Chapter 2: CSI: SGC

- Planet: P2X-3YZ (Earth) -

- Stargate Command -

- February 27th 2007 -

- 12:14pm Local Time -

"Go ahead Colonel, describe everything that happened once you made it to the planet."

Colonel Reynolds sat in the briefing room table along with SG-1, the rest of his team, General Landry and Dr. Lam. He nodded and described his mission. "My team left here this morning. We've been keeping an eye on that Lucian Alliance base since they were enslaving a pre-industrial people and using them to grow and test their Kassa. The Free Jaffa were planning to stage an attack, but they let us take over since it's closer to our off world assets."

"Pardon-"Daniel interjected. "-off-world assets? You mean our research facilities right?"

Landry nodded - Reynolds could see he obviously didn't want to lose focus. "Yes, Doctor Jackson. We've got several small research facilities on various projects being built, and we'd rather not draw the Lucian Alliance's attention." He turned to Reynolds "Go on, Colonel."

Reynolds continued. "We were on a scouting mission - move in, assess the situation, and gather intelligence for a potential future assault. It was supposed to be quick, clean, no contact with the LA or the natives."

Vala gave Reynolds a silly grin. "That extra crispy criminal from Collust you brought back tells me that didn't quite work out."

Captain Alicia Vega grimaced and made a slightly disgusted sound. "Eugh, try lifting it onto a MALP."

A quick look from General Landry silenced the young Captain, and Reynolds continued. "Actually no, we didn't kill him. Our last recon on February 12th had the base running smoothly, no problems and we got in and out quietly." Reynolds gulped involuntarily, "The base is gone now, burned and hulled out. When we got there, the natives were waiting with a bunch of Jaffa Weapons."

Sam raised her eyebrows. "Did you have to defend yourself?"

Reynolds shook his head,- Asking whether one had killed was always a hard question.. "Thank god no, they couldn't figure out how to shoot but there were a lot of them. For a minute there we were ready to fight but we managed to break the ice gently. They were saying how the 'gods' were at war and the 'demons' had been burned by the flames of a vengeful angel of death." Seeing Cam's shocked expression, Reynolds added with his hands up in defense. "Their words. Not mine."

Cam scratched his chin. "Sounds like Grandma's old neighbor after communion."

Teal'c dropped the fear in everyone's mind with his steely voice. "The natives of that planet may not comprehend what they may have seen. The flames could indicate possible Ori involvement."

Reynolds nodded, but shrugged his shoulders in hesitance. "Maybe, they said flame came down from the heavens and burned away the 'food of the gods'. Sounds like an orbital strike if you ask me."

The prospect was worrying, and General Landry continued the debriefing. "What about the body? Why did you bring that back with you?"

Major Teldy replied; Reynolds could see she was still a little queasy. "We found it in the field of burned Kassa. The villagers told us to stay away since it was the resting place of a demon-god. I'm no CSI, but that body was shot before it burned, sir."

Landry grit his teeth together and Reynolds could almost see the clash of thoughts in the general's mind. It was very confusing and there was a high need for reliable information. "Do you think it's a threat if we head back to the planet, Colonel? We need to find out what happened to that base."

Reynolds moved his jaw around for a moment, but then shook his head. "No sir, we managed to calm them down, but my team aren't forensic specialists. The natives are in bad shape too, whatever attacked the LA also did a lot of damage to their village… which was already in bad shape from what the LA did to them."

The room was quiet, but it only took a few seconds for Landry to decide. "Take whatever you need. SG-1 will have command authority, but you know these people already. Get your teams and any equipment you need ready in four hours. With any luck, Dr. Lam might have a preliminary report for you on that body." Getting up, General Landry nodded once curtly. "Dismissed."

- Planet: P1C-T4R (Eldross) -

- Free Jaffa Settlement -

- February 27th 2007 -

- 3:26 pm Local Time -

Rachel had grown to despise this job. She'd trained extensively since her long stint in the IDF with these covert operations, but all it took was one mistake and her cover was blown.

She also hated the fact that every Jaffa settlement seemed to take great joy in only making clothes that showed off a woman's curves. She wasn't ashamed of her natural good looks, but it brought back harsh memories, things she had forced deep down into her psyche.

The bar on this backwater planet was pretty much the same as she'd find on Earth, except the beer was homebrewed, strong, and the cups were made of wood. If she wasn't careful it would splinter on her lips. The people giving her lecherous looks weren't under the threat of potential police action which gave her pause.

The bright and almost quaint forest around them belied the dangerous nature of this area. Then again, she had James' silenced P229 inside the loose holster strapped to her left thigh, and in an instant she could take it out and get away.

Rachel maintained her poise despite the eyes on her. After a few sips of the grog like beverage, she saw their contact coming closer.

He was tall with fair skin, and the distinct tattoo of a former servant of Ba'al on his forehead. A beard along with a few scars on his face gave him a hardened warrior look, along with the Zat he had strapped to his hip. Rachel gave a slight nod to him, keeping one hand under the table fingering her sidearm.

The Jaffa walked up to her without fear. "They told me to look for a Tau'ri with curly hair; they said nothing about a woman."

Rachel didn't lose any tact, these men were just like home. "They also didn't tell you that I've got no problem shoving my fist into your pouch and ripping your spine out."

The Jaffa snorted and then sat down. "Good, I don't work for weaklings." He shifted in his seat and said. "My name is Al'Mack, Our mutual acquaintance told me that you'll be needing a reference, someone to help you with your dealings and contracts within our organization. I don't waste time so don't bother bargaining, I'll want a hundred pounds of refined Naquadah or I walk out the door."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, but then pulled a thin strip out of her shirt pocket. Around them, several people began to eye her since a strip of refined Naquadah usually meant more was around. "Not a problem."

Al'Mack smiled, and felt and rubbed the strip between his fingers before looking back at Rachel. Rachel could tell he would have accepted less, but that wasn't the point. "I look forward to working with you."

Rachel didn't take any chances and drew her pistol. With the long silencer attached, she poked Al'Mack on his inner thigh. "Tretonin'll keep you alive, but I can make sure you won't enjoy it. Just do your job." She drew back the hammer on the gun, loud enough that several people around heard and shifted their looks away, Whoever this Tau'ri was, she certainly had daring.

- Planet: P6N-1X8 (Collust) -

- Skin'ar Village, Former LA Outpost -

- February 27th 2007 -

- 4:25 pm Local Time -

Colonel Cameron Mitchell took a few deep breaths as he stepped out onto the dry and hard ground of the area around the gate on Collust,. "Smells like Arizona."

Sam beside him snorted. "I'd say Nevada, but I guess that works."

Reynolds stepped forward as well, and motioned over to the village. "It's this way."

Sam gave Cam a sly grin as they moved ahead. She whispered "Ever since he got promoted, he's been acting more like you. I think you've got a fan."

Cam grumbled. "Long as he don't steal any of my lines."

Sam shook her head idly in amusement and took in the sights. The vista was definitely not what Sam had expected, there was a clear view of the entire area since it was lower than the Gate. Sam could see a thin layer of what looked like ash on the floor, which she scraped away with her foot. What remained of the Lucian Alliance base was off in the distance, a thin haze permeating the air.

A two story tower dominated the area, with a large hangar or warehouse at the end of a long flat terrain that was likely a landing pad. A trio of smaller round warehouses sat next to the blackened field of burnt Kassa. There was also a staff cannon emplacement pointed straight upwards, but it looked inactive.

SG-1 and SG-2 filed through the Stargate onto the planet a full team of medics and engineers in tow. Accompanying them was a squad of marine escorts,

Not too surprisingly, a villager in light leather clothing came up to the group holding a Staff Weapon, albeit backwards. "Who are you! Don't come any closer!"

Reynolds held one hand up and moved forward, "It's alright! We're not here to hurt you!" He looked over to Cam and signaled him to lower his weapon. Sam watched as Teal'c cautiously flanked to the side, but kept his P90 down.

The villager moved forward, his weapon still raised; but obviously not ready to fire. Reynolds moved forward and began to speak privately with him while the twenty-plus crew waited behind.

Sam turned to Daniel and muttered. "Look, the whole area around the base is scorched. I don't think the Ori would have done this."

Daniel shook his head. "Not unless they angered a Prior, but that's doubtful, they like to make a spectacle whenever they 'purify' someone. You know, gather the village around and show off their barbeque skills. They also would have stayed."

Vala visibly shuddered ever so slightly and Sam decided to ignore rather than pry. Instead, she changed the topic quickly. "Teal'c's found something."

Cam had moved up ahead to introduce himself along with Reynolds, Sam momentarily was thankful that even though Cam technically outranked her, they still shared control of the team. As they approached Teal'c, the Jaffa turned and nodded. "The ground is too barren to track prints from before this ash. I believe it is burnt Kassa. We should be careful."

Vala nodded as she took some of the ash in her fingers, then gave it a tiny taste. Daniel grimaced and winced. "Do you have to do that?"

Vala smiled coyly and offered her fingers which still had some ash on it to Daniel. "Would you like a taste?" Sam tried to suppress her smile, but seeing the others do the same, and Daniel give Vala the 'another word and I'm gagging you and it won't be fun' look, Vala explained. "Kassa only has a narcotic effect when it's metabolized, that's why you eat it raw. When it's burned, it's actually similar to those Corn Nuts Walter loves."

Sam snorted. "Probably helps his digestion."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "I believe that was more information than was needed, Colonel Carter." He didn't wait for the chuckle, and instead turned to the base behind him. "Shall we wait for Colonel Reynolds and his team?"

Sam turned back to where Cam, Reynolds, and now Captain Vega were talking with the armed villager. She noticed that many other villagers had hidden among the rocks around them, obviously terrified of the incoming people. "Yeah, we shouldn't make any hostile moves."

It took several minutes, and to Sam's mild surprise, Cam literally showed the villager how he was holding the staff wrong. His voice carried over the fields. "Fire in the hole!"

The Villager fired the staff at a handy rock nearby, and the bolt of plasma shot out and left a smokey crater. The villager seemed terrified, but Cam and Reynolds managed to calm him down.

Sam kept control of the rest of the team though, keeping the Marines from freaking out, and Teal'c from subsconciously flanking.

After the display, Cam and Vega began to head towards them while Reynolds and the rest of his team walked over to the engineering and medical team along with the villager. Cam approached and nodded. "We're clear. Once we explained who we were and who the army behind us was, they softened up."

Captain Vega smiled cheekily. "That and you showed them how to kill us. But it wouldn't be a trip through the stargate without someone shooting at us, sir." Sam noticed how Vega had a totally innocent smile, proving just how evil she could really be.

Cam gave Vega a silent stare, and then explained to a dumbfounded Sam. "Look, they didn't trust us enough to accept our help. I showed em how to use a staff, so he knows we're not here to take over. Kinda stupid for conquerors to show their prey how to kill 'em, It worked didn't it?"

Seeing the villager now heading to the others and explaining how the weapon worked, Sam grimaced. "Getting shot hurts, Cam."

Cam rolled his eyes and motioned towards the fields behind them where the burnt out hangar remained. "How 'bout you just show us where you found the body, Vega?"

Captain Vega chuckled and motioned with her head. "Follow me."

SG-1 watched as the engineering and medical teams moved ahead now with the remainder of SG-2 and the Marines as escort. They then turned around and headed out towards the burnt out husk of the Lucian Alliance base.

Vega led them, her P90 bouncing softly off her side as she walked, Sam immediately noticed how she watched everything around the area and kept a watchful eye on the surroundings. There likely weren't any hostiles in the area, but she appreciated the attention to detail.

Daniel and Vala had moved to the side, examining the silo like buildings while Teal'c headed straight for the tower. Vega on the other hand looked annoyed with the rest, but with Cam waving her annoyance off, she continued to move ahead. Cam mused to himself that the Captain was still a hothead from the deserts of Iraq even after 2 years.

Sam opted to stick with Teal'c, and caught up to him just as they were reaching the tower. "You recognize anything Teal'c?"

Teal'c looked up at the tower, and nodded. "This is a standard Goa'uld design for a small outpost. It is simple to maintain and run, there were perhaps no more than thirty people on this base given the accommodations this facility would provide."

Sam listened, but also looked down towards the front of the tower where a pair of double doors stood wide open. "Then where are they?" She knelt down and brushed away the thin layer of ash, revealing a rusty red dirt beneath. She winced and turned to Teal'c. "You think it's blood?"

Teal'c eyed it and used his foot brushed away a larger segment of the ash. The rust colored dirt ended a few feet away and revealed a large splotch on the ground. "Indeed. I would say more than one person met their fate here." He furrowed his brow in confusion. "Strange. Staff weapons do not cause wounds that would bleed this much. It is possible that whoever died here was stabbed, or shot with a projectile weapon."

Sam rubbed her chin – A few memories came back, but she decided to keep it in the back of her head. "Maybe we weren't the only ones keeping tabs on them. We know the Ori are pushing a lot of cultures around, some might be raiding Lucian Alliance bases to steal supplies."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That does not seem likely. There is very little cover in this general area, and the villagers would have noticed a force large enough to overwhelm it."

"Maybe it was a smaller team, special forces." Sam got up from her crouched position and motioned to the door. "After you?"

Teal'c bowed his head and graciously extended his hand. "Ladies first."

Sam laughed out loud in amusement, Teal'c had a strange sense of humor, but she highly appreciated it. "Thanks, you're the first person to call me a lady in quite awhile."

-4:38 pm-

"We found the body here, lots of broken bones, lots of blood. He didn't die quick that's for sure."

Cam grimaced as he looked down at the burnt Kassa field he was standing in. He wondered if maybe it aerosolized and he'd get an unhealthy obsession over corn when he got back home. "Looks like it."

On the ground in front of them, a large patch of less burnt, but eerily red Kassa remained. It had been crushed and from the looks of it, the man had just materialized here. "How'd you say the villager you talked to explain it?"

Vega got up from her kneeling position where the body was found, and sighed. "She wasn't exactly forthcoming. It was a little girl. She said she saw the 'demon god' fall from his chariot, slain by the 'death angels' that took out the base." She held up her hands. "Look, I just bribed her with some chocolate. I joined the Air Force to get away from my brothers and sisters so if you know someone better with kids be my guest."

Cam didn't care much that she didn't use the honorific in private. He'd found that while Vega didn't have a healthy respect for the chain of command, she respected those who earned it. He knew she was just being honest. "Anything else?"

Vega shook her head, but pointed out to the side where the silos were. "Just one thing, she said that the death angels could rain fire down like water; Said it came from that hill there."

Seeing both Daniel and Vala heading in that direction, Cam clicked his radio. "Hey, Jackson, Vala, keep an eye out for anything that can 'rain fire'. We've got eyewitnesses who saw something from that hill over there."

Before Daniel or Vala could reply, Vega cautioned. "All due respect, you think they'll be able to find anything?"

Cam rolled his eyes. Vega was still young and feisty. She reminded him of a certain recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel he'd known in his youth. "Trust me, they'll find it."

Vega relented, though Cam could see she was less than satisfied. Cam ignored it - she'd become less hostile since their last mission together, but she still had that attitude and edge that would keep her from getting promoted for a long time.

Daniel's voice came through moments later. "Got it Cam. We'll keep an eye open. Sounds like some kind of mortar."

Cam couldn't fight his smirk upon seeing Vega's eyebrows rise at Daniel's educated guess on the cause of the 'fire rain'.

-4:49 pm-

Daniel rolled his eyes for what seemed the millionth time as Vala bounced around and generally spent about two picoseconds studying the area.

"You know, if you keep doing that, your eyes will go backwards in your skull."

Apparently he wasn't the only one to notice. He replied sarcastically. "Oh I'm sorry, I'm trying to keep an eye out for whatever rained fire down on the Kassa. Forgive me if your dancing around is distracting me."

Vala stopped, turned to Daniel and gave him a sultry smile. "So… you like my 'dancing'?"

Daniel gave her a stony stare, and resisted rolling his eyes again. "Well you are the only thing moving around here. I'm actually kinda surprised there aren't many animals around."

Vala screwed her face looked around the hillside where they were standing, and said "What are you talking about? There're birds all over, and I saw a few squirrel things running around."

Daniel raised his eyebrows and looked around suddenly worried that he'd been so distracted by Vala that something had snuck up on him. "Really? Where?"

Vala quickly turned and pointed. "There. And there's another one down there."

Sure enough, once Daniel focused, he saw them through his glasses. The squirrel creature was roughly ferret sized, but didn't come very high off the ground. It had a large bushy tail though that resembled a tumbleweed. "Oh. Well that's strange. It's weird that the sarcophagus's I've been in never fixed this nearsightedness for good."

Vala shook her head and moved over to hook her arm around Daniel's. "No it isn't, unless you reprogram a sarcophagus to exact measurements, it'll usually just heal you to whatever your body naturally wants to be."

Holding Vala in place, Daniel turned to her. "What? What do you mean?"

Vala growled in annoyance but also noticed a glint in the hillside not far. "The sarcophagus works by making your cells divide and reproduce using the nutrients in your body. I know you haven't used it often, but ever notice you get hungry after? And itch like you've been danced on by mosquitoes where you got hurt?"

Daniel blinked a few times, then turned away in a stunned expression. "Actually yeah. That makes sense given that it's based off the Tel'chak device." Feeling Vala tug him along, Daniel said. "What is it? I don't think those squirrels will bother us."

Vala rolled her own eyes in full view of Daniel and pointed down the hill. "There's something shiny down there. It might be what we're looking for."

Now fed up, Daniel had to ask. "How can you see all this stuff? You're pointing to the middle of nowhere two hundred feet away."

Vala smiled, and tapped her nose.

-5:12 pm-

Sam tried to piece together the remains of the Goa'uld computer console at the top of the tower – she sat on what was left of something that had apparently been a command chair. The barracks below were empty as were the equipment racks. Whatever had happened had been total and little if anything was left. "Most of these computers are too damaged to do anything, Looks like they've been bludgeoned to death."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "I have noticed that many times you will refer to computers or electronic equipment much the same way as you would a person."

Sam felt a smile coming on, and sighing, she pulled her PDA out of her Tacvest pocket in the hopes of recovering some data. "It's just something I do. A lot of people who…" Turning to Teal'c, she could see that he was giving her a mild grin. She realized what he had actually meant. "You already knew that didn't you?"

Teal'c shrugged. "Indeed, though it is reassuring you say the same."

Sam couldn't help but smile, she'd had plenty of time to think about what had happened, and Teal'c seemed more… caring about all of them. She couldn't exactly understand, but the idea that he'd known them fifty years longer than they him gave it a strange assuredness. "I guess I'm at a disadvantage - we all are."

Teal'c just smiled slightly and nodded.

-5:15 pm-

Seeing the little girl Vega pointed to, Cam kept his distance as they approached the center of the village where the SGC personnel were now giving care and medical attention. An array of freshly filled graves stood several dozen meters away in a field, a somber reminder of the village's recent problems .

The girl was on her own though, few people if any were giving her attention.

"Reika?" The young girl turned from her seated position on the rocks by the village fire, and shirked away hiding behind her knees. Alicia sighed and slowed her approach, with one hand telling Cam to keep back. "It's me… Alicia. Remember me?"

She couldn't have been more than 10 years old, the leather animal skins she wore for clothing looked a bit small, almost as if she were outgrowing them. Her dirty blonde hair was unkempt, it looked as though she hadn't brushed it in a week. Cam kept his smile genuine and tried to appear non-threatening, it was harder than it sounded given that he was in pretty unknown territory here.

Reika finally replied as Alicia came closer and knelt down next to her. Her voice was soft and very scared. "You came back."

Alicia nodded, and sitting down beside Reika, she reached for her canteen. "Yeah. Told you I'd be back." Unscrewing the top, she offered the water to the girl. Reika hesitated, but eventually took the canteen and with a shaky hand, took a sip.

Cam was careful, children were always a finicky subject and he kept his distance while Alicia worked. Reika had obviously been traumatized, and Cam didn't really know what to feel. A part wanted to run, another wanted to try and help. A stronger part wanted to hurt the people who'd hurt her, that's what he was good at.

Reika finished drinking, and politely handed the canteen back. She looked up at Cam who had moved over to face the little girl albeit from across the fire. "Are you here to help us?"

Cam held his expression inside, and answered calmly. "Yeah… Alicia here told us you needed help." Slowly moving closer, Cam could see that Alicia was struggling trying to think of something to say. "Reika is it? That's a pretty name. Who gave it to you?"

Reika remained in her seated position, her knees up to her face. She quietly answered. "My mother. She's gone now."

Cam clenched his jaw and resisted the instinctual wince. Goddamnit. He joined the Air Force to kick ass and take names, not question children who'd seen atrocities. "I'm… sorry…"

Blinking a few times, Reika resumed her oddly expressionless tone. "Why?"

Alicia gulped – Cam saw her try to back up her superior officer. "Because we couldn't help her." Seeing Cam give her a disapproving look, Alicia quickly changed the subject. "Uhh… has your brother gotten any better?"

Reika shook her head and turned slightly to Alicia. "He's still asleep, but he's dreaming bad dreams." The little girl then turned to Cam. "The lady with the yellow hair said she was going to try and help him. Can she do anything?"

Cam's eyebrows raised slightly, and he looked to Alicia. "Uhh…" Alicia winced and began to mouth a reply.

'Her brother's an addict! Withdrawal!'

Informed, Cam now screwed his mouth to the side and answered after a moment. "I can't say for sure, but you can bet the farm we're going to try our best." Deciding to try something a little more direct, Cam reached into his TacVest where he pulled out a small baggy. "Alicia tells me you like chocolate."

Reika shrugged a little, but nodded gently. "I've never had it before, it's very sweet. It's not like the food the demon gods gave us."

Cam had seen some horrible things in his career, he'd done some horrible things, but never to kids., To use a kid for such a despicable thing made his blood boil and shred whatever sympathy he had left for the Lucian Alliance. "Well… neither is this…" Cam opened up the little baggy he had . "This… is called a macaroon. It's a pastry where I come from, but I think it's about as close to a 'godly' food as is possible.

He handed it forward and resisted giving Vega a disapproving look when she gave him the 'are you serious?' expression she was so good at giving.

Reika eyed it for a few moments, and asked curiously. "It doesn't look like a pastry, why is it rough?"

Cam sighed, and then using both hands, broke off a piece. "It's a fruit. Coconut, mixed with sweet bread. My grandma made these for me when I was a kid and I take them with me everywhere now. I really think you'll like it. Try it." To prove its worth, Cam took a bite out of his piece.

Reika finally accepted the pastry and took a little bite. She obviously liked it as the side of her lips crept up in enjoyment.

Alicia had to admit, she was impressed. It had been much more difficult getting Reika to accept a Twix.

-5:35 pm-

Standing at the head of the line of somewhat fresh graves, Colonel Reynolds sighed and grit his teeth. At some point in his life, he'd gotten used to the smell of decomposing bodies. He couldn't tell if that was a good thing or bad.

The graves were disconcerting in more ways than one, not only were they shallow, but they looked as if they'd been dug out by hand, or just some rudimentary wooden shovel-like devices. With his background in engineering, he could only wince at the thought of these people having to bury their dead by hand. Death on Earth was so clean in comparison, a backhoe made a hole in a few minutes, and the bodies were sealed in a casket rather than allowed to return to the dirt. His lips crept up as he recalled a George Carlin joke about 'recycling'.

It was moments like these that reminded him how lucky he was to have been born on Earth, rather than somewhere else.

Major Teldy was assisting Lt. Johansen with the second of the Lucian Alliance bodies the engineers had dug up. The Marines were watching their back, making sure no one decided that the exhumation was a crime worthy of a spear in the ass. All were wearing surgical masks the medics had brought, but the smell of the decomposing bodies was still disgustingly seeping through.

Reynolds reached down and examined the still clothed and dirt laden body. Just like the other two they'd dug up, the victim's chest was ripped open by projectile rounds. The blood had since clotted, making examination difficult in these rough conditions.

Lt. Johansen had opened up the shirt of the first body now, and took measurements of the holes and damage once cleaning it up with her gloved hands. "Colonel?" Reynolds moved over to where the body lay on a fabric stretcher. He nodded for her to continue. "Looks like center mass shots, full penetration since he wasn't wearing any armor. He would have died pretty quick since I think it passed through his heart."

Reynolds raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

Lt. Johansen sighed and shook her head. "I don't have enough equipment with me to be sure, but the wounds look consistent with a high velocity round. No powder burns or GSR on him so the shooter was at least ten or twenty feet away." She then pointed out the other body which had been bagged and tagged. "Same with her, all the bodies we've found so far are the same, three center mass shots. Whoever shot them knew exactly where to get an instant kill. They might have lived a few seconds after but with the amount of blood loss – it was merciful."

Teldy pumped her fists and wiped her brow with the back of her sleeve. Reynolds knew from experience that she wasn't too pleased. "It's possible someone raided them, but it wasn't us. I can't think of many cultures that would be capable of this that use bullets."

Getting up from his crouched position, Reynolds gulped softly. He had dark memories and could only hope he was wrong.

-6:10 pm -

It was almost two hours now, and the two SG teams had finally regrouped after each doing their investigations. They met at the front of the village, not far from the Stargate, but far enough from the village that they wouldn't be heard.

The eight SG-team members formed a semi-circle and listened as Cam led the discussion being the ranking officer along with Reynolds. "Alright kiddies, I asked around and the story is pretty much the same. Lucian Alliance showed up last year and set up, forced em to work, threatened em with Jaffa Tech. A little over a week ago, anywhere between three and thirty people raided and turned the LA into swiss cheese."

Reynolds continued, but eyed the teams. "Most were long range kills, but we found a few that were contact shots. Probably executed." He narrowed his eyes to Cam. "Where's Vega?"

Cam shrugged slightly and hooked his thumb back to the tent where the medical personnel were still hard at work. "Making sure my little friend doesn't get a tummy ache." Cam gave himself a small little smile and pat of his tacvest, then continued. "It was a little hard to understand, but one thing's clear, someone came, hit the LA hard and fast, and got away without leaving a trace beyond dead bodies."

Daniel shook his head, but before he could speak, Vala interrupted. "That's not true! Daniel and I found a weapon over on that hill. It looks like a mortar or something, it was dug into the ground and the whole area was burned."

Daniel turned an annoyed face to Vala, but then continued. "Yes, it looked like a mortar. Pretty crude too, just a small barrel with some metal reinforcing. It was too heavy to move so I think it was built right there. But whatever it shot it left a whole trail of fire along the hill. See that?" Daniel pointed to the hill and what appeared to be a darker gully leading down to the field. "That's actually burnt grass. Whatever came out of that was like a flame thrower, it left a trail as it came down. Whoever did this planned it for awhile if they could get something like that here."

Sam scratched her chin and added. "They're also not stupid, building a mortar isn't hard, but a flame throwing one that can burn down a whole cornfield? That's impressive on-the-spot engineering. They'd need a solid state fuel or at least some kind of napalm canister, propellant… it'd be tricky to make something like that in my garage, let alone out here in a field."

Across from Sam, Major Teldy added. "They weren't bad shots either, only found powder burns on a few of them, it was probably a high velocity round so I'm guessing a battle rifle since more were hit multiple times."

Sam hesitated for a second, shook it off, and then nodded and motioned over to the tower. "They were smart enough to break the computer consoles, but that could have just been the native population. We just don't know enough about what happened and we don't even have an inventory for the base." She turned to Teal'c and nodded. "What do you think Teal'c?"

Teal'c cocked his head, and after a quick look around, mused. "An outpost of this size would have maintained a platoon strength arsenal, as well as refined naquadah for resupplying cargo ships. The tower and barracks underneath reaffirm that suspicion, but there are few weapons left that the villagers do not possess."

Greer shook his head and replied succinctly. "No, they've only got a few staffs and zats. Nothing like platoon strength."

Reynolds sighed and looked to Cam. "There's nothing left here, we'll send back a few of the more suspect bodies through the gate for autopsy, but all this dirt would have ruined any evidence. I'll have the sappers dig out that mortar and send it through, I don't think we need both of our teams here anymore." Reynolds gave Vala a sarcastic look. "We're the amateurs remember?"

Vala gave Reynolds a grin back, then turned to Cam. "I think he's after your job Cameron. Careful…"

Cam and Sam gave each other a small look and agreed that it was pointless to stay. Cam replied with an equally sarcastic grin. "Noted. And I agree, I'll stick around for a little longer but the rest of my team'll head back and see what Lam's got to say about that body you brought back."

Reynolds and the rest of his team nodded, gave a quick salute, and headed back to the village, Sam raised an eyebrow at Cam, but Daniel was the one to speak. "So, you're staying?"

Cam turned back to the village to look, and then back to his team. "Yeah, jus' for a little while. Got something to take care of."

Not willing to pry, Daniel, Vala and Teal'c turned back towards the Stargate. Sam remained and stared defiantly at Cam as the others walked away. "Something to take care of?"

Cam shrugged at Sam who eyed him suspiciously. "Yeah, got a little lady who needs a hand."

Sam smiled slyly and looked over Cam's shoulder to the village. "Wouldn't be a smart mouthed captain with a chip on her shoulder, now would it?" She grinned and then shook her head. "And here I thought I was the only woman in your life."

Cam snorted and grinned back. "You'll always be 'the one,' but this lady's only ten and really needs someone right now. I'm here, so why not?"

Sam's smile went from sly, to warmed. "Aww… forget the IOUs, do this and I'll forgive it all." She gave Cam a gentle shove on the shoulder and snickered. "Go on, I'll brief Landry."

Cam gave Sam a similar playful shove, and then sighed. This village would be okay now.

-6:22pm-

-(Earth)-

As SG-1 stepped through the event horizon to the SGC, they were a little surprised to see General Landry waiting for them. Vala instantly held her hands up. "I didn't take anything, I swear!"

Landry gave her a disapproving look, instantly making the others serious. Sam stood up straight and respectfully asked. "Sir, is there a problem?"

The general nodded, and then motioned with his head. "This is important, did you find any evidence of who might have attacked that Lucian Alliance base?"

Daniel shrugged and replied. "Not really, but whoever they are, they're at least as technologically adept as us."

Teal'c nodded. "Indeed, eyewitnesses claim they stole a Cargo Ship, and many weapons and supplies are missing. Their tactics were ruthless, efficient, and uncaring of collateral damage." He narrowed his eyes and spoke softly. "No free Jaffa would strike like this. This is someone we've not seen before."

Landry turned a shade paler and looked away, "Maybe we have. Dr. Lam just got the ballistics report back. That scorched body had three .45 caliber rounds in its chest - Earth made bullets."

Sam's eyes went wide in shock, as did the rest of her team's. "You don't mean…?"

Landry nodded – his voice soft. "We'll discuss it in the briefing room, but we've already contacted the Tok'ra to get a ship out to that planet and investigate. We might have missed something."

Daniel gulped, something told him that the situation was much different than before, and it was going to get a hell of a lot messier before it got cleared up.

- Planet: P1C-T4R (Eldross) -

- Free Jaffa Settlement -

- February 27th 2007 -

- 5:16 pm Local Time -

Al'Mack scoffed as he and Rachel walked towards the Cargo Ship hidden in the forest near the Chappa'ai. "A Tel'tak is no place to run a business like ours. A strong base will give you respect and a reputation. We have much work to do if you wish to join the Lucian Alliance."

Rachel rolled her eyes and motioned with her chin forward. "Just get in. We can talk about this stuff after I've introduced you to the others."

Al'Mack continued his saunter forwards. These rogue Tau'ri - if that's what they really were - had much to learn about how to strike fear into opponents. If anything, Al'Mack clearly expected to become their leader with his access to Lucian Alliance resources. An out of the way planet would be a nice start.

Rachel keyed in the command codes into the side of the Tel'tak where the doors opened and motioned to Al'mack. "Go ahead, they know we're here." She hefted her bag of food to one side, allowing Al'Mack passage

Al'Mack decided to enter with purpose. This was his Tel'Tak now, this was his team, this was –

Zap! A single red bolt flew into Al'Mack's chest as he entered the Tel'tak, and he dropped to his knees. The Intar had weakened him, but not enough to completely debilitate him. He gasped for breath, clawing backwards towards the door when he felt a sharp strike on his back.

Rachel had jumped up and used the top door jamb of the Cargo ship as a swing to dropkick Al'Mack deeper in. Moments later the doors closed and the lack of strong light blinded him.

He was rolled over, and a boot came down on his throat. An older man with a beard stood above him with an Intar in one hand. "I should kill you right now, but Decian wants you alive, and he's promised me everything you own in return.

Firing another Intar shot, Al'Mack was completely incapacitated.

-5:20pm-

Malcolm took his boot off the Jaffa's throat and looked into the shadows where Drake and Garcia were waiting with their weapons drawn. "Get him locked up in a crate, put a few airholes in it and get ready for takeoff." He then turned to Rachel who was now dusting her hands off. "Anyone follow you?"

Rachel smiled and shook her head. "Nope, far as anyone knows, I just hired him to be our guide. We can come back anytime and nobody'll suspect a thing."

Malcolm smiled, things were going perfectly so far, and with Al'Mack's small outpost his rival in the Lucian Alliance Decian promised, he'd have a starting place to put all the weapons and equipment they'd salvaged from the Alpha Site.

Drake moved out of the shadows and shook his head at Al'Mack. "Figures, even the Jaffa can't say no to a pretty face."

"And look where it got him." Rachel gave him a less than amused face. "You know what Lucian Alliance does to their prisoners. We won't see him again, least not in one piece."

Garcia moved around the body, and motioned for Dan to take the legs as he took Al'Mack's hands. "Reminds me of Colombia."

Malcolm retook control having allowed his team to vent a little, "Alright, Stirfry, get us back to Decian's base. Garcia, once you're done packing up the cargo with Drake, message Decian. I'm not stupid enough to think he'll follow through without pressure." He sighed and stretched his neck. "I'm going to put this rubbish Jaffa weapon away and finish cataloguing our equipment, Once we're on the way we'll see about dinner."

Dan chuckled and lifted up Al'Mack's body. He headed over to where a wooden crate was waiting to be opened. "Wonder what Stirfry'll have for us today."

Garcia smiled looked over at the bag Rachel had left by the door. "Looks like meat, might actually enjoy dinner this time."

"I heard that! Expect a bullet in your steak!"

Both Garcia and Drake chuckled at Rachel's quip, Malcolm simply smiled. Their first job as a freelance team was done, and now they were building their resource levels. Once they'd built up a decent amount, Decian would follow and nothing would stop them short of death.

But Malcolm wasn't afraid of death anymore, not like a regular person was. No god or gods would ever torture their creation with a life like this or those he'd seen in his career. All that mattered now was having people who became family for the short time in which you weren't alive, but you weren't dead yet.

Yes, things were going smoothly so far. And now checking the equipment they'd salvaged from the offworld RedScope facility's backup cache, including computers, sensors, and even basic amenities like showers and toilets, Malcolm knew that he'd be cheating death fhor quite awhile longer.