Chapter 43: Asgard's Last Hope

Location: Stargate Command, Cheyenne Mountain Complex
Time: Three weeks after James's decision to remain on Earth

The air in the SGC briefing room felt heavy, as if it carried the weight of the stars themselves. James sat at the large circular table, his eyes flicking between the familiar faces of SG-1 and their unexpected guests—two Asgard representatives, their large black eyes betraying nothing. The Asgard, one of the most advanced races in the galaxy, had come to Earth with an urgent plea for help.

James could feel the tension in the room. He'd had many strange encounters since being pulled into this universe, but this one felt different. The Asgard, usually calm and composed, looked… desperate.

O'Neill leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled in front of him. "Okay, Thor, let me get this straight. You're saying the Asgard… the mighty Asgard, the ones who've been helping us not get blown up for years now, are in trouble?"

Thor, the Asgard commander, blinked slowly—his version of a nod. "Indeed, O'Neill. Our cloning technology has reached its final stages of degradation. We are on the brink of extinction. If the current decline continues, the Asgard race will cease to exist within a matter of decades."

McKay, who had insisted on attending the meeting despite the fact that it didn't involve his usual field of expertise, leaned forward with his typical dramatic flair. "Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that you guys, with all your advanced tech, couldn't solve the problem of genetic degradation in your cloning process? You're the Asgard!"

Carter shot McKay a look. "Rodney."

McKay threw up his hands in frustration. "I'm just saying, this is basic stuff—well, for them, anyway. We're talking about a race that's mastered faster-than-light travel and planetary shields!"

Thor's large black eyes settled on McKay. "While our technology is indeed advanced, we have been unable to find a solution to our genetic decline. Every clone of our original bodies introduces further instability into our DNA. Our natural reproduction methods were abandoned long ago, and now we no longer have the genetic diversity required to correct the damage."

O'Neill grimaced, his usual sarcastic edge softening. "So… that's why you're here. You need help."

James, who had remained quiet so far, finally spoke. "And you think Earth has something that can help you?"

The second Asgard, Hermiod, turned his attention to James. "We have exhausted all possible solutions within our own knowledge base. However, given your unique abilities, James, we believe you may hold the key to our survival."

Carter sat up a little straighter, her scientific mind already racing. "You think James's Reality Manipulation could reverse the genetic degradation?"

Thor nodded slowly. "We believe that, with the correct application of James's powers, he may be able to repair the damage to our DNA. However, this would require not only genetic manipulation on a massive scale, but also the ability to prevent further degradation."

James frowned, leaning back in his chair. "That's… not something I've ever done before. I've manipulated energy, matter, even time, but we're talking about rewriting the genetic code of an entire species. That's a lot of responsibility."

O'Neill raised an eyebrow. "And it sounds like a lot could go wrong. No offense, Thor, but we've seen how badly things can go when people start playing with DNA."

Teal'c, ever the voice of reason, added, "The risks are indeed significant. However, the Asgard have been stalwart allies. If we can help them, we must attempt to do so."

James glanced around the table. The weight of the request was pressing down on him. His powers were vast—beyond anything anyone at the SGC could fully understand—but even with those abilities, this felt… different. It wasn't just about solving a problem; it was about preserving an entire race. One mistake, and the Asgard could be lost forever.

Carter, sensing James's hesitation, spoke softly. "James, I know this is a lot, but you've done things we thought were impossible. If anyone can help the Asgard, it's you."

James met her eyes, seeing the faith she had in him. He took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll try. But we need to approach this carefully. I'm not going to rush in and start rewriting DNA without fully understanding the risks."

Thor inclined his head in gratitude. "We are most appreciative of your willingness to assist us, James. The Asgard will provide you with all of our knowledge on genetic manipulation. Together, we may be able to find a solution."

McKay, ever the skeptic, raised a finger. "Just a thought, but has anyone considered the possibility that maybe—just maybe—we should have a backup plan in case James accidentally creates a race of super-Asgard that decide to, I don't know, conquer the galaxy?"

O'Neill shot McKay a look. "Not helping, Rodney."

McKay shrugged. "Hey, I'm just being realistic."

Carter, ignoring McKay's comment, turned to James. "We'll start by reviewing the Asgard's genetic database. I'll help you analyze the data, and we can work together to figure out the best approach."

James nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Thor, Hermiod, can you provide us with everything you have on your cloning process and the genetic degradation?"

Hermiod stepped forward, his voice calm but urgent. "We will transfer the data to your systems immediately. Time is of the essence."

Location: Stargate Command, R Lab
Time: The following day

The R lab was buzzing with activity as Carter and her team of scientists worked alongside James and the Asgard to analyze the vast amount of genetic data they had received. Rows of holographic displays filled the room, each one showing different aspects of the Asgard genetic code, highlighting areas of instability and degradation.

James stood at the center of it all, his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied the data. Despite his near god-like abilities, this task was proving to be one of the most challenging he'd faced. The Asgard's DNA was so far beyond human genetics that it was like trying to read an alien language—one where the letters kept changing shape.

Carter approached him, her eyes scanning the displays. "We've identified several key areas where the degradation is most severe. It's affecting their neurological functions, their immune systems, and their ability to replicate properly."

James nodded. "I see it. The problem is, every time they clone themselves, they're copying those degraded sections. It's like making a copy of a copy—each time, the quality gets worse."

Carter frowned. "But the degradation is too advanced for a simple fix. We'd have to go deeper—actually restructure their DNA from the ground up."

James sighed. "Which is a lot harder than it sounds. If I don't get it exactly right, we could end up accelerating the degradation instead of fixing it."

McKay, who had been pacing nearby, chimed in. "So, no pressure then. Just the survival of an entire race hanging on your ability to play mad scientist with alien genetics."

Carter shot him another look. "Rodney."

James ignored McKay's snark and focused on the task at hand. He tapped into his Reality Manipulation abilities, reaching out with his mind to the complex strands of Asgard DNA displayed in front of him. He could feel the instability, the fragile bonds that were barely holding the genetic structure together.

It was like walking through a minefield—one wrong step, and everything could collapse.

"Alright," James said, his voice steady. "I think I've found a way to stabilize the key sections of their DNA. But it's going to take time. I can't just wave my hand and fix everything in one go."

Thor, who had been observing quietly from the side, stepped forward. "We understand, James. We ask only that you do what you can. The Asgard's survival depends on it."

James glanced at Carter, who gave him a reassuring nod. "You can do this."

Taking a deep breath, James focused on the genetic structure in front of him. He reached out with his mind, using his Reality Manipulation to gently guide the degraded sections of DNA back into stability. It was slow, painstaking work, and the effort required more concentration than anything he'd done before.

Minutes turned into hours as he worked, the tension in the room growing with each passing moment. The scientists watched in awe as the genetic code on the display began to shift and stabilize, the degraded sections slowly repairing themselves.

Carter leaned over to McKay, whispering. "He's actually doing it."

McKay, for once, had no snarky retort. He simply watched, wide-eyed, as James continued his work.

After what felt like an eternity, James finally stepped back, his face pale and drenched in sweat. "I've stabilized the primary sections. The degradation should stop, but it's only a temporary fix. We'll need to keep working to find a permanent solution."

Thor stepped forward, his expression unreadable but his voice filled with gratitude. "You have done more than we could have hoped for, James. You have given us time."

James nodded, still catching his breath. "Time is all I can give you right now. But we'll find a permanent solution. I promise."

Location: Stargate Command, Briefing Room
Time: The next day

The briefing room felt lighter than it had in days. James, though exhausted, sat with a small smile as SG-1 gathered around the table. O'Neill was, as usual, leaning back in his chair, a rare look of satisfaction on his face.

"So," O'Neill said, glancing at James. "Saved an entire race from extinction. Not bad for a day's work."

James chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not over yet. I've only bought them some time. We still need to find a permanent fix for the Asgard's cloning problem."

Carter nodded. "But what you've done so far is incredible, James. You've stabilized their genetic structure—something they thought was impossible."

McKay, unable to help himself, leaned in. "Yeah, well, just don't go getting a big head about it. I mean, sure, you've saved one of the most advanced species in the galaxy, but no one likes a show-off."

James rolled his eyes, though he couldn't suppress a smile. "Thanks for the reminder, Rodney."

O'Neill grinned. "You know, if this whole 'saving the galaxy' thing doesn't work out, you could always take up a career in genetic counseling. You seem to have a knack for it."

James smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."

Teal'c, ever the voice of calm and wisdom, inclined his head toward James. "You have done well, James. The Asgard are a noble race. To have preserved them, even for a short time, is a great honor."

James nodded, feeling the weight of Teal'c's words. "Thanks, Teal'c. But this is just the beginning. I'm not going to stop until we find a permanent solution."

O'Neill raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk back in place. "Just try not to accidentally turn yourself into an Asgard while you're at it."

James chuckled, though a part of him couldn't help but think about the journey still ahead. There were so many unknowns, so many risks. But for now, he had given the Asgard hope.

Location: Stargate Command, Cheyenne Mountain Complex
Time: A few days after stabilizing the Asgard's genetic degradation

James had barely slept in days. Not that he needed to, given his Gamer System had evolved to the point where his body didn't require much rest. But this time, it wasn't his powers keeping him going—it was the problem at hand. The Asgard were living on borrowed time. While his initial intervention had stabilized their genetic code temporarily, he knew it was just a bandage on a wound that needed stitches. A permanent solution had to be found, and soon.

Beside him, Major Samantha Carter worked just as tirelessly. The two of them had practically taken up residence in the SGC's R lab, pouring over the data Thor and Hermiod had provided. Holographic displays filled the room, showing complex strands of Asgard DNA, degradation patterns, and proposed corrections.

"Okay, let's run the simulation again," James muttered, his eyes fixed on one of the floating screens. He flicked his hand, and the display changed, showing an animation of the genetic template they had been working on for the past 24 hours.

Sam sighed, glancing at her own tablet. "That's the fifth time we've run this. If it doesn't work…"

"It will," James interrupted, his voice more confident than he felt. He wasn't sure if he was reassuring her or himself. "We're close, Sam. I can feel it."

Sam gave him a tired smile. "I hope you're right. Because we're running out of options."

The Reality Manipulation abilities James had developed were incredibly powerful, but they required precision. He couldn't just snap his fingers and magically fix the Asgard. He had to understand every intricate detail of their genetic code, and that meant working with the best minds Earth had to offer—which, of course, included Sam.

"You know," Sam said, breaking the silence as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "I've spent my whole life working with advanced technology, alien genetics, and now, here we are, trying to reverse-engineer the DNA of one of the most advanced species in the galaxy."

James smiled, though his eyes never left the screen. "At least we're not dealing with Goa'uld today. That's a nice change of pace."

"True," Sam replied with a chuckle. "No snake parasites trying to take over our bodies this time."

A soft chime sounded from the simulation, drawing their attention back to the display. The animation had finished running, and for a moment, there was silence as both of them studied the results.

Then, James exhaled. "We did it."

The simulation had stabilized. The genetic template they had been working on—a new Asgard DNA strand—had successfully integrated with the degraded code. The once-fractured DNA bonds were now solid, the erratic mutations smoothed out, and the key genetic markers for neurological and immune functions restored.

Sam blinked, almost not believing what she was seeing. "This… this is incredible. We've managed to reverse-engineer their DNA completely."

James leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face. "I told you we were close."

Sam smiled, shaking her head in amazement. "I can't believe it. We've done something the Asgard have been trying to do for centuries."

"Well, we had a little help," James said, gesturing to the ceiling where the Alteran Repository's data was stored. "The knowledge I absorbed from the Ancient database definitely gave us an edge."

"You say 'a little help' like it wasn't the key to unlocking the entire thing," Sam said, arching an eyebrow.

James chuckled. "Alright, maybe it was more than a little help. But you did most of the heavy lifting."

Sam waved him off. "It was a team effort. I wouldn't have even known where to start without you."

Before James could reply, Thor's holographic form shimmered into existence in the center of the lab. The Asgard commander's large, dark eyes blinked as he took in the scene. "James. Major Carter. Have you made progress?"

Sam exchanged a glance with James before turning to Thor. "We have. We've created a new genetic template for your race, Thor. We believe this template can reverse the degradation and restore the health of the Asgard."

James stepped forward, displaying the stabilized genetic code on the large screen. "This new template integrates with your existing DNA. It's been reverse-engineered from the data you provided, but we've also made improvements based on knowledge from the Alteran Repository. If it works, it should restore your ability to clone without any further degradation."

Thor stared at the display, his expression unreadable, but his voice was thick with emotion. "This… this is more than we could have hoped for. You have done the impossible."

James shook his head. "Not impossible. Just… really difficult."

Sam smiled at Thor. "We'll need to run tests, of course. But if it works, your race won't just survive—you'll thrive."

Thor blinked again, his eyes shimmering with gratitude. "You have saved the Asgard. We will never forget this."

Location: Asgard Research Vessel, Orbit of Earth
Time: Two days later

The sleek, silver hull of the Asgard research vessel hovered silently in Earth's orbit, its advanced systems humming with barely perceptible energy. Inside, James and Sam stood beside Thor and Hermiod, observing the culmination of their work.

"All systems are operational," Hermiod reported, his calm voice echoing through the control room. "The new genetic template has been integrated with the cloning chambers."

James nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. They were about to test the new Asgard DNA in a real cloning procedure. If this worked, it would mean the end of the Asgard's centuries-long struggle with genetic degradation. If it failed… well, James didn't want to think about that.

Thor turned to James and Sam. "Your work has given us hope. Whatever the outcome, we are deeply grateful."

Sam gave Thor a reassuring smile. "Let's see if it works before we start celebrating."

Hermiod activated the cloning chambers, and the room was bathed in soft, white light. The hum of the technology around them grew louder as the advanced Asgard systems went to work, replicating a new Asgard body from the genetic template James and Sam had created.

The process was surprisingly quick. Within minutes, the chamber's lights dimmed, signaling the end of the procedure. The chamber door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a new Asgard clone standing inside.

James held his breath as Thor and Hermiod stepped forward to examine the clone. The tension in the room was palpable. If the template hadn't worked…

"It is stable," Thor said quietly after a moment. "The DNA is fully integrated. There are no signs of degradation."

Hermiod blinked, his calm demeanor faltering slightly as he looked back at James and Sam. "The neurological pathways are intact. The immune system is functioning at full capacity."

Sam exhaled, her shoulders relaxing. "We did it."

James felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Looks like we saved your race after all."

Thor turned to them, his expression still as neutral as ever, but his voice carried the full weight of his gratitude. "You have saved more than just the Asgard, James. You have saved our legacy."

Location: Stargate Command, Briefing Room
Time: Two days later

Back on Earth, the mood was decidedly lighter. SG-1 sat around the briefing table, and for once, the tension that had hung over the team for weeks seemed to have lifted. The Asgard were saved, and with their future secured, they had made a generous offer to Earth.

O'Neill sat with his feet propped up on the table, a rare grin on his face. "So let me get this straight. The Asgard just… handed over a bunch of advanced technology as a 'thank you' for saving their race?"

Thor, who had once again appeared via hologram, nodded. "Indeed, Colonel O'Neill. As a gesture of our gratitude, the Asgard have decided to share several of our technologies with Earth. This includes advancements in energy production, shield technology, and faster-than-light travel."

Carter couldn't hide her excitement. "This is incredible, Thor. With your technology, Earth will be able to advance by centuries."

McKay, who had been listening from the side of the room, leaned forward. "Okay, I know I usually have something snarky to say, but this is… amazing. You're talking about technology that can change everything—our energy grid, our transportation systems, even our defense capabilities."

James smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Looks like we've got some new toys to play with."

O'Neill gave him a playful grin. "Just don't go turning us into the next galactic superpower overnight, okay? We've still got to pace ourselves."

Thor inclined his head. "The Asgard will continue to support Earth in its development. We believe that, in time, your world will join us as equals among the stars."

Teal'c, who had been listening quietly, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Earth is on the path to becoming a great power in the galaxy. The Asgard's gift will only hasten that progress."

James glanced around the room, feeling a sense of pride in what they had accomplished. The Asgard were no longer facing extinction, and Earth was on the brink of a new era of technological advancement. But even with the victory, he knew there would always be new challenges ahead. The galaxy was a vast and dangerous place, and they still had much to prepare for.

"Thor," James said, turning to the Asgard commander, "thank you for trusting us. We wouldn't have been able to do this without your help."

Thor's black eyes blinked slowly. "It is we who are grateful, James. You have given us a future. And for that, the Asgard will always be in your debt."

O'Neill, never one to miss an opportunity for humor, leaned forward with a smirk. "So, does that mean we get free upgrades whenever we want? Maybe a shiny new spaceship?"

Thor tilted his head slightly. "That can be arranged."

Everyone in the room laughed, the lightness of the moment a welcome relief after the intensity of the past few days.

As the meeting wrapped up, Carter caught James's eye and gave him a smile. "You did it, James. You saved an entire race."

James returned her smile, though his mind was already turning to the next challenge. "We did it, Sam. And I have a feeling we're going to need all the help we can get in the future."

Location: Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Private Quarters
Time: Later that night

James sat in his quarters, staring out at the stars. It had been an exhausting few weeks, but the outcome was more than he could have hoped for. The Asgard were safe, Earth had gained new technology, and for now, the galaxy felt a little bit more secure.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. With the Asgard's technology now in Earth's hands, they were bound to attract even more attention from the galaxy's most powerful—and dangerous—factions. There would be new threats, new enemies, and new challenges.

But for tonight, at least, he allowed himself to rest. The weight of his powers, his responsibilities, and the galaxy's future could wait until tomorrow.

James smiled to himself, feeling a rare moment of peace. They had saved the Asgard. And for now, that was enough.