Title---Subterfuge
Author----Winnie
Rating----T
Disclaimer----I own no right to the show or the characters. This story is for enjoyment purposes only.
Comments----This story is H/C and centered on Cameron Mitchell and the rest of SG1. I dedicate this story to Pamela who uses her wonderful artistic talents to provide pics for my fics. Thanks, Pam.
Colonel Cameron Mitchell sat down at the conference table and picked up the pictures Hank Landry placed in front of him. He'd known the IOA were hoping to form an alliance with the people of PK3-2M7. The planet was mostly agricultural, but had recently entered the technological age that saw advances in several areas. Unfortunately, like so many other worlds, there were some dangerous undertakings that could end up destroying the planet's atmosphere and sending them into an ice age.
"General, why is the IOA so interested in this planet?" Mitchell asked.
"Who knows for certain when the IOA is involved, Colonel," Landry answered.
"Sir, is this for real?" Colonel Samantha Carter asked. She'd been reading the updated information from PK3-2M7. The last time they'd visited the planet they were barely learning how to produce electricity and now they seemed to be in a technologically advanced age.
"Yes, Colonel, Dr. Randolph has been watching the advancements for the last two years and he sent a report to the IOA when he returned yesterday. He's the one who provided the pictures and the information we now have. The people of PK3-2M7 have no idea they were being watched…at least they didn't until one of Dr. Randolph's staff made a mistake and disclosed their presence. That's why he returned before he finished his study."
"Why doesn't the IOA send Randolph back?" Dr. Daniel Jackson asked.
"The leader of the Tarlean Council doesn't trust anyone on Randolph's team. Something about subterfuge," Landry answered.
"Does Randolph have any idea how the Tarleans made such rapid advancements?" Jackson asked.
"No, it seems the Tarlean Council is using some subterfuge of their own. The IOA wants you to try and fix whatever damage it feels Randolph caused and hopefully you'll be able to find out who interfered with the natural development of the planet," the general explained.
"It sounds like something from Star Trek," Mitchell said and saw the frown on Teal'c's face. "The Prime Directive…simply put it means there should be no interference in the natural development of a primitive society."
"Indeed," Teal'c said. "I believe that Prime Directive has been ignored."
"Did you just make a joke, Big Fella?" Mitchell asked, and saw the hint of a grin on the Jaffa's face before Landry spoke again.
"It appears the IOA agrees with you, Teal'c. That's why they're sending you four in. The Tarleans have agreed to open talks, but they will not meet with anyone, but SG1."
"Excuse me, General, but why us?" Carter asked.
"According to Dr. Randolph the Tarlean Council has heard stories about your exploits and they are impressed with your record…which speaks for itself I might add," Landry told them.
"When do we leave?" Carter asked.
"As soon as you're geared up," the general answered and looked at the team. "Try not to get us into any more trouble than we're already in."
"We'll do our best, Sir," Mitchell vowed.
"Dismissed," Landry said. He sat back and placed his hands behind his head, lacing his fingers as Dr. Jonathon Randolph stepped through the door on the opposite side of the room.
"Are they ready to go?" the scientist asked.
"The IOA has a lot to answer for!" Landry spat.
"We don't have to answer to you, General," Randolph told him.
"Maybe not, but if something happens to SG1 you can be damn sure I'll be riding your butt all the way up the IOA's ladder!" the general warned. "You've kept us in the dark about what you know of the Tarleans and their newfound technology and I guarantee that if you know anything that might help SG1 then it'll be me you'd better watch out for."
"General, do not think to threaten me…"
"Oh, that wasn't a threat, Dr. Randolph, that was a promise," Landry vowed. "SG1 is not going to become one of your statistics."
"SG1 is and acceptable loss if we find…"
"No they aren't…no human life should be considered an acceptable loss, Doctor!" Landry spat with contempt. "That's something you and your friends at the IOA need to learn before someone decides you are not as irreplaceable as you seem to think. Get the hell out of my sight and off my base before I decide to turn you over to the Tarleans!"
"You have no authority…"
"Wrong…I have every right here and until I'm replaced you will do as I say!" Landry ordered and watched the man's face screw up and turn red before he strode out of the room. The general had no idea what SG1 was walking into, but he knew any trip off world held an element of danger. "God help us all," he whispered before heading to the Gateroom to watch SG1's departure.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Cameron Mitchell glanced up as he entered the Gateroom and frowned when he noted the look on Landry's face. The older man looked worried, that in itself wasn't new, but there was something else in the man's eyes. A look that spoke of anger and fear and the Colonel wondered what they hadn't been told about the Tarleans and this mission in particular.
"Colonel Mitchell, is something wrong?" Teal'c asked.
"I don't know…maybe, but there's nothing we can do about it now," the colonel explained and walked toward the Gate as the shimmering pool beckoned to him. He glanced at Carter and caught her staring at Landry as well just before they stepped through the gate.
Mitchell never tired of visiting worlds, meeting new people, and discovering new civilizations. A small smile formed at the thought of those words and how much he sounded like James T Kirk during the opening of STTOS. He glanced around, somewhat surprised to find the clearing empty.
"That's strange," Jackson observed and glanced around. "I would have expected some kind of welcoming committee."
"Maybe they got the times mixed up," Mitchell suggested, but his words held little conviction. Something was wrong, very wrong, but he had no idea what it was. "Jackson, maybe you should dial the gate!"
"On it," Jackson said and hit the first chevron as the sound of an approaching aircraft reached his ears. Without waiting for an explanation he hit the others in succession as the stargate was activated.
"Go!" Mitchell ordered as shots were fired from the brush surrounding the stargate. He fired quickly, backing up toward the gate, but a beam of bright white light encircled him. He turned his head to see Carter, Teal'c and Jackson enveloped in the same beam as darkness descended and the world around him disappeared.