Hanka - Nirrti's lab - October 16th 1997
"This lab is definitely ground zero and probably still a hot zone. Please, keep your isolation suits on," Specialist Sean Maxwell reminded the team as the rings dropped.
Colonel O'Neill slowly panned the beam of light from his flashlight around the room and whistled. The beam of light was clearly visible due to the presence of a fine mist.
"What?" Daniel asked.
"Well it's just, why are all these Goa'uld labs so dark and creepy? Would it kill them to install better lighting? Maybe a sunroof?" O'Neill said.
"Jack, the Goa'uld have better night vision than us, the room probably appears bright as daylight to them," Daniel said. "The lower light levels might even be more comfortable to them."
A moment later the dim orange lighting orbs in the corners of the lab brightened to a blazing yellow, filling the room with light.
"Even we don't leave the lights on when we leave," Captain Carter said from where she'd found the dimmer switch.
"Oh, well I guess that makes sense," O'Neill said and turned his flashlight off. "Especially as they're using human eyes, so they really should have at least some of the same vision as we do."
"What's that?" Sean asked, pointing to a containment unit that had been in a darker corner of the room until the increased brightness revealed it.
"I think that might be one of the things we came down here for," Daniel said.
"Well, let's call Hermiod then. How do you operate this thing," O'Neill said pointing at the Asgard communications relay that had been ringed down with them.
Carter sighed and pointed to the projection that had just appeared.
"There is no need, O'Neill. I have been monitoring the situation," Hermiod replied.
"Say what?" O'Neill jumped back from the hologram.
"There should be a Goa'uld crystal computer nearby, please use the supplied control rod and locate a suitable empty socket in the computer. It will allow us to remotely download the contents of the lab's storage for review. In most scenarios that should be enough to gain full control unless this particular Goa'uld shows the uncommon intelligence of using additional non-networked computer systems. In which case, I may have to beam down additional control rods. They do not however strike me as being that intelligent," Hermiod said and triggered a command to open a container in the relay pillar revealing a clear control crystal.
"Where's that going to fit?" O'Neill asked.
"I suggest trying to find an access panel between those two pyramidal columns on either side of the operating table." Hermiod pointed to the strange lab bed in the center of the room covered in circuit-like patterns. "I have also alerted Heimdall to your discovery; she is more experienced in these matters."
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SGC - Level 12 Storage room
Major Doctor William Warner crouched next to the barely alive Captain staring blankly into the ceiling. Having entirely the wrong specialty for assisting with a hot zone event, the surgeon had volunteered to remain at the base while Doctor Fraiser was responding to the crisis on Hanka.
He waved the two female soldiers standing guard by the door over and motioned to his patient.
"She's basically comatose at this point, and the sarcophagus is right there, go ahead and drop her in," Warner ordered. Captain Thrace was non-responsive and based on previous reports from SG-1 the torture mode of one of those Goa'uld hand devices was a painful way to go, like a repeated concussion coupled with an aneurysm.
"Sir?"
"She's going to die if we do nothing, and I'm not willing to wait for the medical pod to return," Doctor Warner said.
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Hanka - Nirrti's lab
Heimdall appeared in a shimmer of light in front of the holographic projector. The grey Asgard looked around the room curiously.
"Ah good, you are still within your isolation suits. Please do not remove them. I've disabled what I believe to be a dispersal mechanism within the lab, which should mean our efforts to clean up this pestilence will be more successful. And yes, I do believe you have stumbled upon the source of the plague," Heimdall tilted her head towards the containment unit, a wavering line of distortion scrolling across her image showing she was only present in a virtual sense for the consultation.
"About the rest," Daniel said motioning around the lab.
"I am beaming down a containment device. Simply affix it to the surface of the existing unit and step back. Once activated, it will remain here as evidence while Thor invokes the appropriate clauses of our treaty regarding the development of bioweapons. If you would remain a moment longer, though— the logs indicate there should be an additional storage room. I believe I can remotely trigger the door to open, please observe your surroundings for the entrance," Heimdall said.
"Holy Hannah," Carter said a moment later. Heimdall appeared to have been successful as a section of wall slid aside. The opening led to a hall lined with obvious containment pods. Large glass tubes filled with fluid, bodies floating within them, the closest one by the door to the room held a dark haired woman with a square jaw that reminded the captain of the girl on the ship. There was a screen with Goa'uld text next to each pod.
"Great, just what we needed, more Goa'uld horrors," O'Neill said as Daniel looked over her shoulder, both of them grimaced.
Teal'c merely stepped around them and approached the first screen.
"Subject is very promising, however there remains a few minor genetic issues. If I can resolve them I will consider this program a success," Teal'c read with a raised eyebrow.
"I would be impressed at the appearance of seemingly sane research practices from a Goa'uld, had I not already read some of the uploaded log files. I expect you could liken their approach to flailing about with a pain stick in the dark," Heimdall chimed in. "You will have to excuse me. I have had to expand the containment perimeter and need to monitor the filtering process, we underestimated how far this particular contaminant has spread."
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Hanka Orbit - Hermiod's ship - Outside Nirrti's holding cell
"You have yet to explain what allowed two of your ships to respond to the plague alert, I was under the impression that you had pressing concerns in your home galaxy," Kesh said.
"Pressing needs, yes. You were lucky we were in the area. Heimdall uncovered records of several archaic Asgard vessels we sent out long ago to explore neighboring galaxies, from before we developed our advanced hyperdrives. We would try to intercept these between galaxies but space is vast. We've pinpointed several potential locations within this galaxy where we can expect to see one of these ships arrive within the next few years," Hermiod said.
"Ah, so rather than try to intercept them in transit, you hope to catch them on arrival," Kesh said.
"You surmise correctly. Though I was also under the impression that your kind had moved on from our space a long time ago," Hermiod replied.
"In a sense, yes, however we still have quite a few projects we inadvertently left operational. I was sent to begin the process of shutting those down, but imagine my surprise to receive this alert so soon after my arrival. It is somewhat amusing though that I ended up here, as this was actually one of those projects in my list," Kesh replied.
"There is a furling project in this system?" Hermiod asked.
"The gravitational singularity is the project, yes. I'm still considering how I want to handle that," Kesh said.
"I hope you would not object if our ship sensors observed if you choose to dismantle it," Hermiod said slowly.
"Not in the least, and feel free to supply a suitable copy of the data to the humans, if you wish," Kesh replied.
"I believe I have all the containment procedures in place. If you are ready I will deposit the Goa'uld now," Hermiod replied.
"Please," Kesh replied.
An aged male appeared in the holding cell in a flash of light, he looked around the room and frowned.
"What Asgardian would dare to interfere in the business of the god Nirrti the Great. I demand an explanation for this, this violation of the treaty. You will release me at once," Nirrti's eyes flashed and the dual tone distorted voice of a Goa'uld host resounded throughout the cell.
"Ah, so you are Nirrti then. No, I think not. You are merely an overgrown parasite with delusions of grandeur," Kesh slipped through the hologram disguising the entrance to the interrogation room and interrupted Nirrti's rant.
"You dare?" Nirrti whirled around, their eyes flashing. He flung the hand with his Karakesh device towards the suited figure to no visible effect.
"I dare nothing. We have already located your research lab and secured the bioweapon you developed in contravention to the treaty you're so ready to claim the protections of. Your name was the final piece we needed for our complaint to the council of system lords, which you just provided so nicely," Kesh replied. "It wouldn't have been appropriate to rely on your lab's logs being accurate, after all."
"Release me, I have done nothing wrong," Nirrti demanded again.
"No, worm. Even if you had done nothing else wrong, you were caught trying to bypass a quarantine lock during a plague event. That alone allows us to petition that you be denied free travel rights for a century," Kesh replied. "We can see about reducing our demands on the council and your own punishment if you cooperate and confess to any other violations you may have in the works. We do not need your confession, we are fully capable of and will find every world you have touched during your entire life without your help, but we won't say no to your cooperation."
"I care not, for I have done nothing wrong," Nirrti sniffed. Enraged, the old man slammed a fist towards the silver suited figure, only to rebound off of the forcefield barrier bisecting the room.
"I'll remind you that any potential ticking timebombs you may have left lying about will require a proportional demand from us by the very treaty you just now attempted to invoke," Kesh replied.
"I have done nothing wrong and refuse your attempts to intimidate me," Nirrti said again, now cradling their broken fist. The sullen Goa'uld started to cross his arms, but winced. Instead he opted to turn away from the furling.
"As a preliminary report without querying any of our monitoring stations I have the following list of addresses directly from his karakesh," Hermiod interjected over Kesh's suit allowing the Furling to project the list between them for both to see.
Nirrti's expression shifted to concern now, his face white as he continued to bluster.
"So be it, I believe some time to think about things might be in your interest. I continue to find myself amazed at the levels of self-delusion your species manages on a daily basis," Kesh said.
"There's a security program within his Karakesh with codes associated with each address," Hermiod said once Kesh was fully outside of the field. "That is likely one of the reasons for his abrupt shift in behavior. Having those addresses means I also have the security program. The log on the karakesh indicates he usually sends the code after leaving a planet or just before arrival. There may be traps or other security measures at each facility."
"I hate it when the bad guy has some brains," Kesh said.
"You may hate this more, my ship is reporting that all the villagers currently within treatment pods now have a mass of naquadah and potassium forming near their hearts," Hermiod said.
"I changed my mind," Kesh turned around to go back to the interrogation room.
"What are you doing," Hermiod asked.
"I have a sudden urge to introduce Nirrti's brains to my cricket gun," Kesh said.
"That will have to wait. Killing Nirrti, accidentally or otherwise, would make it far harder to use them as leverage against the System Lords. It may be preferable that you refocus your energies elsewhere, Heimdall and Doctor Fraiser may need your assistance with the child," Hermiod stated.
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Hanka Orbit - Hermiod's ship - Multipurpose lab
Captain Doctor Janet Fraiser looked up at the flash of light from the Asgard transporter depositing one of their small grey Asgard hosts in the room.
"Ah good you're still here," Heimdall said.
"Can I help you," Doctor Fraiser asked.
"Curious, I think I like your voice, Doctor. Yes, or rather it is I who have come to help you," Heimdall replied.
"How so," Doctor Fraiser asked.
With a gesture of the control gem within her hand, the medical pod that the Terrans had brought with them appeared next to the Asgard bed.
"In the process of healing the villagers your healing pod identified a retrovirus that my own medical systems failed to detect. I have brought your medical pod here to verify, as I believe the young female may also have this retrovirus present, it is uniquely coded to each of their genetic profiles and appears to be unable to be transmitted like any other traditional virus," Heimdall replied.
"A retrovirus, we've only just begun to work on figuring those out," Doctor Fraiser looked back at her young patient and smiled.
"They are one of the first tools a young civilization looks to when studying genetic manipulation, yes," Heimdall said.
"I have reservations, since this is likely to be a scary event," Fraiser started.
"Understandable, I would point out that the medical pod defaults to introducing a soporific effect in younger patients. That should alleviate much of the trauma," Heimdall commented.
"You have a point," Doctor Fraiser said, returning to her patient.
"What's going on? Where is everyone? I'm not—?" Cassie asked.
"Shh, you're perfectly alright, everything is just fine sweety. You're not going to die, and we've been working on healing as many of the villagers as we can," Doctor Fraiser soothed, and waved Heimdall forward. "I'd like to introduce you to a new friend."
"Greetings, I am Heimdall," Heimdall said.
"Cassandra, or, well, Cassie, please, call me Cassie," Cassie responded.
"That's a lovely name, Cassie. Did you see the pod that appeared when Heimdall did?" Doctor Fraiser asked.
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SGC - level 21 - Infirmary
"Doctor?" General Hammond said.
"What? In my defence, I was left unsupervised as the highest ranking medical officer. As I was also the only doctor on the scene, I used my best judgement," Doctor Warner started.
"Not what I was about to ask," General Hammond said.
"Oh well, in that case. How can I help you, sir," Doctor Warner said much calmer.
"What can you tell me about our patient," General Hammond asked.
"Captain Helvetia Thrace. Freshly transferred to us from Peterson for the duration of our little crisis. She was supposed to be working in the Armory on level 19 and was on break during the incident. Based on the reconstructed video evidence we believe she opened the crate and cut the straps holding the sarcophagus closed allowing the automated programming Hathor installed to complete the scheduled wake up. Hathor used the hand device for a short interrogation and then scrambled her brains," Doctor Warner replied.
"How is she," General Hammond asked.
"Delusional. I've requested Doctor Mackenzie look in on her. The sarcophagus appeared to fix the damage, but she's lost a fair amount of memory of the events in question. I hesitate to make any mental diagnosis, I'll leave that up to Mackenzie as that's his area of expertise. But I don't know that we'll get much information out of her as she is, I think the medical pod might be able to help further," Doctor Warner said.
"Keep me updated," General Hammond sighed.
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Hanka Orbit - Hermiod's ship - Multipurpose lab
"Good, you have her within the medical pod," Kesh said as they entered the lab.
"What," Doctor Fraiser started, only for Kesh to motion for her to step aside.
"No time to explain," Kesh replied.
The Asgard and Human doctor watched as the Furling gently pushed their hand through the isolation field over Cassie's chest and let the light of their glove scan over her heart. Eventually, a dull grey ball of metal slowly phased through her skin. Kesh closed their glove around the device, extracting it from the isolation field.
Heimdall blinked rapidly while Doctor Fraiser held a hand over her heart.
"How did you—" Doctor Fraiser started.
"I am a registered medical doctor with the systems at Heliopolis," Kesh said dryly.
"What is that?" Doctor Fraiser asked when she finally calmed enough to speak.
"It's a tracker, and Nirrti's revenge on any interference in his experiment," Kesh stated, using the scanner in their glove to examine the device, they adjusted their equipment.
"Explain?" Doctor Fraiser asked.
"That virus you found in the population; it's Nirrti's attempt at engineering a better host. The villagers have been his test subjects, and the ones he found promising he implanted this tracker. These trackers, phone home, I believe is the term you'd use, to the lab on the surface, but we're in orbit and blocking communication," Kesh replied, as potassium and naquadah began to separate forming into separate equally sized orbs slowly rotating around a much smaller Goa'uld device.
"And that was implanted in a child?" Doctor Fraiser asked, leaning back from the now threatening device.
"Yes. The revenge part is the shell that began forming around it after we started blocking communications. Nirrti anticipated the potential for another Goa'uld to try and steal his test subjects away. If they go beyond the range of the lab the device senses the presence of large quantities of refined naquadah, while pulling naquadah and potassium from the body, and with the quantity here... it would have been quite a powerful explosive too. Even at this small size," Kesh replied.
"And if we'd been a day later, and brought Cassie home with us after finding the village dead," Doctor Fraiser mused out loud.
"Had she remained within proximity to any quantity of naquadah the size of your stargate or larger— you would have quite a large explosion, yes," Kesh said.
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Hanka Orbit - Hermiod's ship - Multipurpose lab - October 17th 1997
"We have been continually monitoring the area and testing samples of the soil and water in a grid. At this time I am tentatively declaring the area clean of the plague bacteria," Heimdall reported.
"Good work," Doctor Fraiser said.
"I believe we are ready to start returning the population to the surface," Heimdall said.
"Just in time for the eclipse," Fraiser commented.
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PX8-987 - Hanka - Triage Center and Observatory
"We've got everything dialed in on our equipment," O'neill replied.
"Eclipse is happening in eight minutes," Carter called out.
"How's the group up there in orbit doing," O'Neill asked.
"I am enjoying hosting them. Are you sure you do not wish to observe from up here?" Hermiod asked.
"I really want to see how well our equipment does with this. I don't often get to play with larger telescopes like this one," O'Neill replied.
"I can understand your position. Learning on your own can often provide more insight than having answers handed to you," Hermiod agreed.
"Hey, thanks for hosting us, I was not looking forward to camping down here with the isolation restrictions," O'Neill said.
"It was our pleasure, O'Neill. Your race is still young, but you're learning," Hermiod replied.
"Thanks, and I'm not sure why you were so interested in our P-90's but I hope they help whatever it is," O'Neill said.
"Just a thought, I may let you know at some point. It is time, I believe you should look to your telescope now, O'Neill," Hermiod said.
"Shoot," O'Neill checked the filter was still in place on the telescope and pressed the record button. Behind him the communications hologram disappeared.
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PX8-987 - Hanka - Village hall
Doctor Fraiser and her team were meeting with the village leaders as part of their final discharge paperwork for the event. The young girl Cassie hadn't left Fraiser's side since completing treatment in the medical pod on Hermiod's ship.
"Thank you again, Doctor Fraiser," Ryan said.
"About Cassie," Doctor Fraiser started.
"Her guardians were not among those that survived, and her mother disappeared into the woods during the mindfire several years ago," Ryan said.
"So—" Fraiser started.
"Yes, she will need a new home. Though it appears she may have found one with you," Ryan said looking down at the girl hiding behind the doctor.
"Just like that?" Fraiser asked.
"That was what you were about to ask, wasn't it? Or did we misjudge your intentions," Ryan said.
"No, but I am a stranger," Fraiser said.
"No, you are a friend, one that has sacrificed their time in healing us and helping clean up," Ryan said. "I can think of none better to look after one of ours."
-| A new line has appeared |-
PX8-987 - Hanka - Stargate
"So that's it?" O'Neill asked.
"That is as you say, it Colonel Jack O'Neill," Hermiod said.
"What about Nirrti?" Daniel asked.
"Thor has initiated the appropriate procedure to call a tribunal for a violation of the treaty. Nirrti will be placed within Thor's custody when he arrives," Heimdall replied.
"We will leave shortly to remedy the issues with the equipment on Cimmeria. But, before we go, a gift," Hermiod said, his hologram shifting to show he'd done something with his console and a data storage drive appeared in a flash of light. "The data storage device has been configured to be compatible with the equipment Captain Samantha Carter carried. It should contain the visual recordings and other sensor data of the eclipse and the black hole as seen from my vessel."
Carter was very quick to secure the drive within her pack.
"Thank you, that will be most appreciated," Captain Carter said.
"Before you leave, I checked my list and was reminded that this was actually one of those projects on my schedule to clean up," Kesh said, sounding very amused.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Kesh replied. They lifted a hand to the sky and pointed, a moment later a point of light appeared that rapidly grew brighter until it was too bright to look at. "Ah good, I got the timing right on that."
"What?" Carter asked.
"I triggered the shutdown of the system keeping the star compressed into a singularity. It finished converting the singularity back into a healthy yellow star about about nine minutes ago. Since I managed the timing, the light of that process is just now reaching us. It's not instantaneous you know," Kesh's smirk was audible.
"Now see, there you go ruining the mystique," O'Neill said.
Kesh scoffed, "Why would I care for mystique? This particular exhibit was designed to cycle between blackhole and white hole every hundred years, but the designers forgot to take into account the time dilation effects, it's been stuck in blackhole mode since it was installed and it was easier to just dismantle the project than try and fix it." Carter was trying to run though the mental calculations for what would be required for that sort of thing.
"I think you broke her chief," O'Neill said.
"Nah, she'll be fine. Anyway, I think we've accomplished all we needed here. I have more projects to work on. Hope I see you again," Kesh said and waved at the stargate, connecting it to the Furling's next destination without the dialing process.
"See you around?" O'Neill asked.
"See you around, O'Neill," Kesh replied and disappeared through the gate.
-| A new line has appeared |-
SGC - Gateroom
"Welcome back," General Hammond said once the disinfectant sprays finished.
"It's good to be back, sir," O'Neill replied.
"Get your gear put away and report to the briefing room for mission debriefing in twenty minutes," Hammond ordered.
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SGC - Briefing room
"Welcome to Earth, Cassandra," General Hammond said, presenting the girl with a teddy bear with a red bow around its neck.
"Cassie, please," Cassie accepted the stuffed animal tentatively.
"Of course, Cassie," the general corrected himself.
"Thanks, sir," Doctor Fraiser said.
Carter and Daniel both looked to O'Neill.
"What?" O'Neill said.
"It's just, we expected a little more of a reaction. We got more of a reaction from bringing back the Jaffa last mission," Daniel said.
"Okay, first off, Fraiser took command of the mission because of the medical emergency, so this is all on her. Second, we were in regular contact with the base, sending updates on the situation as it progressed, meaning she got permission ahead of time, and third, did you guys turn off your radios or something?" O'Neill asked.
"I think I caught the tail end of that discussion actually," Carter said.
"I was actually on Hermiod's ship for most of that, I think," Daniel said.
"Excuses..." O'Neill shook his head.
-| A new line has appeared |-
Minnesota - O'Neill's cabin
Jack O'Neill leaned back in the lawn chair on the dock, and slowly reeled in the fishing line.
"Sir?" Carter started.
O'Neill held up a hand, "Ah, off duty."
"Sorry, just not comfortable with that," Carter said.
O'Neill shrugged and cast the line into the lake again.
"There are no fish in this lake are there?" Teal'c asked.
"Nope," O'Neill said, getting a laugh out of Kahue.
"I am curious, though. How did Hathor know where to send the sarcophagus?" O'Neill asked.
"Well, for one. We talked with the surviving members of the dig team that uncovered her tomb, and they had my old book on the Egyptian pyramids and knew I lived around here," Daniel said.
"And for the second part, a rare bit of logic that the stargate being active but not being public knowledge, would mean it was likely in the hands of a military group. And Soto Cano base was right there, all she had to do was subvert the base long enough to triangulate the approximate location of the stargate and then ask them what military base was at that location if there was one, then arrange to have herself shipped here," Carter said.
"Where's your grill?" Sean Maxwell arrived carrying a stack of food packed in butcher paper ready for the grill.
"On the deck," O'Neill called back.
"What base was that again?" Kahue asked.
"Soto Cano," Carter supplied.
"Son of a..." Kahue said.
"What?" O'Neill asked.
"So, you all know there's been some shuffling back at my base going on," Kahue said.
"Right? And?" O'Neill asked.
"Seems someone objected to the heavy handed approach the NID has been taking with a certain project. Anyway, the day before we got our orders to take a visit to your dungeon planet, one of the techs, an airman in the IT department, got caught having accessed a bunch of classified documents he had no need to know," Kahue said.
"I think I see where this is going," Daniel said.
"He was given clearance to several things as part of some IT classification and was caught reading a bunch of stuff he was moving between servers. Anyway, that airman, they shipped him down to Soto Cano rather than drum him out, something about wanting to keep an eye on him but not wanting to admit why to justify dumping him in Leavenworth," Kahue said.
"And let me guess, one of the documents he accessed happened to be project bluebook?" O'Neill asked.
"I didn't get the list, no need-to-know, you know. But I suspect so," Kahue replied, casting his own line into the lake.
"You talking about that little piss-ant that always had an attitude? If it wasn't in his computers it didn't exist," Sean said, taking a break from the grill.
"So if you told him something was dangerous he'd ignore you?" O'Neill asked.
Sean paused and looked at the lack of fish, "...no, actually, at least if he was going to be interacting with it. He'd generally go check the data sheets for himself, but I attributed that to having a sense of self-preservation. He just wouldn't listen to anything an expert told him unless it was documented in several places, even during nonstandard incidents."
"Speaking of, did he call you too?" Kahue asked.
"He called you?" Sean asked.
-| A new line has appeared |-
"So what did Kahue say?" Major Freeman asked.
"He shut me down entirely and said he'd be reporting me to General Hammond for possible punishment on misuse of insecure communication lines," Airman Luke Ashwood replied.
"...which is a good indication that the base really isn't compromised by that Hathor person," the Major said.
"Couldn't you have just checked with their female personnel?" Captain Johnson asked.
"More data points leads to better confidence," Freeman said.
-| A new line has appeared |-
"How do you want your steaks?" Sean asked.
"Medium rare," Matthew Bennett replied.
"Same," Marshall Perry said.
"Well-done," Jason Byron adjusted his sunglasses.
"Oh, what else you got up there," Carter asked.
"The usual, chicken breasts, hamburgers, steak, potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus, bacon and cheese stuffed jalapenos," Sean rattled off.
"You ready for the dungeon, Monday?" O'Neill asked.
"Maybe?" Kahue replied.
There was noise from the front of the cabin, some barking and a young voice that brought the discussion to a halt.
"Janet and Cassie are here" O'Neill grinned.
"You didn't," Carter said.
"Did you?" Daniel started.
"Hey Samantha! Daniel! See my new dog?" Cassie said, spotting the team on the dock.
"Didn't you know, Carter? We have a rule here on Earth. Every kid has got to have a dog," O'Neill said.
AN: there will be a brief hiatus while I work on plotting and writing the next set of chapters for this fic, thanks for reading!