Location: Stargate Command, Quarters
Time: Two days after the encounter on P4C-673
James had spent the last two days locked in his quarters, poring over the vast database of Ancient knowledge he had downloaded. It was a double-edged sword: the more he accessed, the more powerful he became, but the pressure on his mind grew more unbearable with each passing hour.
He knew he couldn't continue this way for long. The Goa'uld had nearly found him on P4C-673, and while his Power Suppression skill had bought him some time, five minutes of hiding wasn't enough. What he needed was a way to mask his presence indefinitely—not just from the Goa'uld, but from anyone who could sense his growing power.
Sitting at his small desk, James scrolled through the vast sea of information in his mind, searching for an answer. There had to be something in the Ancient database that could help him. He wasn't looking to control the flood of knowledge yet—that was too much to handle right now—but he could at least mask himself.
Suddenly, a glimmer of hope surfaced in the form of an entry buried deep in the knowledge stream.
[New Discovery: Ancient Cloaking Technique – Phase Shift Masking]
An advanced technique used by the Ancients to mask their presence, phasing their physical and energetic signatures out of sync with normal space. This allows for complete invisibility to sensory detection, including those that sense energy or power.
Requires high-level control of energy manipulation.
Warning: Use for extended periods may cause mental and physical fatigue.
James stared at the description, feeling a surge of excitement. This was it. It was more than just hiding his power—it was like turning himself into a ghost, phasing out of sync with the universe to avoid detection. But it was dangerous. Prolonged use could have severe consequences.
"Fatigue is better than being hunted down by a Goa'uld," James muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just need to learn how to use it."
He stood up, pacing his quarters, mentally accessing the intricate details of the technique. It wasn't going to be easy. This wasn't just a simple skill he could unlock; it required fine-tuned control of the energy flowing through him, something he still struggled with on a good day.
But he didn't have a choice. If he didn't figure this out, he'd be a sitting duck the next time the Goa'uld came for him.
Location: Off-world, Planet P3R-844
Time: Three days later
SG-1 had been dispatched to P3R-844 to investigate unusual energy readings near the ruins of what looked like an ancient city. As they trekked through the dense forest surrounding the ruins, James felt the familiar hum of Ancient technology nearby. His senses, sharpened by the knowledge in his mind, could pick up on these things now, even when no one else could.
But it wasn't just the ruins that were calling to him. The Goa'uld were close again. He could feel them, probing, searching for the energy signature he couldn't fully suppress.
"James, you alright?" Samantha asked, noticing his tense expression.
"Yeah, just… something about this place," James muttered, distracted by the nagging presence of the Goa'uld. He had to try it—the cloaking technique. If he didn't, they would be on him any moment.
"We're almost to the ruins," Jack said, leading the way. "Stay sharp."
James nodded, stepping back from the group for a moment. The Goa'uld presence was getting stronger, and he could feel his power acting like a beacon, even with the suppression skill on cooldown.
Now or never.
Closing his eyes, he focused on the Phase Shift Masking technique. He imagined himself phasing out of sync with the world around him, blending into the fabric of space-time in a way that rendered him invisible—not just visually, but energetically. The Ancient knowledge in his mind guided him, the technique unfolding like a delicate puzzle.
At first, it felt like he was losing control. His body tingled, and the energy within him surged erratically, fighting against the manipulation. But slowly, as he concentrated harder, he felt his presence fade. The pressure of the Goa'uld's search eased, their probing tendrils of energy slipping past him without noticing his existence.
[Phase Shift Masking Activated]
You are now invisible to sensory detection, including energy-based scanning.
Duration: 10 minutes. Warning: Mental fatigue will increase with use.
James opened his eyes. The forest around him looked the same, but he could feel the difference. He wasn't fully part of this world anymore. He was… out of sync, like a shadow that no one could see.
The Goa'uld's presence faded completely. They were still searching, but they couldn't find him. He allowed himself a small grin.
"Got you," he whispered to himself.
But the strain was immediate. His head throbbed as if someone had driven a spike through his brain, and he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. The skill worked, but it was taxing—far more so than the basic power suppression he had used before. He had ten minutes before he had to drop the mask, and he didn't know how long he could keep this up without collapsing.
"James, you okay?" Samantha called back, her voice cutting through his thoughts.
"Yeah," he said, trying to steady himself. "Just… catching my breath."
The team didn't seem to notice anything unusual, and that was a good sign. For now, he was safe from the Goa'uld, but he'd need to be careful with this. Prolonged use could push him to the brink of exhaustion, and if he phased out for too long, he might not be able to come back.