may be one of them."
"Two separate augmentation procedures, both of which can only safely be used on children. Children who are risking their lives on a nightly basis to keep the rest of us safe. Add in the NID sniffing around and I can understand why they want somethings kept quiet, sir." Colonel O'Neill said.
"I agree, the NID has more than it's fair share of unethical humans. Humans I wouldn't put it past, to try to find children with the gene or this potential and augment them, themselves. All they would need, is the knowledge of how to do the procedure and the Tribes aren't talking, they would need to figure it out for themselves. Hence, their interest in Abigail. That begs the question though, are they aware the Pack and presumably, Abigail have the gene, in addition to them being augmented." General Hammond said.
"We've been wondering that ourselves. I need to use your phone. I need to have a conversation with the President." A voice said to their left. They looked over and saw the Pack as well as the others.
Xander and his group had been discussing the test results themselves. And they had come to some conclusions.
"Maybe this Ancient gene is the potential Grandma sensed in you all." Willow said. "It's rarity would explain why only a few can safely be Bonded, after all."
"It's more than that. The gene is genetic. As I understand it, it creates a slight electrical field around the body, that allows interaction with Ancient technology. But it also has a mental component. You have to be able to mentally control the technology. A brain capable of interacting with technology, could also interact with an animal mind, theoretically. The gene could be introduced artificially, but without the mental component, the interaction would be limited, to say the least, especially with more advanced or dangerous technologies. Just like the Ritual creates wendigos in those without the potential." Jesse said.
"It goes beyond that as well." Willow said. "The Ancients weren't from Earth. They evolved on another planet, in another galaxy. They came to this galaxy millions of years ago. Your memories of giant size Protector Packs fighting the Old Ones, may actually be Ancients fighting them. Then they lived fairly peacefully here until a plague happened. They left after they thought they had eradicated the plague. They wanted to start over elsewhere. What if the plague was vampires. The stories say, the last of the Old Ones created vampires. What if it was more than that. What if it happened later and it was like revenge. The Ancients left, thinking they'd eradicated the vampires. But we know from the Master, they can go dormant. And it only takes one to start up the process again."
"Then some Ancients came back to Earth. They were on the verge of an evolutionary leap forward. They Ascended, becoming energy and mind and will combined. But either not all of them did that or some came back. We know they can help others Ascend, like Dr. Jackson. But they also sent him back after he broke some pretty big rules. So either some stayed behind or were sent back, because the gene is genetic. That means inherited. You all are descended from the Ancients." Was Willow stunning conclusion.
"Those that came back must have discovered the vampires had returned. At some point, they taught others how to make Protectors. The knowledge has been handed down. The being willing part isn't actually necessary. But free will means a lot, so it came to be considered part of the Ritual. Because there's no going back. Once completed, it's permanent. You needed to be sure or it could've destroyed you mentally." Willow said.
"There's something else to consider." Kyle said quietly. "The NID has access to information on both demons and the Ancients. What if their interest in Abigail goes beyond her being the first human we know of, to ever to be born a Protector. What if, somehow, they're aware she has the Ancient gene. We need to know how they found out she's a Protector in the first place."
"I agree, I've been wondering that myself, how they knew. I think I need to ask the President a few questions. I wonder, just how much of a coincidence, is it that he had us assigned here, while these people are looking for Abigail. Did he know ahead of time or is it a surprise to him too."