Still don't own Stargate SG1, wish I did, but I don't. Nor do I own 'The
Meaning Of Life,' that belongs to those much greater than myself.
Well this is the last chapter. Hope you enjoyed my first FanFic
Thanks to all who reviewed for helping me on my journey x
Again, love to CT & Pud-O xx
=====================================================
Chapman hurried down the corridor searching for Colonel O'Neill. 'At last,' he thought, 'some real action,' this was what he had signed on for, not babysitting some strange alien.
He was surprised to see the Colonel and Teal'c leisurely talking in a side office, he strode in and saluted with a surprising loud, "Sir."
Jack looked at him, saluted back, nodded and said, "Chapman?" He then looked around, "where's Jonas?"
"I left him in the gym, sir, after I received your message."
"Message, what..?"
It was Teal'c who reacted first, knocking the chair over as he flew out the door, closely followed by Jack and a very bewildered Private Chapman.
Reaching the gym, the Jaffa hurled the door open and headed for the still body, lying face down, on the games court.
Teal'c knelt beside Jonas feeling for a pulse, while Jack looked on, anger rising inside of him, "Teal'c?" He enquired.
"There's a pulse O'Neill, but it is weak."
The Jaffa, carefully, rolled the young man over, "Jeez," Jack gasped, shaking his head, as he saw the extent of the beating Jonas's face had taken.
The Colonel turned to an anxious Chapman, "get a medical team in here NOW!" The Private flew out of the room.
Jack knelt the other side of the Kelownan, watching the young man's shallow breathing, as Teal'c gently lifted Jonas's black, issue, T-shirt. They were shocked to discover, several boot sized, abrasions covering his chest, "I believe they may have fracture several ribs, O'Neill," the Jaffa said quietly.
Jack was speechless; they had always known the good guys from the bad before but this was something grey and it didn't sit well with him. Teal'c drew the Colonels attention to the wall in front of them; 'TRAITOR' was scrawled on it, in, what Jack hoped, was red paint.
Jonas's eyes flicked open, searching for something to focus on, "Teal'c" his drained voice whispered roughly.
"I am here Jonas Quinn."
"I should've stayed," he began to wheeze, "should've stayed in bed."
"I will make sure you do, this time," Teal'c smiled back.
"Sir," Jonas strained to make eye contact with Jack.
"Hey, kiddo."
"They, they were so, so incensed, it burned, it blistered inside of me. I could have, have, turned it, used it, against them, but, sir, their fury, it, it would have killed them. I would have killed them."
The young man began to get agitated as he looked towards the main door. "No rage, there was no rage in him," he said to the shadows, "he thought I, I knew, he stood there watching, but I could feel his darkness, his g- guilt."
Jonas grabbed Jack's hand, "I could have killed them," he rasped, then shut his eyes.
"Hey Jonas," Jack said, "stay with me now, that's an order."
"I'm so tired, Sir, so tired."
Jack and Teal'c exchanged looks, just as a gurney rattled into the gym.
=============
Anubis looked at the vastness of the galaxy before him. A haze of stars covered the infinite twilight but all this was wasted on his soul.
He dismissed his first prime with an abrupt gesture and watched him depart. When he was alone he remove a domed object from an ornate box he was concealing.
Aunbis placed this in front of him and looked into its mirrored glass; the destruction of the SGC was immanent and this made him smile.
He waved his hand over the curve of glass and a strong light enveloped him, transforming his being into sunlit crystals. The particles danced for a few seconds in the mesmerising glow before being drawn into the pulsating article.
============================
Dr Fraiser looked at the tired faces of SG1, General Hammond and her daughter, Cassandra, "he's sleeping," was all she could tell them.
"Is that a medical term, Doc?" Jack snapped back.
"Colonel, I've examined Jonas thoroughly, apart from a broken arm, several fractured ribs and extensive bruising I can find nothing else wrong with him. If he was human I'd expect more damaged as a result of the, of the, pounding he went through."
She rubbed her forehead to relieve some of the pressure building, "Janet?" Sam said softly.
Dr Fraiser looked through the glass at the young man on the bed; she had nothing to tell them, only that he seemed to be sleeping heavily, like he was going through some sort of kel-nor-reem.
"But he has no symbiote to repair him, Dr Fraiser," the Jaffa replied when she told them this.
"I know, Teal'c, but he is part Goa'uld," Janet answered.
"You think he might be healing himself?" Sam asked
"I'll know more in the morning, I think, for now we should all get some rest."
"I will stay with Jonas Quinn," Teal'c stated.
The rest of them nodded and the Jaffa went into the infirmary.
Cassie watched the Kelownan, closely, through the glass, "hey, come on honey," Janet went across and put her arm around her daughter to comfort her.
"I'm okay, mom," she said drawing Janet to her so she could hide a secret smile.
==============
General Hammond paced around his office like a caged animal, "I was angry last night, Jack," he said to an equally irritated Colonel O'Neill, "but now I'm really pissed! I will not have this sort of thing going on in my base. I want the perpetrators found and court marshalled the hell out of here," He slammed his fist onto his desk.
"No matter who it is General?"
Hammond turned and glared at Jack, "what do you mean by that Colonel?"
Jack told him about the conversation that Jonas had, had with Teal'c regarding Colonel Lewis.
The General looked at a group of photographs on his desk, "no matter who it is Colonel," he said quietly
=======
Jack made his way to the infirmary; Dr Fraiser greeted him with a warm smile that Jack couldn't help but return, "Doc?"
"See for yourself, Colonel."
Jack entered the medical bay; Jonas was sat up in bed, bolstered by many pillows, listening to music while Teal'c sat near by.
"Does the Doc, know you've changed?" O'Neill said jokingly, seeing the Kelownan had changed out of the hospital gown and into sweats.
Jonas looked up at the Colonel and removed the headphones, "the gown was too ventilated for me," and then seeing Jack was looking at the cast on his arm added, "Teal'c helped me."
Jack noticed the bruising on his face had healed considerably and the swelling around his eyes and top lip had gone down.
"How's the ribs?" The Colonel asked.
Jonas rubbed his forehead and gave Jack a weak smile, "sore."
Dr Fraiser walked in checking a chart she was carrying, "I estimate his body has, some how, managed to repair twenty-five percent of the damage he suffered last night."
Jack looked at the younger man's sombre expression, then at Teal'c who arched an eyebrow, "and that's a good thing, right?" He directed this comment at Jonas.
"Yeah, I guess," the Kelownan sighed.
"Jonas?" Jack said bewildered.
"It's just another reminder of what I am," he replied fiddling with the headphones.
"Teal'c, Doc, can you give us a minute?" Jack said.
The Jaffa bowed and left with Dr Fraiser.
"Jonas last night's surveillance tape of in and around the gym has been wiped. We need to know what happen, who attacked you?"
"They were wearing masks."
"But you know who they are."
"Sir?" Jonas said looking uncomfortably at O'Neill.
"Was it SG8, Jardine, Parker," Jack hesitated, "Colonel Lewis?"
The Kelownan looked down at his hands, "Jardine and Parker were just angry and frustrated over the death of Dr Brice; Colonel Lewis, was, was different."
"How?"
Jonas's eyes fixed on something Jack couldn't see, something past, that Jack wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"They were running," Jonas, told him, "Parker got to the gate first and started to dial out. Jardine was next and they both waited for the others. Dr Brice had entered a cave and Colonel Lewis had gone to get her when he had heard the Jaffa approaching. They both ran for the gate but Dr Brice tripped and twisted her ankle. The, the, Colonel turned to help but he stopped and looked down, scowling at her as she reached out to him."
Jonas swallowed, "he, he then pulled out his hand gun.."
"What's 'it' been saying Jack?" Colonel Lewis had entered the infirmary his hand position near his side arm.
"John," Jack said narrowing his eyes, "what are you doing here?"
"I heard you were interrogating the alien, so I thought I'd come lend a hand," Lewis smiled disturbingly, "you know, you shouldn't believe anything it says. You know it's been sent to the SGC to turn us against each other, that's really the reason it's here?"
"Is that why you attacked 'it' in the gym?" O'Neill asked.
"What do you care? You never wanted it here or as part of your team. It killed Dr Jackson, remember, to infiltrate us and now you're all swooning over it like it's one of us."
Jack noticed Lewis was sweating profusely and rubbing his 'free' hand across his chin, "John, Jonas is one of us, he's one of the good guys, you know that, don't you?"
"Damn it Jack, the thing's an alien. It can read our minds, our thoughts, it's dangerous," he pulled out his gun and pointed it, shakily, at Jonas.
"Whoa, John, can we talk about this?"
"Can we Jack? I can see the distrust in your eyes. You believe what it told you."
"Told me?" Jack said shaking his head.
"Yes, it told you I killed that bitch Brice."
"Why would you do something like that, she was a valued member of your team?" O'Neill asked.
"Yeah," Lewis told him ironically, "You know the job, Jack, the danger, the missions, it, it throws people together. We were attracted to each other, Christ, you know what a good looking woman she was."
"You slept with her?"
"God, don't look so shocked, Colonel," Lewis retorted, "it was mutual, a bit of a laugh at first."
"And then it got serious?" Jack asked.
Lewis looked trapped and unstable. He thrust the gun forward again to illustrate who was in charge; Jack took a step between the firearm and Jonas.
"She started to get possessive, clingy, Jeez Jack, it felt like the bitch was stalking me. She wanted me to leave my wife, run off with her, she was going to tell Hammond, ruin my career. Hell, I was cornered."
"So you shot her?" Jack said, putting the pieces together.
"You have to understand the position she put me in, I was a nervous wreck. She was endangering the lives of my team; I had to stop to her."
He stared at O'Neill, his eyes void of any reason, "Look, we can keep this between ourselves, right, Jack, no one need know? I'll shoot the alien, if you want, we'll say it attacked you."
Lewis pulled back on the trigger, Jack stepped forward to knock it out of his hand, but before he could get a shot off Lewis burst into flame.
"Jonas?" Jack looked at the Kelownan; but Jonas was looking to the doorway.
Jack saw Cassandra standing there, "Cassie?" Jack asked again.
"That's not Cassie, Colonel.."
But before Jonas could finish a strong light pushed him out of the bed and held him against the wall.
"Colonel O'Neill, is it," Cassandra said in a voice to deep for her, "we haven't been formal introduced, my name's Ragnarok, Anubis's host," she held out her hand.
"Of course you know my friend, Anubis." Cassie's eyes lit up and she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
She moved to where Jonas was restrained on the wall and touched his cheek, "isn't it a thing of beauty. You know, I used to look just like that."
Cassie focused on O'Neill and he was abruptly suspended off the floor in a bright orange glow, "what the hell do you want?" Jack spat, caught in the beam.
"Oh, what, no witty retort, Jack, can I call you Jack? Well, let me be direct with you, Jack, we've come for the Kelownan, and to destroy the SGC, in, let me see, thirty minutes."
Ragnarok/Cassie began to laugh, "originally, as I'm sure your Dr Jackson has worked out, Ninety-five was created as a spare body for Anubis, for when I ascended, but you know how it is, things don't always go to plan; mother made sure of that."
She walked around the floating figure of O'Neill to Jonas, "and now look at our boy? What power he possesses, power that can turn the balance in our favour."
"Bite me," Jonas said from the wall; Jack was impressed.
"You hear that, he's been spending too much time in the company of, forgive me Jack, inferior beings, picking up your bad manners. I can see we'll have to discipline the boy strongly, to undo all the bad things he's been taught."
"Like humanity?" Jack enquired.
'Cassandra's' eyes lit up and she pulled out a thin dagger. She smiled up at Colonel O'Neill and plunged the blade into Jonas's stomach, twisting it for maximum effect.
"Hey," Jack shouted, his face mirroring the distress on the Kelownan's.
"Cassie?" Janet walked into the room and looked on in horror at the blood seeping from Jonas's wound and her daughter holding the weapon in her hand.
"Dr Fraiser," Ragnarok/Cassie said, "how nice of you to join our little soiree."
Janet felt herself being pulled toward 'Cassandra' with incredible force and then held off the ground by a hand around her neck.
The host turned Dr Fraiser to face Jonas and sneered, "you know he's got a crush on you."
The Kelownan looked into Janet's distressed eyes, the torment on his face scaring her heart, "let her go," he pleaded.
Janet felt herself drop to the floor and then a hand tugged her head violently up by the hair, "a little plain for my taste but Anubis finds her fear attractive."
'Cassandra's' eyes lit up once more as Anubis entered her body. The knife was put close to Janet's throat, tearing at the tissue on her neck. "See how this woman makes you weak," came the reverberating voice, "you feel her pain, her fear, rotting inside of you," he began to laugh and pressed the blade a little closer.
Jonas closed his eyes and dug deep. In his weakened state it was hard for him to muster the power he needed, but some how he did. A bolt of blue light thrust its way from inside of him and hit Anubis/Cassie in a blast of electrical current, launching her across the room and knocking her out.
Jonas slid down the wall, the force that had held him there, gone. A dishevelled O'Neill, who had fallen heavily to the floor, slowly picked himself up, his gaze never leaving the still figure of Cassandra.
Dr Fraiser, who was torn between the injured Kelownan and her motionless daughter, looked toward Jonas for guidance. "He's still here," he whispered, trying to stand up.
Suddenly 'Cassandra' pushed herself from the floor in one easy movement, fire and rage building in her eyes. She struck Janet vehemently across the face sending her spiralling through the air like a rag doll. Grabbing O'Neill by his uniform, she pulled him to where Jonas was struggling to find his feet. She thrust her hand hard onto the Kelownan's shoulder, discharging a deep orange surge of energy. Jonas fell to the floor in agony. "Now it's your turn," Cassie/Anubis spat at Jack, eyes full of hatred.
"Jack?" They both turned to see Daniel had entered the infirmary followed by Sam and Teal'c.
"Daniel Jackson," Anubis/Cassie said ominously dropping Jack concentrated flare of pain, "been to Abydos lately?"
"Anubis," Jack murmured to his colleagues, crawling to where Jonas lay shuddering, fighting off whatever Anubis had done.
'Cassandra' rose off the floor and pushed the three of them to the ground with her mind. "SG1," came Anubis's rich voice from her lips, "too late to save the day."
She then, gently, descended and walked over to Teal'c placing her hand on the Jaffa's chest sending him convulsing in pain.
She looked over to the Colonel and smiled malevolently as she picked Major Carter up by her hair, "now this is my kind of woman," Ragnarok said controlling Cassie once more, "beauty and brains," she bent close to Sam's ear and smelt her. "Ever had a God before," she whispered and then kissed her full on the lips.
Jack started to stand but Jonas pulled him back, "give me your anger Colonel," he said gripping O'Neill's hand.
Jack looked into the young man's face and found the tight emotion draining from his heart. He observed those green eyes amass strength and drive as they flashed fire.
'Cassie' looked in their direction feeling the change in atmosphere. She dropped Major Carter to the floor and kicked out at Daniel who was trying to stand.
Jonas flew up onto his feet and flexed his neck until it clicked, then drew on the emotions of the rest of the group.
'Cassandra' thrust out her hand to hit the Kelownan with ubiquitous might but he was too quick for her. A fountain of blue/white light radiated from him, like the plume from the stargate. It billowed rapidly toward Cassie lifting her off her feet and retaining her in its balloon. He pulled this towards him, with a gesture of his hand, and then stepped into the encasing light.
Jonas took Cassandra's face tenderly in his hands and kissed her fervently on the lips drawing those who had control of her out and into him. They both fell to the floor.
Sam picked herself up and went to comfort the trembling Cassandra who was sobbing hysterically over the unconscious form of Dr Fraiser.
Jonas got up, awkwardly, to his feet, clutching the wound in his stomach. Jack saw his eyes light up for a fraction of a second, witnessing the internal struggle on his face to keep what was inside of him back.
He walked over to a desk and scribbled some symbols on a piece of paper, handing them to a bruised Daniel Jackson. "Dial," he said painfully, "only six, last chevron when I say."
Daniel nodded and headed to the gate room.
"Jonas?" Jack asked feeling the extent of his own injuries.
"Bomb, Cassie," he touched her on the shoulder; she looked up from where Sam was tending to her injured mother.
"I can't remember, Jonas," she cried, tears flowing down her cheeks.
He put his hand to her forehead and some calm fell on to her face, "show, Sam, not long."
Cassandra nodded and took Sam's hand as they hurried away.
Jonas looked around for Colonel O'Neill, "gate room," he said falling to his knees.
Teal'c picked him from the floor and supported him, "I will take you Jonas Quinn."
Jack led the way, clearing the corridors with his commanding presence, the Jaffa and Jonas following quickly behind.
When they entered the gate room chevron six had encoded and Jonas motioned for Teal'c to place him on the gantry. The Jaffa stepped back and Jonas strained to kneel with his back to the stargate.
General Hammond and Daniel watched from the observation room above, while Jack and Teal'c stayed as close to Jonas as they dare.
They saw the young man reach an understanding, some command of his inner turmoil, as his eyes flared with a white glow. He placed his hands palms up on his knees looked up at Dr Jackson and nodded.
As the gate spun, Jonas sort out O'Neill and said, "boom."
The column of liquid air shot from the gate's epicentre obscuring the Kelownan in its haze for just a few seconds. Jack and Teal'c looked at each other fearing the worst as the ocean like current, slowly, withdrew, taking something with it. It wasn't clear at first, an arm, a face, emerging then disappearing in the silvery cloud, like someone drowning. Then, there was an immense scream.
They all watched, transfixed, as a shadowy form, with intense burning eyes, was dragged from Jonas's body, as the pillar of liquid flowed back into the gate and beyond.
Jonas fell forward onto the metal of the walkway; his whole body was soaked in a congealed substance as Sam came slowly in, clutching the Naquadria bomb. Jack took it from her and dispatched it through the gate, just a few seconds before it exploded.
====
O'Neill limped over to where Teal'c had placed Jonas and sat next to him with a sigh, the Kelownan looked at him, "that was close," he half whispered.
Jack smiled, "you do know we have a thing on earth called dating don't you, Jonas," he said out of the earshot of the others.
"Sir?"
"So, you don't have to get beaten up, stabbed or possessed to spend time with Doc Fraiser. Women might go for that 'wounded soldier' thing to begin with, but believe me, after a while it'll wear thin."
The Kelownan gave him a short laugh that reverberated on his injured ribs.
Janet walked shakily into the gate room and smiled warmly at everyone to indicate she was okay, "hey, Doc, over here," O'Neill called, "wounded soldier," pointing to Jonas.
The young man began to blush and Jack smiled to himself as the Doctor came over. She examined the wound in his stomach and found it 'miraculously' beginning to heal. "I think he's doing a good job of looking after himself without medical help, Colonel," she told them both.
"Well, we all need a bit of TLC now and again, Doc," Jack replied.
Cassandra knelt down taking Jonas's hand, "I sorry, I couldn't stop them," she looked away.
Jonas drew her to his chest and kissed the top of her head, "I know sweetheart," he began, "It's not your fault, they used your illness to take control of you."
"I couldn't fight them, I tried, but I just couldn't."
The Kelownan put his hand to her head and stroked her hair, soothing the guilt from her body.
"Colonel, how we doing here," the General said checking on his troops.
"Oh, I think we're doing okay, sir."
"Yes you are Colonel O'Neill," no one had noticed the 'blue robed guy", come into their presence, "please" he continued, putting his hands up to show he hand no weapons.
General Hammond motioned for his men to put their M16s down, "who are you?" He asked.
"I have many names, General."
"Yeah, well, which one are you using today?" Jack inquired.
"You may address me as Olmec," he replied bowing his head to the assembled SGC members.
"Well Olmec," Jack said 'politely', "we've had more than our fair share of mysterious visitors, for today..."
"Colonel, O'Neill, I will not keep you for long, I have come for Cassandra and Jonas."
Hammond went to say something but Olmec stop him with a raised hand, "Sir," he said in the General's direction, "I am offering them protection and knowledge that you cannot provide. They are not safe here but with my teachings I can make them all that they can be and save them from harm. Then, I assure you, they will be in a position to protect themselves."
"General?" Dr Fraiser stood up looking toward Hammond for help.
Olmec turned to greet her worries, touching her face softly with his hand, "dear lady, please do not fear, I will not harm your daughter. Believe me when I tell you that, they will use your child again as they have done so before. Given the chance, they will turn her heart and soul black, until she is theirs completely. I can show her how to stop them, how to use her strengths to defeat their advances. It will not be for long, she will be back with you before you know it."
He smiled at her, light emanating from those violet eyes, taking the pain away from her body.
"Mom," it was Cassie, "it's alright, Olmec's one of the good guys, I'll be okay." She took Janet's hand, "help me pack a few things."
Janet nodded knowing she could not stop her daughter's destiny.
Jonas got to his feet and the old man embraced him, "I give you peace and rest, Jonas Quinn, and knowledge for our journey ahead, there is much for me to show you."
Jonas acknowledge this with a smile toward Jack who saw that he was, now, completely healed, "Are you sure you wanna go," he said to the Kelownan.
"Yes, sir, I have to."
Jack nodded and Jonas went to get the plaster removed from his arm.
"Dr Jackson," Olmec said holding out his hand, "how wonderful to meet you at last."
"Yeah, likewise," replied Daniel in an unsure voice.
"Hey Daniel, got your own fan club there," Jack retorted.
Daniel gave the Colonel a hard stare, Olmec grinned and continued, "I wished they had let you remain as Ragnarok has taken his cause to the ascended. Many have joined him, their greed for ultimate power marring the celestial plane, if they are not defeated soon, much damaged will be done."
"Much damage?" O'Neill reiterated.
"Yes Colonel, a great shadow will fall over what we know to be true and the light will fade."
He handed Daniel what looked like a smooth stone, "for your journey."
"Any chance of you telling us where the Lost City is before you go?" Jack asked.
"It is closer than you think, but not where you know it to be."
"Do you guys ever give a straight answer?"
Olmec laughed, "For those who seek one yes, for those who choose not to listen, no."
"Figures." Jack said.
========
Jonas looked at his friends; he was saying good-bye to another world. Sam went to tell him he didn't have to go but he hugged her to affirm that he did. Teal'c knew this as he took the Kelownan's arm in friendship and bowed at him in respect. Daniel regarded this enthusiastic young man as the person he once was, he wished him well with all his heart, for he knew what lay ahead would be relentless and challenging.
Jack knew Jonas's was looking for some form of approval from him as he shook his hand. The kid had tried so hard to fit in, to be a valued member of the SGC, "just remember," O'Neill began, "when you're out, out there, you're still a member of SG1 so try and conduct yourself accordingly."
"Yes, sir," Jonas said saluting the Colonel, the smile on his lips coming directly from his heart.
Sam looked at Jack like he was softening, he gave her the O'Neill stare but she grinned anyway.
Olmec held his hands out in front of the gate and it activated, "neat trick," Jack whispered.
Cassie gave Janet another reassuring hug and stepped through the event horizon with Olmec. Jonas turned, before stepping through, and saluted General Hammond. The General signalled back, nodding his approval, then Jonas turned and tripped through the stargate.
"And that must be his human side," Jack told them.
=====
Anubis/ Ragnarok looked at the Jaffa, the human and the Ascended who were knelt before him. He had instructed them of their mission and the rewards it would bring if successful but if they failed they knew it would mean death.
He dismissed them to their crafts and went to the view their departure from his control room.
Somewhere, out there, in the dimensions of space, Olmec had hidden his nemesis. Their mission was to find Jonas Quinn so Anubis/ Ragnarok could bring the boy his knees.
The End?
================
Well that it.
Keep safe and remember..
The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding
In all of the directions it can whizz
As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know,
Twelve million miles a minute, and that's the fastest speed there is.
So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure,
How amazingly unlikely is your birth,
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space,
'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth. Author: Eric Idle
From the Movie 'The Meaning of Life'
Well this is the last chapter. Hope you enjoyed my first FanFic
Thanks to all who reviewed for helping me on my journey x
Again, love to CT & Pud-O xx
=====================================================
Chapman hurried down the corridor searching for Colonel O'Neill. 'At last,' he thought, 'some real action,' this was what he had signed on for, not babysitting some strange alien.
He was surprised to see the Colonel and Teal'c leisurely talking in a side office, he strode in and saluted with a surprising loud, "Sir."
Jack looked at him, saluted back, nodded and said, "Chapman?" He then looked around, "where's Jonas?"
"I left him in the gym, sir, after I received your message."
"Message, what..?"
It was Teal'c who reacted first, knocking the chair over as he flew out the door, closely followed by Jack and a very bewildered Private Chapman.
Reaching the gym, the Jaffa hurled the door open and headed for the still body, lying face down, on the games court.
Teal'c knelt beside Jonas feeling for a pulse, while Jack looked on, anger rising inside of him, "Teal'c?" He enquired.
"There's a pulse O'Neill, but it is weak."
The Jaffa, carefully, rolled the young man over, "Jeez," Jack gasped, shaking his head, as he saw the extent of the beating Jonas's face had taken.
The Colonel turned to an anxious Chapman, "get a medical team in here NOW!" The Private flew out of the room.
Jack knelt the other side of the Kelownan, watching the young man's shallow breathing, as Teal'c gently lifted Jonas's black, issue, T-shirt. They were shocked to discover, several boot sized, abrasions covering his chest, "I believe they may have fracture several ribs, O'Neill," the Jaffa said quietly.
Jack was speechless; they had always known the good guys from the bad before but this was something grey and it didn't sit well with him. Teal'c drew the Colonels attention to the wall in front of them; 'TRAITOR' was scrawled on it, in, what Jack hoped, was red paint.
Jonas's eyes flicked open, searching for something to focus on, "Teal'c" his drained voice whispered roughly.
"I am here Jonas Quinn."
"I should've stayed," he began to wheeze, "should've stayed in bed."
"I will make sure you do, this time," Teal'c smiled back.
"Sir," Jonas strained to make eye contact with Jack.
"Hey, kiddo."
"They, they were so, so incensed, it burned, it blistered inside of me. I could have, have, turned it, used it, against them, but, sir, their fury, it, it would have killed them. I would have killed them."
The young man began to get agitated as he looked towards the main door. "No rage, there was no rage in him," he said to the shadows, "he thought I, I knew, he stood there watching, but I could feel his darkness, his g- guilt."
Jonas grabbed Jack's hand, "I could have killed them," he rasped, then shut his eyes.
"Hey Jonas," Jack said, "stay with me now, that's an order."
"I'm so tired, Sir, so tired."
Jack and Teal'c exchanged looks, just as a gurney rattled into the gym.
=============
Anubis looked at the vastness of the galaxy before him. A haze of stars covered the infinite twilight but all this was wasted on his soul.
He dismissed his first prime with an abrupt gesture and watched him depart. When he was alone he remove a domed object from an ornate box he was concealing.
Aunbis placed this in front of him and looked into its mirrored glass; the destruction of the SGC was immanent and this made him smile.
He waved his hand over the curve of glass and a strong light enveloped him, transforming his being into sunlit crystals. The particles danced for a few seconds in the mesmerising glow before being drawn into the pulsating article.
============================
Dr Fraiser looked at the tired faces of SG1, General Hammond and her daughter, Cassandra, "he's sleeping," was all she could tell them.
"Is that a medical term, Doc?" Jack snapped back.
"Colonel, I've examined Jonas thoroughly, apart from a broken arm, several fractured ribs and extensive bruising I can find nothing else wrong with him. If he was human I'd expect more damaged as a result of the, of the, pounding he went through."
She rubbed her forehead to relieve some of the pressure building, "Janet?" Sam said softly.
Dr Fraiser looked through the glass at the young man on the bed; she had nothing to tell them, only that he seemed to be sleeping heavily, like he was going through some sort of kel-nor-reem.
"But he has no symbiote to repair him, Dr Fraiser," the Jaffa replied when she told them this.
"I know, Teal'c, but he is part Goa'uld," Janet answered.
"You think he might be healing himself?" Sam asked
"I'll know more in the morning, I think, for now we should all get some rest."
"I will stay with Jonas Quinn," Teal'c stated.
The rest of them nodded and the Jaffa went into the infirmary.
Cassie watched the Kelownan, closely, through the glass, "hey, come on honey," Janet went across and put her arm around her daughter to comfort her.
"I'm okay, mom," she said drawing Janet to her so she could hide a secret smile.
==============
General Hammond paced around his office like a caged animal, "I was angry last night, Jack," he said to an equally irritated Colonel O'Neill, "but now I'm really pissed! I will not have this sort of thing going on in my base. I want the perpetrators found and court marshalled the hell out of here," He slammed his fist onto his desk.
"No matter who it is General?"
Hammond turned and glared at Jack, "what do you mean by that Colonel?"
Jack told him about the conversation that Jonas had, had with Teal'c regarding Colonel Lewis.
The General looked at a group of photographs on his desk, "no matter who it is Colonel," he said quietly
=======
Jack made his way to the infirmary; Dr Fraiser greeted him with a warm smile that Jack couldn't help but return, "Doc?"
"See for yourself, Colonel."
Jack entered the medical bay; Jonas was sat up in bed, bolstered by many pillows, listening to music while Teal'c sat near by.
"Does the Doc, know you've changed?" O'Neill said jokingly, seeing the Kelownan had changed out of the hospital gown and into sweats.
Jonas looked up at the Colonel and removed the headphones, "the gown was too ventilated for me," and then seeing Jack was looking at the cast on his arm added, "Teal'c helped me."
Jack noticed the bruising on his face had healed considerably and the swelling around his eyes and top lip had gone down.
"How's the ribs?" The Colonel asked.
Jonas rubbed his forehead and gave Jack a weak smile, "sore."
Dr Fraiser walked in checking a chart she was carrying, "I estimate his body has, some how, managed to repair twenty-five percent of the damage he suffered last night."
Jack looked at the younger man's sombre expression, then at Teal'c who arched an eyebrow, "and that's a good thing, right?" He directed this comment at Jonas.
"Yeah, I guess," the Kelownan sighed.
"Jonas?" Jack said bewildered.
"It's just another reminder of what I am," he replied fiddling with the headphones.
"Teal'c, Doc, can you give us a minute?" Jack said.
The Jaffa bowed and left with Dr Fraiser.
"Jonas last night's surveillance tape of in and around the gym has been wiped. We need to know what happen, who attacked you?"
"They were wearing masks."
"But you know who they are."
"Sir?" Jonas said looking uncomfortably at O'Neill.
"Was it SG8, Jardine, Parker," Jack hesitated, "Colonel Lewis?"
The Kelownan looked down at his hands, "Jardine and Parker were just angry and frustrated over the death of Dr Brice; Colonel Lewis, was, was different."
"How?"
Jonas's eyes fixed on something Jack couldn't see, something past, that Jack wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"They were running," Jonas, told him, "Parker got to the gate first and started to dial out. Jardine was next and they both waited for the others. Dr Brice had entered a cave and Colonel Lewis had gone to get her when he had heard the Jaffa approaching. They both ran for the gate but Dr Brice tripped and twisted her ankle. The, the, Colonel turned to help but he stopped and looked down, scowling at her as she reached out to him."
Jonas swallowed, "he, he then pulled out his hand gun.."
"What's 'it' been saying Jack?" Colonel Lewis had entered the infirmary his hand position near his side arm.
"John," Jack said narrowing his eyes, "what are you doing here?"
"I heard you were interrogating the alien, so I thought I'd come lend a hand," Lewis smiled disturbingly, "you know, you shouldn't believe anything it says. You know it's been sent to the SGC to turn us against each other, that's really the reason it's here?"
"Is that why you attacked 'it' in the gym?" O'Neill asked.
"What do you care? You never wanted it here or as part of your team. It killed Dr Jackson, remember, to infiltrate us and now you're all swooning over it like it's one of us."
Jack noticed Lewis was sweating profusely and rubbing his 'free' hand across his chin, "John, Jonas is one of us, he's one of the good guys, you know that, don't you?"
"Damn it Jack, the thing's an alien. It can read our minds, our thoughts, it's dangerous," he pulled out his gun and pointed it, shakily, at Jonas.
"Whoa, John, can we talk about this?"
"Can we Jack? I can see the distrust in your eyes. You believe what it told you."
"Told me?" Jack said shaking his head.
"Yes, it told you I killed that bitch Brice."
"Why would you do something like that, she was a valued member of your team?" O'Neill asked.
"Yeah," Lewis told him ironically, "You know the job, Jack, the danger, the missions, it, it throws people together. We were attracted to each other, Christ, you know what a good looking woman she was."
"You slept with her?"
"God, don't look so shocked, Colonel," Lewis retorted, "it was mutual, a bit of a laugh at first."
"And then it got serious?" Jack asked.
Lewis looked trapped and unstable. He thrust the gun forward again to illustrate who was in charge; Jack took a step between the firearm and Jonas.
"She started to get possessive, clingy, Jeez Jack, it felt like the bitch was stalking me. She wanted me to leave my wife, run off with her, she was going to tell Hammond, ruin my career. Hell, I was cornered."
"So you shot her?" Jack said, putting the pieces together.
"You have to understand the position she put me in, I was a nervous wreck. She was endangering the lives of my team; I had to stop to her."
He stared at O'Neill, his eyes void of any reason, "Look, we can keep this between ourselves, right, Jack, no one need know? I'll shoot the alien, if you want, we'll say it attacked you."
Lewis pulled back on the trigger, Jack stepped forward to knock it out of his hand, but before he could get a shot off Lewis burst into flame.
"Jonas?" Jack looked at the Kelownan; but Jonas was looking to the doorway.
Jack saw Cassandra standing there, "Cassie?" Jack asked again.
"That's not Cassie, Colonel.."
But before Jonas could finish a strong light pushed him out of the bed and held him against the wall.
"Colonel O'Neill, is it," Cassandra said in a voice to deep for her, "we haven't been formal introduced, my name's Ragnarok, Anubis's host," she held out her hand.
"Of course you know my friend, Anubis." Cassie's eyes lit up and she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
She moved to where Jonas was restrained on the wall and touched his cheek, "isn't it a thing of beauty. You know, I used to look just like that."
Cassie focused on O'Neill and he was abruptly suspended off the floor in a bright orange glow, "what the hell do you want?" Jack spat, caught in the beam.
"Oh, what, no witty retort, Jack, can I call you Jack? Well, let me be direct with you, Jack, we've come for the Kelownan, and to destroy the SGC, in, let me see, thirty minutes."
Ragnarok/Cassie began to laugh, "originally, as I'm sure your Dr Jackson has worked out, Ninety-five was created as a spare body for Anubis, for when I ascended, but you know how it is, things don't always go to plan; mother made sure of that."
She walked around the floating figure of O'Neill to Jonas, "and now look at our boy? What power he possesses, power that can turn the balance in our favour."
"Bite me," Jonas said from the wall; Jack was impressed.
"You hear that, he's been spending too much time in the company of, forgive me Jack, inferior beings, picking up your bad manners. I can see we'll have to discipline the boy strongly, to undo all the bad things he's been taught."
"Like humanity?" Jack enquired.
'Cassandra's' eyes lit up and she pulled out a thin dagger. She smiled up at Colonel O'Neill and plunged the blade into Jonas's stomach, twisting it for maximum effect.
"Hey," Jack shouted, his face mirroring the distress on the Kelownan's.
"Cassie?" Janet walked into the room and looked on in horror at the blood seeping from Jonas's wound and her daughter holding the weapon in her hand.
"Dr Fraiser," Ragnarok/Cassie said, "how nice of you to join our little soiree."
Janet felt herself being pulled toward 'Cassandra' with incredible force and then held off the ground by a hand around her neck.
The host turned Dr Fraiser to face Jonas and sneered, "you know he's got a crush on you."
The Kelownan looked into Janet's distressed eyes, the torment on his face scaring her heart, "let her go," he pleaded.
Janet felt herself drop to the floor and then a hand tugged her head violently up by the hair, "a little plain for my taste but Anubis finds her fear attractive."
'Cassandra's' eyes lit up once more as Anubis entered her body. The knife was put close to Janet's throat, tearing at the tissue on her neck. "See how this woman makes you weak," came the reverberating voice, "you feel her pain, her fear, rotting inside of you," he began to laugh and pressed the blade a little closer.
Jonas closed his eyes and dug deep. In his weakened state it was hard for him to muster the power he needed, but some how he did. A bolt of blue light thrust its way from inside of him and hit Anubis/Cassie in a blast of electrical current, launching her across the room and knocking her out.
Jonas slid down the wall, the force that had held him there, gone. A dishevelled O'Neill, who had fallen heavily to the floor, slowly picked himself up, his gaze never leaving the still figure of Cassandra.
Dr Fraiser, who was torn between the injured Kelownan and her motionless daughter, looked toward Jonas for guidance. "He's still here," he whispered, trying to stand up.
Suddenly 'Cassandra' pushed herself from the floor in one easy movement, fire and rage building in her eyes. She struck Janet vehemently across the face sending her spiralling through the air like a rag doll. Grabbing O'Neill by his uniform, she pulled him to where Jonas was struggling to find his feet. She thrust her hand hard onto the Kelownan's shoulder, discharging a deep orange surge of energy. Jonas fell to the floor in agony. "Now it's your turn," Cassie/Anubis spat at Jack, eyes full of hatred.
"Jack?" They both turned to see Daniel had entered the infirmary followed by Sam and Teal'c.
"Daniel Jackson," Anubis/Cassie said ominously dropping Jack concentrated flare of pain, "been to Abydos lately?"
"Anubis," Jack murmured to his colleagues, crawling to where Jonas lay shuddering, fighting off whatever Anubis had done.
'Cassandra' rose off the floor and pushed the three of them to the ground with her mind. "SG1," came Anubis's rich voice from her lips, "too late to save the day."
She then, gently, descended and walked over to Teal'c placing her hand on the Jaffa's chest sending him convulsing in pain.
She looked over to the Colonel and smiled malevolently as she picked Major Carter up by her hair, "now this is my kind of woman," Ragnarok said controlling Cassie once more, "beauty and brains," she bent close to Sam's ear and smelt her. "Ever had a God before," she whispered and then kissed her full on the lips.
Jack started to stand but Jonas pulled him back, "give me your anger Colonel," he said gripping O'Neill's hand.
Jack looked into the young man's face and found the tight emotion draining from his heart. He observed those green eyes amass strength and drive as they flashed fire.
'Cassie' looked in their direction feeling the change in atmosphere. She dropped Major Carter to the floor and kicked out at Daniel who was trying to stand.
Jonas flew up onto his feet and flexed his neck until it clicked, then drew on the emotions of the rest of the group.
'Cassandra' thrust out her hand to hit the Kelownan with ubiquitous might but he was too quick for her. A fountain of blue/white light radiated from him, like the plume from the stargate. It billowed rapidly toward Cassie lifting her off her feet and retaining her in its balloon. He pulled this towards him, with a gesture of his hand, and then stepped into the encasing light.
Jonas took Cassandra's face tenderly in his hands and kissed her fervently on the lips drawing those who had control of her out and into him. They both fell to the floor.
Sam picked herself up and went to comfort the trembling Cassandra who was sobbing hysterically over the unconscious form of Dr Fraiser.
Jonas got up, awkwardly, to his feet, clutching the wound in his stomach. Jack saw his eyes light up for a fraction of a second, witnessing the internal struggle on his face to keep what was inside of him back.
He walked over to a desk and scribbled some symbols on a piece of paper, handing them to a bruised Daniel Jackson. "Dial," he said painfully, "only six, last chevron when I say."
Daniel nodded and headed to the gate room.
"Jonas?" Jack asked feeling the extent of his own injuries.
"Bomb, Cassie," he touched her on the shoulder; she looked up from where Sam was tending to her injured mother.
"I can't remember, Jonas," she cried, tears flowing down her cheeks.
He put his hand to her forehead and some calm fell on to her face, "show, Sam, not long."
Cassandra nodded and took Sam's hand as they hurried away.
Jonas looked around for Colonel O'Neill, "gate room," he said falling to his knees.
Teal'c picked him from the floor and supported him, "I will take you Jonas Quinn."
Jack led the way, clearing the corridors with his commanding presence, the Jaffa and Jonas following quickly behind.
When they entered the gate room chevron six had encoded and Jonas motioned for Teal'c to place him on the gantry. The Jaffa stepped back and Jonas strained to kneel with his back to the stargate.
General Hammond and Daniel watched from the observation room above, while Jack and Teal'c stayed as close to Jonas as they dare.
They saw the young man reach an understanding, some command of his inner turmoil, as his eyes flared with a white glow. He placed his hands palms up on his knees looked up at Dr Jackson and nodded.
As the gate spun, Jonas sort out O'Neill and said, "boom."
The column of liquid air shot from the gate's epicentre obscuring the Kelownan in its haze for just a few seconds. Jack and Teal'c looked at each other fearing the worst as the ocean like current, slowly, withdrew, taking something with it. It wasn't clear at first, an arm, a face, emerging then disappearing in the silvery cloud, like someone drowning. Then, there was an immense scream.
They all watched, transfixed, as a shadowy form, with intense burning eyes, was dragged from Jonas's body, as the pillar of liquid flowed back into the gate and beyond.
Jonas fell forward onto the metal of the walkway; his whole body was soaked in a congealed substance as Sam came slowly in, clutching the Naquadria bomb. Jack took it from her and dispatched it through the gate, just a few seconds before it exploded.
====
O'Neill limped over to where Teal'c had placed Jonas and sat next to him with a sigh, the Kelownan looked at him, "that was close," he half whispered.
Jack smiled, "you do know we have a thing on earth called dating don't you, Jonas," he said out of the earshot of the others.
"Sir?"
"So, you don't have to get beaten up, stabbed or possessed to spend time with Doc Fraiser. Women might go for that 'wounded soldier' thing to begin with, but believe me, after a while it'll wear thin."
The Kelownan gave him a short laugh that reverberated on his injured ribs.
Janet walked shakily into the gate room and smiled warmly at everyone to indicate she was okay, "hey, Doc, over here," O'Neill called, "wounded soldier," pointing to Jonas.
The young man began to blush and Jack smiled to himself as the Doctor came over. She examined the wound in his stomach and found it 'miraculously' beginning to heal. "I think he's doing a good job of looking after himself without medical help, Colonel," she told them both.
"Well, we all need a bit of TLC now and again, Doc," Jack replied.
Cassandra knelt down taking Jonas's hand, "I sorry, I couldn't stop them," she looked away.
Jonas drew her to his chest and kissed the top of her head, "I know sweetheart," he began, "It's not your fault, they used your illness to take control of you."
"I couldn't fight them, I tried, but I just couldn't."
The Kelownan put his hand to her head and stroked her hair, soothing the guilt from her body.
"Colonel, how we doing here," the General said checking on his troops.
"Oh, I think we're doing okay, sir."
"Yes you are Colonel O'Neill," no one had noticed the 'blue robed guy", come into their presence, "please" he continued, putting his hands up to show he hand no weapons.
General Hammond motioned for his men to put their M16s down, "who are you?" He asked.
"I have many names, General."
"Yeah, well, which one are you using today?" Jack inquired.
"You may address me as Olmec," he replied bowing his head to the assembled SGC members.
"Well Olmec," Jack said 'politely', "we've had more than our fair share of mysterious visitors, for today..."
"Colonel, O'Neill, I will not keep you for long, I have come for Cassandra and Jonas."
Hammond went to say something but Olmec stop him with a raised hand, "Sir," he said in the General's direction, "I am offering them protection and knowledge that you cannot provide. They are not safe here but with my teachings I can make them all that they can be and save them from harm. Then, I assure you, they will be in a position to protect themselves."
"General?" Dr Fraiser stood up looking toward Hammond for help.
Olmec turned to greet her worries, touching her face softly with his hand, "dear lady, please do not fear, I will not harm your daughter. Believe me when I tell you that, they will use your child again as they have done so before. Given the chance, they will turn her heart and soul black, until she is theirs completely. I can show her how to stop them, how to use her strengths to defeat their advances. It will not be for long, she will be back with you before you know it."
He smiled at her, light emanating from those violet eyes, taking the pain away from her body.
"Mom," it was Cassie, "it's alright, Olmec's one of the good guys, I'll be okay." She took Janet's hand, "help me pack a few things."
Janet nodded knowing she could not stop her daughter's destiny.
Jonas got to his feet and the old man embraced him, "I give you peace and rest, Jonas Quinn, and knowledge for our journey ahead, there is much for me to show you."
Jonas acknowledge this with a smile toward Jack who saw that he was, now, completely healed, "Are you sure you wanna go," he said to the Kelownan.
"Yes, sir, I have to."
Jack nodded and Jonas went to get the plaster removed from his arm.
"Dr Jackson," Olmec said holding out his hand, "how wonderful to meet you at last."
"Yeah, likewise," replied Daniel in an unsure voice.
"Hey Daniel, got your own fan club there," Jack retorted.
Daniel gave the Colonel a hard stare, Olmec grinned and continued, "I wished they had let you remain as Ragnarok has taken his cause to the ascended. Many have joined him, their greed for ultimate power marring the celestial plane, if they are not defeated soon, much damaged will be done."
"Much damage?" O'Neill reiterated.
"Yes Colonel, a great shadow will fall over what we know to be true and the light will fade."
He handed Daniel what looked like a smooth stone, "for your journey."
"Any chance of you telling us where the Lost City is before you go?" Jack asked.
"It is closer than you think, but not where you know it to be."
"Do you guys ever give a straight answer?"
Olmec laughed, "For those who seek one yes, for those who choose not to listen, no."
"Figures." Jack said.
========
Jonas looked at his friends; he was saying good-bye to another world. Sam went to tell him he didn't have to go but he hugged her to affirm that he did. Teal'c knew this as he took the Kelownan's arm in friendship and bowed at him in respect. Daniel regarded this enthusiastic young man as the person he once was, he wished him well with all his heart, for he knew what lay ahead would be relentless and challenging.
Jack knew Jonas's was looking for some form of approval from him as he shook his hand. The kid had tried so hard to fit in, to be a valued member of the SGC, "just remember," O'Neill began, "when you're out, out there, you're still a member of SG1 so try and conduct yourself accordingly."
"Yes, sir," Jonas said saluting the Colonel, the smile on his lips coming directly from his heart.
Sam looked at Jack like he was softening, he gave her the O'Neill stare but she grinned anyway.
Olmec held his hands out in front of the gate and it activated, "neat trick," Jack whispered.
Cassie gave Janet another reassuring hug and stepped through the event horizon with Olmec. Jonas turned, before stepping through, and saluted General Hammond. The General signalled back, nodding his approval, then Jonas turned and tripped through the stargate.
"And that must be his human side," Jack told them.
=====
Anubis/ Ragnarok looked at the Jaffa, the human and the Ascended who were knelt before him. He had instructed them of their mission and the rewards it would bring if successful but if they failed they knew it would mean death.
He dismissed them to their crafts and went to the view their departure from his control room.
Somewhere, out there, in the dimensions of space, Olmec had hidden his nemesis. Their mission was to find Jonas Quinn so Anubis/ Ragnarok could bring the boy his knees.
The End?
================
Well that it.
Keep safe and remember..
The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding
In all of the directions it can whizz
As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know,
Twelve million miles a minute, and that's the fastest speed there is.
So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure,
How amazingly unlikely is your birth,
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space,
'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth. Author: Eric Idle
From the Movie 'The Meaning of Life'