[Updated 07/09/2017]
Copyright: existing characters belong to MGM and the creators of the Stargate Franchise. Story written for fan fiction.
Author: lezaanv
Summary: When a mysterious visitor materializes within the Gate Room, SG1's normal day turns chaotic.
Characters: General Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter, and Daniel Jackson
Please be advised: story has not been beta'd. I apologize in advance for any mistakes. They are unfortunately mine.
QUAESITOR better known as the Seeker
Chapter One
Somewhere in an Alternate, Alternate Universe . . .
Sergeant Walter Harriman stretched his legs underneath the desk, and folded his forearms over his chest. Today of all days, with most of the teams out exploring the galaxy, the evening shift was strangely quiet. The night progressed slowly, the caffeine overload gently fading as it surrendered to the soft fog that drifted within his mind. Sleep swallowed him whole, memories of the day moving like an ancient slideshow on a white sheet, when an astonishing, bright light filled the gate room, and the sound of raising assault rifles rattled in accordance.
He jerked awake, and with mind still stuck in a haze, raised the alarm over the base-wide intercom. "Intruder alert! General O'Neill please report to the gate room."
He stared at the visitor where she now stood on the ramp that extended up to the 'Gate behind her. She seemed unworried, like she belonged, and it sent a shiver down his spine.
In the backdrop, an annoying claxon resonated over the intercoms, whilst military personnel responded in kind, scurrying for their assigned posts. Blast doors in the near vicinity barred tightly shut, preventing the visitor from leaving, and protecting base personnel from additional unwanted guests.
The sound of approaching boots echoed dully on a spiral staircase behind Walter. They came to an abrupt halt beside him.
"Who the hell is she?" General O'Neill exclaimed, surprised that someone had managed to infiltrate the base at three in the morning.
"Don't know Sir." The Sergeant replied baffled. "Just appeared outta nowhere."
"That can't be good." Colonel Carter declared as her blue eyes examined the relaxed guest.
"Since when is an unexpected visitor good?" The General asked with a mocking tone. He nodded for Walter to activate the gate room's intercom.
"Who are you?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, brown eyes scrutinizing her attire that had a seemingly futuristic quality to it.
The visitor smiled slyly, gesturing at the soldiers surrounding her. "What's with the ornaments?"
"Don't . . . change the subject." He commanded.
Ignoring the statement, the visitor's emerald eyes examined the soldiers in the room, before gazing at the General. "What year is this?"
"2006." Colonel Carter quickly supplied.
"Carter." The General warned as he tilted his head to the right, eyes narrowing. "Don't you change the subject."
She shrugged lightly, an innocent expression evident.
"This is incredible." The mystery visitor exclaimed noticeably excited, and then motioned at the Operations Room. "You are the infamous Major General Jack O'Neill, and I presume you are Colonel Samantha Carter." Her smile extended from ear-to-ear as she gazed between the stunned veterans.
"And if we are?"
Keeping her line of sight on the General, she stepped off the ramp. Weapons trailed her movement until she halted a few feet before the observation window.
Gazing up at them, she respectfully stated, "In a Universe parallel to this one, you were legends."
"You're a . . ." The General discontinued ostensibly surprized with the statement, then turned his gaze at the Colonel.
"Oh boy!" Carter declared shocked.
[OPERATIONS ROOM]
"This is a problem." Samantha calmly acknowledged.
The mysterious woman slowly peered around the operations room, eyes meticulously observing the staff on duty, and then turned her attention on the Colonel.
"I am from another timeline, another dimension so to speak. What I do here won't affect yours."
"You do risk your future self being born." Sam argued.
"Who says she even exists here?" Jack asked incredulous.
She glared at him, a stare that elicited a small shrug on his part. She continued nonetheless.
"The Stargate along with myself and General O'Neill is the pivotal point both here and there. It's best that you don't explain the reason for your presence and go back from whence you came."
"Just hold your horses there Colonel." He protested. "I understand why you are so eager, but who says she can go back. As I recall, those who have rocked up from other . . ." He motioned vaguely, for his mind still struggled to comprehend the alternate universe theory. "All of them required our assistance getting back."
Sam shook her head as she clarified her negation. "I don't think she has the same problem, for starters, consider how she got here, and secondly, what I can deduce from her gear, she's clearly from a future timeline in that universe."
"But that's good, isn't it? She can help us . . ."
"Your General is correct." The visitor suddenly declared.
The General smirked in her direction enjoying the courtesy. She continued, "I have valuable information that would assist with the advancement of your technology."
"With all due respect." Sam retorted, her countenance creasing in disapproval. "We have no way of knowing how it affects our timeline. The fact that we're listening may just be the thing that destroys it."
"Or." The visitor's lips gradually curled into a wry smile, eyes sparkling with deceit. "It could save yours. If you give me the opportunity to explain my presence here, it might persuade you to think differently about this intrusion."
Jack considered the proposal, and suddenly cringed within. He disliked the way the visitor verbalized her purpose, not to mention how her countenance had swiftly changed with the suggestion. He motioned at the Colonel, replying assertively.
"My scientist here makes a compelling statement. We can't risk our timeline because someone thought it prudent to go for a joy ride . . . in another universe."
An exasperated sigh resonated in the vicinity, O'Neill glaring at the visitor with a puzzled expression.
"Fine," She retorted annoyed. "Different tactic it is then." The words echoed dangerously low, and within seconds, a slithering translucent shell encased her body, instantly masking her from their view.
"What the?" Jack exclaimed astonished, nevertheless swiftly barked out the next orders, "Sergeant Harriman initiate the lockdown procedures."
Seconds later, the warning claxons sounded off as the Sergeant activated base-wide communication. "Security breach! Threat level Foxtrot Alpha Six, all security personnel to commence Level Lockdowns."
"Please be advised." The General declared to the staff in attendance. "We're searching for an intruder with cloaking abilities. Apprehend as soon as humanly possible. She is not to leave this Base. Understood?"
"Yes Sir." They replied in accord.
"Convey the message to the security teams." He demanded of Walter. "And all incoming SGC teams should be diverted to the Alpha Site."
"Affirmative General O'Neill."