So far as Jack was concerned, this qualified as a bad day, Pretty much all the way around. Added to the weekend shaping up the way it did, he was NOT in a good mood. First the General's bombshell about being replaced. Then Bra'tac's little warning about Anubis, with Teal'c going off world to help find him a ship.
On the plus side, at least Dr. Weir seemed to have a backbone. She was willing to stand up to Kinsey, for the time being. Jeez, why didn't someone order a recount? How could anyone vote for that sleaze bag?
Turning the corner, he suddenly stopped. Looking thoughtful, he turned around and ran back towards the briefing room. Passing Daniel and Sam in the control rool, he rounded a corner and hit the stairs leading up at a run, finally skidding to a stop in Dr. Weir's office.
"Wait. We need to contact Voyager. They've got what I need."
Following him into the room, Daniel and Sam both looked confused.
"What are you talking about? They've got what?"
"I don't know. I just know we need to call 'em up and hope like hell they'll help us out."
Looking skeptical, Dr. Weir replied, "We don't know anything about them. We don't know if they're friendly, or if their technology can help us, or...."
"Look, I don't know why. All I know is you've GOT to let me call them up!"
Trying to keep things under control, Daniel interjected, "Dr. Weir, this is like last time. He didn't know why he did the things he did, but the knowledge the Ancient repository placed in his head drove him to do things that turned out to be just what we needed. If he's so sure we need their help, I'd say we need their help."
Looking unsure, Dr. Weir looked at Sam. "Can they be trusted?"
Nodding, Daniel replied, "Once we got past the initial stages of trying to figure out what happened, they seemed like just the kind of people we're looking for anyway. I think so, yes."
Looking impatient, Jack added in, "Hey, they're friendly, they're stuck here and seem to want our help, too. They may be just what the doctor ordered. Ya know....if....the doctor would just....order."
Raising an eyebrow, she chose to otherwise ignore the pun. "OK, you can contact them. See what they can do to help. But be careful what you tell them."
Turning, Jack smiled. "Yes ma'am. I just hope they can thast us."
Looking at Daniel, Dr. Weir started to say something, but he cut her off.
"Help. Thast is Ancient for help." Turning, he and Sam hurried after Jack.
Shaking her head, Dr. Weir could only wonder what she had gotten herself into....
***
"Captain, we're being hailed. It's Earth, through the transciever we gave them."
"On screen, Mr. Kim." Turning, she regarded the viewscreen as Jack's face became visible, and could instantly tell that something was wrong. "Colonel O'Neill. What's happened, is everything OK?"
"Negative, Captain. Uh, see, there's a couple of things, actually, and we....I....could REALLY use your help."
"How can we assist you?"
"OK, long story short 'cause I'm kinda pressed for time. I've had the entire collective knowledge of the most advanced species to ever inhabit our universe downloaded into my brain, and it's slowly gonna drive me insane and kill me, and we can't get it out by ourselves. On top of that, since we kinda got there first, Anubis is pissed, and on his way here with a big fleet of ships and a BIG chip on his shoulder. I'm kinda hoping you'd see your way clear to give us a lift, and maybe help us out with this."
Looking concerned, Janeway thought a moment. "We scanned a large assortment of vessels coming together near a planet. That is most likely his fleet. There were too many of them for us to face alone, I'm afraid we wouldn't last long against him."
"I know. See, thing is, I think I've got the solution in my head. As the knowledge takes over, I seem to know what to do, but don't know why at the time. I know you can't fight them alone, I just need a ride, and your help with few odds and ends, and maybe see if you guys have a way to get this stuff out of my fron!"
Looking surprised, Katherine was about to ask, when a voice from off-screen added, "Head, Jack. 'Fron' means head."
Looking annoyed, Jack shot a look to the side, then looked back. "Right. Fron. So. Is there any chance you can help us out?"
"Just a moment, Colonel." Turning, she nodded at Ensign Kim, who muted the audio. Turning back to Chakotay, she asked, "Well, Commander?"
"I'm not sure, Captain. He seems sincere. And we've come across stranger things. It just seems awfully convenient to me that now they need our help."
Looking up from his console, Tuvok interjected, "I agree, Captain. I am unsure what Colonel O'Neill is hoping to gain from us, but I suspect the timing of these events."
Looking up from his own console, Harry added, "Captain, I checked with the universal translator. That word he mentioned, fron, appears to be a derivative of several known languages from Earth's history. And one or two similarities from other planets, as well."
"Thank you, Harry." Turning back to Tuvok and Chakotay, she added, "Well, there's one indicator in their favor. If for no other reason, as far as I'm concerned, he's requesting medical help, and I can't deny that to a potential ally. I'm going to grant their request, within reason. But we'll keep an eye on them while they're aboard, and try to find out if they're motives for requesting help are something besides what they're telling us."
She turned back towards the screen. Taking his cue, Harry resumed audio.
"Colonel, we're willing to help you, if we can. One problem, though, we're still several days away from Earth. Will you be able to meet us somewhere?"
"Ummm....hold on a sec, let me get...." Turning to look off screen, he called out, "Hey! Carter! Come find out where they're at so we can meet 'em at the nearest gate!"
Switching places with her CO, she smiled at the Captain. "Um...hi. OK. In order to meet up with you, I kinda need to know where you are. Can you send me a chart of where you are and your current course and speed?"
"Of course. Harry?"
Nodding, Harry tapped a few keys. "On it's way, Captain."
Turning to her laptop off screen, Sam tapped a few keys and read for a moment. "OK, got it. Wow, on the edge of Anubis's main territory, that'll make it difficult. Now, pull up the database....OK, that won't work. Neither will that. Hmmm. Yep, that's better." Turning back to the screen, she smiled, and said, "OK, I'm sending you a chart of the planet safest to meet at."
Looking back at Harry, the Captain asked, "Harry?"
"Got it ma'am. Looks like a minor detour, about three hours at current speed. Sensors show no ships in the vicinity of the planet."
Facing front again, she ordered, "Mr. Paris, alter course. Colonel, we'll be there in about three hours."
Coming back into view, Jack smiled at her. "Great! Just great! I know this sounds derantis...."
"Crazy," came from off screen.
"...Yeah, derantis, but I'm sure that it's just perfect! Oh, yeah, one other thing....I'll be bringing some stuff with us. Don't ask, I don't know why, I just know we'll need it."
Hiding her curiosity, she wondered what kind of "stuff" he was refering to. "Very well, we'll have some cargo space prepared. We look forward to seeing you again, Colonel. Janeway out."
Turning back to her first officer as the screen reverted to the view of the starfield in warp, Janeway ordered, "Commander, prepare cargo bay 3 for our visitors. Warn the doctor as well, he's going to need to see the Colonel as soon as possible if he's going to be able to help him."
Giving her one of his sly smiles, Chakotay commented, "And maybe to verify his story?"
"That too. Regardless, I want him checked out as soon as possible."
"Understood." with that, he left the bridge.
***
Walking into the storage room, Dr. Weir looked at the vast amount of gear piled on the cart in the room, then turned to see Daniel and Sam standing against the wall, watching the show. "Teal'c just called in, he found a cargo ship and pilot. What's going on?"
Looking harried, Jack replied, "Voyager. They agreed. I'm just getting some supplies. Don't ask. But I'd rather go with them, easier to do what we need to do."
Daniel, already understanding, took pity. "Same thing as before, he just kinda grabs stuff. Then later he uses it to....do....whatever needs doing. He won't understand until later why he needs it, he just knows that he does."
Talking as he walked past towards a shelf, he casually commented to Daniel, "Ya think you can get a hold of T, let him know where to meet us? That cargo ship he found may come in handy."
Nodding, Daniel turned to leave the room. "Shouldn't be a problem."
Dropping a container on the cart, he pauses, then tells Carter, "Grab a naquadah generator, will ya? I don't think we'll need it, but they will." He turned away, heading towards the other end of the room.
"Um....Yes, sir."
Dr. Weir's head spun. "A naquadah....Colonel, are you sure about all this?"
"Nope. But whatever is bouncing around inside my head is. If I ever get to speaking to it I'll be sure to ask what it's up to. Daniel may have to translate the answer, though."
"I just hope it's...YOU'RE right."
"I promise, you'll be one of the first to know. I hope. I wonder if they got duct tape on starships?"