NeverEnding 3/?
A/N: This chapter is not really with the humor from the previous chapters and more about the angst that is the Asgard storyline in the episode... Which I still hate... Grr...
Any-hoo, hope y'all enjoy it!
NeverEnding 3/?
Title: The Calm before the Storm
Author: Chozen Rogue
Rating: Teen; language, sexuality, character death
Characters: Jack/Sam; Team (Daniel/Vala); Landry; Thor
Summary: What if Jack was on the Odyssey during the events of “Unending?”
Spoilers: Unending (Duh!); whole series, will specify if anything major comes up
Disclaimer: Stargate: SG-1 belongs to MGM, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Films. I just took the characters out for a spin.
Spoliers for 2x15 The Fifth Race.
Previous chapters: 1, 2
THE ORI ATTACK
O’Neill, Landry, and Carter entered the bridge; Landry taking the captain’s chair immediately, “Major?”
Sam took her position to the left of Landry and smiled as she saw that Jack was still near the doorway, leaning against the wall next to it. He crossed his arms and shot a small grin towards smiled as Major Marks replied to the General, “We’re approaching the co-ordinates, sir.”
“Drop us out.”
Jack braced himself as the ship rock forward as it dropped back into regular space. As the planet they were approaching grew larger in the view port, Jack couldn’t help but think it looked quite a lot like Earth.
“We're being hailed.” Jack’s attention turned towards the door as the rest of SG-1 filtered onto the bridge while the helmsman continued relaying his information, “The Asgard are requesting permission to beam aboard, sir.”
“Granted,” Landry replied.
Suddenly, the bridge was bathed in a white light as Thor beamed aboard. The small alien immediately spoke, “Greetings. And welcome to Orilla.”
Sam walked forward and said, “Thor!”
Jack couldn’t help but smile as he moved towards Thor; the excitement in Carter’s voice was infectious. “Thor, buddy!”
Thor nodded towards them both, “Hello, Colonel Carter; O’Neill. It is good to see you both.”
Vala watched the interaction between the two humans and the alien with a feeling of confusion. She leaned into to Daniel, “Out of curiosity: how can you tell the difference?”
Without hesitation, he replied, “The voice.”
The dark haired woman stared blankly up at Daniel for a moment before letting her attention snap back to the conversation taking place. She had a peculiar feeling of deja-vu; the first time seeing Daniel and Cam in the same room together flashing through her mind.
“It's good to see you too, Thor.” Sam couldn’t seem to stop grinning; she had not seen Thor in some time. She knew that Jack had, what with diplomatic relations and all, but she couldn’t help but felt an odd sense of comfort knowing that the old members of SG-1 were together and with their good friend. Shaking herself out of her reminiscing, she pointed to her colleagues that had never met the alien before them, “This is General Landry, Colonel Mitchell, and Vala.”
Jack shook his head in amusement as Vala waved enthusiastically as Thor acknowledged each with a nod, “Greetings.”
“So Thor,” Daniel chimed in suddenly, “how yah been? Haven't heard from you in a while.”
Jack raised a hand. “Nor had I till I got a phone call in the middle of the night, waking me up from a particularly good dream,” it took everything in his willpower to keep his eyes from sliding over to Sam; yes, a very good dream, indeed, “calling for my assistance in this part of the galaxy.”
Sam and traded Daniel a bemused look, as two bog black eyes blinked in surprise at the General, “I am sorry; that was not our intention.” Jack shrugged and then made a motion for Thor to carry on. “I have been otherwise occupied. As mentioned in our communication, the high council wishes to meet with you to explain in greater detail, but there is not much time.”
Thor’s attention turned to Landry, “General, with your permission, a number of Asgard are prepared to beam aboard immediately to begin installing various technological upgrades to this ship.”
Mitchell turned towards Teal’c and said quietly, “I hope it’s ray guns. I hope it’s ray guns.” The Jaffa looked at Cameron, annoyance written across his face as the other man explained further, “I got ray guns in the pool.”
Landry, with excitement in his voice, asked, “What is it you're planning on giving us?”
“Everything we have and know.”
Vala asked uncertainly, “By that you mean?”
“Everything.” In shock, all on the bridge traded looks; Jack just stared at Thor, his friend’s voice held a certain desperation that was beginning to make him uneasy. “All our most current technology; all our knowledge.”
A long moment passed as they digested this information; Jack’s stomach churning as he tried to follow what Thor was telling them all and what it meant.
“Sorry,” Daniel blurted out. “We're just a little stunned. I mean, why are you doing this?”
“Daniel...”
He held up a hand to stop Jack’s sudden outburst, choosing to ignore the man’s warning tone, and instead turning back to Thor, “You've always resisted in the past; you always said we weren't ready.”
“Indeed. Many Asgard still believe that.” The regret in the alien’s voice caused Daniel to close his eyes in frustration; Thor was invading the question.
Mitchell’s voice also held a hint of frustration as he asked, “So, what's changed?”
“As a race,” Thor moved a hand to his chest, “we are dying. Very soon, we will all be gone.”
Landry made a move to get up from his chair but fell back into it with shock. Vala and Daniel traded stunned looks, while Teal’c and Cam just stared at what appeared to be the still healthy body of the Asgard Supreme Commander. For her part, Sam felt a stinging sensation behind her eyes start as Thor turned his to look at her.
But the regret that reflected in Thor’s black eyes compared nothing to when she glanced over at Jack who was now leaning heavily against the helm’s console. His face had become ashen, mouth slightly opened with his eyes having glazed quality to them.
The human race was about to loose their biggest ally but SG-1 was about to loose one of their closest friends.
****
“The Asgard computer core is equipped with its own power source that will not infringe on your ships ZPM.” Thor turned away from Asgard control panel now situated in the middle of the Odyssey’s control room, “However, when the upgrades are complete, the core will be fully integrated into all the ships systems.”
“There must be something more you can do,” the frustration in Sam’s voice caused Thor to blink uncertainly in her direction.
“I assure you we are providing you with all the latest Asgard technology,” Sam squeezed her eyes shut and let her head fall forward before meeting Thor’s eyes again as he continued, “as well as a knowledge base including our entire history.”
“That's not what I was talking about.”
“Everything that can be done has been done. The final attempt to solve our physiological degeneration has left each of us with a rapidly progressing disease.”
Sam tried to ignore the defeat in Thor’s voice as he explained that his race was dying, to have hope for something more, but she also couldn’t help feeling that maybe there really was no way out of this situation.
****
“It really wasn't an option for them.” SG-1 sat around the briefing room table with General Landry and General O’Neill situated at either end. “They made the choice to extend their lives through science generations ago. It took any natural physiological evolution necessary for ascension out of the equation.”
Jack stared down at the table as Daniel came to the end of his explanation. He had asked if there was a way for the Asgard to ascend; he had figured if the entire population of Abydos could do it, why not Thor’s people? Now, Jack had his answer and it wasn’t even close to being the one he had been hoping for.
“They're planning on ending their lives before the degeneration they're suffering from goes too far.”
There was moment of silence after Landry had spoken till Cam stated simply, “Mass suicide.”
Daniel nodded at the man sitting across from him and explained, “They don't want any of their knowledge or technology falling into the wrong hands.”
“And they wanted us to witness the event.”
As soon as the words had left Landry’s mouth, Jack slid his chair back, not caring as the others watched him as he rubbed harshly at his face, mumbling, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” There were a few tense moments as they continued to stare at the man, till he suddenly stood up and walked out of the room.
Teal’c and Daniel each made moves to follow their friend but were stopped by Landry’s, “Let him go.”
Both men traded looks as they sat back slowly in their seats. Teal’c with his mind still on O’Neill’s sudden departure turned his attention back to the matter of the Asgard and said, “So everything they've installed on this ship...”
Daniel, pushing Jack to the back of his mind till after the meeting, finished Teal’c’s thought, “Is going to be their legacy.”
****
The control room hummed with energy as the Asgard core was activated. After making some quick adjustments to panel, Thor turned to Sam, “If you like, you'll be able to interface with the core using a holographic representation of me or any other Asgard on record in the knowledge base.”
“I'm sorry,” Sam heard the tears in her voice and found she didn’t care, “but that just won't be the same.”
Thor blinked heavily, “I have been working on this for the better part of a year Colonel Carter.”
Sam, realizing that he had misunderstood her, quickly said, “And we appreciate it, really!”
“Many on the council did not believe we should be imparting such advancements.”
“Well, I promise we'll do our very best not to let you down.”
“You are the fifth race. You're - “
“Yeah, I remember you saying that once.” Both Sam and Thor turned to see Jack standing in the doorway. At the sight of his rigid frame and balled fists, she knew immediately that he was angry, and most likely, looking for a fight. “You said we weren’t ready.”
“That is correct.” Thor looked at Sam in what she could only call confusion; he most likely didn’t understand why Jack seemed to be angry.
“And you think we are now?”
Thor turned back to his friend and stepped closer towards Jack. “You’re role is clear. If there is any hope in preserving the future, it lies with you and your people.”
Carter’s eye widened at the burden that had just been laid on them, “No pressure, huh?”
Ignoring her, Jack stepped into the alien’s personal space to stare down at him. “Why are you doing this?” There was a moment of confusion from both the Asgard and Carter till Jack clarified, “You still have time to fix this; to cure yourself.”
Thor’s eyes left his friend’s face to settle on the ground, “We have tried; there is no alternative.”
“Bullshit!” Sam felt her jaw drop as she watched the barely controlled anger leave Jack. “You’ve just given up; taking the easy, ‘safer’ way out, like always! Go on; blow your selves up for all I care!” And with that, he turned around and started out of the room.
“You have earned my respect,” there was a pause as Jack stopped suddenly, “and my friendship.”
“Well, the feeling’s mutual.” Her statement was as much hers as it was Jack’s, but Sam knew he’d never be able to say; at least not now. Sam stared at his back, shoulders rigid, fists balled, and body so tense, she could see that it was shaking.
“Please,” her attention was drawn back to Thor as he made to face her once again, “do not be sad.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw O’Neill relax slightly and crane his neck slightly to look over his shoulder at them. “The end of my people has been a long time coming. We have made too many irreversible mistakes in our development; hopefully you can learn something from it.” At this, Thor turned just as Jack did, “My only regret is that our physical weakness has left us incapable of helping you further.”
At the sight of them staring at one another with an intensity that scared Sam, she rose suddenly from her chair and hugged Thor, making sure to be careful with his thin frame; tears that had been threatening to break finally making their way down her cheek.
Jack stood there as he watched Thor hesitantly bring his arms up around Sam to return her hug. He could see the silent tears slowly sliding down her face to fall onto the gray skin of the alien she held and it made him want to hit something. To scream out his frustration, take it out on something; just so he wouldn’t have to deal with the pain he felt.
____________________________________________________________
Feel free to leave comments and tell me if you loved/hated it!
The next chapter will deal with the actual Ori attack and a great big character death warning for those who may not know what's coming up next...
Continue to Chapter 4
Any-hoo, hope y'all enjoy it!
NeverEnding 3/?
Title: The Calm before the Storm
Author: Chozen Rogue
Rating: Teen; language, sexuality, character death
Characters: Jack/Sam; Team (Daniel/Vala); Landry; Thor
Summary: What if Jack was on the Odyssey during the events of “Unending?”
Spoilers: Unending (Duh!); whole series, will specify if anything major comes up
Disclaimer: Stargate: SG-1 belongs to MGM, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Films. I just took the characters out for a spin.
Spoliers for 2x15 The Fifth Race.
Previous chapters: 1, 2
THE ORI ATTACK
O’Neill, Landry, and Carter entered the bridge; Landry taking the captain’s chair immediately, “Major?”
Sam took her position to the left of Landry and smiled as she saw that Jack was still near the doorway, leaning against the wall next to it. He crossed his arms and shot a small grin towards smiled as Major Marks replied to the General, “We’re approaching the co-ordinates, sir.”
“Drop us out.”
Jack braced himself as the ship rock forward as it dropped back into regular space. As the planet they were approaching grew larger in the view port, Jack couldn’t help but think it looked quite a lot like Earth.
“We're being hailed.” Jack’s attention turned towards the door as the rest of SG-1 filtered onto the bridge while the helmsman continued relaying his information, “The Asgard are requesting permission to beam aboard, sir.”
“Granted,” Landry replied.
Suddenly, the bridge was bathed in a white light as Thor beamed aboard. The small alien immediately spoke, “Greetings. And welcome to Orilla.”
Sam walked forward and said, “Thor!”
Jack couldn’t help but smile as he moved towards Thor; the excitement in Carter’s voice was infectious. “Thor, buddy!”
Thor nodded towards them both, “Hello, Colonel Carter; O’Neill. It is good to see you both.”
Vala watched the interaction between the two humans and the alien with a feeling of confusion. She leaned into to Daniel, “Out of curiosity: how can you tell the difference?”
Without hesitation, he replied, “The voice.”
The dark haired woman stared blankly up at Daniel for a moment before letting her attention snap back to the conversation taking place. She had a peculiar feeling of deja-vu; the first time seeing Daniel and Cam in the same room together flashing through her mind.
“It's good to see you too, Thor.” Sam couldn’t seem to stop grinning; she had not seen Thor in some time. She knew that Jack had, what with diplomatic relations and all, but she couldn’t help but felt an odd sense of comfort knowing that the old members of SG-1 were together and with their good friend. Shaking herself out of her reminiscing, she pointed to her colleagues that had never met the alien before them, “This is General Landry, Colonel Mitchell, and Vala.”
Jack shook his head in amusement as Vala waved enthusiastically as Thor acknowledged each with a nod, “Greetings.”
“So Thor,” Daniel chimed in suddenly, “how yah been? Haven't heard from you in a while.”
Jack raised a hand. “Nor had I till I got a phone call in the middle of the night, waking me up from a particularly good dream,” it took everything in his willpower to keep his eyes from sliding over to Sam; yes, a very good dream, indeed, “calling for my assistance in this part of the galaxy.”
Sam and traded Daniel a bemused look, as two bog black eyes blinked in surprise at the General, “I am sorry; that was not our intention.” Jack shrugged and then made a motion for Thor to carry on. “I have been otherwise occupied. As mentioned in our communication, the high council wishes to meet with you to explain in greater detail, but there is not much time.”
Thor’s attention turned to Landry, “General, with your permission, a number of Asgard are prepared to beam aboard immediately to begin installing various technological upgrades to this ship.”
Mitchell turned towards Teal’c and said quietly, “I hope it’s ray guns. I hope it’s ray guns.” The Jaffa looked at Cameron, annoyance written across his face as the other man explained further, “I got ray guns in the pool.”
Landry, with excitement in his voice, asked, “What is it you're planning on giving us?”
“Everything we have and know.”
Vala asked uncertainly, “By that you mean?”
“Everything.” In shock, all on the bridge traded looks; Jack just stared at Thor, his friend’s voice held a certain desperation that was beginning to make him uneasy. “All our most current technology; all our knowledge.”
A long moment passed as they digested this information; Jack’s stomach churning as he tried to follow what Thor was telling them all and what it meant.
“Sorry,” Daniel blurted out. “We're just a little stunned. I mean, why are you doing this?”
“Daniel...”
He held up a hand to stop Jack’s sudden outburst, choosing to ignore the man’s warning tone, and instead turning back to Thor, “You've always resisted in the past; you always said we weren't ready.”
“Indeed. Many Asgard still believe that.” The regret in the alien’s voice caused Daniel to close his eyes in frustration; Thor was invading the question.
Mitchell’s voice also held a hint of frustration as he asked, “So, what's changed?”
“As a race,” Thor moved a hand to his chest, “we are dying. Very soon, we will all be gone.”
Landry made a move to get up from his chair but fell back into it with shock. Vala and Daniel traded stunned looks, while Teal’c and Cam just stared at what appeared to be the still healthy body of the Asgard Supreme Commander. For her part, Sam felt a stinging sensation behind her eyes start as Thor turned his to look at her.
But the regret that reflected in Thor’s black eyes compared nothing to when she glanced over at Jack who was now leaning heavily against the helm’s console. His face had become ashen, mouth slightly opened with his eyes having glazed quality to them.
The human race was about to loose their biggest ally but SG-1 was about to loose one of their closest friends.
****
“The Asgard computer core is equipped with its own power source that will not infringe on your ships ZPM.” Thor turned away from Asgard control panel now situated in the middle of the Odyssey’s control room, “However, when the upgrades are complete, the core will be fully integrated into all the ships systems.”
“There must be something more you can do,” the frustration in Sam’s voice caused Thor to blink uncertainly in her direction.
“I assure you we are providing you with all the latest Asgard technology,” Sam squeezed her eyes shut and let her head fall forward before meeting Thor’s eyes again as he continued, “as well as a knowledge base including our entire history.”
“That's not what I was talking about.”
“Everything that can be done has been done. The final attempt to solve our physiological degeneration has left each of us with a rapidly progressing disease.”
Sam tried to ignore the defeat in Thor’s voice as he explained that his race was dying, to have hope for something more, but she also couldn’t help feeling that maybe there really was no way out of this situation.
****
“It really wasn't an option for them.” SG-1 sat around the briefing room table with General Landry and General O’Neill situated at either end. “They made the choice to extend their lives through science generations ago. It took any natural physiological evolution necessary for ascension out of the equation.”
Jack stared down at the table as Daniel came to the end of his explanation. He had asked if there was a way for the Asgard to ascend; he had figured if the entire population of Abydos could do it, why not Thor’s people? Now, Jack had his answer and it wasn’t even close to being the one he had been hoping for.
“They're planning on ending their lives before the degeneration they're suffering from goes too far.”
There was moment of silence after Landry had spoken till Cam stated simply, “Mass suicide.”
Daniel nodded at the man sitting across from him and explained, “They don't want any of their knowledge or technology falling into the wrong hands.”
“And they wanted us to witness the event.”
As soon as the words had left Landry’s mouth, Jack slid his chair back, not caring as the others watched him as he rubbed harshly at his face, mumbling, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” There were a few tense moments as they continued to stare at the man, till he suddenly stood up and walked out of the room.
Teal’c and Daniel each made moves to follow their friend but were stopped by Landry’s, “Let him go.”
Both men traded looks as they sat back slowly in their seats. Teal’c with his mind still on O’Neill’s sudden departure turned his attention back to the matter of the Asgard and said, “So everything they've installed on this ship...”
Daniel, pushing Jack to the back of his mind till after the meeting, finished Teal’c’s thought, “Is going to be their legacy.”
****
The control room hummed with energy as the Asgard core was activated. After making some quick adjustments to panel, Thor turned to Sam, “If you like, you'll be able to interface with the core using a holographic representation of me or any other Asgard on record in the knowledge base.”
“I'm sorry,” Sam heard the tears in her voice and found she didn’t care, “but that just won't be the same.”
Thor blinked heavily, “I have been working on this for the better part of a year Colonel Carter.”
Sam, realizing that he had misunderstood her, quickly said, “And we appreciate it, really!”
“Many on the council did not believe we should be imparting such advancements.”
“Well, I promise we'll do our very best not to let you down.”
“You are the fifth race. You're - “
“Yeah, I remember you saying that once.” Both Sam and Thor turned to see Jack standing in the doorway. At the sight of his rigid frame and balled fists, she knew immediately that he was angry, and most likely, looking for a fight. “You said we weren’t ready.”
“That is correct.” Thor looked at Sam in what she could only call confusion; he most likely didn’t understand why Jack seemed to be angry.
“And you think we are now?”
Thor turned back to his friend and stepped closer towards Jack. “You’re role is clear. If there is any hope in preserving the future, it lies with you and your people.”
Carter’s eye widened at the burden that had just been laid on them, “No pressure, huh?”
Ignoring her, Jack stepped into the alien’s personal space to stare down at him. “Why are you doing this?” There was a moment of confusion from both the Asgard and Carter till Jack clarified, “You still have time to fix this; to cure yourself.”
Thor’s eyes left his friend’s face to settle on the ground, “We have tried; there is no alternative.”
“Bullshit!” Sam felt her jaw drop as she watched the barely controlled anger leave Jack. “You’ve just given up; taking the easy, ‘safer’ way out, like always! Go on; blow your selves up for all I care!” And with that, he turned around and started out of the room.
“You have earned my respect,” there was a pause as Jack stopped suddenly, “and my friendship.”
“Well, the feeling’s mutual.” Her statement was as much hers as it was Jack’s, but Sam knew he’d never be able to say; at least not now. Sam stared at his back, shoulders rigid, fists balled, and body so tense, she could see that it was shaking.
“Please,” her attention was drawn back to Thor as he made to face her once again, “do not be sad.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw O’Neill relax slightly and crane his neck slightly to look over his shoulder at them. “The end of my people has been a long time coming. We have made too many irreversible mistakes in our development; hopefully you can learn something from it.” At this, Thor turned just as Jack did, “My only regret is that our physical weakness has left us incapable of helping you further.”
At the sight of them staring at one another with an intensity that scared Sam, she rose suddenly from her chair and hugged Thor, making sure to be careful with his thin frame; tears that had been threatening to break finally making their way down her cheek.
Jack stood there as he watched Thor hesitantly bring his arms up around Sam to return her hug. He could see the silent tears slowly sliding down her face to fall onto the gray skin of the alien she held and it made him want to hit something. To scream out his frustration, take it out on something; just so he wouldn’t have to deal with the pain he felt.
____________________________________________________________
Feel free to leave comments and tell me if you loved/hated it!
The next chapter will deal with the actual Ori attack and a great big character death warning for those who may not know what's coming up next...
Continue to Chapter 4