Chapter 194

Minnesota

Filling the air was an aroma that regularly followed Jack O'Neill; grilled steak. Plying the trade he had learned through trial and error, he barbequed the choice cut of beef. Some preferred their medium rare, but Jack would have none of that. He prided himself on being a well-done sort of man. Multitasking, he kept a watchful eye on the bobber attached to his fishing line that floated in his pond yards away.

Flipping his steak, he was greeted by the sizzling sound he loved to hear. Taking a sip of his beer, the General was fully in his element. His cell phone turned off, nothing could ruin his day. More sensing it than hearing anything, Jack's senses suddenly went to their most alert. Something told him that he was not alone any longer. His one hope was that it was not a bear drawn to the smell of his steak. Turning around he saw that it was indeed not a bear.

"O'Neill of Minnesota, it has been far too long." The visitor said in greeting.

"Bra'tac! I am guessing you are not dead after all. I'm going to guess that this is a trick you picked up from Daniel." Jack quipped.

"The gift of ascension was bestowed upon me. For that I am indeed blessed." Bra'tac explained.

"So how are things on your plain of existence? One so rarely gets so much as a postcard from those parts." Jack said lightly.

"I have found busily engaged lately. It is for that reason why I stand before you." Bra'tac said.

"Ok, I'm all ears. What do you need to talk about that's so important to drag you to Minnesota?" Jack asked.

"This is Minnesota?" Bra'tac asked.

"Yeah. Nice, isn't it?" Jack asked,

"It reminds me of Chulak." Bra'tac answered.

"Not what I wanted to hear, but it works." Jack replied in a mildly sarcastic tone.

"For some time now, I have been watching developments on Goronak. As always, your world's military is impressive in its discipline, and abilities." Bra'tac continued.

"I'll tell the Secretary of Defense you said that. He loves hearing things like that. Why do I get the feeling that you're about to tell me you had something to do with the Traditionalists pulling a Houdini act?" Jack asked.

"This war could only end with either the relocation of the Traditionalist's, or in the destruction of the Jaffa as a race. To that end, I relocated them to an area I believe will be acceptable to your leader as it was with the other Great Races." Bra'tac expounded.

"Just where might that be?" Jack questioned.

"It was brought to my attention that the Wraith you refer to as hybrids will someday soon be relocated to the galaxy of Ida. With the approval of the Ancient's, I selected a planet and relocated the surviving Traditionalist's there. Having no vessels or ability to construct them at this time, I feel confident they will not pose a problem for the Tauri again." Bra'tac suggested.

"The President will appreciate that I'm sure. It would have been nice to give us a little warning. I've had teams of people going over sensor data trying to figure out where they disappeared to." Jack responded.

"My apology for that, but no other way of doing this was possible." Bra'tac refuted.

"Now that we have that out of the way, Teal'c would probably appreciate it if you dropped in and said hi. Maybe take him fishing, or whatever it is you guys do when you're together." Jack suggested.

"Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with him." Bra'tac beamed.

"Funny, he didn't mention that tidbit." Jack mused.

"O'Neill, my attention is required elsewhere. We will see each other again soon old comrade." Bra'tac promised.

At that moment, Jack saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning to look directly at the source, he saw his bobber jerking about on the ponds glassy surface. Fish! His pond actually had fish!

"Fish on! Bra'tac, are you seeing this?" Jack asked excitedly.

"That I do O'Neill. Consider it a gift" Bra'tac voice could be heard to say after he was no longer visible.