Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
Leave is always a time members of the armed forces look forward to. For some, it is a time of vacation and excitement. To other, it is a time of rest and relaxation, away from the everyday grind of life in the military. For General Jack O'Neill, leave represented a blissful time away from paperwork. For that reason alone, General O'Neill treasured each moment away from his professional duties.
Laying lengthwise on his comfortable leather couch, O'Neill sipped at his bottle of Guinness Stout. On the flat panel television, mounted to the wall, ESPN Sports Center gave the recap of todays events in sporting news. After the previous two days of activity in his home, O'Neill was taking today as a well deserved period of rest. The two previous days, O'Neill had busied himself with a variety of tasks, to ready his home for the arrival of Laira and his son Homer.
Not in years had Jack been so excited. Time seemed to slow, as he counted down the days until their arrival on Earth. Checking his Rolex Submariner, Jack wondered if the vessel bringing them to Earth was on schedule. If it was, they should arrive the next morning. Their arrival represented an opportunity for O'Neill, and one he thought he would never again have. Not only would he have the chance to rekindle his relationship with Laira, after years of separation, but he would also have the chance to be part of a family again.
While a member of SG-1, Jack had known what family was. Working closely with the tight knit members of the small team, each had grown closer than friends. After years together, the members of SG-1 could intuit what the other was thinking, before they thought it. That camaraderie and sense of family was one that Jack sorely missed. Had promotion not come along, he would have happily finished his career with SG-1, alongside that family.
One thing the family of SG-1 had lacked for Jack was the sense of fatherhood. While each member of SG-1 had become a surrogate parent for Cassie after the death of Janet Frazier, it was not the same thing as being a father to your own child. Long ago, seemingly in another life, Jack had known that feeling. While fate or the stars had aligned to take that gift from him, the chance to reclaim that gift as at hand. Though he had never admitted it, Jack longed to be a father to Homer. He wanted to teach his son the lessons a father should, and mold the boy into the man he would later become. What was more important, Jack simply wanted to love his son, and be loved in return.
Thoughts of Homer, and the desire to be close to his son, always brought old memories to the forefront of O'Neill's mind. As he had done many times, Jack wondered what his son Charlie would be like today. Would he have followed his dream, and gone on to play professional baseball? Would he have retained the shy smile he always had for his father and mother? So many unanswerable questions swam through Jack's mind, as they always did when thinking of his late son. O'Neill knew he had made mistakes as a father to Charlie. Frequent absences due to deployments on unspeakable and highly classified activities had forced Jack to miss many years of Charlie's life. Now that a new chance was at hand, Jack intended to not make those same mistakes. If Laira and Homer were willing to relocate to Earth, O'Neill would happily retire, and forever hangup the uniform he had worn his entire adult life.
A knock on the front door in the distance snapped Jack out of these thoughts. For a moment, Jack remained on the couch, sure that the enlisted staff would show in whoever it might be at the door. A second knock reminded Jack that he had directed the staff to make themselves scarce during his time on leave. Setting his beer on the coffee table, Jack rose to his feet. A third knock rang out, as Jack made his way to the front of the large home reserved for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Whoever it was at the front door, they had braved the heavy rain drenching the Washington, DC area today.
Opening the front door, General O'Neill was greeted by the sight of Colonel Paul Davis. Jack knew from experience just how busy a man Davis was. Whatever brought him here today, in this weather no less, was clearly important. As the door opened, Davis closed his umbrella, and shook it dry.
"Paul, what brings you my way?" O'Neill began in question.
"General, I am here to discuss a few developments in our galaxy with you." Davis replied.
Waiving Davis in, O'Neill took the umbrella and overcoat from Davis. Hanging these on a coat rack near the front door, O'Neill noticed the serious nature on Davis's face.
"Can I offer you something to drink?" O'Neill asked.
"No thank you sir." Davis replied.
"By developments, I assume you developments not inline with Earth's interest, right?" O'Neill questioned.
"Unfortunately, yes General." Davis replied cautiously.
"For this conversation, I think it best if we have a seat. Come with me Paul." General O'Neill instructed.
Making their way through the bottom story of the large two story Victorian home, the two men made their way towards Jack's in home office. In this space, O'Neill's predecessors
had thought deeply about national security policy, and formed the ideas that would carry the United States military into its future. Jack used it as his personal man cave. Motioning Colonel Davis into one of the high backed leather chairs in front of the ornate wooden desk within the office, Jack took his own seat behind the desk itself.
"Colonel, you have my full attention. Tell me what you know." O'Neill prompted.
"Six hours ago, the Lucian Alliance attacked one of our off world areas." Davis began.
"Was this a piecemeal attack, or in force?" O'Neill asked seriously.
"A total of sixteen Ha'tak Class vessels were used in the assault. These vessels placed the USS George Hammond under assault upon exit from hyperspace, before commencing an orbital bombardment. During the bombardment, ground forces were landed." Davis continued.
"What is the status of the Hammond?" O'Neill questioned.
"Hammond suffered severe damage, and numerous casualties. She is currently under tow to Fleet Station McHenry." Davis explained.
"I am assuming we have other assets on station at this time." O'Neill mused.
"That would be correct General. Multiple vessels are on station at this time. Ascension, Equinox, and Neil Armstrong were the first to respond, and managed to destroy the Lucian Alliance strike group. Other vessels arrived on scene shortly afterwards, as well as a Marine Expeditionary Unit. Currently, our forces are rendering aide. The embassy did suffer serious damage, and casualties. A number of civilian craft were also destroyed during the bombardment." Davis continued.
"Where was this exactly?" O'Neill asked.
"Edora sir." Davis replied with visible discomfort.
"Where?" O'Neill asked, unsure if he had heard Davis correctly.
"The attack took place on Edora General." Davis repeated.
"Do we know if any civilian vessels departed before the attack?" O'Neill demanded.
"General O'Neill, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the loss of the civilian cargo vessel SS Doubleday. The vessel with lost with all and your son boarded the Doubleday moments before the attack began." Davis explained with great regret.
"That can't be. No, I will not accept that! Send word to our forces that they are to locate Homer and Laira now. Tell them to look under every rock on that planet until they find them." O'Neill ordered.
"General, they did not survive the attack. I am so sorry sir." Davis said sorrowfully.
"Don't you dare write them off as dead so quickly. I will not sit here and believe they are dead until their bodies are found." O'Neill yelled.
"Doubleday exploded catastrophically. Recovery of remains is not possible." Davis explained.
Tears welled up within Jack O'Neill's eyes. His stomach was a ball of ice. An acidy taste filled his mouth. Anger and hurt filled Jack, as he fought back the tears of sorrow fighting to come out. Balling his hand into a tight fist, his knuckles went white with rage. Slamming that fist down on the surface of the desk, Jack stood quickly.
"You listen to me. My son is not dead! Send word to Edora, and find them before simply writing them off so easily. Why wasn't I made aware of this attack as it unfolded?" O'Neill demanded in heartbroken rage.
"The National Military Command Center followed the notification checklist. You are on leave, so they notified the Vice Chairman." Davis answered.
No longer able to hold back his emotions, tears ran down Jack's face. Collapsing into his seat, his eyes lost focus as his mind drifted.
"I would like you to leave now." Jack whispered hoarsely.
For a brief moment, Colonel Paul Davis stared at Jack. He was fully aware of the General's backstory. As Jack's longtime friend, Paul Davis was well aware of just how deeply Jack must be hurting. Standing slowly, Paul walked behind the desk to Jack's side. Placing his hand on the General's shoulder, Paul squeezed and spoke.
"Jack, I am so sorry this happened." Paul offered in condolence.
Making his exit, Colonel Davis quietly showed himself out of O'Neill's home. In his wake, he left a brokenhearted man. Davis was sure of one thing, and that was war was now on the horizon. The death of Homer and Laira made that eventuality unavoidable now.
From his seat, O'Neill slowly and shakily rose to his feet. A cold sense of numb unfeeling spread through his heart, as his body moved seemingly of its own accord. Wordlessly, O'Neill found himself making his way up the staircase to the homes second story. Moving from the stairs, Jack quietly made his way into the room that would have been his son's.
Looking around, he saw the decorations he had selected and placed within this room, in the hope of making it a home for Homer. On the walls were posters of sports stars. At the foot of the bed sat a gift wrapped box, which Jack had placed their weeks before. Aware of the contents of this box, Jack opened it and cast his eyes upon its contents. The item within was one that brought O'Neill to tears. Grabbing the item, O'Neill lifted the baseball glove that had once been Charlie's. Holding the supple leather glove in his hands caused Jack to collapse to his knees.
Tears of sorrow and rage flowed down his face. In his heart, he knew it had to be this way, as irony is possessed of a perverse sense of humor. The death of Charlie had been a crushing blow to Jack, and one that had made him question his desire to continue living in a world without his soon. That event, and subsequent emotional fallout had marked the beginning of his involvement with the Stargate Program. Now, in the twilight of his military career, the death of Homer served as a bookend to a career devoted to a once classified program. Howling in anguish, Jack's emotion poured out. Tears falling from his face fell on the baseball glove, where they had also fallen following the death of Charlie.
Bringing the baseball glove to his face, Jack kissed it as he would kiss the forehead of his child were he alive. Smelling the rich leather, Jack remembered teaching Charlie to play catch for the first time. That memory brought a heavier stream of tears down O'Neill's face. Holding the glove close, Jack delicately placed the glove back in its box, and replaced the gift wrapped lid. Rising to his feet, he moved to exit the room. At the door, he turned and looked over the room one last time.
"I failed you both. For that I am sorry." Jack whispered.
Silently, O'Neill made his way downstairs. Passing through the large house, he made his way towards the sunroom at the rear of the home. Heedless of the weather outside, Jack stepped onto the large wooden deck. Instead of seeing the manicured backyard as it stood, Jack's mind took him back to the traumatic event of Charlie's funeral. It was almost as if he was reliving it. Rain poured down upon O'Neill, as furious winds howled in the trees. Wordlessly, O'Neill stood in the downpour a lost man, for nearly an hour.
A warm sensation on his shoulder dragged Jack's mind back to the here and now. Seeing the hand, Jack slowly turned to face whoever it was standing behind him.
There, standing on the deck, with a compassionate and sorrowful look, stood Skaara. While O'Neill was aware that Skaara and his people had ascended during Anubis's assault upon Abydos, he had not seen Skaara since.
"Skaara." Jack managed to say in a hoarse whisper.
"O'Neill, I am so sorry for what has happened. I tried to prevent this, but arrived too late. I am sorry." Skaara said with genuine regret.
Looking closely at O'Neill, Skaara took note of Jack's glassed over eyes. Watching as O'Neill stance wavered, Skaara realized that it was only a short matter of time before his old friend collapsed from emotional exhaustion. Wrapping his arm around Jack's shoulders, he guided him back inside the house. Without protest, Skaara guided Jack up the stairs and into the bedroom. Seating Jack on the bed, Skaara's ascended heart broke for his old friend.
"Why?" Jack managed to ask quietly.
"I do not know O'Neill. I tried to save your son, but was too late. As I made my way to Edora, I searched for Oma for her assistance. Unable to find her, I continued on." Skaara explained sadly.
"Both of my sons are gone, and it is my fault." O'Neill said in a monotone voice.
Laying O'Neill back, Skaara positioned his friend on the bed. Touching his fingertips to O'Neill's forehead, a momentary flash of light illuminated the bedroom. Using his ascended powers, Skaara put Jack into a deep slumber which would last for many hours. Refusing to abandon his grieving friend, Skaara stood at Jack's bedside, to look over him. Jack needed him, and Skaara would never abandon him.
Seconds later, Skaara felt a presence beside him. Aware of who this presence was, Skaara began to speak.
"He is heartbroken. I tried to prevent this. You could have prevented this, but I could not find you." Skaara stated plainly.
"I was closer to the tragedy that you know." Oma replied.
"Why did you not save O'Neill's son? O'Neill is my friend, and a good man." Skaara said.
"Yes, he is. General O'Neill may not be the leader Earth needs, but he is the leader they have." Oma answered in her unique cryptic nature.
"O'Neill will hunt the Lucian Alliance until their end." Skaara explained.
"That much I am sure of." Oma replied.
Star Gate Command, Cheyenne Mountain
Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
Seated in her office, General Samantha Carter added her signature to the event report before her. In that abbreviated report, Carter detailed the arrival of Aris Boch, and included the relevant mission report detailing the initial meeting of Aris Boch by SG-1. Since the arrival of the prisoner, a constant stream of phone calls had come in from across Earth, seeking an update about Edora. In addition, SG teams were busily engaged in deploying to and from Earth to Edora, while shuttling critically wounded to Earth for more in depth treatment.
Despite the flurry of activity, Samantha Carter wanted to do one thing, and one thing only. Upon hearing of Homer and Laira being aboard the SS Doubleday, Carter knew tragedy had visited O'Neill's life again. She yearned to be at Jack's side during this traumatic time. Knowing O'Neill well, Carter also feared the emotional fallout he would suffer from this in the longterm. Only time would tell how O'Neill handled the loss of a second child.
Pushing away from her desk, the commander of Star Gate command rose to her feet. Briskly striding out of her office, she made her way to the transporter booth installed at the end of the hall. While she could have just as easily taken the stairs, she wanted nothing to delay her questioning of the man held within the SGC brig. Entering the booth and touching her finger to the destination screen, Carter was engulfed in a wave of energy. Seconds later, she retook her physical form, and found herself standing on the lowest level of the facility.
Showing her identification badge to an Air Force Security Policeman standing guard at the outer door of the brig, Carter waited as the facilities sensors scanned her for any possible unauthorized tool or device. An audible chime announcing Carter was cleared to continue into the brig prompted the SP to waive the General through. Passing through the automated security door, Carter instructed the two guards within to return to their seats. Beyond these two guards, Carter saw the replica of the Atlantis brig, containing Aris Boch.
Entering the area surrounding the brig containment zone, Carter locked eyes with Aris Boch. Though it had been years since she had last seen the man, he had seemingly not aged at all. On his face was the same self assured and somewhat arrogant smile he had worn on the day of SG-1's capture. Rising to his feet, Aris Boch approached the green tinted energy field he was contained within.
"I remember when we first met. It was you locked within a force field. How times have changed. It is good to see you again Carter." Aris Boch said jovially.
"I wish I could say the same to you. Do you have any idea the repercussions your actions will generate?" General Carter asked acidly.
"Were I to venture a guess, I would say nothing but positive repercussions." Aris surmised.
"Do you really believe that? Lets examine the facts as they stand. You participated in a Lucian Alliance attack upon the interests of Earth. During this attack, you severely damaged one of our warships, wounded and killed diplomatic personnel, and managed to kill the child of a very important man on Earth. Now might be the time to rethink those possible repercussions.' Carter suggested angrily.
"Every time a human dies, the child of someone is lost. I myself have lost a son. Before you lecture me about possible outcomes, you might ask yourself if you are aware of the relevant facts. Are you aware of those relevant facts Samantha?" Aris asked softly.
"How about you enlighten me?" Carter asked sarcastically.
"The Lucian Alliance did attack you, this much is true. What you do not know is that my people and my world are also under their thumb. We slipped from oppression at the hands of Sokar, to oppression at the hands of the Lucian Alliance. When the call went out for ground forces, I volunteered to lead them. I did this not to inflict harm upon your world, but to prevent harm. My men never opened fire, and surrendered peacefully at my order. Are these the actions of an attacking force bent on destruction?" Aris asked lightly.
"Go on, I'm listening." Carter suggested.
"Throughout the galaxy, everyone knows the story of the plucky Tau'ri. Once a sad little backwater planet with dreams of exceptionalism, you are now a superpower. Earth has come far in a short time. When I defied Sokar and let you and the rest of SG-1 go free, I hoped that my generosity would be repaid one day with the freedom of my people. Earth has done much for many, but you never came to the aide of my people. When I learned of the attack on a Tau'ri controlled world, I knew your world would defend your possessions. My plan depended on you doing just that." Aris explained.
"What exactly was your plan then?" Carter asked.
"My plan was to land my forces on the targeted world, and do nothing. By doing nothing, I could prevent loss of life within my area of control. When you arrived, I would surrender, and as commander, be taken to Earth. I think my plan has worked marvelously well so far. What do you think?" Aris asked in amusement.
"Why would you want to be captured and brought to Earth?" Carter pressed.
"I am here to ask for Earth's assistance in freeing my people from the yoke of Lucian Alliance control. You made me a promise that you would help my people, and I am here to ask that you honor that promise." Aris explained.
"How exactly is the Lucian Alliance controlling your people?" Carter questioned.
"When the Goa'uld fell, the Lucian Alliance stepped immediately into the void left in their wake. They even use the same method of control." Aris hinted.
"The drug you provided me a sample of you mean?" Carter asked.
"We call it Rosh'na, but yes. The Lucian Alliance controls the facilities where it is manufactured, and they issue each man, woman, and child their weekly ration of it. I gave you the sample in hopes of a cure being found, so that a sudden stop in its supply would not lead to the extinction of my people." Aris stated.
"Myself and several medical researchers studied the sample you provided me. Rosh'na is not the potent control mechanism you believe it to be." Carter suggested.
"Without Rosh'na or a cure for Rosh'na, my people will die. If that is not a potent control mechanism, then I do not know what is." Aris Boch replied in irritation.
"What I am saying is that were your people to cease ingestion of Rosh'na, your people would not die. Sure, some very serious withdrawal symptoms would be present, but nothing lethal." Carter countered.
"How can that possibly be correct? Every time Rosh'na has been withheld, many get violently ill." Aris argued.
"Your people have been subjected to continued amphetamine exposure. Withdrawal is the natural reaction. Withdrawal may make you feel like you are dying, but you are actually not. Your people have been the subject of the galaxies longest con. Sokar bluffed, and the Lucian Alliance simply continued the bluff." Carter further explained.
"If what you say is true, then my people must be made aware of that fact. I have risked my life to help your world. Will your world repay my kindness and help me liberate my people?" Aris inquired.
"Because I know it will be asked when I report our conversation, what would liberating your world do for Earth?" Carter asked honestly.
"The majority of Lucian Alliance ground power is composed of my people. We are the backbone of their ground power. If you free my people, we will gladly go to war with our oppressors in thanks. What I am saying is that we will happily help you rid the galaxy of the Lucian Alliance." Aris swore.
"I will pass that information to my superiors. What I won't do is make you any promises that Earth will jump at the chance to involve ourselves in a ground war for your people's sake. I will go make a few phone calls, but for now I will instruct security to transfer you to more comfortable holding quarters." Carter finished.