Xander could see Colonel O'Neill lying on a slab nearby. He glared at the little alien and said. "You better not be thinking of probing me, I am so not into that!"

"You should be asleep. The dampening field does not seem to be working on you. What is your name?"

"Alexander Harris. Who the Hell are you?!"

"I am Loki."

"Norse god of mischief?"

"That is how the people of your world know me."

"Well if you go around abducting people you're going to get yourself a reputation."

"I have good reason for abducting you. I was intending to take only Colonel O'Neill. He is famous among our people. When he came to us for help with the removal of the repository he had accidentally downloaded, we learned he is advanced genetically. I wish to study him. When I scanned his domicile, I also discovered you. You are even more advanced then he is. I wish to study you as well."

"You mean because I downloaded one of those repositories myself?"

"You did as well? Why did you not come to us for assistance?"

"I went to the Nox. They were able to help me. You said we're advanced genetically. Is that because we're descended from the Alterrans?"

"You believe you are descended from them?"

"I know I am. The Nox confirmed it. On both sides of my family. It's how we were able to activate the repositories in the first place. They require a genetic key. The Nox also told me, because of the dual heritage, I'd retain some of the knowledge subconsciously and would be able to access it in flashes or dreams."

"You are more advanced. That is not something Colonel O'Neill was able to do. Would you permit me to take samples from you?"

"Nice of you to finally ask. First you answer some questions. Start with why you want samples."

"Our race has lost the ability to reproduce. We use replicants and download our conscious into each one."

"Sci fi geek knowledge hits again. You're clones and you're suffering from replicant failure."

"Yes."

"You need fresh DNA to produce new clones."

"Again, yes."

"Why are you looking for advanced DNA?"

"To produce a clone able to hold our superior intellect."

"Have you considered revitalizing your own DNA?"

"We are no longer able to."

"Do you have any existing original DNA?"

"We have one source. An ancestor preserved in cold storage."

"One source isn't enough for diversity."

"True."

"Is it possible to combine this ancestor's DNA with a human's DNA? A combination like that could give you back the ability to reproduce."

"I had not thought of that. It may be possible."

"These samples you want. What's involved in getting them?"

"Some blood, some tissue samples. And a scan of your brain."

"I'll let you do that. Then you let us go. By the way, how long have we been here?"

"It has been approximately twenty of your minutes since I brought you up to my ship."

Once Loki had the samples and had finished his scan, Xander asked that Colonel O'Neill be woken up.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, I am."

"Very well." Loki touched a smooth half round crystal and Colonel O'Neill abruptly came awake.

"Welcome back Colonel. We've been abducted by a little grey alien. I've made a deal to get us out of here."

Colonel O'Neill starred at him for a moment and then looked at Loki.

"You're not Thor. Where's my little grey buddy?"

"Dealing with Replicators."

"What are Replicators?" Xander asked.

"Semi aware, autonomously reproducing, mechanical organisms." Loki replied.

"When did my life become a sci fi cautionary tale?" Xander muttered.

"When you downloaded that repository. What's this deal you made with him?"

"Apparently we're advanced because of our Alterran ancestry. Me more then you, because of my dual heritage. They're dying, sir. They clone themselves to continue existing. They need a new way of doing things. Combining my DNA with an existing source of their original DNA might produce a clone that can reproduce naturally."

"I knew there was a reason they didn't wear pants. They're missing something rather important."

"Yep."

"I want to talk to Thor. Now!"

Thor was both unhappy with Loki and interested in Xander and his suggestion. After some discussion, it was decided that Loki would study the possibility of producing a combined DNA clone and would stop abducting people. Colonel O'Neill requested that he and Xander be beamed down to the SGC.

"Colonel O'Neill?! What the Hell are is going on?"

"We've got quite a story to tell you General, but first, could we get some clothes?"