Chapter 1

"Listen to me, I'm not crazy! The gate exists somewhere, and I'm going to find it. I just need a little more time!" I screamed at my manager, Charles.

"I don't care," he calmly answered, looking more than a little pissed.. "Your research is taking this company nowhere. If you could get any form of solid evidence, James, I might publish your article. But, yet again, all you have is speculation and empty claims. I have no choice now. Get your belongings and get the hell out. Consider yourself unemployed."

I knew this was coming. "Fine. This place is far too confining anyways. Just know this: when I find the Stargate, I swear you will be the first to know!" With that, I turned and walked out of Charles' office, making sure to close the door behind myself. No need to break anything.

"Yeah, just kill my research. I'm mere days from revealing the government's secrets, and you fire me. Just wait, I will find the goddamn gate," I muttered to myself as I walked through the building. Thankfully, I didn't have far to go or much to retrieve. As I moved towards the elevator, someone came out of nowhere and ran right into me! Everything I was carrying spilled onto the floor.

"Hey, idiot! Watch where you're going!" I yelled.

"I am sorry. I did not see you there. Please, allow me to assist you," the man said. His voice was quiet and formal. Way too formal.

As I reached for some papers, I asked, "Where are you from? I don't remember seeing you here." He didn't say anything in response. He gave me the last of my stuff, and he just walked away. As he left, I swore something on his forehead glinted at me, like gold. "Huh...strange man."

The rest of my trip home was far too uneventful. After eating lunch, I grabbed my laptop, which had been charging since I left for work. Opening it, I pulled up Firefox and found my blog site. Turns out, people on the Internet believe your theories more than your bosses. I turned on my webcam and began recording.

"Hello, world. I'm back, but I've been fired by my jerk boss. I petition for more time to complete my research, and he fires me for, and I quote, 'wasting his time'. How is unraveling a government conspiracy a waste of time? The Stargate is in the US, I know that much. No confirmed location, but I suspect it's here, in Colorado. Tomorrow, I'm going to search for decommissioned military commands. One of them will-ow!" I stopped and reached for the back of my neck, as I felt a stabbing pain there. I found something in my neck, and I pulled it out. It was-a tranquilizer dart! The webcam was still recording, so I tried to finish the video.

"Someone found me! The...government finally found me! Don't give up! If I can, I... will post my research...use it...find...the..." I fell to the floor, slowly falling into darkness. As I gave in, I knew I was being taken hostage.

"General, let me do my job. The sedative Teal'c gave him was too strong. You're lucky he's even alive. As it is, he might-General!" I faintly made out.

I heard footsteps approaching me. They stopped on my left, and I was forced into a sitting position. I managed to force my eyes open, and all I saw was a bald man in officer uniform.

"Son, tell me something. How the hell did you find anything about the Stargate?" the man asked. I figured he was the general.

"Ah, so the gate does exist. I knew you people were hiding something," I whispered. I felt great, despite not being able to feel my legs.

"General, please! Let me do my job!" A doctor ran up and helped me back down. The general moved back. "My name is Dr. Frasier. General Hammond is the authority of this base. Don't worry, you're going to be fine," she said.

"Yeah, right. Let me guess, you're going to execute me for attempting to unearth your secrets?"

The general walked back to my side. "On the contrary, son. We're recruiting you. Your knowledge may prove useful. I understand you have an advanced degree in quantum physics?" he inquired.

Recruit me? For what? "I'm flattered, really. But, why?"

Frasier answered, "We need your expertise. This might be hard to believe, but the country has been fighting a war for several years. A war against aliens. We need your-"

"Wait, aliens? You can't be serious!"

"Unfortunately, we are serious, " Hammond explained. "The Goa'uld, our enemies, are a race of parasites. They take humans and force them to become hosts for them. There is only so much we can do, and we need your help."

"Fine. If it's help you need, I will do what I can."

"Doctor?"

Frasier turned towards him with a worried look. "I can't say, but he seems in good health. He can leave now."

"Perfect. James, here's your new uniform. Get a weapon and get your ass to the Gate Room. SG-1 is waiting for their new team member. And, on behalf of everybody here, welcome to the SGC." Hammond walked away, leaving me confused. SGC? A whole damn military installation for one ancient artifact? What the hell is going on?

Here's the first chapter of what will hopefully be a great story. Please review and all that crap.