THE HORATIO PROJECT

"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." – William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene 5

Alaska

"Jack, there's no way we're getting back there for that briefing!" Daniel peers at Jack's face on the screen of his tablet; he is yelling to be heard over the wind.

"Where the heck are you, Daniel?" Jack asks, seeing Daniel's face wrapped in the fir lined hood of his parka.

"On a glacier below Mt. McKinley," Daniel chatters. "I didn't catch its name!"

"It's May! It looks like midwinter up there."

"Ya think! Feels like it, too! The readings from the Hammond say the inter-dimensional node is right around here somewhere, so they set us down on this hunk of ice!"

Vala interposes her face next to Daniel's. "General, it can't be more than 20 degrees up here! And the wind is wicked! There's nothing here but ice and snow! How are we supposed to find whatever's causing this dimensional thingy..." She's still talking as Daniel pushes her aside.

"There's nothing to see here, Jack! Not on a day like this anyway!"

"Okay. Have them beam you back up before you freeze to death, and see if Lee and Sewell can fine-tune those readings so you can get a better fix. And, Daniel, you'd better have something to tell me at that briefing tomorrow!"

"Jack, I told you..."

"We'll set up a video conference in the meeting. Try not to die of hypothermia in the meantime!"

Somewhere in the Hindu Kush

The dragon's scream echoes through the mountain passes. Terrifying, yet at the same time there is a note of desperation in the cry. Fire spews from the huge throat, exploding against the side of the mountain, evaporating the snow there, melting the very rock. The great creature heaves its wings and rises above the peak, still calling out its anguish; it glides down into a hidden crevasse, folds its wings and creeps back into the cave in the side of the cliff.

xxxx

"Come in, Will." Helen waves him over to her desk where she is seated before her computer, obviously engaged in a face-to-face. "Just a moment." She turns back to the screen. "Martin, I am leaving immediately, I will be in Jalalabad in twelve hours. See you then." She signs off and looks up at Will, who is regarding her in surprise.

"Jalalabad?" he asks. "What about that briefing with Homeworld Security?"

"There's a dragon flying around the Hindu Kush Mountains, Will."

He blinks. "A dragon? It's been seen?"

She nods. "By a number of villagers in the mountains. So far the government hasn't got wind of it. Hopefully, we can contain it before they decide to destroy it. I'm sending you to the briefing in my place. Jack O'Neill will just have to live with that." She smiles at his expression. "I know, you'd rather chase the dragon. Sorry, Will. Take Kate along." She stands up and reaches for a packed expedition bag on a nearby chair. He sees she is already dressed for cold weather outdoor activity.

"I'm leaving Henry in charge here," Helen continues. "There's already a team assembled from the Dehli Sanctuary." She picks up a file from the desk and extends it to him. "This is what O'Neill sent me. I've made arrangements for you and Kate to be picked up here by chopper at one a.m."

Will takes the file. "Okay. Dragon-hunting sounds a lot more fun, though. Good luck."

"Thanks. And good luck with Homeworld. You may need it more than I do."

Los Angeles

"Well you kids never did get a honeymoon," Alan Eppes says with a grin, to his son and daughter-in-law, as they sit down to dinner.

"This isn't a honeymoon, Dad," Charlie says. "It's... well, it's a research trip. Kind of."

"I get it that it's classified," Alan assures him. "I just don't like not knowing where it is you're going."

"Actually, we don't even know, Alan," Amita tells him.

"Hon," Charlie warns.

"Charlie, how can it be breaking the rules to say I don't know something?"

"Okay. Okay. Don't fight, kids," Alan teases. "Do you at least know when you'll be home?"

"Day after tomorrow I think," Charlie says. "But I may not get a chance to call you."

"In other words, you'll be back here when you get here."

Village of Kincraigh, Scotland

"You look very handsome, Da!"

Jem smiles at his youngest daughter. "Thank ye, Claire." He kisses her cheek. "Now you take care, and don't give Auntie Mandy any trouble while I'm gone."

"Da! I'm fifteen! Not a child! What kind of trouble would I give her?"

Jem exchanges a wary glance with his sister. "Dinna let her near th' Stones!" he warns in a low voice.

A Small Town in Oregon

"Zane, you have to go." Alison shakes her head to forestall his protest. "I obviously can't, and General O'Neill's order says either the director or assistant director has to be there."

"Alison, you know I'm no good in groups. I always say something wrong."

"It's not up for debate, Zane!" She points to her hugely pregnant belly. "I can't fly until after the twins are born. End of discussion."

Just then Zoe walks into the office with a handful of papers which she deposits on Alison's desk. Catching the mood in the room, she glances from one to the other. "What's up, guys?"

"Send Zoe instead," Zane pleads. "She's great at public relations."

"Send me where?" Zoe demands, startled.

"I can't do that, Zane. Orders, remember." Alison has a thought. "But maybe..."

"Send me where?!"

"Maybe... what?" Zane wants to know.

"Send me where!"

"I can send her with you," Alison decides. "Between the two of you, you can handle it."

"Alison!" Zoe stamps her foot. "Send me where?"

"To a Homeland Security briefing." Alison is laughing at Zoe's small tantrum. "We got the directive from General O'Neill a little while ago. He wants me or Zane there tomorrow."

"Oh," Zoe says, calming down. This sounds interesting. "Sure. I can go. My cousin Sam will probably be there. It would be nice to see her. Just for the day?"

"Probably back day after tomorrow. You have anything you can't delegate?"

"No. Dr. Harper can take care of the lab for a couple of days. Tell me when to be ready."

King's Cross Station, Platform 9¾

"Professor MacGonagall, are ye certain it is a good idea to make this journey?" The huge, gruff-looking man speaking is ignoring the stares of passers-by, and focusing on the dignified elder woman whom he has accompanied to the city.

"They have invited us most graciously, Hagrid. As you know, we are seldom included by the Muggle World. Perhaps nothing will come of it, but it cannot hurt to hear what this General Jack O'Neill has to say."

"Verra well, Professor." He is clearly not convinced. "I'd feel much better if I could go with ye, though."

"The letter was very clear on that. Do not worry, my friend. I shall be in no danger. I believe the escort they sent is here now." She turns toward a conservatively dressed man and woman who are approaching them from across the platform.

"Professor MacGonagall?" The woman, a tall blond, smiles pleasantly. "I'm Colonel Samantha Carter, U.S. Air Force. This is Special Agent Pete Latimer. We're here to escort you to the meeting." She extends her hand, first to Minerva and then to Hagrid, whom the Professor introduces. She seems unfazed by Hagrid's size and appearance, as they exchange a few moments of small talk.

"We have a car waiting, if you are ready?" Agent Latimer suggests deferentially.

"Certainly." Minerva replies with dignity.

"I'll be waitin' right here, Professor," Hagrid calls after them as they walk away.

The Oval Office

The President looks up as Chief of Staff Eaton enters the Office. Their eyes meet, and Eaton places a file on the desk.

"General O'Neill's briefing?" the President asks. When Eaton confirms this, the President continues. "Clear my schedule for the meeting time. Shuffle the conference with Senators Kramer and Jamison if you have to. I want to be in on the beginning of that briefing."

"You also have the DOD's report..."

"Put that off until tomorrow. I also want you at that briefing. Make sure you're on time." A smile. "More important—make sure I'm on time!"

"Yes, Madam President."