Disclaimer: We do not own 'Stargate: SG-1', 'Stargate: Atlantis' or any of the characters associated with either show.
Part II
The next day, SGC"Unscheduled offworld activation." The alarms blared for a few moments before falling silent, then Walter's voice filtered through the PA. "Colonel Carter to the gate room."
Sam made her way from her office, where she had been combing through applications to join her crew, to the gate room, wondering what the reason for the summons was. Her face lit up when she saw who was waiting there.
"Jonas!" She hugged her former teammate briefly before taking in the uncharacteristically sober expression on his face. "What's wrong?"
"There's something you need to see. Is the general around? And the rest of SG-1?"
"Of course." Sam led the way from the gate room, through the control room and the briefing room to General Landry's office, where he, Daniel and Mitchell were.
"… the last time, gentlemen, you're both needed at the SGC." Landry's tone was exasperated.
"General?" Sam knocked on the door. "I'm sorry to interrupt…"
"Not at all." Landry assured her hastily. "Have a seat, Colonel. It's good to see you, Mr Quinn."
"Thank you, sir." Jonas took a seat, greeting both Daniel and Mitchell distractedly. "My people don't know why I'm here."
"Why are you here, son?" Landry asked, glad of the diversion.
"Over the past few years, we've uncovered a lot of artifacts and documents dating back to Thanos' reign." Jonas explained. "One of them was written in a Goa'uld dialect I was unfamiliar with, it took me a long time to translate it. It spoke of a hidden cache belonging to the Old Ones."
"The Ancients." Daniel supplied unnecessarily.
"That's what I thought." Jonas agreed. "Apparently, they hid weapons and technology there, along with an archive of their knowledge."
"Do you think that this is the planet that the Goa'uld in Conrad was trying to get to?" Sam asked.
"I think so." Jonas said. "Thanos was able to work out the address, but the planet couldn't be reached by stargate. He was going to build a ship to reach it, and planned to use naquadria to power it. That's the last reference to him in our history."
"Why come to us with this?" Landry asked. "Your own people…"
"We don't have any ships that could reach this planet." Jonas looked troubled. "And even if we did, sir, I don't think that this is technology that my people should have. Since the Ori invaded Langara, things have been… the Kelownans, Terranians and Andarians are at each other's throats, blaming the other sides for what happened. It's worse that it was when SG-1 first visited. If they get hold of that technology, they'll destroy each other… and themselves. In your hands, it might do some good."
Rising from his chair, Landry asked "Can you show us where this planet is?"
The others all rose and followed him into the control room. Jonas sat before the map of the Stargate system. He began typing furiously, and the lense moved from its position over earth, and moved to an area near the edge of the map.
"PX9-377." said Sam. "We tried to go there once ourselves. I wonder if there's still anything there to find." Sam moved to another computer beside Jonas and brought up on the screen a file on the Prometheus hijacking. She checked one of the files, and turned to Landry. "It is along the heading Conrad set when he took over Prometheus."
"If one other Goa'uld knew where to find it, it stands to reason others did too," Mitchell said. "Maybe Anubis or another System Lord already raided this place."
"Still," Daniel commented, "it's gotta be worth checking out. Even from a historical point of view, if there isn't any technology worth finding, we might find some more information on the Ancients. New information about their history, something worth passing on to Atlantis."
"But I thought that you couldn't get to the planet." Mitchell pointed out.
"Not by stargate, but we could get there by ship." Sam suggested.
"It will be a long time before the Odyssey is ready to fly again. The Daedalus left Atlantis yesterday morning. Once they're in contact range I'll order a reroute to PX9-377."
"Sir," Carter cut in, "that may not be necessary."
"Your ship isn't due to leave for her first mission until the end of the month." Landry reminded her.
"The ship itself is ready, and most of the crew have been chosen. There are still some spots that need filling, but we could manage with the people we have for one trip."
"And if there are empty places, people from the SGC can fill in, right?" Mitchell seized his opportunity. "I know I wouldn't mind tagging along if you need someone to fly the F-303s." He added hopefully.
"I believe the pilots have already been selected, Colonel."
"They have." Sam confirmed Landry's words. "Most of the vacancies are for scientific staff. A few people from the Atlantis expedition will be transferring when we drop their new volunteers off."
"New people are being sent to Atlantis?" Daniel was even more dismayed at losing out on this opportunity than he was at the thought of not being allowed to be a part of Sam's crew. "Why haven't I heard about this before now?"
"To avoid this conversation." Landry said dryly. "With Colonel Carter and Teal'c leaving, the SGC can't spare you, Doctor." He looked up at Sam. "It's a good idea, Colonel. If there is a chance that we can obtain Ancient technology then it is an opportunity that we cannot afford to waste. If the President and General O'Neill give their approval, you can take your ship and check it out. If you need to borrow anyone from the SGC, let me know."
"Thank you, sir. I'll have a list of names on your desk by lunchtime."
Three days later, Delta Site
"I really appreciate the SGC allowing this ship to be used to check out the planet." Jonas said, lifting the duffel containing the clothes and toiletries the SGC had provided him with over his shoulder.
"It's no problem." Sam assured him. In truth, she was glad of the opportunity to take her new ship out early. "It sounds as though this planet is definitely worth a look."
"If it's an Ancient outpost, I should be going." Daniel grumbled. "You'll need someone to translate any writings you find."
"I've been learning the Ancient language over the past couple of years." Jonas said helpfully. "And Sam was telling me that the Asgard installed one of their translation programs in the ship's computers."
Sam had rarely been so grateful to see a stargate activate as she was at that moment.
"Receiving iris code, ma'am." The airman on duty reported. "It's the SGC."
"Open the iris." Sam ordered. She glanced at her friends. "This should be the last of the crew."
As she spoke, people began to file through the stargate, with Lt Hailey leading the way. She greeted them briefly, saluting Sam before shepherding Sgt Siler and another half a dozen people towards the ship.
"Hey, Carter." Jack greeted cheerfully when he spotted them. "Everybody get here alright?"
"Yes, sir. You're the last group to arrive from the SGC, and Teal'c, Bra'tac and the Jaffa are already onboard."
Daniel's eyes narrowed when he saw the bag Jack was carrying. "You're going?"
"I wasn't going to miss the maiden voyage." He grinned. "And one of the perks of being The Man – I can tag along for missions during my vacation time. Hammond's holding down the fort. So," he grinned at Sam, gesturing towards his bag. "Where should I put this?"
"I'll show you your quarters. Are you coming, Jonas? Excuse me." She nodded towards her former teammates, then walked the control room with Jack and Jonas, heading outside, where the ship was awaiting her.
"They could have let us tag along for the first mission." Mitchell complained. "We've got months of leave saved up by now."
"Maybe if we asked General Landry again, he'd reconsider…"
Vala snorted in derision. "He didn't say 'yes' the first twenty-eight times you asked. Why would he agree now?"
"Wonder who else is allowed to go." Mitchell mused aloud.
"Hi, guys!" Most people would have confined themselves to a verbal greeting when they were carrying a suitcase in each hand. Jay Felger was not one of those people. His attempt at combining a wave and a salute while burdened with his luggage resulted in one of his suitcases hitting his foot with a dull thud and flying open, scattering his things all over the floor. "No, no, I can get it, I'm okay." He babbled as he stuffed his clothes back, forcing the suitcase closed. "I'd better get moving – don't want to be late." He excused himself hastily, limping out in the direction of the ship.
The trio were silent for a few moments before Mitchell finally spoke.
"Did he have a Barbie with him?"
The bridge crew sprang to their feet as soon as Sam, flanked by Jack and Teal'c, with Jonas and Bra'tac following close behind, entered. They came to attention, saluting smartly.
"At ease." Sam told them, sounding more confident than she felt. The command chair seemed huge and she felt silly for being apprehensive about sitting in it for the first time; after all she would be spending a lot of time sitting there during the ship's missions.
"Hey," Seeing her momentary hesitation, Jack patted her shoulder gently. "It's not going to bite, you know." He teased quietly, waiting until she was seated before taking the chair on her right.
Teal'c, Jonas and Bra'tac remained standing and Ferretti occupied the chair on Sam's left.
Jonas' eyes were bright, a broad smile on his face as he scanned his surroundings.
"What are you so happy about?" Jack asked good-naturedly. "It's not like this is your first time on a ship."
Jonas grinned. "It's my first time on this ship."
"Fair enough." Jack acknowledged. He turned to Sam. "Have you settled on a name yet? We can't leave it as the 'X-306' – way too boring. I know that the name Enterprise was vetoed," he added, not waiting for her response. "But how would you feel about Voyager?"
"Didn't they end up stranded for seven years?"
"Good point."
"I believe that the Millennium Falcon would be an excellent name for this vessel." Teal'c recommended gravely.
"I've already got a name picked out." Sam told them, turning to Ferretti before any of them could ask what it was. "Are we ready for take-off?"
"Ready when you are, ma'am."
"Thank you." She pressed a finger to the communications console at her side. "Delta Site, this is the Athena, requesting permission to depart."
Muffled murmurs of approval, coupled with a few groans and a jubilant "Pay up!" Sam was certain came from Daniel filtered through the speakers before a grave voice spoke.
"Athena, you have a go."
"Acknowledged."
"Athena?" Jack smiled his approval. "I like it."
"Thank you, sir. Captain Sherwin," Sam addressed the officer seated at the helm. "Engage."
TBC.
Authors' Note: Next chapter should be up next week. Don't forget to review and let us know of any requests. We plan to have the 'new' SG-1 appear in a chapter or two somewhere down the line - would you prefer to see them soon, or to wait a while?