Jack sat beside Daniel in the Infirmary, watching the nurses who were tending him. Slowly he rubbed a hand over his face. He was tired. He had no idea how long he had been sitting there, only that he was not leaving Daniel. Teal'c was again standing guard in the corner of the room, almost as if his very presence could stop Daniel slipping from this life. Jack knew exactly how he felt. He stood up and tried to stretch out the kinks in his back. His leg was aching and his eyes felt gritty from lack of sleep. He leant over the bed to Daniel."Come on Danny. You can't give up now. What about Sha're? What about us?" He turned away, angry that there was nothing he could do. He had to get out of here. Teal'c would make sure he knew if anything happened. He pushed the thought form his head. Nothing was going to happen! Turning abruptly on his heel, Jack strode from the room. He needed time to think.
Teal'c stood in the corner of the room and watched Jack leave, the only sign he had noticed, a raise of his eyebrow. He understood that this must bring back painful memories of his son's death. Teal'c turned to look at Daniel. The archaeologist hadn't moved for several hours since he had spoken to Sam. Teal'c knew that he was departing from this world. Jack was finding that hard to accept. Perhaps had the incident occured in the field it would have been easier but Teal'c doubted that. He had watched many friends die during his service of Apophis and it was not an event that got any easier.
"Sleep well Daniel Jackson. May you find the peace you seek!"
Then Teal'c sat on the floor and began to meditate for the soul of his young friend.
Sam sat in the Infirmary lab with Daniel's test results, trying to find some way to fight the virus but no matter which way she tried, she couldn't see an answer.
Frustrated she pushed away the folder and closed her eyes. She needed sleep, she knew, but she couldn't get Daniel's words out of her head, or the look on his face as he begged her not to let him die. Tears burned the back of her eyes. She would not give in, she thought angrily, swiping at those that threatened to fall.
There had to be something somewhere that would give them a clue how to treat this disease. If it WAS genetically engineered to fight the Goa'uld then the chance of a cure was non-existant. They could hardly ask them if they had a cure and would they mind sharing it with one of those responsible for the death of Ra?
She needed a break from this. Daniel's journal from the planet sat on the stool next to her. She remembered all the notes he had made. Was the answer in there? In the Journal? Could she have missed something? Was that what Daniel had been trying to tell her?
Picking up the book, Sam flicked to where she had left off when Jack had disturbed her and began to read, seeking anything that might give them a different perspective on this disease.
Jack wandered the corridors of the SGC, glad that at this time of night there was hardly anyone around. He had considered returning to his quarters but the prospect left him cold. He soon found himself in the embarkation room, staring at the huge stone ring that dominated it.
He found himself back two years, when Daniel had announced that he had deciphered the seven symbols to open the gate, a feat he accomplished in fourteen days. Jack remembered how incredulous General West had been.
West: So you think you've solved in two weeks, what they couldn't solve in two years?
Daniel: T...Two years?
Jack smiled at the memory. Daniel had always been clumsy and at times hot headed, but he'd always been there. Right from the beginning. Jack could see Daniel agreeing to accept the mission to accompany the first misson through the stargate
West: Well without being able to decipher those symbols this mission may have to be scrapped
Daniel: *gazing at the computer screen* Well I could do that
West: Are you sure?
Daniel: Positive
O'Neill: *To General West* Your call
West: You're on the team
Yep, that was Daniel all over, thought Jack, acting first and thinking later. But he'd always been there and now he wasn't and that was going to take some time to get used to. So he, Jack, had to be there till the end, he realised. Making the decision, Jack turned on his heel and headed back to the Infirmary.
Janet sat at a desk in the infirmary, Daniel's chart in front of her. The signs were not looking good. His liver was beginning to fail. If they didn't find a cure soon then his whole system would shut down and there would be nothing left to save.
Sighing, she remembered the first time she had met the errant archaeologist during the Broca Divide incident when he'd been beaten by Jack. Since then he'd been an almost regular feature of her infirmary to the point she was thinking of giving him his own bed down there. If he recovered from this one...
Janet dragged herself back to the present. This wasn't the time to dwell on the past. Rising out of her seat she headed for the lab. Maybe she could run some more tests and find an answer...
Sam sat back in her chair, and stretched. She'd finished reading the journal but had found nothing. Most of the wording Daniel had found hadn't been translated yet.
"Damn it!" she cursed aloud. Silence echoed around her. She stared again at the pages in front of her. The words swam and then reformed, catching her eye.
"Phaan" she whispered. She'd found it. The name Daniel had whispered before he...Sam re-read the passage and cursed. Half of it was in the language of the planet. She glanced around the room for something to help her translate it. Nothing! Sam tried hard to suppress the tears that seemed to threaten all the time now.
Wait a minute though. Not every team had a lingusit and therefore Daniel wasn't the only one on site, she realised with a shock. Maybe she could ask for help from another quarter.
Sam leapt to her feet, grabbed the book and headed for the Linguistics department. As she did so, she glanced at her watch.
04:23 Daniel had less than twelve hours left.
04:28 Heads looked up as Sam burst into the room owned by the SGC Linguistics team. Scrolls, papers and books covered most of the available areas of the four desks and numerous bookshelves which lined the room. A cough attracted Sam's attention.
"Excuse me? Can I help you?" Sam turned and found herself face to face with a young woman, hair pulled back into a long plait, wide brown eyes staring at Sam.
"Hi. I'm Captain Samantha Carter. SG-1. Sorry for bursting in like this but its an emergency. I need this translating," she said waving Daniel's journal in the linguist's direction.
The woman seemed unpeturbed.
"I'm sorry but we have our orders. General Hammond has quite a bit of work for us to do." She saw the look on Sam's face and sighed, holding out her hand. "However, if you leave it with us I'm sure we can make a start."
Sam shook her head. "Sorry but this takes top priority. It could hold the key to saving someone's life."
The woman seemed to debate this fact for a moment and then nodded.
"Very well. Penny, could you come here a minute please"
An even younger woman came to stand beside the first.
"Dr Penny Spears, this is..."
"Captain Sam Carter. I'd like you to help me translate this, Its urgent."
"Okay. I'll find somewhere we can work"
Sam followed Penny to a desk that reminded her of the one in Daniel's office. Piles of papers and books lined the desk and the surrounding floor space. A mug of black coffee sat on the nearest chair. Penny moved it and gestured for Sam to sit down.
"So, how can I help?" Penny asked.
Sam thought for a moment and then decided to fill her in on everything. As Sam proceeded with her story, the younger woman's eyes grew bigger
"So, as you can see," said Sam, "If I can't find something in this damn journal of Daniel's in the next ten hours..." her voice trailed, leaving her words hanging.
"Right then, we should get on."
Penny took the book from Sam, found the relevant section, grabbed a pen and a few reference books and began to work.
13:03 "I've got it!"
Penny's excited cry caused Sam to look up from the book she was reading, and slide her chair over to the linguist. "Look," said Penny holding out the translation. "You were right captain. This book does hold the answer. Or more precisely how to obtain the cure. Its a bit cryptic though. It could have more than one interpretation."
"We'll worry about that later,"replied Sam. "All I'm interested in now is the translation."
Penny pulled a sheet of paper off of the pad she was working on and handed it to Sam.
"Here, take it. I just hope its not too late."
"Thanks." Sam grabbed the paper and read it quickly to familiarise herself with the text. She could see what Penny meant by its cryptic nature.
This is the temple of Our Mighty Lord
Who stands between the Light and the Dark
In Our hour of need
His pyre shall cleanse Our soulsLie in the Light of Phann
And pray for Our deliverance
May Phann's servants send his Light
And return Our souls from the Darkness
Hold true and his Pyre shall wash you cleanThis is the Altar of Our Mighty Phaan
Whose Temple stands in The Light
Stand in the Light of his Pyre
And let Him burn Our souls cleanSam hurried down the corridor towards the Infirmary. She had to tell Janet that she thought she had the answer. They had to get Daniel back to the planet. She just hoped they weren't too late. She rounded the corner and nearly collided with General Hammond.
"Captain!?"
"General" Sam snapped to attention and saluted, forgetting momentarily the paper in her hand until the General looked at her, puzzled.
"What are you doing, Captain?"
"Sorry Sir. Its just I've had some of Daniels'a diary translated from the last planet and I believe there is a way to save him, Sir."
"Very well Captain. My office, five minutes. Bring the Doctor. I'll hear your proposal then."
"Very good Sir." Sam stood for a moment before she realised that she had been dismissed. Then she took to her heels down the corridor to the infirmary. The General smiled to himself. Someday, he thought, the SGC, and SG-1 in particular, would be the death of him. Then he turned and headed for his office. As he did so, he caught an airman coming the other way.
"Airman Phillips. Find Colonel O'Neill and have him report to my office in five minutes. Tell him we may have found a way to save Dr. Jackson."
Five minutes later...
"Sir, I had someone translate Daniel's dairy from the planet, and I believe we should take him back."
Four heads turned incredulously to face Sam. Janet was the first to voice her objections
"Sam, I hardly think it is appropriate to return Daniel to the planet. We don't know what caused this and he really isn't in any fit state to travel. Gate travel could merely hasten his condition."
"I know that but the translation in the diary...!"
"Captain, I'm afraid I have to agree with the Doctor on this. Its too risky. I will not authorise this trip."
"So what, Sir? We're just going to let Daniel die? We're not even going to try?" Sam was on her feet, anger tightening her features.
"Captain! Sit down!" General Hammond's command brought her back to her senses and she sat abruptly in the chair. Satisfied that she had complied, the General continued.
"I cannot authorise this mission Captain. Its too risky to SG-1 and there is no guaruntee that this will work. He's dying Captain and I believe that it would be best if we remain here where Doctor Fraiser can keep him comfortable. I'm sorry Captain but SG-1 stays"
"Bullshit!"
Jack's exclaimation took everyone by surprise, including himself if Sam was any judge of character.
"Explain yourself Colonel."
"Daniel's dying, right?" Everyone stared at Jack. They all knew it was true, and he now had hours left if Janet's estimate was correct. Satisfied he had everyone's attention, Jack continued.
"But, if we go to this planet, he has a chance. He may live. He may not. But if he stays here then..." Jack didn't need to say it. "Personally, I'm willing to try anything at this point in time, regardless of the risks, Sir!"
"So am I." Sam's voice joined Jack's
"I will go to" Teal'c affirmed. The General looked at the faces fo the remaining SG-1 members and resigned himself to his decision.
"Very well. I will authorise this mission. Take whoever you need. You have one hour. Dismissed."
Janet stood in the infirmary, watching Daniel. They had less than half an hour until she had to send him through the Gate and she still wasn't entirely convinced. But she had her orders. Now all she had to do was figure out how to get him through the Gate. She turned to Sam.
"I'm trusting you, Captain. I've packed some emergency equipment to keep him alive when you get there. I'll show you how to use the defibrillator and..."
"No need," Jack informed her stepping into the room. "You're coming with us Doc. We need you to make sure this thing works."
"But, Colonel..."
"No *buts* Doc. General gave me full authorisation to use who I need. I need you. I also have way of getting through the Gate. I have modified FRED ready to go." He looked at his watch. "We leave in twenty minutes Doc. Get what you need. We'll be waiting." Then he turned on his heel and disappeared back the way he had come leaving the two women speechless. Janet was the first to pull herself together.
"Is he always like this?" she asked. Sam nodded. "Oh well, better do as the man says." Janet called nurse and began to list what she would need.
Twenty minutes later the team was assembled at the gate waiting while Janet checked her supplies were firmly attatched to the vehicle. Then two orderlies arrived pushing Daniel Jackson. Janet had left him in the Infirmary as long as possible. Now was the moment of truth. With Sam, Jack, Teal'c and the two orderlies, Janet transferred Daniel's inert form to FRED and made the final preparations before the gate travel. Finally she was satisfied. She pulled herself up and sat beside Daniel.
"Everyone ready?" Jack asked. The team nodded, then a voice cut across the embarkation room and a figure hurried across the floor, still tying the straps which secured the helmet. Jack looked askance at the newcomer.
"And you are...?"
"Penny Spears. Linguist. General Hammond thought you may need more translation in the temple."
"Did he now?" When no-on replied, Jack signalled the control room. The Gate activated and the inner ring began to spin. Jack watched each of the chevrons lock in place and then the event horizon shot outwards.
"Wormhole is holding steady"
"Lets move out people." The procession made its way through the shimmering mirror and then the wormhole deactivated.
Jack stepped out of the wormhole and watched as it disappeared behind him. In front of him, the rest of the team was awaiting orders. Teal'c was standing behind FRED, Sam beside it. Janet sat beside Daniel. Jack surveyed the area then gave the all clear to move out. The group followed, FRED trundling along behind Jack in response to signals from the remote the Colonel held, Teal'c bringing up the rear. Sam fell in step with the all terrain vehicle.
"Hows he doing," she asked Janet, glancing at the ashen features. "He's hanging in there. Don't worry Sam. If you're right, he'll be fine."
She left unspoken what would happen if the translation was wrong.
Soon the team arrived at the temple. Penny gazed at it in awed wonder.
"My God. Its huge!" She craned her neck to see it better, suddenly reminding Sam of Daniel. Then Jack turned.
"Yes people it's fascinating. But first of all we have an altar to find. So can we get on, please." He shouldered his rifle and headed for the interior. Penny followed, subdued. She'd only been commenting, she didn't need her head bitten off. They're worried she chided herself gently. With a deep sigh she wandered into the interior, remembering to keep her comments to herself. There were times, like now, when she was glad that she wasn't a member of a field unit.
The FRED rolled to a halt behind Jack in the altar room. Everyone dropped their weapons as Sam pulled out the translation.
"Now what?" asked Jack.
"I guess we use the altar." she replied, brow creased as she reread the translation, waiting for the explosion.
"You guess?" Jack was incredulous that she wasn't sure of how this worked. All this way and they could still fail without even trying.
"Well, the passage isn't very clear, Sir. It says his pyre will wash us clean. And then it says that this is his altar. So I assume we put Daniel on it."
Jack nodded in his agreement and with Teal'c help lifted the comatose linguist onto the altar. They had barely let him go when there was a grinding sound and silver restraints bound Daniel to the table at the wrists and ankles, pinning him to the altar.
"What the hell..." Jack exclaimed, jumping away as if he too would become bound.
"I guess it must be to stop him moving sir. Perhaps the inhabitiants used this while the patient was still conscious," Sam postulated.
"Well, now what?"
"There must be some way to activate this device sir. The passage refers to 'Phann's Servants'."
"I believe it is refering to the statues," Penny said, running her hands over one. "The text around the alcove uses the same symbols as in the text." She ran her hand around the base trying to read what was written there.
"So, any ideas how we turn these guys on?" Jack asked, stepping back as he did so. A whiring sound began in the wall behind him, and the statues in the room rotated to face the altar. A high pitched whining began causing everyone to clasp their hands to their ears.
"Get down!" shouted Jack, trying to hear himself over the rising noise level. No one needed to be told a second time. Then, when Jack thought it couldn't get any worse, light began to pour from the four statues, bathing Daniel in light which increased in intensity. Jack covered his eyes and tried to watch through his fingers. Daniel was arching, his body being held by the restraints. Light danced over his body, blues and reds and yellows skittering across his skin like a laser show. Then white exploded through the room causing Jack to turn his head away, to protect his eyesight.
Silence assailed the occupants of the room. Slowly everyone got to their feet. Jack banged a fist against his head, trying to stop the ringing in his ears. Janet walked over to the altar. The restraints had released Daniel leaving him limp on the surface, blonde hair soaked in sweat, his uniform patchy. Slowly she pressed her fingers to his throat. Jack watched as her face became serious. She turned to the room and began to bark orders even as she hauled herself onto the altar to sit on Daniel's chest.
"Sam, get me the bag. I need the portable defibrillator and an IV bag. Also get me a tube so I can incubate him. Jack I need you to help with the CPR. Now man!"
Janet was pressing on Daniel's chest, fingers interlocked, desperately trying to restart his heart. Jack pulled himself from his daze and ran to Daniel's side. When Janet stopped he breathed for Daniel. Sam came over carrying the small box with two paddles. Janet stopped long enough to rip open Daniel's shirt and smear gel across his chest. Then she turned the dials hearing the whine as the machine charged. She placed the paddles firmly on his chest and discharged the electrical current. Daniel arched, as he had minutes earlier and crashed back onto the altar. Janet felt for a pulse. It leapt weakly beneath her fingers. Satisfied that he was stable for now, she spoke to Jack.
"We need to get him back to SGC as soon as possible. He must have been too weak to withstand the treatment. His heart could stop again. We've gotta go now."
Jack nodded. Quickly they transferred Daniel back to the FRED ready for the trip home.
"Carter, sit with the Doc. We may need both of you before we get him back. Penny grab the backpacks. Lets move out."
As quickly as they dared the procession returned to the gate. Twice more Daniel's heart stopped. Janet was worried that they'd lose him now, but the linguist wasn't letting go just yet. As they reached sight of the Stargate, Sam leapt off to dail home, and Daniel proved he was still with the living. His eyes fluttered open slightly, and found himself staring at the doctor.
"Decided to join us, hey Daniel?" she joked.
"I...didn't...weird dream."
"I know. Never mind. Go back to sleep." His eyes fluttered closed again and he receded back into sleep.
"How is he?" Jack asked again as they prepared to go back through the gate. Janet thought of those blue eyes and smiled.
"Oh he'll be fine, Colonel, just fine."
The Gate activated and SG-1, complete with Daniel, returned home.
Epilogue Return to index