The Mystery of the Thing Pt 1

Posted on Sun Mar 24th, 2019 @ 12:18am by Major Jacob Asher & Captain Kevin Hawkins & Civillian Dr. Jessica Andrews & Civillian Ravi Azad PhD & Civillian Selyna Braeden

Mission: The Lost Boys and Girls
Location: The Altar
Timeline: Arrival +9 hours to Arrival + 10 hours

Jake and Hawk kept watch over the Doctors Three as they furiously worked their terminals and tried to sort through the information on them. The Bird People had organized the available data in such a way that the most relevant information could be easily accessed, while making sure that even the wildest of theories was available to research if necessary.

It was early evening, according to Jake's body clock, but it was still light out.

Jess spoke. "Okay, thanks to the.... hologram.... We've managed to get a much more precise translation of the runes, and I must admit, this makes less sense now than ever. 'The spiral of healing will respond to the flesh. The blood in the cup will sanctify the flesh. Then eternity shall be in your hands.'"

*Jessica.* Salara mentioned internally. *It may come to pass that our team may not have the maturity to continue their efforts.*

'Lets focus on the here and now, Salara.' She flipped out her flashlight and continued to read the runes.

*It may be necessary to disarm our compatriots. They will have to sleep sometime. We can remove the clips from their guns then.*

Jess made it seem like she was studying runes. 'One problem at a time.'

"It's got to be a riddle," added Ravi, running his fingers through his already mussed hair. "I used to be good at riddles. My brother and I used to make them up." But, try as he might, he could not come up with anything that made any sort of sense. "Perhaps... perhaps if we take one piece... the spiral of healing... DNA? DNA is a double spiral. Does that make any sense?"

Jessica thought a moment. "We theorize that this machine may use nanotechnology, or a type of bio-technology. But I wonder. If we have taken basic biology, we learned that every cell is a mutation of another cell, a duplicate. It's the level of mutation that facilitates our aging process. What if this machine, ensures our cells conform to a pre-determined template? Like an engineering blueprint. God I could be wrong... We need a geneticist with background in genetic engineering and we have one Archaeologist and Cultural Anthropologist that the Major thinks has her head up her ass; charming, an Astrophysicist, and an Engineering PhD." Jess noted.

"You don't always have your head up your ass," Jake said. "Only sometimes. For example, your shoulders don't appear to be touching your ass cheeks at the moment."

Taking in the surrounding and what was going on, Kevin smirked as he shook his head before turning his visual focus on the exterior away from the group of scientists. "That's pretty messed up, Major."

"Yes, yes it is," Jake said. Then he motioned to Hawk that he heard something on the path. The two officers covered the path and waited to see what came down the path.

Late afternoon of SG-1's first day on the planet, the gate activated again, and out stepped four individuals in biohazzard suits. Each was leading a remote control rover stacked with crates. They carefully navigated the rovers down the steps, being sure not to lose any of the supplies. When they were all successfully through, their leader, a woman, turned to one of the others.

"Okay," she said. "Set that thing up fast."

"Yes, Ma'am," the man said. He removed a device of some sort and went around behind the stargate, the side opposite of the DHD and set up the device in question. "We should be good, Ma'am," he said when he was done.

"Good," their leader said. "Let's move out! CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service to the rescue!"

The other's chuckled and followed their leader down the path that General Wolf had said led to the altar. It was slow going when they reached the altar. Their rovers made noise as they moved, and they weren't exactly being stealthy themselves at the moment, so to avoid getting shot, their leader called out to the team members there.

"Major Jacob Asher!" their leader called out. "I'm Captain Camilla Valenti. I'm a medical doctor and infectious disease specialist in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. I'm currently the deputy chief of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service! My team and I are here to help! General Wolf sent us! Permission to approach?"

"Slowly," he said. "And keep your hands where I can see them."

Valenti complied. "I'd show you my face, Major, but that's a bit problematic at the moment with the gear on. Allow me to introduce my colleagues. Commander Michael Chow is a Nurse Practitioner and also a specialist in Infectious Diseases. Lieutenant Commanders Roberto Vasquez and Mohamed Djebar are MDs like me, as well as microbiologists who specialize in infectious diseases."

Jake lowered his weapon and motioned for Hawk to do the same. "We're glad to see you, Ma'am," he said. USPHSCC used naval ranks, so that meant that both Valenti and Chow outranked him, while Vasquez and Djebar were equal to him in rank. "These are Captain Kevin Hawkins, Doctor Jessica Andrews, Archaeologist and Anthropologist, Doctor Selyna Braeden, Astrophysicist, and Doctor Ravi Azad, our engineering specialist."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Valenti said. "Though I'm sure I speak for my whole team when I say I wish the circumstances of our meeting were different. Unfortunately for us, when we're out on assignment, most of the people we encounter are having a really, really bad day. I understand this device here might have something to do with this infection you've all got?"

"I think I can speak for us all when I say, its not one of those infections that don't sting. But unlike those, I don't think a pill will help. Maybe a shot in the butt though," Hawk shot off not really thinking. He paused as he looked at the group and shrugged. "Sorry, It was just an observation."

"Not a problem, Captain Hawkins," Valenti said. "Major, unless you have an objection to voice, I think I'll set up our mobile labs in this clearing. The forest around here looks pretty think. I don't know that we'd find another clearing near by and frankly I don't think we have the time to waste."

"No, Ma'am," Jake said. "Set up wherever you want. We've got a campsite nearby. My medics and one other member of my team are there, so are the 2000 year-old kids. Those members of my team, ma'am. They're very young, in their twenties. They haven't got a lot of time, ma'am."

Camilla nodded. "I understand, Major," she said. "Let us get set up and we'll start working on the cure for this thing."

Jake nodded. "Um, Ma'am? Have you been informed of the...special circumstances of two of my team members?"

Camilla nodded. "We've been briefed by Project New Dawn's physician on Salara and Shae, Major. Don't worry, we'll take good care of your people. Doctor Andrews, once we're set up, we're going to need some blood and other samples from you to see if there's anything in you we can use to create an antidote. And we'll want to examine Shae, Major, so we'll need you to make that introduction. Might be best if you went and gave your team a heads up that we're here so they don't panic when they see us setting up our lab."

Jake nodded. "Yes, Ma'am," he said. "Hawk, can you keep an eye on things here?"

With a nod, the captain stood up to try and focus even more dispute what was going on with them. ”Can do, Major."

"Okay," Jake said. "Let's go." He led the group over to where they wanted to set up their lab. They'd been on the planet for about eight hours, now. That meant they'd lost about four years each so far. Not yet time to worry about Shae and the others, but Jake was still worried.

"One second," Valenti turned to Chow. "Give your rover controller to the major and take a kit off of the rover. Stay here, do a preliminary interview and exam, and get some blood and cheek swabs. Then bring everything to the lab."

"Yes, Ma'am," Commander Chow said. "Okay folks! Who wants to go first?"

Jessica spoke to the doctors. "I and Salara will donate whatever is needed if it will help, however we don't think it will do much good. I'm still very much infected. This will give me an opportunity to brief you what we know about this technology.

Jake rolled his eyes and shrugged. Valenti patiently waited.

Jess spoke. "What you are seeing is quite possibly the most advanced and dangerous example of biotechnology, and possibly nanotechnology I have ever encountered. I hypothesize it's capable of effecting our genetics in such a way, that it can make these children here live two thousand years. The applications of this device are both fascinating and horrifying. We're not sure who built it, but from what we've discovered, another race of 'bird people' placed it here so we could find a cure using this apparatus. Apparently they instructed Gaelic Celts on how to use this machine, but the Celts didn't make the most clear instructions on how to use this. It's like having the Greeks try to explain the Internet." Jessica noted. "I'm focusing on the Mycenean translations of the text, their civilization was far more advanced in the areas of science and philosophy to explain the natural world, but our time is short. We've discovered a riddle that might help though. I hope you've studied Genetics and we can fill in the blanks in our collective knowledge. And don't mind the Major. He's going to call us the 'Doctors Seven' now."

"Thank you, Doctor," Valenti said. "But we've got to get that lab set up so we can get out of these suits before we pass out. Trust that we've got plenty of medical knowledge between us and that we'll do everything in our power to help you. All of you just tell everything you know to Commander Chow. He'll record everything you tell him. Major?"

Jake chuckled and led the Captain and the two Lieutenant Commanders to the spot they said they wanted to set up, leaving Chow to deal with Hawk and the brain trust.

"Alright," Chow said. "Doctor Andrews, if you'll please come over here and sit on this...slab or whatever it is, I'm going to take your vitals and ask you some questions to start things off."

Chow did as he said, performed a perfunctory examination and both drew blood and swabbed her cheek.

"Okay, Doctor Andrews," Chow said. "You're all set. Doctor Azad, if you would please come over here next."

“Of course,” replied Ravi, crossing to where the Doctor of medicine waited to take his vitals. “Do you lot even know what you are look for?” he asked as he took a seat.

"Not yet," Chow said. "But we're really good at our jobs, so I think we'll figure it out."

"How is a check swab going to help if you are also getting a blood draw?" Kevin asked as he watched over the group.

Chow looked at Hawkins. "As Doctor Andrews stated, their may be a genetic component. We're going to be running a lot of tests on the blood. The cheek swab just gives us more DNA to work with. Don't worry, Captain. This is what we do for a living and like I said, we're good at it."

"Not questioning your skills, Doc. Just seems like a lot, and curious is all," Hawk replied as he shrugged before looking at the group before wandering when it would have to be his turn.

"Commander," Chow said. "Because it's my rank and because I hate being called 'Nurse'. It makes people think I change bedpans for a living." Chow finished up with Ravi. "Huh. No fever. I expected Doctor Andrews not to have a fever because of her Tok'Ra, but I would think that if the rest of you have an infection, at least one of you would have a fever. That would be a sign that your bodies were fighting the infection. Well, Captain Hawkins, I guess I'll take a look at you next. Step into my office," Chow said, indicating the slab he was using as an exam table.

Chow examined Hawk, drew blood, and did the cheek swab. "Hmmm...also no fever. Okay, Captain. You're done. Doctor Braeden, if you would be so kind?"

Selyna simply moved to sit where Chow indicated silently. She was mulling what they knew about the device, but that wasn't much. It frustrated her that she had so little to offer on this, but there was nothing for it. So she merely let the doctor do what he needed.

Chow examined Selyna, took blood, and did the cheek swab. "Hmmm...also no fever. Alright, I'm done with you guys for now. I would like to get a look at that terminal. I'm assuming that's how you're getting access to your information on the problem?"

"Everything we've gathered so far is there," answered Ravi. "Although I can't help but think that this thing is the key," he added, nodding to the whatever-it-was artifact they'd been attempting to decipher.

Jessica spoke. "And it all dates back to a legend and a myth. Wait. We may already know what will save us, and its in the Arthurian legends. Mythology contains elements of truth gleaned from can be explained... or can't. We need to find a cup, or something that looks like a medical container for this device. "The Spiral of Healing is wakened by the flesh. The Blood in the cup... Will revitalize the flesh." Jess turned to the CDC personnel. "Is it possible that this is a machine that controls how a human body ages based on the templates of those who use it... and it's last users were... children.." Jessica looked around. "We need to find all the pieces of the device, and knowing ancient cultures, they'll put such things in places suitable for artifacts of these bird people."

For a second, the hologram flashed to life, but there seemed to be no audio. Then the image began to flicker. Then it died out.

Chow was glad he had his mask on. It hid his surprise. He keyed his mike and spoke on the channel unique to the CDC team. He had a headset for output, so the team could only hear one side of the conversation. "Valenti, Chow, it seems the hologram attempted to appear. Uh... something seems to be wrong with it."

"Shit. Understood. Keep working." Valenti responded.

"Understood," Chow said. "Chow out." He turned his attention to the others. "Captain Valenti wants us to pick up the pace. Nose to the grindstone people."

Really? Were they really going Holy Grail on her? That was some Grade A Bullshit! That legend was steeped in... blech... magic. That word made her frown every time it was used. It made her think of stage magicians and a lot of impossible things claimed in old stories that could never be verified. But... this thing... the more scientific explanation of something that used a prior template to "heal" everything after it... that sounded very... Doctor Who, but it could work. And what happened to the hologram?

"It would explain the children." she said to Jess and the others. "Since they were children, it knew what to do with them. Adults were a different matter, so it tried to make them into something it could work with." That sounded really lame, even to her, but it was the essence of the thing, wasn't it? "But then, how do we give it a new template to work from? We would need the original thing that was used to acquire the template, wouldn't we? And this thing doesn't really look like it fits that bill." she said, frowning at the artifact they did have.

"Also, if the hologram is out, will the terminals go too?" she said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. However, it seemed that was not the case as the terminals continued to function. Obviously while the hologram could access them to give the team access, they were two separate systems.

Chow cursed silently to himself. Dammit! of all of the things to be a universal constant, why did substandard equipment have to be one of them?

About an hour passed while Chow looked through the information on the terminal with Jessica and the others. Then...

"Hawk! Ree! Crow! Jessica!" Jake's voice came bursting out of the team's radios. "I'm inbound with Shae. To make a long story short, she foxed out, she's in heat, and her scent has attracted a large pack of who the fuck knows what! We're leading them away from the camp, the kids, and the CDC tent and up to the Altar. Ree, Crow, get the CDC guys into the camp and help the kids hold off the...whatever the fuck kind of canine or vulpine or whatever is coming after Shae if they make a run on the camp! Hawk and Jessica, arm up! You, me, and Shae are making our stand at the altar!"

"Oh...shit," thought Chow. And of course as a damn CDC nurse, I can't help. These guys better be as good as Wolf thinks they are!

Well, great, thought Ravi. I'm an engineer, not a soldier! Or would that be hunter as they're... who cares! I'm not either and now I might have to be both. Perhaps getting mixed up with this lot was going to be a lot more trouble than he'd expected.

Jessica checked her rifle. "You, over here." She moved Commander Chow to a secure area. "Things are about to get a little hairy around here, pardon the pun."

Selyna sighed. This just got better and better! Now they had huge canines? "Shit!" she hissed as she gathered what she could and moved behind one of the standing stones. Hopefully it could act as cover; also hopefully, it wouldn't get too messed up. But this was definitely cutting into their working time!

TBC AFTER THE NIGHT OF THE HORNY DIRE WOLVES...