By C. L. Combs

Disclaimer: Neither the archivist, nor the author of this story is associated with the creators or owners of Stargate: SG-1 or MacGyver. No harm is intended to the copyright holders. This story was written for enjoyment and is not a commercial enterprise. Please do not archive this story in other locations without the consent of the author.

It was cold. MacGyver shoved his gloved hands under his armpits as the icy landscape flew beneath the helicopter. He knew it would be cold when he requested permission for this pilgrimage. However, he wasn't sure if his sudden chills was due to the Antarctica weather or the reason behind the trip.

His cousin would have called him a damn fool. He could almost hear the sarcastic drawl, so similar yet so different from his own, saying, "Yeah, NOW you visit. You just had to wait until I can't talk back!" Jack O'Neill wasn't much for sentiment.

On the other hand, MacGyver had always done what felt right. And it just didn't feel right to take a life-changing, and potentially one way, trip without attempting this visit. He was tying up loose ends, and this was one of the biggest.

He had rarely seen Jack since childhood. As their family passed away and with the secret nature of both their professions, it was easier to not to think about his one lone cousin. Then he had received the news that Jack had died overseas on a mission. It hurt, but Mac learned long ago to move on.

It wasn't until years later when he'd heard about Charlie's death that he found out Jack not only had survived but had a son. However, the black eye Jack had given him after the funeral wasn't much incentive to keep in touch. Mac had no idea that he'd gone back into the Air Force, and would have never imagined Jack living such a Sci Fi life like traveling to distance planets and saving Earth from hostile aliens. It wasn't until recently that MacGyver realized just how much he'd been missing.

From the reports, it looked like Jack's group and Earth had lucked out a lot. Their luck had been due to run out, and it had, big time. It hardly seemed fair that Jack would risk his life to save his planet again, only to end up in an icy pod while Earth tried to shake itself apart. Then again, life had never been very fair for his cousin.

A slight shift in movement next to him was a reminder of his companion on this trip. Daniel Jackson had also been lost in his own thoughts. He was the only one who had been willing to make the trip with him. He had been told that Major Carter was too busy, though he suspected she was still having trouble dealing with her commander's condition. The fourth member of Jack's team was off world. The only other person Mac had asked told him it would be 'too weird'. Mac could understand.

Static erupted in his headphones. "Ten more minutes, gentlemen."

MacGyver nodded at the pilot.

A soft tap on the shoulder reminded MacGyver of his current situation. He followed Daniel Jackson out of the helicopter and to the dome set in the ice. "That's the base?" Mac raised his voice to be heard above the wind. He then spotted the UN guard standing outside.

"Actually, the outpost is under about a mile of ice," Daniel called back as he led the way into the dome. Once inside, he continued in a normal volume, "The Ancients placed the base here before Antarctica had moved to the South Pole.

Mac blinked as he calculated how long that would have been. No wonder the Stargate crew called them 'The Ancients'.

The pair signed in with the glaring UN guard. Mac was a little unnerved from the scrutiny. Then he followed Daniel to the elevator. Once the door closed, Mac remarked, "Doesn't seem to like us much."

Daniel shrugged. "There are several countries who are worried we're going to turn the Ancients' weapon on them. We've tried to explain we don't think it can be fired at anyone on Earth. Even the arguments that we need to conserve the power unit and don't have anyone besides Jack who has experience with the device hasn't convinced them yet.

"You'd think they'd all have enough to worry about."

"I suspect that's the only reason they haven't demanded we shut the whole place down. As it is, we're pretty much at a skeleton crew."

"Have you had any luck with the deciphering?"

"We've made some breakthroughs. Several of the gate addresses we're using in the Colony project came from here. We're hoping they're planets the Gou'ald aren't familiar with. And a Dr. Carson Beckett discovered that small percentage of people like Jack possess what's being called 'The Ancient gene'. They seem to be the only ones who can use the Ancients' technology."

Mac nodded. "I've heard of that. They tested both my son and I when they found out we're related to Jack, and say we have it."

"Neither Sam Carter nor I have it." Daniel sighed. "When we found the second library, I thought I could use the download and spare Jack from suffering again. Jack wouldn't let me; said that I was the only one who could translate Ancient so I was the one who couldn't do it. Now I wonder if I could have done it, anyway. It may have only recognized Jack."

Before Mac could console the younger man, the doors opened.

They were met by an intense, brown haired man. "Dr. Jackson." He stopped to stare at Mac, then returned his gaze to Daniel with a question in his eyes. "Have the Asgard..."

"No." Daniel answered shortly, then took a deep breath. "Dr. Rodney McKay," Daniel indicated the man as he turned to Mac. "He's been photographing the writings for me to study. Rodney, this is MacGyver."

McKay paused as he was about to shake Mac's hand. "Not THE MacGyver."

Mac shrugged. "That's my name."

"This is an honor, sir. I never realized you looked like O'Neill."

Mac felt the slight flinch from Daniel. "We're cousins."

"That explains it."

Mac took a deep breath. "Ah, where is..."

McKay knew what he wanted. "Around that corner. The rest of us have stayed away from the area."

Daniel nodded, face grim. "I'll show him."

"That's right, you were here when..." Then McKay realized he probably didn't want to continue the sentence. "I'll leave you alone. Let me know if you find anything interesting."

As McKay walked away, Mac softly asked, "You okay?"

Daniel took a deep breath, then nodded. "I just get frustrated. I'm sure the Asgard can fix him once they contact us. But sometimes..."

Mac squeezed his shoulder. "I know. And I appreciate you coming with me."

Daniel gave him a weak smile. "It's just weird. You look so much like him, but..."

"I'm not Jack."

Taking another deep breath, Daniel replied, "Yeah. Let's get going."

Mac turned on his flashlight and followed the younger man around the corner. He was puzzled when Daniel suddenly stopped, until his light revealed the reason. There, inside the curved wall, was the frozen body of Jack O'Neill.

Now Mac was the one having trouble breathing. Closing his eyes to compose himself, Mac stepped forward and laid a hand against the clear lid. "Man, Jack, you sure know how to put yourself into a pickle, don't you?"

Before Mac could speak further, three bright rays of light engulfed Daniel, Jack and himself. Then all three of them were gone.

"What the!" Mac spun around. One moment, he was in a dark, icy tunnel staring at his not quite dead cousin. Now he was in a brightly lit room of smooth metal shapes. He walked over to a round chamber, goggling when he realized Jack was inside.

"I'll never get use to that," Daniel commented next to him.

Mac stared at him. "Use to what? And where are we?"

"You are on my ship, the Daniel Jackson."

"Yes?" Daniel replied.

A short, skinny, gray, humanoid creature was walking towards them. Mac stared at him in shock. The alien waved his hand to include everything around them. "That is the name of my new vessel, Dr. Jackson."

"Really," Daniel commented, looking around. "Hope it lasts longer than the O'Neill."

"Vessel?" Mac gasped.

"We're on an Asgard spacecraft," Daniel quickly explained. He then gave a little bow to the alien. "Hello, Thor."

Mac blinked. So this was Thor and they were in space. Definitely a side trip not listed on the itinerary.

"Greetings, Dr. Jackson. I am sorry for taking so long to respond to your distress call. I was in an area of space that made communications problematic, and only just received your messages."

"Can you help Jack?" Daniel asked.

"I am removing the Ancients' library from his mind as we speak."

"Ah, Daniel," Mac carefully interrupted.

"Oh! Sorry. Thor, this is Jack's cousin, MacGyver."

"Greetings, MacGyver."

"Greetings," MacGyver returned, not quite sure what was proper etiquette for meeting an alien from another world.

"I was aware of the family relation when I brought you aboard my ship. O'Neill's genetic history is of great interest to us."

Mac barely managed to keep his polite smile on his face. He wasn't sure he wanted Asgard attention after hearing about Jack's history with the race.

"So," Daniel began, "how long do you think..."

Suddenly, the lid on the chamber slide open. A groan could be heard coming from inside.

"Jack!" Daniel leaned over the edge to see his friend blinking at him. "How are you feeling?"

"Like someone dropped a hammer on my head," was the raspy reply.

"Greetings, O'Neill."

"Hi, Thor. Got aspirin?"

"The headache should ease momentarily, O'Neill."

Mac reached in with Daniel to help Jack into a sitting position. His cousin was rubbing his face. "What happened?"

"What's the last thing you remember?" Daniel countered.

"Getting my head sucked by one of those library thingies."

"Your memories should return eventually," Thor assured him.

Mac shot another examining glance towards the alien. Thor was a weird kind of gray, petite with thick shoulders while the rest of him looked rather starved. His voice sounded like it produced its own echo. It was also startling to realize that he didn't feel the need to wear clothes.

Jack groaned again. "Carter and Teal'c?"

Daniel smiled. "They're fine."

"Did we win?" Jack asked.

Daniel's smile disappeared. "Kinda."

"Kinda?" Jack's stare penetrated into the younger man. "Did we find the Lost City?"

"Not exactly."

"Daniel..."

"You led us to an Ancient's power cell, then back to Earth. Turns out there was an Ancient weapon here all along. You led us to an outpost buried in the ice of Antarctica."

"Just an outpost?"

"Yeah."

"No city?"

"Nope."

"Then what?"

"You used the Ancient's weapon against Anubis' fleet as it was attacking Earth." Daniel's face turned awed. "It was amazing, Jack. You directed all these glowing, squid-looking probes to destroy Anubis' fleet."

"Cool. Wished I could remember it. So Anuby's gone?"

"Yes."

"So Earth's safe again."

"Kinda."

"Now there's that word again, Daniel. What do you mean by 'kinda'?" Then Jack glanced to his left and spotted MacGyver. He stared at him incredulously. "Gus? What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Jack," Mac returned, uncertain how Jack was going to react to his presence. "Sorry I missed your call."

"I should have made that call a lot sooner," Jack admitted, still rubbing his head. "When did you find out about all this?"

"A few weeks ago. The President made an announcement to the country once the communications grids were back up. Then I got to read the reports when he asked me to lead one of the Colony teams. Hayes is a hard man to say no to."

"So I've heard." Then Jack focused on Daniel again. "Colony team? Does that have anything to do with 'kinda'?"

Daniel shifted his feet. "Yeah."

Jack made rolling motions with his head and hands. "So?"

With a deep breath, Daniel explained, "We're not sure what caused it. Sam thinks it might be due to some of the larger pieces of debris from Anubis' fleet hitting Earth, or perhaps Anubis did something just before he was destroyed."

When Daniel paused, Jack urged, "Caused what, Danny?"

"The Earth has become geologically unstable."

"Meaning?"

"A lot of stuff has happened while you've been out of it, Jack," Mac answered, taking pity on Daniel. "Just in the US alone, there have been movement on fault lines we didn't even know existed. L.A. and San Francisco have been devastated by massive earthquakes. Mt. Rainier is erupting big time. Hawaii and Japan have been hit by huge tsunamis. Even the East coast has had some shakers. The rest of the nations are having problems as well. And the worst of it is yet to come."

"Worse?" Jack repeated, eyes closed as his headache grew instead of diminished.

"Our geologists estimate that Yellowstone's going to blow in about five to seven years," Daniel blurted out."

"Yellowstone? Yellowstone's not a mountain. It's just a basin with a bunch of geysers," Jack pointed out.

"Yellowstone is the caldera of a supervolcano," Mac corrected. "Geologists have found ash deposits in Iowa several inches thick from the last time it blew. We estimate that anything within a 600 mile radius will be devastated. Worse, it'll bury the farms in the Midwest under ash and stop food production for at least three years."

"Even worse than that," Daniel began.

"There's worse?" Jack interrupted.

Daniel only sighed. "The eruption will eject so much material into the atmosphere, it'll cause a global cooling that will affect food production over the entire planet. And we're already hurting from all the other disasters."

"The geneticists have corresponded a human population 'bottleneck' at the time of a previous supervolcano eruption," Mac added. "This has the potential to do the same."

"Bottleneck?"

"Means a lot of people died, Jack, due to the global effects," Daniel explained. "A supervolcano was the cause of the 'year without a summer' back in the early 1800s. A lot of people starved."

Jack closed his eyes, and then looked at his alien friend, busily tapping his command post. "Thor?"

"They are correct, O'Neill. Except that by my calculations, the area you call Yellowstone will erupt in approximately 1,188 of your planet's revolutions."

Mac concentrated a moment, then blinked. "That's only about 39 months."

"We've got even less time than we thought." Daniel rubbed his nose under his glasses.

Thor continued to manipulate his workstation. "Once the eruption of what you call a 'supervolcano' occurs, the geological disturbances should ease."

"That's comforting," Jack replied sarcastically. "Still places the good ole U. S. of A at ground zero." He looked at his cousin. "So how does a 'Colony team' fit in?"

Mac waved his hands. "The consensus is that the US will have a hard time surviving the destruction and resulting aftermath. So the President is sending teams through the Stargate to set up 'Colonies' on various, uninhabited planets. The hope is that they can become self-sufficient by the time of the eruption, perhaps even be able to ship supplies back to the US to help with the relief efforts. At the very least, it will provide sanctuary off-world to thousands of people."

Jack turned to Daniel. "What's the latest Intel on the System Lords?"

"Still unorganized in the aftermath of Anubis' defeat."

"That's something." Jack thought a moment, then sighed. "Guess I better get my lazy butt back to Stargate Command, eh?"

Daniel smiled. "I know of several people who'll be happy to get you back, Jack."

"Including Weir?"

"Especially Weir."

Jack paused a moment outside Weir's office. A good night's sleep and a long, hot shower had done wonders towards making him feel human again. Number one rule from now on, no more poking one's head into Ancient libraries. Jack spared a glance at the man in the suit standing at the door. Just his luck, Kinsey was probably on base. Best to get this over with. Straightening, Jack knocked and entered on Elizabeth Weir's call of 'Come in'.

Weir was at her desk, talking with someone whose back was towards him. She gave him a brilliant smile. "Colonel O'Neill, welcome back."

"Thank you, Dr. Weir. It's nice to be back." Then he blinked as the man stood up. "Mr. President."

"Colonel O'Neill!" President Hayes declared. He vigorously shook Jack's hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the man I've been reading so much about. Especially after he saved the planet."

Still in shock, Jack pointed out, "From what I've heard, I apparently didn't do a very good job, sir."

Hayes waved off Jack's concern. "I'd rather have our current problems then be slaves or utterly destroyed by that Anubis character. Very melodramatic."

Jack couldn't hide his smirk. "That he was, sir, that he was."

Weir smiled. "Have a seat, Colonel."

As Jack sat down, Weir continued, "I understand that the question now is what to do to thank you."

Jack shrugged. "I've got a list somewhere. My own parking space. Meeting Urma Thurman. Nothing major."

Hayes' grin grew wider. "I have a couple ideas myself, Brigadier General O'Neill."

Jack blinked, but forced himself to nod nonchalantly. "Brigadier General. I think that was on my list. Does that include a change in post?"

"Yes, but not the way you're thinking." The President nodded towards Dr. Weir.

Weir's smile also grew brighter. "We're thinking of a change to an off-world post."

"Off-World? As in the Colony project my cousin was telling me about?"

Hayes suddenly grew serious. "Exactly. While Americans have always been explorers and settlers, we've never tried to go so far a field. Nor have the stakes been so high. We're in trouble, and my understanding is that trouble is only going to get worse.

"The new colonies will be beyond our protective borders, and there may come a time when we will have our hands full here and be unable to help them. That's why we've decided to make the new Alpha site the front lines for protecting the colonies. The base we're setting up there will protect the others, and assess how they're doing from time to time, to see if they need additional help or can take on more people.

"There will also be an international component. I've made the offer to all countries that anyone who would like to establish their own site or add their people to ours may do so. That means we need a leader at the Alpha base that all people of all nations respect, and who understands the situations and dangers they may have to face. A man already known as a hero who has protected us against dangerous aliens.

"They need you, General O'Neill. I need you to lead the Alpha base."

Jack blinked again. "I don't know what to say, sir. I've never been in charge of a whole base before. I'm not sure..."

"I have every confidence in you, General. It won't be an easy task, but I know that you will rise to the challenge." Hayes suddenly stood up, Jack and Weir quickly followed suit. "And now I've got to go back to D.C. Good luck, General." He shook Jack's hand hard and walked out.

Jack sank back into the chair. "Did he really just put me in charge of all the colonies off-world?"

Weir tried to hide her smirk. "Yes, he did."

"Just like that?"

"Now you know how I felt when I got Stargate Command dumped on me."

"I don't know if I can handle it."

Elizabeth Weir turned serious. "You have to, General. There is no one better qualified on the entire planet to handle this task. And we NEED this project to work. In three years, we're going to have more people than food, and the other nations will be too busy with their own problems to help us." Seeing that O'Neill was still in shock, she waved at the door. "Go. Think about it. Then when you're ready, come back and we'll discuss the details."

Jack slowly stood up and walked out the door.

An hour later, Jack was telling all about his new assignment to his team. After finishing up, he looked at Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter, and Teal'c. "What do you think?"

"The leader of the Tau'ri could not have made a wiser choice, O'Neill," Teal'c stated. "Your people need your admirable skills as a warrior and wisdom as a leader more than ever."

At Jack's worried look, Daniel added, "Especially with your trusted advisors at your side, assuring you make the right decisions." Jack gave him a smirk, knowing Daniel meant SG-1.

Sam nodded. "Besides, sir, if you don't take it, they could chose someone much worse." She paused. "That didn't come out right."

"But I just saved the world. Why can't I just retire and go fishing?" Jack moaned.

"After the eruption, there may not be any good place to fish."

As Jack closed his eyes at Teal'c cool logic, Daniel piped up, "You can fish at the Alpha site, Jack." He ignored the incredulous look Sam shot him.

"Really?" Jack seemed to perk up.

"Yeah. There's a nice lake within easy walking distance of the main encampment." Daniel turned to Sam, eyes begging for support.

After a moment, Sam continued. "That's right, sir. Clear blue water and nice shade trees by the shore."

"There is also something in the lake to catch," Teal'c added dryly.

Jack sighed. "Guess I better make sure to pack my fishing pole."

Sam grinned. "Does that mean you'll do it, sir?"

"Can't very well say no to the President, can I, Carter?"

"No, sir."

"And you guys are coming with me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Wouldn't miss it, Jack."

"Indeed, O'Neill."

Jack smiled for the first time since waking up on Thor's ship. Earth may be going to pot, but as long as he had SG-1 backing him, he would do his best to keep his people going.

MacGyver was looking around at the pleasant surroundings, waiting for his own stomach to settle. He could see the domes to the right, with a newly built flight line past them. Then he spotted Jack approaching and smiled. "Hey, Jack."

"Hey, Gus. What'd you think of your first trip through the 'gate?"

"Disney could have made a mint if it had a ride like that."

Jack chuckled, watching one of the tech entering the dialing sequence for the Delta Base. "Well, you're about have a second go."

Mac glanced around at his people. "Looks like I haven't lost anyone yet."

"If I find any stragglers, I'll send them after you."

As the two of them watched the sideways flow out of the Stargate, Jack softly stated, "Sorry I never called you before, Gus. I thought about it."

"And I should have worked harder to reach you. I knew you were going through hell, but I didn't know how to help."

They watched as the tech gave the 'all clear' signal. Mac waved at his security unit to lead the way. Then he waved at a tall young man, brown lock of hair threatening to fall into his eyes. As the young man joined them, Mac smiled proudly. "Jack, this is my son, Sam. Sam, this is our cousin, Jack O'Neill."

Sam gave Jack a warm smile as he shook his hand. "Glad to finally meet you, sir."

"Call me Jack."

"Jack."

Then another young man approached. He had grown a couple of inches since Jack had last seen him, but there was no mistaking who it was. Jack looked at Mac in surprise.

Mac smiled. "MJ contacted me after the LA earthquake, to make sure I was okay. I decided who better to have on my team that someone who has all your knowledge about the Stargate in his head?"

Jack smirked, matching the smirk on his clone's face. "MJ, eh?"

He shrugged. "I flipped our first and middle names."

Jack nodded in understanding.

"Time to go," Sam pointed out. "Hope to see you at some point, Jack."

"Don't worry, I'll visit," Jack assured the young man. He then locked eyes with his clone. The clone nodded. They didn't need words to communicate. MJ turned and trotted after Sam. Then Jack and Mac stared at each other. "You take care."

"You, too."

Jack stood there, watching his cousin join his colonists through the Stargate. When the gate shut down a second time, he scooped up the fishing pole and chair he had leaned against a nearby boulder. Up to this point, he had been too busy getting settled in to check out the lake his team had mentioned. With his first free hour, it was time.

He followed the path to the lake. It was beautiful and peaceful. He needed peaceful. He found a nice shady spot under a tree to set up. Once slouched in the chair with his line in the water, Jack took a deep, relaxing breath. This assignment might not be so bad after all. Sure, there was bound to be trouble ahead. The System Lords were still out there, as well as their uneasy alliance with the Tok'ra and the rebel Jaffa. Having that many scientists and settlers on alien planets were bound to bring new headaches. But he had his team and a good group here at the Alpha site. They were ready.

His line dipped into the water, signaling something had taken the bait. Jack stood and reeled it in. As he lifted the last bit up out of the water, he stared at what was hanging off the hook. With a deep intake of air, he bellowed, "CARTER!"

The End

Posted: March 18, 2005