Reversal of Fortune: Part 17
By
Gemsong

Two days. Forty-eight hours since Jack had been abducted. In a small dark office were three men. One was standing, while the other two were seated facing each other across a desk. The man in the white lab coat was leaning forward, his hands moving expressively as he spoke.

"There is no doubt about it," he was saying. "There has been full activation of all the information. Every one of his translations as been perfect and accurate. We can start him on the new material without a problem."

"So what exactly is the problem, Dr. Shannon?" the man behind the desk asked.

"He can only keep it up for a few hours at a time," the doctor said, disappointment and irritation evident. "After that he's simply too exhausted and sick to be of any use to us."

"The translations aren't important," the man said flatly.

The scientist looked at him in shock. "Mr. Simmons, please," Shannon said sputtering. "It would have taken us weeks... months! To do what he did in a matter of hours."

Simmons leaned forward smiling. A smile that did not reach his eyes. "But they are well within the capabilities of your staff, is that correct?" he asked.

"Well yes, but..."

"Then it is not important enough to waste time on it," Simmons said. He held up his hand to cut the scientist's protest off. "There is little useful information in those texts. However, you did say the child's mind contains all the ancient information that was downloaded?"

Shannon nodded a little petulantly. "Yes, sir," he said. "We're absolutely sure about that." He added, just in case the man doubted him.

"Then the information we want retrieved is there," Simmons said. "When O'Neill was first filled with the Ancient's knowledge, not only did he add dozens of new addresses to the stargate system, he also built a power source capable of enabling the stargate to access systems even more distant. If all that has been reactivated, the details of that power source are probably not the only technology lodged in his mind."

Shannon' eyes widened as if he just realized what that meant. Their scientific knowledge could advance by decades in a matter of days. "I understand sir," he said almost trembling with anticipation.

Simmons glanced at the man standing in the corner. "Will there be a problem with O'Neill, Turner?

The man shook his head. "I doubt it," he said. "Though his health is starting to deteriorate. The more he uses the knowledge the more it takes out of him. The kid is sick and exhausted. He can't put up much of a fight. But you could burn him out before you get everything out of his head."

Simmons nodded. "All right, do what you can," he said. "You're dismissed." He waited until Shannon and Turner had left closing the door behind them then picked up the phone. He waited until the call was answered. "Senator Kinsey, you wanted a status report?"

***

Daniel stood at the living room window, looking out. It had been his normal position in the last couple days. He had hoped to catch some glimmer or touch from Jack but there had been nothing, and that had him worried. He pushed up his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. He had tried reaching out to Jack, but all he ended up with was a headache.

It had been two days and he had nothing to show for it except stress and exhaustion from worry about Jack. It was dark outside. It was another night and no clues to where Jack could be. Currently Major Tomasello and Major Ferretti were in the kitchen going over the very few clues they had while imbibing pots of coffee. Teal'c was in Jack's room doing his Kel'nor'reem thing to get what rest he could. Sam had stayed as well, currently napping on Daniel's bed. They were all tired and struggling with a growing sense of helplessness.

All of Hammond's connections were giving them nothing they could connect to Jack's disappearance. It could be NID or the Trust or some group that they had never heard of. Or even some foreign power that wanted to get their hands on the advanced technology that was coming out of the Stargate.

Daniel knew the moment he was no longer alone in the living room. Slowly he turned around, a part of him already knowing what he would see. Shau're, glowing faintly in the dim light of the living room. He took a step toward her and stopped, staring at her. Drinking in the sight of her.

"Shau're," he said his voice barely more than a whisper.

Her smile was familiar and a little sad. There was worry in her dark eyes. "Danyel..." she said.

There was so much Daniel wanted to say to his wife. But none of the words passed his lips. For both of them was a much more urgent matter. Perhaps there would be another time for them to talk. But not now.

"Do you know where he is?" Daniel asked.

Sha're nodded. "Yes," she replied. "But I do not know your world. I do not know how to direct you."

Daniel nodded. "I felt him," he said. "I felt him call to me."

"Yes... he was able to reach you at first," Sha're said. "But he is too weak now. They are asking too much of him.

"Can you help me?" Daniel asked.

Sha're nodded and held out her hands. Daniel stepped closer, his hand hovering palms down over hers. She began to glow a little brighter, then he felt the touch of her hands clasping his. It was taking a lot of her energy to manifest to physically touch him, but the link needed to be as strong as she could make it.

Daniel felt her power. It was familiar. Much like his own when he had been an ascended being himself. He knew the cost it would for her.

"Lou!" he bellowed, his voice reaching to the other room. "I need a map!"

Ferretti and Tomasello burst into the room and stared. Daniel's shout had also awakened Teal'c and Sam and they came down the stairs. Teal'c was the least surprised by the vision of Daniel and a glowing Sha're standing with hands clasped.

For Jim Tomasello is would be a moment he would never forget. He knew strange things came through the gate. He even recalled a few rather.... Odd.... Incidents that didn't bear close scrutiny. But this... this was real and this was happening. He had a choice. He could either freak out or except this as part of reality. For a few precious seconds he considered his choice. Then with a deep breath he moved forward and opened the map in his hand and placed it on the coffee table near where the two were standing silent.

Within seconds a tiny light appeared over the map, moving slowly. Jim watched in amazement as it finally settled to one spot. As he looked at the location he realized it was hovering directly over their current location. The light appeared to hesitate and then it started moving southwest of their location. He put the tip of the marker on the map and moved it after the light until it came to a stop. It flared for a moment then vanished. Jim looked down at where his pen stopped.

"Warehouse district on the edge of town," he said.

Those watching were amazed as they watched Daniel and Shar're. They were both glowing now. Both of them were silent. They didn't know of the silent communication taking place.

<Jack...?> Daniel called mentally.

<Daddy?> came the faint weak reply.

<It's okay, son,> Daniel replied. <We're coming to get you. I need you to hold on for me. Can you do that?>

There was a faint pause. <I... I'll try, Daddy....> Jack said. <It hurts.... They want the machines in my head. Hurts Daddy... tired...>

<I know you are, baby. I'll be there soon. I promise.> Daniel replied. He tried to send all his love and strength to his son. <Do you know who took you?> he asked.

<Not.... Sure....> Jack replied. Then images filled his mind. Faces of the people that Jack had seen around him. There were names with some of them.

<Good job,> Daniel said. <I've got it. I know you don't feel good. But I need you to do something. Do you think you can try to do it?>

<I'll try... Daddy...>

<I want you to be too sick to work,> Daniel said.

<Sick now.... They don't care.....> Jack replied.

Another voice joined Daniel's in Jack's mind. <You are not alone, my little one,> Shar're said. <Skar'ra will help you.>

There was another long pause. <Skar'ra's here.... Come soon Daddy...>

<I will. I promise. Wait for me.> Daniel said.

Daniel felt the connection between him and Jack. As he opened his eyes, he could see Shar're fading as well.

"Danyel.... I...." She began, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Daniel nodded. "I understand," he said. "Rest. We'll bring him home."

Shar're nodded and then vanished completely from sight. Daniel turned to the four who were now staring at him. His expression was unlike any they had ever seen before. His eyes were like blue steel. An unconscious imitation of the adult Jack on a mission.

"Sam, I need personnel files," Daniel said. "Known NID operatives and Area 51 personnel. Simmons is back."

"Simmons?!" Ferretti nearly spat the name out like a curse.

"Jack has seen about 10 guards and about 5 scientists," Daniel said. "He heard Simmons's name mentioned."

Ferretti and Tomasello exchanged glances. "We'll get the teams together," Lou said going to the phone.

Sam had already opened her laptop and was typing fast to access the information Daniel asked for. Teal'c was using Sam's cell phone to call General Hammond and update him on the situation.

Daniel turned away as they went to work. They had a location and would soon have a plan. The only real problem they would have would be limiting the number of people who would want in on this mission. Jack was one of them, regardless of his size. And they were going to get him back.