Stargate Command

Chapter 8: Mystery Person

Scene: Jack is walking purposefully back to the new Stargate Command (SGC) after a perplexing encounter. He pulls out his communicator and activates a holographic projection of Tumok.

Jack: (Furrowing his brow) Tumok, I need to talk to you about something that just happened. It's... strange.

Tumok: (His holographic form flickers slightly) Your voice suggests urgency, Jack. What troubles you?

Jack: (He paces a little, frustration simmering) It's hard to explain. I just encountered this woman... she looked exactly like Jill, but something felt different. (He recounts the encounter in detail, his voice laced with bewilderment) This whole thing makes no sense!

Tumok: (Listens intently, stroking his chin thoughtfully) That is indeed peculiar. The Force being involved... that aligns with your experiences, Jack. But the rest of it is a complete mystery.

Jack: (Scoffs) My experiences? This feels more like your domain, with all this mystical mumbo jumbo. I tell you, I haven't a clue.

Tumok: (Considers this for a moment) Now, if this woman truly belonged to the Dark side, she wouldn't have offered that information so freely. There was a sense of guidance in her actions, wouldn't you agree?

Jack: (Hesitates, a flicker of doubt crossing his face) You know... you might be right. Looking back, pushing her away feels like a mistake. Maybe I overreacted.

Tumok: (Nods knowingly) Your reaction wasn't the cause of her disappearance, Jack. I have a feeling this individual will resurface.

Jack: (Curiosity piqued) Who do you think she is? And why me? I'm just an officer with the SGC.

Tumok: (His holographic form seems to straighten) You are more than that, Jack. It's time you learned what makes you special. It seems this person knows an impressive amount about you.

Jack's eyes widen in realization. "It's Sam's future Padawan!" he blurts out.

Tumok: (A thoughtful expression) It certainly seems that way. Given your history, you would be familiar with him. Perhaps he used Jill's image to establish a connection. The withdrawal could be simply to avoid causing you further distress.

Jack: (Shaking his head) I was more worried about Sam's safety than anything else.

Tumok: (Nods) In that case, it strengthens the possibility that it was Brandon who contacted you. He would be aware of your deep affection for Sam.

Jack stops walking abruptly, a contemplative look on his face. "Why would he reach out to me?"

Tumok: (Raises an eyebrow) An intriguing question, Jack. Perhaps in the alternate reality Brandon hails from, there's something extraordinary about you that might exist here as well.

Jack: (Defensively) I don't think I can use the Force. I have no idea how you guys manipulate this energy field.

Tumok: (Eyes narrowed in curiosity) Why do you believe that?

Jack: (Sighs) Look, I just want to protect people. That's why I joined the Air Force. We have freedoms in America that most can only dream of. If they can train me to use the Force to defend those freedoms, then I'm all for it.

Tumok: (A hint of a smile) It sounds to me like you have the makings of a Jedi Knight, Jack.

Jack: (Skeptical) I thought you needed to be able to use the Force for that. I don't think I can.

Tumok: (Shakes his holographic head) Being a Jedi Knight is more than lightsabers and telekinesis. It's about what you just described. From what Skyma told me, the ancient Jedi Knights didn't necessarily wield the Force either.