Ernie sighed as he looked
upon the slumped bodies of Samantha Carter and Jackie - who was draped
across the woman who had given her a name. Even unconscious, the
strong-willed Carter still clutched the child's body in her slack
fingers.
He had hated to do this
to her, but had run out of options when it became clear that Sam planned
to let nothing stand in her way of reviving Jackie, even if it meant
placing herself and the child in danger by transporting back to
Tartarus. At that point it had become crystal clear to him that her
grief had taken her to a place where reason and logic did not apply.
The Asgard physician
moved several shells on the console and watched as twin flashes of light
enveloped the bodies on the floor. Sam reappeared inside the medical pod
she had only recently vacated. At the same time, Jackie appeared in the
one that Sam had wrested her from in her ill-thought attempt to save a
life that was already beyond any hope of resuscitation.
He trotted over to
Jackie's pod and touched the console; in response, an opaque covering
slid over the still form and allowed only a shadowy outline to be seen
from the outside. Knowing Jack as he did, he realized he would want
privacy for the child, even if she were not capable of objecting to
curious eyes herself.
Then he hurried over to
Sam's pod and monitored the instruments. She appeared to be asleep, but
her eyelids flickered and she moaned. According to the readouts, she was
in REM sleep, but whatever dreams she had were apparently not
restful.
Tears leaked from her
closed lids and trickled down the side of her face, leaving wet trails
down her neck. "No, don't . . ." she murmured as her head jerked from
side to side. "Please don't go . . ."
Ernie's eyes widened and
then he shook his head with regret. When he touched another button on
the console, she quieted.
Ernie continued to study
Samantha Carter's unconscious form with concern. Because of the stress
of her captivity, he had been willing to make allowances for her
behavior. However, her attachment for the child, Jackie, seemed
irrational given that this was not truly her own child and she could not
have had enough time to build a relationship with her.
And then there had been
the female's very valid concern that her reproductive organs might have
been irreparably damaged at the hands of Baal's butchers. Ernie was
extremely thankful that this had not occurred, not only for Carter's
peace of mind, but also for the implications that came to mind. For any
offspring of Jack and Sam would provide many years of exciting study for
him.
As irrational as it
seemed, however, Sam's attachment to Jackie seemed genuine, which meant
that the news of the child's death had been extremely traumatic for her.
From his study of human psychology and the stages they experienced when
confronted with death, he was able to categorize Sam's reactions, first
had been her denial that the child was dead. Sam's escape into the
scientific explanations of Jackie's creation was also, inherently a form
of rejection of a fact that she was not yet able to deal with
effectively.
In addition, Sam's
attempt to revive her with the help of a sarcophagus, while a seemingly
reasonable solution, also served to illustrate that she continued to
deny the fact of the child's death. For he had attempted to explain to
her that the child's DNA was inherently unstable and even the miraculous
efforts of the sarcophagus would not solve that particular problem.
Knowing the particular
humans onboard as he did, he was especially concerned about Jack's
reaction. For, if what Sam had told him was true - and his own medical
scans confirmed it - this was truly his child, if not exactly one that
he had wanted. And Jack would have also formed an attachment to her. His
very nature guaranteed it.
As Sam's condition seemed
to have stabilized for the moment, Ernie left her pod and trotted over
to the one that housed Jack. His obsidian black eyes studied the
instruments and he nodded. It was as he had thought; Jack had
experienced an intracranial bleed, probably brought about by a blow to
the head. This would explain his erratic behavior prior to his
collapse.
Ernie had been able to
repair the ruptured blood vessel, but the resulting swollen brain tissue
was another matter. While little could be done but to monitor his
condition, Ernie was certain that there would be no damage. There was
only so much even he could to under some circumstances. Time would heal
these physical wounds, but as for the emotional, that was another story
indeed.
Though there was much
about the death of Jack's son, Charlie, that Ernie was not privy to,
what he did know led him to believe that Jackie's death was an event
that had the potential to devastate the man. It made him doubly thankful
that Jack was in the pod sedated where he could be monitored more
closely. He would not want to do to Jack what he had just done to
Sam.
The attachment that Sam
and most probably Jack had formed with the child, Jackie, was truly a
puzzle to Ernie, and he was glad that he'd had the foresight to invite
Heimdall to accompany him on this mission. His colleague had made some
progress in his area of expertise, the study of the reproductive system
of the primitive Asgard.
Though he was naturally
curious about the idea of children and the process humans went through
to give birth to them, it was an activity he could not imagine himself
partaking in. As the humans would put it, it was an intriguing idea -
for someone else - but he wouldn't want to do it.
In the meantime, it would
behoove him to keep close tabs on Samantha Carter; she would awaken far
in advance of Jack O'Neill. The death of the child had hit her hard and
she would bottom in a hurry. Though, hopefully she could be ushered
through the grieving process in time to help Jack upon his awakening.
Having her there could mean a whole lot of difference. With that thought
in mind, Ernie turned away from Jack's pod and walked back to Sam's.
She continued to move
restlessly despite the additional sedative that had been administered.
Ernie sighed and then pushed one button on the console. In response,
Sam's restless movements ceased. An invisible field enveloped her body,
relaxing her muscles and preventing movement from neck to toes. As it
effectively restrained Sam inside the pod, Ernie realized with a pang of
remorse that she was not going to like this, but given her previous
irrational and potentially dangerous behavior, the Asgard physician felt
he had no choice.
As for Jack, the swelling
of his brain tissues would cause him to behave in a very emotional
manner, even without the added complication of Jackie's death. The
combination meant that he would have his hands full. He just hoped that
since Sam would be conscious longer, and because she was uninjured, she
would be less of a burden in that area.
The Asgard physician had
to admit that as much as he loved the study of these humans - and Jack
O'Neill in particular - the last thing he wanted was two severely
depressed grief-stricken humans in various stages of meltdown on his
hands. Despite what Thor might think of him, he was only one Asgard with
a limited supply of compassion and energy to give to the humans he had
modeled himself after.
Not to say that he
wouldn't be there for them - in fact, he wanted to be there. However,
from previous experience, he knew his services would be in high demand
for the next few days, a thought exhilarating as well as daunting at the
same time. These particular humans were too important to take the chance
that he might miss something vital. As much as he hated to admit it,
there was no way around it, he would need help. But who to ask?
If Heimdall could be
convinced to help him out, it would be a help, but since neither Jack
nor Sam knew this particular Asgard as well, they might be hesitant to
confide in him - or trust him with their raw and very private
emotions.
However, there was
another Asgard present who would fit the bill perfectly. Jack and Sam
had a long history with him; in fact, their relationship pre-dated that
of his own.
On the downside, this
particular Asgard might not feel comfortable in the role of a
combination of supportive friend and counselor. Emotionally fragile
humans tended to be very irrational and illogical - to make a long story
short - a very messy business. And this specific Asgard could be
considered 'uptight' even by others of his race. Plus this Asgard's
comfort zone so did not include the touchy-feely, snot-slinging sessions
that these human's might exhibit.
There was only one way to
find out though. At the first opportunity, Ernie would have to ask him.
What was the worst that could happen to him? While it was true that this
Asgard might say no - loudly - but then again, he might just say yes.
Either way, getting the
answer would be . . . instructive. And since Ernie had arrived in his
own vessel, he probably wouldn't be ejected out the nearest airlock. Or
at least not without a spirited chase, and Ernie knew he could outrun
him in a dead heat. He paused, and savored the thought of a footrace
between them and bounced with unrestrained glee.
Ernie had practiced one
particular facial expression on the other members of the Asgard High
Council, but to his everlasting chagrin, had been painstakingly ignored
by that august assemblage. As the full ramifications of the situation
occurred to him Ernie used it now - he smirked - an expression he had
observed Jack use to great effect on many occasions.
Ernie could reach only
one conclusion - Thor would have a cow when it hit the fan. And he would
get to watch.
He bounced in place and
then composed himself. No need to irritate the crap out of Thor from the
start.
Ernie knew he would have
to report the condition of his patients to the object of his amusement,
so divested himself of his version of the human smirk. However, since he
could not leave his post, the Asgard physician did the next best thing
and moved the shell that allowed him to send his holographic image to
Thor.
Thor's image appeared before him. "You have news?"
"Indeed I do, Jack
suffered an intracranial bleed but has been stabilized in a medical
pod."
Thor nodded, "He will survive this?"
"Yes, I repaired the
ruptured blood vessel; however, I have detected swelling of his brain
tissue which will subside in due course with no lasting effects."
"Very well, and Samantha Carter?"
"I had to sedate and
restrain her." Ernie fidgeted while he waited for Thor's reaction, he
didn't have to wait long.
Thor's eyes widened and he froze. "Why?"
"She became upset when
told of the death of the child and planned to transport down to Tartarus
and use the sarcophagus to revive her. I could not allow her to do this,
so I sedated her."
"I see." Thor paused. "My
instruments show that Baal's stronghold is deserted and suffered
extensive damage. Moreover, soon after O'Neill and Carter were
transported to our vessel, the Stargate on the surface was activated. It
is my assumption that Baal escaped to another location."
"I see. Jack won't be happy to hear that."
"You were unable to save the child?"
"No, I was not. Her
injuries were too severe. In addition, I discovered that the structure
of her DNA was unstable." Ernie shrugged his thin shoulders. "Basically,
it was only a matter of time before she died a horribly painful death."
"That is regrettable."
"You can say that again,"
Ernie replied, which earned him a 'Supreme Commander' look from Thor.
Thor sighed with seeming
sorrow, "Samantha Carter has been informed of this?"
"Yes, I told her, but she
didn't want to listen. As unlikely as it seems, she apparently formed a
strong attachment to the child and was not willing to listen to reason.
Jack, however, has not been told any of this yet as he has not regained
consciousness."
"O'Neill will not welcome this news."
"Ya think?" Ernie ducked
his head as if to avoid another glare from Thor. "I will have my hands
full when Jack and Sam awaken."
"Should you require my assistance, you have only to ask."
"Good, I'll hold you to
that." Ernie refrained from displaying his smirk of satisfaction, but
only with a gargantuan effort of will.
Then as another idea
occurred to him, its subject immediately sobered him as nothing else
could. "In the meantime, I have isolated the child's body in another
medical pod. I do not believe they would take it well if I were to
dispose of it in our usual manner."
"I agree. These humans
tend to be very emotionally attached to the bodies of their offspring.
But it will have to be disposed of, for it would be too dangerous to
allow anyone access to its genetic code, even flawed as it is."
"I will explain this to
them. I am certain that Jack and Sam will be able realize the
ramifications of this once they've calmed down. The hard part will be
getting them to that point."
"You will, as the humans
say, have your hands full," Thor agreed, paused and then his eyes
widened as if a thought had just occurred to him. "Was any . . . unused
genetic material left in Baal's laboratory on Tartarus?"
"I don't know, perhaps someone should check it out?"
"I concur," Thor nodded.
"But who can be spared for such a task at this time? I do not believe it
would be in your patient's best interests for you to be absent at this
time."
"I agree," Ernie nodded
so violently that his short body shot into the air and he had to grab
the console to anchor himself. Thankfully, Thor did not seem to notice
the less than graceful maneuver.
"There is no way I could
be gone right now." Ernie paused and then raised one finger. "What about
Heimdall? With his interest in genetics he would be the logical choice,
and he would know what to look for in the labs."
"This is true; I shall inform him of this at once."
"I have the feeling that
once he knows what you want him to do, there is no way you could stop
him from going." Ernie smirked and then sobered when Thor gave him that
look again.
"I have plotted a course
for their home world, since there is no longer any need to remain in
this area, we will leave after Heimdall has completed his
exploration."
"Good, the sooner we
leave the better in my opinion. I'll keep you posted on the progress of
my patients."
Ernie closed the connection. Thor hadn't said no. Cool!
***
Heimdall materialized at
the same site where the humans, O'Neill and Carter had been transported
from inside Baal's stronghold. As he looked around, he took note of the
damage that had been inflicted. Charred marks on the walls confirmed
Carter's account of the last battle in which the child, Jackie, had been
killed.
He looked down the
hallway and considered his next move. He would have liked to have had
more information, but since O'Neill had yet to reawaken, he would have
to conduct his investigation by trial and error.
When Thor had informed
him of his mission, he had a sudden epiphany - knew why Ernie bounced -
he had wanted to jump and shout his joy at the chance he was being
given. For if he was able to recover any genetic material, it would
enable him to embark on the type of research he had only dreamed of.
This was truly a chance that he could not resist, because it might
result in the solution to the cloning problem his race faced.
Unfortunately, their practice of cloning had driven their race to the
brink of extinction, and he had made it his life's work to discover the
solution to their problem.
With an effort, Heimdall
calmed himself and his racing heart subsided to more normal levels. He
would require all his senses if he were to be successful in this
endeavor. And he must be successful; there was too much a stake to
fail.
Heimdall turned to the
left and skirted chunks of ceiling that had fallen to the floor. He had
not gone far before he entered another room. In its center lay the
shattered remains of two sarcophagi, both evidently abandoned by their
owners because they were ruined beyond repair.
Speaking into the shell
in his hand, Heimdall spoke to Thor's holographic image, "I'm standing
in a room with two sarcophagi, both of which were destroyed."
"I understand. Have you found the laboratory yet?" Thor asked.
"No, but I will continue my search."
"Good, I will inform Eir
of your findings thus far." Thor inclined his head and then his image
winked out.
A quick inspection of the
rooms that led off this central point revealed what seemed to be
personal chambers that had been hurriedly abandoned, so Heimdall turned
to walk back the way he had come.
It was not long before he
had passed his initial beam-down site and entered unexplored
territory.
When he came to an
intersection, he paused and then turned to the right. This led him to a
room that looked promising. It contained refrigerated cabinets and
instruments that he recognized as those that were used to dissect and
study individual strands of DNA.
He opened a cabinet and
peered through the chilly fog on the inside. When it had cleared he
picked up a vial and studied the label. "Ancient gene male Tau'ri," he
murmured.
Then his eyes widened in
surprise and his fingers tightened around the vial protectively. It
would not do to drop this one; it was much too valuable.
He spoke into his shell, "Thor?"
"I am here, Heimdall,"
Thor's image appeared in front of Heimdall almost instantaneously, which
told him much about how important the Supreme Commander of the Asgard
Fleet considered his search. "Have you found anything?"
"Yes, I have and I want
you to transport this vial in my hand to my laboratory immediately."
"Do you wish to return to the 'Janet Fraiser'?" Thor's image asked.
"No, I want to continue my inspection," Heimdall answered.
"Very well," Thor said and then his image vanished.
The vial in Heimdall's
hand disappeared in a flash of light. Only then did the Asgard scientist
continue his search.
There was no evidence
that anyone had thought to take any of the materials or equipment when
Baal's stronghold was emptied for they would have never left behind such
a valuable specimen. He redoubled his effort and was rewarded when he
discovered another vial, this one with a different label.
"Tau'ri female eggs."
His long slender fingers
clutched this vial with equal care and he turned from the cabinets. With
the shell in his other hand he contacted the 'Daniel Jackson' orbiting
above the planet's surface. "Thor? I have discovered additional
materials that need to be transported to my laboratory onboard the
'Janet Fraiser'."
"Good, I will transport
the material immediately. Is your search of the area complete?"
"No, but there are only
two more rooms to explore and then I shall be ready to leave this
facility."
"Very well, contact me when you are ready."
As Heimdall watched,
dazzling white light surrounded the vial in his hand and when it
disappeared, the container was gone.
His exploration of the
rest of the cabinets and rooms that surrounded the laboratory proved
fruitless, as they were empty of anything useful to the Asgard.
He raised the shell to his lips and activated it. "Thor?"
"Yes," Thor's image undulated in front of him.
"I have found nothing
more and am ready to be transported back to the 'Janet Fraiser'." He
paused and looked around the room one last time but it did not look like
he had forgotten anything of importance. "After I have transported away,
target these coordinates and destroy it. I think it would be wise that
no material that I might have overlooked fall into the hands of Baal's
henchman."
Heimdall cocked his head
to one side in thought while he waited for Thor to lock in the
coordinates and the transport to begin. As if he were talking to himself
he spoke in a soft voice as the ideas ran through his head. "Let me see,
these eggs combined with the other genetic material would allow me to
reproduce what Baal's scientists did, only I know that I could succeed
where they failed. With study, I can determine the flaw in the child's
genetic structure. I could well discover the means to save the Asgard
race from the extinction that our practice of cloning has caused," his
voice rose with barely suppressed excitement. "It would indeed be the
height of irony if Baal's machinations were the instrument of our race's
redemption."
"Heimdall, are you ready for transport?" Thor finally asked.
"Yes, begin."
Heimdall knew that there
had been much speculation that Jack O'Neill's offspring would provide
the key to the survival of the Asgard. Now he would be able to ascertain
if that theory had any merit. All of his hard work and selfless
dedication was about to pay off.
Heimdall's excitement and
determination outshone the brilliance of the transport beam as he
shimmered out of sight.
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