"Open the iris." General Jack O'Neill ordered.
SG-7 walked through looking tired.
"Welcome home, debrief at 1300."
The Colonel nodded and led his team out.
"Who's still out?"
"SG-2, 3, 9 and 12 sir." Walter Harriman answered.
"Keep the light on for them."
"Yes sir."
Jack headed for the elevator and soon found himself at Daniel's door.
"How's the hand?"
"Better. Brightman still has me on antibiotics for any infection."
SG-1 had been on a routine, as much as leaving Earth and going to another planet was routine, mission. Daniel had wanted to check out some artifacts they'd seen on the M.A.L.P. and Jack decided his friend deserved some time to do his thing so he okayed it. They returned two hours later with Daniel's hand bloodied. He'd admitted, with embarrassment, that he tripped and in trying to stop from flattening his face on the ground he'd put his hands out, the left one got sliced on a sharp rock. No stitches were required but it was wrapped and he got the pills to be on the safe side. Jack noticed the bottle on the table.
"You get any sleep last night?"
"Yeah."
"Daniel."
"I managed a couple of hours. SG-7 find anything?"
"Debrief at 1300, you want to get some lunch?" Jack knew he was being deflected but allowed it intending to send Daniel home early tonight.
"Sure. Teal'c and Sam?"
"Carter and her eggheads are ogling over some tech. Teal'c is... not in his room."
Daniel smirked as he finished on the computer.
"Lunch for two then." He said letting the screensaver come up.
The men walked to the messhall and enjoyed lunch together then both returned to work.
"Sergeant?"
"I'm not feeling so good doc."
"Come on over, let's take a look." Dr. Brightman motioned to the SF. Hearing more feet she looked over at the door to see SG-7. "Gentlemen?"
"We don't feel so hot." The Colonel said for all of them.
"I'll get Dr. Warner." She nodded and motioned them to take a bed as she headed for the phone.
Jack reread the briefing notes he got from SG-7. His eyes swam a little and he closed them, the phone rang and he answered with a sigh.
"O'Neill."
'It's Dr. Brightman, General, we have a problem.'
"Problem?"
'We have 17 people suffering from an illness... make that 19.'
"Quarantine?"
'Yes.'
"Alright." He replied and disconnected then dialed out. "This is General O'Neill, the base is now under quarantine, no one comes in, no one leaves, effective immediately. Anyone who tries to is to be detained until further notice." He ordered and hung up. He picked up the red phone and informed the President then headed to the control room. "Attention all hands, the base is now under quarantine, no one is permitted to leave, cooperation is mandatory, O'Neill out." He ordered and shuffled to the stairs.
"Where are you going sir?"
"To the Infirmary, Walter." Jack replied and left.
Brightman looked up and sighed.
"Take this bed General."
Jack nodded and fell onto it with a groan.
Brightman hooked him up to an IV to prevent dehydration.
"Report."
"We haven't been able to identify it except that it's a virus."
"Alien?"
"Maybe, or just a mutated Earth virus. I've called the CDC."
Jack nodded and closed his eyes.
Brightman looked around and shook her head. Thirty patients in less than two hours... and I have a feeling this is only the beginning. At least most of the second shift hadn't arrived when we quarantined.
"Nurse Evans, start placing people in crew quarters."
"Yes ma'am. We still have ten beds open, including Dr. Jackson's."
"I'm sure Daniel will turn up here eventually, leave it open."
Nurse Evans nodded and headed out to prepare the quarters.
"Sergeant... you don't look so good." Sam said entering the control room.
"Permission to report to the Infirmary?"
"Go." Sam nodded and took the chair.
She had stopped at the Infirmary to see if she could help and was shocked to find so many sick. The General had motioned her over and left her in charge. With a sigh she checked the computer and saw four teams were still out. She dialed up the gate.
"SG-2, please respond."
'This is Ferretti, go ahead.'
"We have a situation, unless you are under attack or have an emergency, you are to remain off-world until instructed otherwise."
'Ma'am?'
"Those are the orders Major."
'Yes ma'am. SG-2 out.'
She shut down the gate then contacted SG-3, 9 and 12, telling them the same.
One of the two SF's in the gateroom swayed.
"Sergeant, are you ill?"
The man nodded looking apologetic.
"Report to the Infirmary."
He nodded and shuffled out.
Sam sighed wondering how many more were going down to this virus.
Daniel finished his translations and stretched as he stood. A check of his watch showed it was 6:15, dinnertime, so he headed to Sam's lab but she wasn't there, a knock on Teal'c's door went unanswered and Jack didn't pick up his phone. Daniel frowned wondering where they were.
'All healthy personnel with a level 8 clearance please report to the control room.'
That was Sam... and she didn't sound too good.
He changed directions and headed for the elevator, it only took a few minutes before he reached level 28 and it was a quick walk up the steps to the booth.
Sam looked over upon hearing feet on the metal stairs and saw Daniel.
"Where is everybody?"
"Infirmary." Sam mumbled and rose.
"Everyone? The halls are deserted!" He vaguely recalled Jack's announcement.
Sam made her way to the phone and called the Infirmary.
"This is Colonel Carter, total cases? Thank you." She turned to him and sighed. "Three quarters of the base and they're still coming in."
"What do we do?"
"You feel okay?"
"I feel fine."
"Good. You have command of the gate." She replied and started for the stairs. "SG teams 2, 3, 9 and 12 are out, I told them not to come home unless under attack or medical emergency until they are contacted."
"Uh... okay." He watched her go and looked at the gate hoping no one needed to return.
"Doc." O'Neill croaked.
"Most everybody is down sir."
"Is it me or do you not look so good?"
"It's not you." She sighed and injected his IV. "Get some more rest."
"I'd say ditto but..."
The ailing doctor nodded and shuffled away.
Jack closed his eyes and drifted off not seeing his 2-IC stumble in then be led to a VIP room.
So what would Jack or Sam do? One to four ratio, need to take control immediately. Daniel ran down to the weapons locker, got what he needed and was on his way back when the the siren went off.
"Crap!" He muttered taking the stairs three at a time.
'This is SG-3, we're taking fire, open the iris!'
"It's open." Daniel replied and a moment later the foursome ran down the ramp, Daniel closed the iris. "Stay there a minute." He requested.
The unit was startled to see him enter in a MOP 2 headcovering, they had no time to react as he zatted them into unconsciousness.
Daniel used the plastic cuffs on them then removed their weapons and packs and waited.
"What the--!" Reynolds scowled feeling his hands behind his back. He looked around as the rest of his team started to stir.
"Everyone on your feet."
"Dr. Jackson? What's going on?!?" Reynolds demanded.
"Please do as I say."
The Colonel eyed the weapon he held, not a zat this time. He knew the archeologist was a decent shot.
"You won't get away with this you snakehead!"
"If I were a bad guy I'd say that's a cliche. Head for the door."
The team obeyed and Daniel ordered them into the holding cell and closed the door.
"What's going on?"
"Can't say."
"Or won't say." Reynolds eyed him.
"Take your pick." Daniel replied and left them.
"What about the cuffs--"
The main door closed and locked.
"What's going on sir?"
"Damned if I know." Reynolds frowned.
Daniel pulled the headcovering off and redonned his glasses.
"Thank God they didn't fight me." He sighed and headed for the control booth.
He had enough cuffs for the other teams and fervently hoped they wouldn't be needed... it would be a long night for a lone civilian otherwise.
Daniel poured another cup of coffee and settled in.
"We've been confined for a while sir, do you think he forgot about us?"
"I don't know."
They looked up as the door opened and Daniel entered wearing the covering and carrying a tray of food.
"Jackson, what the hell--!"
"Move to the door and turn around." Daniel interrupted. "Now, please." He added when Reynolds didn't move.
Reynolds scowled but nodded to his team.
They could feel Daniel examining their wrists then Reynolds felt his right arm cut free.
"Everyone move to the bunks."
"Do as he says." The CO ordered.
Once they were away from the door Daniel opened it and pushed the tray inside with his foot.
"Sorry, you'll have to use your fingers." He apologized and re-locked the door. "Undo the others and throw the cuffs out to me."
Reynolds did so and Daniel pocketed them then headed for the door.
"Where's General O'Neill?"
Daniel stopped a moment, shook his head then left them alone again.
Picking up his own tray outside the door he plodded to the elevator and went to the control room, the clock read 10 p.m.
"The siren went off several hours ago, that means someone is still upstairs." Nurse Clark told Nurse Evans and picked up the phone.
'Control room.'
"We need help down in the Infirmary."
'There's no one left to help.'
She heard the weary sigh but pressed on.
"Can't you come down?"
'Someone needs to guard the gate.'
"Can't we call for help?"
'You heard Jack's... the General's orders. Do you really want to risk exposing anyone else?'
Nurse Clark knew only one person on the entire base got away with calling General O'Neill by his first name.
"Dr. Jackson?"
'Yeah, look just do your best okay?'
"We--"
The siren went off and she heard the dial tone.
"We're on our own." She said hanging up.
Daniel quickly zatted Ferretti's team, Satterfield had injured her arm, Daniel cuffed them and once they came to, locked them up as well.
"Daniel--"
"Don't Ferretti." Daniel sighed and left.
"What's going on sir?"
"I don't know Major, he did the same to us." Reynolds answered.
"I don't think he's been compromised sir." Lt. Egan said gaining their attention. "He brought us food and leaving the cuffs on for so long..." He trailed off glancing at SG-2.
Reynolds nodded his understanding.
Daniel couldn't know if they'd been infected by the Goa'uld so he had been cautious, zatting them then cuffing them.
"We're not Goa'uld." Satterfield winced as the cuffs rubbed against her injury.
"He couldn't tell." Smith answered.
"An MRI would." Lt. Gordon groused.
"Enough!" Reynolds ordered and everyone grew silent.
If there is a Goa'uld here then we can't give them any useful information... like the fact the halls were deserted when Daniel brought us down here and we've had no post exam, including MRI and there are no guards posted outside... Daniel is virtually on his own with whatever has happened. Guess we wait and see if SG-2 is as clean as we were.
The prisoners roused hearing the door and Daniel ordered Ferretti's team to do as Reynolds had. He checked for attempt to break the cuffs and was relieved to find none then he cut Ferretti loose, made them back away as he slid a food tray into the cell. He had new dressings, antibiotic cream and pills for Satterfield's injury then had Ferretti take the cuffs off and toss them to him.
"Daniel, we're not Goa'uld, you know that now. Tell us what's going on." Ferretti pleaded.
"You're not Goa'uld but you could have brought something back... we both know protocol." Daniel replied turning for the door.
"At least tell us what happened to everybody else." Ferretti tried.
Daniel sighed and left.
"He sounded tired." Satterfield said as Warren changed her bandages.
Ferretti's eyes fell to the door and his thoughts to the man on the other side.
He didn't look to steady on his feet either and his color was a bit off. What happened to everyone else that Daniel is apparently running everything? It has to be big...and possibly bad, be bad but not bad enough for Daniel to trust us to help. I hope whatever it is it's over soon... for him and us. If Daniel succumbs then we're all in trouble.
Can't sleep! Daniel squeezed his burning eyes shut and forced them open again. A clance at the clock, 04:42. I've pulled all nighters before! He scolded himself. Not when you're sick. A voice chimed in. "Not sick." He mumbled rubbing his eyes as his head started to throb. "Just close my eyes for a minute." He said and his head drooped as he fell into an exhausted sleep.
"General? What are you doing?" Nurse Clark hurried over as he sat up and started to take the IV out.
"I've got a base to run." Jack groaned.
"You're still sick."
"I feel better."
"You have a fever." She checked his temperature.
"Look, Nurse Clark--!"
"Please lie down and rest. Dr. Jackson is handling everything in the gateroom."
"And?"
"And what sir?"
"Daniel and who else?" He asked impatiently.
"Well... no one else. Just Dr. Jackson as far as I know."
"Carter? Teal'c?" He demanded.
"They're both sick sir."
"Crap!" Jack started to slide his legs off the bed.
"Everything is fine sir! The gate activated twice and no one showed up here so he must have handled it." She assured him trying to get him back into bed.
"Would you stop that!" He snapped.
"Sir, we're feeling better. We'll relieve Dr. Jackson." SG-7 came over.
"Good, help me up."
The nurse sighed and shrugged to the men. Their CO was a notoriously bad patient.
The colonel nodded and helped Jack to his feet.
Jack would silently admit he still felt a little unsteady but loads better than when he'd first come in yesterday.
"When the others are strong enough have them return to duty."
"Yes sir." Clark hid her sigh.
"Anything from the CDC?"
"It's a new strain of Influenza A."
"Earth based then." Jack said relieved.
"Yes sir, it just has to run its course."
Jack nodded and led the others out.
Daniel slowly awoke to a cool hand on his forehead.
"Jack?" He blinked and sat up.
"Yeah. Go to the Infirmary Daniel."
"Have to watch the gate." Daniel said, eyes drifting to it.
"We're here now, go and sleep and when you wake up you'll feel better."
"Promise?"
"Yeah." Jack helped him to his feet and Daniel shuffled to the stairs where he stopped and frowned a moment, his face a picture of concentration.
"Daniel?"
"Um...oh! SG-2 and 3 are in the brig."
"Okay." Jack felt a smile tug at his lips. "You did good Daniel."
"Thanks." Daniel sighed and left.
"Colonel, Daniel then the brig."
"Right sir." He nodded and followed Daniel.
The rest of SG-7 had taken up position in the gateroom.
Jack smiled at the coffee cups littering the console then picked them up and tossed them into the trash can and sat down.
You did real good Danny.
The teams in the brig looked up to see the Colonel.
"Get to the Infirmary and get checked out." He ordered releasing them.
"What's been going on sir?" Ferretti asked for them all.
"Dr. Jackson didn't tell you?"
"Protocol."
"Of course. Everyone but Dr. Jackson and two nurses came down with the flu. Dr. Jackson has it now too."
"He ran this place all by himself." Ferretti shook his head.
"Did a damn fine job apparently." Reynolds replied and led them all out for the Infirmary.
Daniel's eyes opened and he looked around.
"DanielJackson."
"Hey Teal'c."
"Welcome back Rip." Sam smiled placing her hand on his forehead.
"Rip?" Teal'c asked.
"Van Winkle. Slept for twenty years." Jack answered joining them.
"DanielJackson has only been sleeping for two days." Teal'c replied.
"You do that on purpose." Jack glared.
Teal'c smiled slightly making Daniel chuckle.
"So Daniel, I was thinking... I got vacation coming up and need someone to run this place--"
"Forget it! Find another victim! I did my time!" Daniel cut him off and rolled onto his side pulling the covers up.
"You've been sleeping for two days!" Jack groused.
"With only two hours in the nearly two days before that, now go away before I give you the unabridged version of P3Q-772." Daniel replied, eyes closed.
"Long?" Jack frowned.
"Very." Daniel promised.
Jack made a face and jerked his thumb toward the door.
"We'll come by later." Sam said and soon Daniel heard their footsteps retreat leaving only blessed silence that lulled him back to peaceful... and well deserved slumber.