The Scooby Gang
The Scooby Gang - Book 4 Babylon 5
Disclaimer: I have no property rights to any published or copyrighted material that is reserved to those that make money from ideas which I do not.
Summery: The fourth book of the Scooby Gang. The group has found a ship in the yellow space; this leads them to a space station named Babylon 5, the last best hope for peace. How will the chaos that seems to thrive around Xander survive on Babylon 5, how will the manor reaction to space travel in normal space?
Sequel to 'The Scooby Gang Book 1, 2, & 3'
Multi-Ships: m/f/f/f/f f/f/f f/f m/f
Crossovers: Harry Potter, Stargate, Honor Harrington, Highlander, and Babylon 5
Beta kudos to cj_cold
Chapter 6: Summit
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George Hammond looked to Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman, one of the many members of staff sitting in on this particular briefing, and asks, "Are the Irises in place shipside?"
"We have them in place, sir." Walter told him. "They're all manned on the other side by keyed individuals that can authorize travelers or come through the Irises themselves. The self destruct of the travel Irises is fairly simple to operate and I'm rather pleased that they only work with certain individuals."
Walter was one of the few who were keyed into every Iris, as was Jack, George, and a few others. It made Walter feel… needed, important, and boosted his ego just a bit.
George half smiled at the Chief and nods, "Thank you, Walter."
The briefing continued, a rough 3D blueprint on appeared above the table, it was another little gift thanks to the technology transfer, quite useful in these meetings and the Goa'uld nano-lathe had put it together without too much effort for the short staff they had manning the ship.
"We stationed them in the highlighted areas. These areas are the cordoned off to non military personal." George reminded the others there. "Major Griff, have we set up the civilian schools and communal areas?"
"Yes sir. We're still working on the details concerning the civilian side of the schooling. Most of the students seem to range wider than is usual for a single school. We already entertained the idea of hiring a number of teachers who passed the background checks or using some personal who have experience with education. Payroll isn't an issue overall, but we still don't know if those we wish to hire will be willing to stay here. At least we don't have to worry about keying them into the Irises regardless if they stay or not. If they don't stay, we need methods of securing them as possible leaks Earth-side and we don't really have the assets to spare for that." Left unsaid was the risk assessment for the NID's probable interference with this.
"Some of the teachers are quite capable themselves in the field of research and development. These people will need training if they wish to pursue that as an option but it is another item that we may want to consider."
Jack spoke up with reassuring tones, "We knew things were going to happen and that not everything runs smoothly before we started this."
They all nod in agreement at that.
Jack shrugs, "You mention the teachers capable of R 'n D; maybe we can do that in reverse as well. We have plenty of technicians perhaps some of them wouldn't mind teaching different subjects. In fact there needs to be some safety issues and commonsense training when living in space regardless of it being unnecessary for normal schooling. You know I think we might also want to contact Catherine Langford, she and Earnest Littlefield. Do we have enough results on the research with the Dargol Pesticide youth serum to help Ernest and Catherine?" Jack was glancing at George and Janet.
Hammond blinked in surprised and then turned to Janet.
Janet gestures giving him a half shrug before telling them, "We know it works."
It was a confirmation or affirmation of success before she quantified it, "It seems to be completely safe unless somehow we come across those that might be allergic to it, which we haven't seen any sign of. As of last week we've started to refine the synthesis adjusting for variables and ensuring that we have complete control over the de-aging process. Dr. Lee, Bill Lee that is, was heading up the research for the interface which will control the process based on a wide variety of individual factors."
Janet had glanced at Dr. Rothman when she mentioned Dr. Lee. Dr. Rothman was the scientist to sit in on the debriefing this time and he looked rather interested and bored all at the same time. Dr. Rothman was more like Daniel than a typical tech nerd that she'd come to expect from that seat during the last dozen or so of these briefings. Not every briefing was quite so heavily staffed, but General Hammond had been trying to pull most of the senior staff together for this briefing and would try every other month or so to do the same thing, it was simpler than ensuring that everyone read the memos he sent out informing them of current events.
George nodded to Janet that the she'd explained enough before turning to Jack and complementing his idea, "Using the de-aging serum is a good idea. I'll request that they rework the age parameters for the background checks. It should include some retired elder soldiers that might wish to consult as civilians."
Jack smiled slightly; having younger elders was going to be quite the… experience.
Turning to Jack the General asks, "Have the SG Teams started up again?"
Jack winced instantly. He'd really like to be on those teams still. "We've started to send the teams back out, nothing new to report that we haven't already talked about. Mostly routine but we have had a few casualties. SG-15 had their assed handed to them and SG-14 got two of their team taken out. We haven't sent anyone back to P6Y-325 yet because we still don't know what actually occurred. We've had several successful expansions into the worlds that we already had a presence. It's kept most of my geeks happy trying to fill in the blanks on the database." He glanced at Allen and Harriet and smiled at them silently thinking them for the contribution. They were paid as consultants but at a very low rate and they were pleasantly surprised with the unexpected bonus.
Looking at Hammond, Jack continued but on a different track, "The Tok'ra contacted us about setting up a time for a Treaty Summit to sign the treaty with the President. They realize that we're still arranging things here but I thought I would put it foreword."
"That is good news." The General smiled the treaty had been on track before they'd commandeered the ship they were on right now. "I was a bit worried that they felt we took advantage of them when we secured…" He sighed. "I believe they are going to name our command ship the Prometheus, but that is not set in stone."
"Prometheus," perked up Dr Rothman tasting the word with a smile before he nodded approvingly, "the thief who stole fire from the gods to ensure humanity's survival. Yes, that works. It is a very apt description. We only need to add the word 'false' to the quote!"
The archeologist said this with a seriousness which was why it garnered a chuckle for some and laughter from the others.
"I see" smiled Hammond. "I was worried! Even with the support we gave the Tok'ra, by providing the blank clone and trapping the Goa'uld… I've been quite concerned that they'd take offense with us utilizing the ship they wished destroyed."
Allen chuckles. "They might have, but I doubt it was that we used it so much as that we thought of it and they hadn't. I somehow doubt it would've prevented them from officially joining forces. Although just as a cautionary thing, you might want to have a few failsafe systems in place to ensure nobody prevents the treaty from being signed. We do have the advantage of screening people." He glanced at Janet when he said 'screening' before adding, "Those screens might not be the best main method of security. Considering some soldiers lost friends and such to the encounters with the megalomaniac's side of the Goa'uld. Not to mention that there might be some of their group that isn't so eager to sign on with us."
Harriet nodded. Jack looked curious and agreeable as George scratched his chin in thought for a moment in thought.
George asks, "Short of a large scale resistance such as a bombing, how would you suggest we defend against such confrontations? I mean how would you recommend providing some means of a guarantee?" There was already a list forming in George's mind about security getting into the Summit and he was sure Jack had some input as well, but the advanced of a council such as this was everyone else at the table would have things to input into a brainstorm and cut out any fixated ideas that wouldn't help.
Allen shrugs and offers, "First of all; there should be no weapons there during the Summit itself. If someone brings one it isn't a good thing. Maybe we could install some kind of panic button to activate defenses against certain weapons but I have no idea how to implement that."
That got Harriet thinking. She half turned to her husband and asked him with gleaming eyes that usually went with figuring out a puzzle, "Maybe something like the cloaked scouts?"
Allen shrugged noncommittally. "Not many people have the ability to use Scouts and I doubt that Xander wants to sit by a monitor the entire time listening and watching for danger."
"He might," Harriet had a twinkle in her eyes, "from what Dawn said he's rather interested in politics, though he would deny it if asked."
Jack asked, only slightly irritated at the byplay, "What is a scout?"
It was Allen who spoke up the answer, "Scouts are a remote viewing system that observes the surroundings centered on a small piece of wood that's charged with some rather unique energy patterns. Here" he pulled out the pad that was connected to the table and after a few moments he smiled and the image floating of the ship altered and suddenly there was a block of wood very large and turning slightly. "See here this is what it is, for a basic scout at least. Xander is rather a good aim with this. I only wish we could record from them."
"Why can't you?" Dr. Rothman asks.
"It utilizes energy for both the Scout and the Viewing Platforms." Harriet touched the pad and the cubed scout shrunk and there was an image of a VP and Dawn sitting at it. "The VP Dawn is sitting at is actually being used but it just doesn't show up on the film, either digital or magnetic media. You can see just fine but to actually record it with a computer or camera?" Harriet and Allen shook their heads in unison.
"This is all fine," Allen continued. "But unless you are really skilled with controlling a scout which usually is also based somewhat on your genetic disposition, it wouldn't do any good. We can ask Xander if you want."
General Hammond nodded. "If you could I think it would be much safer and less worry concerning what might happen. Perhaps Colonel O'Neill, you might want to have some others there as well."
This was the first time George had recommended something to Jack to make the choice rather than make it himself when it came to the SGC, and it wasn't missed by those present. There was a chain of command, no doubt, but this particular command was charting into new waters. Hopefully they would eventually have more ships and those that were gaining rank would continue to do so and with that rank experience and expansion.
Jack nodded. "That is a good idea, you think that the Vies, Tollan, Orbanians, and if Teal'c can find him perhaps Bra'tac, might like to be at this Summit as well." It very definitely was statement but Jack's eyes were seeking out Teal'c's ever-present gesture of agreement when needed. Bra'tac had sent word and included some training materials when they took the supper Ha'tak, but he'd not visited himself even if he stated his desire to.
George smiled widely at the initiative of the soon to be legitimate commander of SG Operations.
Teal'c voices his agreement as well as nodding, "Master Bra'tac would indeed like to be here, and I would be quite curious if the DP serum will have a strong affect on Jaffa."
Harriet speaks up quickly, "I think we should test that on blood samples before we do anything. I'm not sure if Naquadah in your blood or the lack of immune system would affect your susceptibility." She was thinking more on the Prolong than serum.
Teal'c nods; 'Bra'tac is very old and if he could be young again, it might help him in leading Jaffa who are of like mind and wish to serve no master, no false god… those like myself who wish to live free.'
The remainder of the meeting was simple confirmation that the Iris pairs were in place. Both the planet side and the ship side were spread out. There were two in DC under guard by the Secret Service who could see it destroyed at a moments notice. There was t third near DC just outside the district. Eight were in the Colorado Springs area, five of them on base at different secure areas while the remaining three of the eight were in private 'safe houses' that were actual homes of trusted personal far enough away from observation that it would be easier to use if necessary. There were three placed in Area 51 which General Hammond hoped was only temporarily needed. They left two mobile inside RVs which had a roaming guard in the Midwest this was in case any unforeseen event occurred that took out a large portion of the States. There were already plans on expanding the worst case scenario to other countries but the risk was much greater. Ironically the RVs Irises were often lingering near amusement parks and could serve as a furlough for either soldiers or dignitaries.
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Xander was sitting in the makeshift classroom with the girls. Eric and Dawnie were taking classes regularly, or at least taking lessons. They however brought some interesting points concerning the general education of the others. Buffy, Dawn, and Dawnie were there today learning as Willow and Egeria were instruction. Willow could break down several aspects of science while Egeria struggled with some of the words still, when she was teaching outside of the common room. She taught there quite a bit but usually it was more of a group educational discussion when in the common room.
Egeria also found it more fun if she taught with an assistant and usually that was Willow or Janna. Willow was easier to goad into helping. It was Egeria's job to go through the information and Willow's job to ensure the English translation was understandable enough for them to follow along. Egeria found it easy to go off on tangents so often Willow had to redirect the topic. One of the current tangents was genetics and they weren't even sure how they got from lecturing on hyperphysics to biology.
Dawn asks, "Does that mean that the biology of the Narn still has the same basic DNA as the entirety of all known races, even the Treecats?" she glances at Xander briefly with a slight smile.
Willow nods. "They all have the same things that make up our DNA, though I'm not sure on the Vorlon or other creatures that need to breathe things like methane." She shook her head. "The medical files you'll find in the section you set up, but there is no centralized analysis or comparison to the common DNA."
Dawnie almost whining, asks, "Can we get back to how the force-fields are different between the Goa'uld, the gravity nodes, and what little we obtained from the Centauri on their shields?"
Xander grins, it was well known that she disliked biology. He could tell that she was trying not to whine. Xander had found that was cute but hadn't shared that with her. She wasn't ready and he wasn't going to encourage her anymore than he did unconsciously.
Egeria was smiling as well. "I'll handle that Willow…"
That was when Allen entered the room. "Xander, um, if you're busy…?"
"Na, I think I can skip the rest of the class" he smirked. He finally had something to do.
Dawn stuck her tongue out at him and Willow rolled her eyes.
Dawnie pouted and sniffed that he was leaving. Buffy bumped her shoulder and Cordy made a mental note to talk with Dawnie, perhaps she would handle the next joint class they did and broach the subject of decorum.
With Dawnie working hard to learn everything it was rather boring for her to be told what to do all the time. Joyce had brought up the fact that none of them had graduated high school yet and set about making plans to have at least a single joint class a week. The class went from high school math, science, and history to Physics, biology, and a very unorthodox history.
Angel and Joyce had plans on expanding their artistic abilities with at least one art class a month. Angel also took to giving history lessons on mostly military history, Irish Folklore, or demons; that last was also had Giles involved as well. Jana was teaching programming and had included a very wide variety from what she learned in Goa'uld systems, to Manticore and Beowulf, to the newly learned systems from the Centauri and Narn. It was shocking how many different limited AIs the different races and different realms utilized and so many of them had entirely unique methods of programming.
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Xander asks as he felt the need emoting off of his clan, "What did you need, Allen?"
Allen smiled a touch, "The EDC is going to be holding a Treaty Summit and are inviting a number of guests. The treaty is a good thing but there are some individuals who I'm sure are going to be wishing to see relations with are allies harmed. I'm not too worried about our own people but it would be very easy to slip in a spy Goa'uld and it wouldn't be felt by the others." It wasn't missed that he spoke of the EDC as 'our own people'.
"I understand." Xander nods. "What is the plan? You wouldn't have come to me if you didn't have an idea on how I could help."
Allen smiled, almost smirking at the perceptive young man, "I'd like to set up some scouts in the Summit's meeting room. Maybe have a few portkeys made to transport prisoners directly to the brig if needed; I mean if the scouts not only froze them but transplant them elsewhere?"
"I think we can arrange that. Let's go talk with Sirius, I know the girls wore him out a bit yesterday." He was smirking.
"Um…" Allen had no words for that; he really was a prude at times.
"No" Xander chuckled, "it isn't from copious amounts of sex. Sirius took yesterday to teach a general wizarding history to the rest of us and included quite a few adults that had 'dropped by'. They wore him out with every question they could ask." He was smirking at the prank well played.
"Aura and Nancy aren't with the others in class right now because they're running around London getting things for him as punishment for inviting everyone yesterday. Not only that but he's teaching tomorrow as well the second half of the class." His smirk had a glee to the eyes that Allen blinked at.
"Why didn't you invite us?"
He shrugged. "I didn't really invite anyone I suggested to the two girls that it would be a good way to pay him back for the prank he pulled on the toilet seat last week. I had thought they told everyone about it and that you were busy. I guess they might not have told you or Frank and his wife. Ritchie showed up though." He frowned and shrugged. "Maybe they didn't think you'd be interested, I'll ask them. Sirius is really a good teacher, even with teaching adults. I think he'd have more fun teaching a more practical course though."
They approached the room Sirius was in. They could hear him speaking and glanced in at the empty room. Sirius was practicing his public speaking and it was quite humorous to see him looking expectantly at the empty room.
'Sirius, do you mind if we talk with you a moment? That is if you can call a break from your adoring fans?'
Sirius rolled his eyes then aloud says to the empty room, "I think Xander needs me, you all want to take a break? I think the next few decades were pretty much how the book says." He tapped the computer pad.
Allen laughed softly as did Xander.
"You know the only reason they want me to do this is because I gave Remus a hard time about becoming a professor!"
"No" Xander told him. "It's because everyone will remember the lesson, as you make it memorable. I know I find it much more memorable taking in their impressions as you lecture. You seem to have a humorous take on what is actually written and no doubt there are some things that were either passed down to you from what you recall from the Blacks' opinions of things, things you knew were bull, or things that you heard when you moved in with the Potters."
Sirius reluctantly sighed while nodding. "You didn't stop my practice to sing my praise; what did you need?"
"Portkeys, if you're up for it?" Allen asked.
The existed thrilled voice asks, "Really?"
Xander nodded.
Sirius sighed with relief, "Anything to avoid more practice. I'm practiced out."
That was the real reason the girls were out today so they didn't distract him from his practice. They would be having words with Xander when they found out that he'd given him the excuse to vacate the planned practices.
"We need them to go to a homing target, if you can and they need to be the Snatcher Scouts that can be remotely activated."
Sirius gambles with a sigh, "You don't ask for much, do you?" He agrees adding, "Give me a day and I should be able to do it. I just have to research the proper spell work and see if I can link it to a rune or a particular sound. Are you going to be available Xander?"
"Sure" he nodded.
Allen smiles, "I'll let the General know what's going on."
Xander told them, "Good, I think I'm going to go help Dawnie with her essay on shields."
Xander left them to their tasks; he'd been attempting to spend time with all the girls but especially with Dawnie. This was in part because all the other girls had all found that they could share themselves with some type of mental connection while having sex, it was only recently realized. Xander considered this as he approached Dawnie. It might actually be one of the reasons they were so open about their sexuality, however considering the amount they were open prior to exposure to the aspect of demon it was most assuredly not the sole reason and wasn't the reason it started that way.
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"So I put these in the brig and if anyone needs a quick trip there they'll get… beamed there?"
"Good a word as any." Allen shrugged. "The idea is to make it as safe as possible for everyone present. I really hope that they don't have to be used."
"As do I…" George agrees. "Now I'm hoping to help plan a surprise party for the soon to be General O'Neill. They've already given the okay and he's already officially taken the Commanding Officer slot of the SGC leaving me to deal with the EDC as a whole. I want to talk to a number of the guests and Thor and invite them without his being aware of it."
Allen and Harriet smiled widely and started scheming ideas on the surprise party that they'd not be able to properly plan until they had at least a semi-complete guest list.
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The scouts were set up in the room. Xander had a secure room to the side that had three VPs set up for the three deployed scouts. There were a dozen more folded down just in case they were needed.
"Why so many?" asked Allen.
"I figured the three I have here could be a good test to see if anyone here has the ability to control them with any efficacy. The extras are the ones that have the transport portkey to the brig attached."
Jack spoke up, "Why do they look like ships off Star Trek?"
Xander laughs. "You recognize them?"
"Yea, that one seems to almost glow near the nacelles."
Xander nods. "Would you prefer just an ugly block of wood?"
Jack smiled and shook his head.
"Sit, we can have a race."
Jack glanced at the others and shrugged.
Jack could control them quite efficiently, not as well as Xander could. Xander had the advantage of instinct and practice to add to his genetic predisposition, but Jack could steer a scout easily enough.
"You're doing well. Here try this."
He pressed a rune and the image shifted to almost a black and white and then rapidly shrunk. Jack frowned and pressed the rune causing his image to slowly shift, gradually shrinking to match Xander's.
"Picture it doing it in your head. What you're seeing now is the visual representation of gravity and energy, at first it's the Earth, then the sun, and so on."
Jack nodded, and the shrinking was much quicker but it didn't hold.
"Practice, you did more than many can. You should be able to use them fully, which is all I really wanted to know for now."
"Not everyone can use them?" he asked curiously he'd not missed what Allen and Harriet had said about the genetics being a factor.
"Some people can make them go up and down and such but don't have any of the precision when in control; as an example they wouldn't be able to shift it like we just did."
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In preparation for the Summit the Orbanians were the first to show. They were quickly followed by the representatives of Vias. Bra'tac was there shortly after the Vias had shown up.
Daniel started the introductions. "This is Kalan of Orban and Tomin, his son." Tomin seemed somewhat curious and quiet. "They are a people of Teotihuacán decent."
Kalan nods, and tells them, "Tomin has almost fully recovered from his Averium. It seems that the former Urrone almost one and all are able to learn the old fashion way much quicker. We are unsure if this is a side-effect of the time the nanites were within the Urrone affecting the brain or if they were simply predisposed to learning things that they'd known previously. It is thought that they might have a… shadow of the thoughts running through their synapses."
It had been almost a year and a half since the SGC had contacted them; the elders had been reluctant to send anyone further to the SGC but had done so at Kalan's request. He had simply pointed out that their children now had a chance to live after the Averium where before SG1's interference with the Averium they did not. There was always a chance they might not return, but he was sure it was slim especially as neither of the two going were Urrone.
"Lynnea, Nodal, and Layale of Vias," Daniel gestures to the three. "This is Bra'tac of the free Jaffa." They shook arms a bit overwhelmed. "Lynnea, or Ke'ra as she is called with fondness, was someone who helped us and then tried to help the people of Vias when the Dargol gas caused a chain reaction which made a majority of the people young and without memories of what and who they were."
"How did you regain your memories, I take it you did?"
Lynnea winced in memory. "I helped Dr. Frasier with it. When I first got my memories back it was quite overwhelming. The woman I'd been before the memory loss was a cold vicious woman who I didn't want to live my life as she was or with the memories of her past. Only the promise to block the memories stayed my hand, then Xander helped to restore the memories without the emotional turmoil." She had a smile on her face and glanced around, placing a hand on Daniel's arm she asks him, "Is Xander here?"
Daniel nods, "He is, but he's currently occupied. I'll let him know you asked after him."
She smiled widely. Unknown to Daniel when Xander restored the memories he'd restored the memory of a growing fondness for Daniel. Ke'ra would've been happy to court the young archeologist, but with all her memories Lynnea was unsure if Daniel could ever see past the elderly lady from the prison they'd shared. Because of that Lynnea was hoping to talk to Xander and find out if he was seeing anyone romantically before putting anything what would likely be a wasted effort into pursuing Daniel.
Before talk could continue the Tok'ra delegation arrived. Jacob was with them, as was Anise, and one that Daniel didn't recognize right off the bat. Then he remembered Hebron had been the host that had volunteered for the Goa'uld that they'd dealt with just a few months ago. He briefly wondered if he had already joined with another Tok'ra or not.
Anise/Freya was the one to introduce their leader to the group of people in attendance which had grown to over a dozen already. "This is Per'sus, the host was called Percy or Perseus and the Tok'ra was named Pegasus with the former host. They joined their name as a mark of a compromise to the host and a statement of their unity. A statement of why he was named the Supreme Commander of the Tok'ra Council."
Freya took a drink of Pepsi from the Martini glass. It was surprising that they all seemed to find the custom of drinking during these events relatively familiar. The Tok'ra leader was a stern looking man and a clear glass from one of the server's trays didn't detract from the stick-in-the-mud façade.
The façade was ruined completely by Jacob Selmak's jesting reverberating tone of Selmac but was quite obviously Jacob's humor, "Nah, he just didn't like being named after a flying horse."
There were a few chuckles and good laughs as it didn't take any imagination to prove which one was more accurate.
'One is just an excuse for the other.' Xander was sure. Then he felt it and it was tied to the name Per'sus. The word had triggered something almost primal and vicious.
Xander focused closing his eyes. 'There it is' he thought and his eyes opened and widened as Major Graham started to fight the controlling influence. The major was the source of the primal and vicious emotion; it was there because he didn't like being controlled physically and having nothing that he could do about it.
Xander didn't waste time, he'd felt the protocols in the man's head and knew that suicide was the next step, success or failure.
The soldier was not a major part of the crowd so Xander's arrival through the side door was mostly unnoticed. "Impedimenta!" he hissed from behind the man.
Xander's stupefy was not up to par enough to knock out an ant, much to his frustration. Slowing things in motions seemed to work just fine.
'General.' He sent. Hammond turned surprised to see him. 'This man has an invading mental presence and will likely suicide if not dealt with before that can happen. He was ordered to kill Per'sus, I believe. I can check him out more thoroughly after the party is over.'
General Hammond winced at the voice in his head and nodded as he didn't have the means of communicating back, though he did try, 'I don't know if you can hear my thinking at you, but if you can please secure him in med-bay?'
'I'm on it. I'm sensing that he wasn't the only one mentally tampered with. I'm picking up the Major's mental shout about a P6Y-325 and a Lieutenant Anton that he's worried about as well.'
He nods to Xander. Xander plus one vanish to the medical bay through the use of a portkey he had on in him. He had seven of them just in case the worst might happen. After he informed Janet Frasier what was going on he went to collect Lieutenant Anton, a very nice young woman, who was currently off duty.
They both were unmoving in medical bay under Doctor Frasier's care before Xander was back at the monitors. Dawn, who was assisting him today, was watching in his absence and could have easily sent him a mental message if anything had occurred. She'd joined him not just as an assistant but also because she had several things she wanted to talk to Dr. Frasier about after the party. Hopefully the Prolong treatment would soon have a place in the local medical lab along with ReGen as well.
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Everything seemed to be running on task with the party until the President showed up. Xander wasn't sure exactly what gave him the hint that something was wrong this time; it wasn't the thoughts as much as some subconscious instinct. He flamed out instantly; this was a first for him. He'd seen Fawkes flame travel but had never even considered trying it. It was one of the things that Giles had thought might be possible with training but they had no written instructions for it.
It was because he hadn't been expecting it that he was temporarily lost in the ether before he finally understood exactly what he'd done and that it could never truly be instructed upon to those that did not have the instinct. This realization could have taken hours in relative time to Xander in the ether but in the real world it had only been a microsecond of time.
Honing in on what he'd felt prior to flaming, he found it. It was one of the Tok'ra who had been fighting itself. Looking closer in the thought patterns he realized that it was the Tok'ra as well as the host's mind against an invading presence. This was far too similar to Major Graham for Xander's liking and when he reappeared, he was directly behind the Tok'ra.
His flaming in had more than one observer looking over at him. "Fight it" he told him ignoring the others. "I'm here if you fail, I won't let it happen, but you are mentally stronger than a single human mind, fight it."
Suddenly the Tok'ra fell to his knees. Xander picked him up and vanished to the medical bay in a flash of flame.
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"I take it there is something wrong with him," Per'sus asked the doctor.
Both Anise and Carter were there with concern as well. The party had quickly ended with the president signing the treaty and making little in the way of small talk. Several of the guests had wanted to be here with the patient in the medical bay.
"I'm not really sure but whatever it is, is affecting all three of them."
"Mind control" Xander informed them. "I'm not sure what, but I can pull out the memories of what triggered it for these two. I'm at a loss for Martouf and Lantash but I know he's in pain because he's fighting it off, both of them are working together even now that he's immobilized. That ring" he gestures to the side table, "Is a weapon, an assassin's weapon and he only started to lose control when the President was announced."
Anise whispered half harshly half in awe, "A Za'tarc!"
Xander frowns, "Pardon?"
Getting a read on so many Goa'uld was hard but he knew what she said was important.
"A Za'tarc is a type of mind control that I believe they have been subject to, they will find some way, now that they failed, to self destruct."
Thinking of an implanted device he asks, "Do you know if it's all mental after the programming is done?"
"I believe it is." She nodded. "The tool to implant them would leave no physical trace."
Xander turns, "General Hammond?"
The general wasn't sure how to handle this but knew what he was asking.
"Jack they are under your command." He half smiled at the disgruntled Jack O'Neill.
Finally Jack asks Xander, "Will you be able to remove it?"
"I don't know but I can try and find it at least."
"Do it, but Dr. Frasier can you monitor them while he does it?"
Janet nods and asks, "What is he going to do?"
Xander answers for him, "I'm going to go into Major Graham's mind and see if I can find and remove the trigger."
Janet sighs as that much she could have guessed already. She really wanted to know exactly how he was going to it and worse still she knew that he knew what she wanted and was asking and was being deliberately facetious.
The guests were watching silently, Xander focused and muttered the Legilimens incantation which wasn't exactly needed but would assist his focus on this particular task. It was three minutes of silent effort before he barked out a command, "Pensieve!"
Dawn was there instantly and had already retrieved the one they'd made for the EDC when Lynnea regained her memories.
Lynnea was watching them curiously as well but she knew of his ability before this from personal experience.
There was a white almost gray substance that Xander removed from the left temple. "I would recommend watching it privately!" his voice held the edge of disgust.
He then turned and delved into Major Graham's mind once more. The first strand had been separated already but this time four more strands were put into the Pensieve they were the same as the first but less influence. He did this until there was nothing left to pull out of that particular memory.
"What is that you are removing from their heads?" Bra'tac asked.
"Usually these will hold a solidified memory. Or memory given physical form, which takes on a pure white reflection; I've never seen a gray one before, which is why I would recommend utilizing the projection aspect of the Pensieve when you watch it." He told that to Jack. "The memory of the implantation by a false god needed to be removed several times before I could find the actual compulsion and remove it. I would still recommend the Major not have any personal contact with the Tok'ra, as a precaution. I think he has more then enough strength of will to fight it if it again comes to the surface but sometimes in the heat of battle soldiers rely on their instincts first and thoughts second." He sent the Tok'ra an apologetic smile.
"We take no offence from this; perhaps a few sit downs with the young man in a controlled setting will assist. Are you going to be able to help Martouf and Lantash?"
"I'll help the Lieutenant first, those two are still fighting it and that will mean less work for me and a stronger defense for him, besides entering a mind of both a host and a symbiote is much tougher than a single minded individual."
They didn't ask, but Xander could feel they were curious as to how he knew that.
It took only a single entry of memory from Anton because the programming was not yet triggered. Lantash and Martouf were both readily willing to let Xander enter their minds. It was quite a different work out for the young man and instead of removing it they started to destroy it, Xander utilizing his flame generating ability while inside the mind was a new thing and he'd have to check that out later with enemies rather than wise allies.
After the triggers were destroyed he removed the single white strand.
"Finite," he whispered, "You feeling alright now?"
"Thank you for your assistance Xander, without you I have no doubt I would have been killed already."
"Na, you had it on the run. Granted it would have taken longer but don't ever underestimate the adaptive powers of a being made up of almost one hundred percent brain matter."
The eyes of Martouf glowed as he laughed.
"It is good that you are well" Anise said to the Tok'ra. "I have never met someone that could overcome a Za'tarc before." She looked Xander up and down and licked her lips.
Xander shivered and moved slightly back and behind Dawn as if hiding from the big bad wolf. Dawn giggled.
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The after party which had picked up after the excitement in the medical bay was quite informal and there was no added need for security. Xander, the Tok'ra, SGC, Hammond, Lynnea, and the Orban had all joined together while Dawn, Janet, and Bra'tac stayed in the medical bay to oversee the testing and if Bra'tac was willing attempt to use the Dargol Pesticide Youth Serum also called the Elixir. It was a give that they were going to use ReGen after words followed by the Prolong. They removed the symbiote while they did this.
After the elder man had started to de-age, his hair had stayed gray but his skin had looked fresher and he was indeed younger. This was not a gas which affected even the hair itself but a shot. There was also an ointment that could be put on and then washed off for areas of skin that was damaged from age or overuse, but with the Jaffa this wasn't likely to be needed as the Primta would have helped with that previously. With the Elixir obviously working they waited for the agent to neutralize which the system Bill Lee install informed them of. The ReGen was efficient enough to regenerate the area of the Pouch and rebuilt the immune system. After that it was time for the Prolong treatment. Dawn hoped Xander was enjoying himself as she was even if some of it was rather boring in a wait and see type of way.
The stations for the Prolong and ReGen worked great and Janet had found that the young girl almost Cassandra's age was quite skilled and mature.
"It seems" Bra'tac said solemnly, "that everything is working as it should. I can not thank you enough; this might go a long way to helping my people." He gave a half bow.
Dawn nods then reminds him, "Just remember that if you get hurt that you need to see to it rather than let your Primta assist."
"Indeed I will, though some might not wish to remove the Primta." He gives her a disappointed frown, "Some have grown too accustomed to strength given to them and do not wish to acquire it on their own merit."
"Yea, I know people like that." Dawn agreed thinking, 'Didn't Xander say that Egeria was a queen here, I wonder what happened to her here.'
Janet spoke up, "You handled that well Dawn, how old are you anyway?"
She winced. "I'm sixteen, soon to be seventeen," she added there wasn't any way for her to verify that, besides she wasn't on her world any longer so it wasn't like that mattered much.
Janet was surprised and voiced it, "Wow."
Bra'tac smiled. "Indeed, to be as young as you are and so proficient is a testament to your blood and character."
"Thanks" she blushed slightly.
"You know Cassandra is fifteen or thereabouts…" Janet was thinking that Dawn would be a good influence.
Bra'tac asks her, "Is she on Prometheus?"
Janet nodded. "Her and Jon… Jack I guess, are going to be visiting LeVelle Manor I think, that's what Xander said."
Bra'tac hesitantly stated, "Xander is… quite powerful. I am thankful that he does not profess to godhood."
Dawn grins mischievously, "Only in the sack." She smirked hoping to catch the composed man in a blush, "But then it's us girls giving him claim to godhood."
Bra'tac lifts an amused eyebrow; he was far too old to have a young lady maneuvering him into losing his bearing.
Janet however was completely shocked. "He…" she couldn't form words
Janet's stumble caught Dawn's attention and she blushed before giving the doctor a shrug, "Oh I was emancipated before we got together and he's only a year and half older than me."
"He is quite young." Bra'tac didn't let the surprise show, "I would not have guessed his age."
"He's only eighteen then?" the tone of the doctor was one that was asking for reassurance.
"Yea, but don't let his age fool you, he can be anything he feels the need to be."
Curiously Bra'tac inquires, "Feels the need to be?"
"Yes – a comforter, counselor, lover, killer, mediator, a class-clown…" She shrugged as she led off as if to say the list was never ending.
"He's…" Dr. Frasier was going to ask what she meant by killer but realized that he was too young to be soldier here but he was (obviously after what he'd done) a soldier of some sort. She was still on edge about his age versus experience but would talk to General Hammond and Colonel O'Neill about it later.
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The night wore on even if the Summit was officially over. The only difference was that now with the official business over the security was easily toned down. Xander ended up conversing with a number of people. The Orbanians for example had found the young hero to be quite entertaining.
Jack had thought 'This entire thing has been quite well put together. Next time I'll need to invite Xander and not just for security. Although the security was much better than I'd ever hope to expect. Still, it gives me the shivers to know he can just enter a mind at will.'
The memories Xander had shared had the planet the SG-14 had been captured on and he was planning to have some words with the Goa'uld if they were still there. He was also going to be helping the Tok'ra deal with the location Martouf had been captured from. They had the location of their former high commander, Garshaw of Belote. It turned out that Martouf and Lantash had discovered some information on her whereabouts in the hidden memory of his captivity.
'It's very surprising that nobody's asked how the hell Xander appeared in a pillar of fire.' Jack thought, 'I might ask another time but not right now!' The young man has built up quite a mystique and Jack was not going to pull the curtain on that.
For Hammond, he'd found Xander's sense of humor to be very similar to Jack's but he'd also noticed it was often tailored to exclude the stunts that would be found to be more distasteful. George took up a conversation with Xander shortly after they returned to the after Summit Party. He somehow ended up talking to him about his wife, who died in 93, his daughter and her two children that the rogue NID had taken an interest in. That seemed to be the starter to share about the school he was setting up 'on base' even if he wasn't running it.
"Maybe we could have a join class with them on occasion, right now we have about two thirds of the day that is devoted to education though only two classes as classes a week."
"That might be arranged…"
"Um general" Kalan spoke up, "We too would like to have some students attending classes; we are not yet up to any standards on our education."
General Hammond smiled and nodded. "I think that can be arranged. I'll get in contact with you the day after tomorrow we can set up some classes that are a bit more universal."
Lynnea thought she might also submit some children to be taught by the Tau'ri, it would be a wise move.
Hammond felt a small headache start to form as the extra work he just volunteered for became apparent to his conscious mind. Then Xander had that damnable smirk on his face that half said 'sorry' and half 'better you than me'.
"Maybe we can also ensure what you're teaching is amiable Xander?"
"Sure, I'm sure Angel and Joyce would love to teach an art class. Egeria and Willow might prefer something akin to hyperspace physics or is it Hyperphysics?" He shrugs and smiles at the turn around.
A couple heads turned to glance at him; 'Egeria' was a name that they knew well. They would ask later; perhaps they would attend a class as well. Hammond realized that Xander wasn't one of the teachers and was only half relieved at the shot of chaos that avoided.
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"Did you have fun at the party?" Dawn asked leaning into Xander's chest as they waited for Jack and Cassandra by Allen and Harriet's Door.
"I did. You know I think the school thing they're starting here is going to be a good thing. I've volunteered to ask Joyce and Angel if they were willing to teach art for General Hammond. Maybe we can attend a few classes. I'm still not sure we're all up to college standard and it would be nice to have some validation to our education. Prometheus School of Outer Space sounds rather cool."
"Really" Jack the younger said from behind Xander. He'd approached quietly and if his intent had been to startle Xander. He didn't succeed. Dawn jumped in surprise though.
Smirking at Jack Xander nodded, "Yea. You ready for an overnight adventure? Dawn here is using big needles now."
"No I'm not. I'm not even going to need a blood sample. I'm just going to set the Prolong and check for issues the Asgard left, though they would be better suited to check now that they have the medical information we sent them."
"Na" Xander shook his head. "From what I understand they're still working on correcting their own health issues, granted they have a good grasp on the general use of most of what we sent them. A good portion of their population was in stasis and now they need to work at reintroducing them to life."
Jack asks him, "How do you know so much about the Asgard anyway?"
It was then that Cassandra showed up.
"We don't, not really. Only what Egeria shared from her reality and what Harriet and Allen sent over. You ready Miss Frasier?" he asked primly and she flushed, she has four large bags with her.
Jack groans as he starts to help with two of them. Xander took the other two causing Dawn to grin widely.
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AN: This was a bit longer than expected and didn't have as much detail in some things as I wanted but I think it got the points across.