Chapter 9: Touchstone
After the events with the Salish spirits Buffy, Willow, Joyce and Xander had reluctantly agreed to reveal to Sam and Daniel who they were. Sam had been the most skeptical. So Buffy had taken them all out on patrol and they watched as she dusted a vampire. Then she had them beamed to Sunnydale and Giles explained about the supernatural. Suffice to say Sam had found her beliefs shaken to the core. That things like magic, demons and vampires really existed.
Buffy could understand how Sam had felt. Thanks to Neri she had an analytical mind and if she hadn't known the supernatural had existed before she would have found it hard to believe also.
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"Buffy!" Willow yelled as she entered Operations and over to Buffy who stood next to Xander. "I've think I have a way of replenishing the Defiant's ablative armor."
"Do tell," Buffy said.
"Naquadah," Willow said. "I was running some tests on some samples the SGC had. According to my tests so far. Naquadah can absorb and release energy. If we could lace the ablative armor of the Defiant with Naquadah and create a way for it to release the energy say into the warp core. It would in essence work the same way as the ablative armor does now. Add on top of that the Naquadah would not burn off like the ablative armor does."
Buffy nodded. "How much Naquadah are we talking about?"
"A couple hundred tons at least," Willow said.
Xander shook his head. "How are we going to get that?"
"We probably need to consider giving the SGC access to the technology up here," Buffy said. "They would have ways of getting the refined Naquadah that we don't."
"That's a big step though," Xander said.
Buffy sighed. "I know. And one I've been debating on since Daniel went to Abydos when I almost met the President."
"There is one other thing," Willow said. "The Dilithium crystals are beginning to fracture. They won't last much longer. With the research I've been doing I think its possible that we could replace the Dilithium crystals with Naquadah instead. The problem currently is I don't have an engineering team and I can't do this myself."
Buffy nodded. "How long we looking?"
"A month, maybe two before the Defiant will be dead in the water. If I had an engineering team it would take me about two weeks to refit the warp core to use Naquadah to regulate the matter and anti-matter reaction.
"Okay," Buffy said.
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"In the 5 weeks since our return from PX7-941," Sam said as she gave her briefing to SG-1, Xander, Willow, Buffy and Hammond a day later.
"Known to its indigenous population as Madrona," Daniel added.
"With the help of Captain Enye, we've been able to process most of the data we've collected and as a result we think we've corroborated some fairly startling first hand observations," Sam said.
"Which are?" Hammond asked.
"The inhabitants of this planet can proactively affect their own climate," Buffy said.
"That's a bit of an understatement General. They can call it up just like …" Jack said as he snapped his fingers "… that."
"You got a crop that needs some water, order some rain, you have a crop that needs sun, it's literally a matter of dialing it up," Willow said.
"You sure their wasn't a spell cast on all of you?" Hammond asked.
"We don't have the means to detect magic being cast," Buffy said. "Only the results. That said no I don't think so."
"But the fact is we may have stumbled on the most important piece of technology the SGC mission has discovered to date," Sam said.
Teal'c nodded. "Even the Goa'uld do not possess such technology."
"We do," Buffy said as Hammond looked at her. "The Federation has climate control technology. We could probably replicate the required equipment on DS9. But without revealing our existence to the populace. It would have little benefit to the people of Earth since it could not be revealed to them. That said the Federation does use the technology also to terraform planets. We believe that nine hundred years ago that is what happened on Madrona."
"Now the Madronans are technologically primitive so it's likely the planet was terraformed by another alien race," Daniel said.
"Weather seems to be regulated by this device," Willow said as she turned on a monitor with a picture of a statue holding a device in its right hand. "The Madronans call it a Touchstone. It's an ancient artifact probably made by a more advanced race."
"The high priest turns a series of calibrated rings, which seem to determine meteorological conditions over the entire planet's surface," Sam added.
"We have any idea what makes it tick?" Hammond asked.
"That's why we'd like to go back, sir. Carter wants to get a closer look with some of her specialized doohickeys," Jack said.
"Doohickeys?" Hammond asked.
"I believe that's a technical term, sir," Jack said.
"I would like to do a comparison see if this is comparable to Federation technology," Willow said.
"Any chance we can borrow it for a few days, do a little backward engineering?" Hammond asked.
"If you really one a weather control system," Buffy said. "We can give you the schematics for a Federation climate control system. But that is not why we are going there."
"Right … Okay then … go see what you can figure out," Hammond said.
Buffy nodded as everyone else left the room to get their gear together. "One moment of your time, if you please, General."
"Of course, Captain," Hammond said. "What can I do for you?"
"Xander, Willow, mom and I have been discussing our technology. We have decided when the President is ready that we would like to open formal negotiations to that extent," Buffy said.
Hammond looked at Buffy and knew there was a catch. Why now? "I do not mean to be skeptical. But I have to ask why now?"
Buffy sighed. "To be blunt. We need your help. The ablative armor on the Defiant is disappearing with each battle we have with the Goa'uld. Then there is the Dilithium crystals, they're fracturing. In a couple months time the Defiant will be mothballed without a substitute."
"And the substitute?" Hammond asked.
"Naquadah," Buffy said. "You have the ability to refine it. And the people to help with the work that would be needed to add the Naquadah to the ablative armor and to refit the Defiant's warp core to use Naquadah."
"Hmm," Hammond said. "And this would gain us access to …?"
"Everything," Buffy said. "You all have proven you are trustworthy even if your superiors are not."
"I'll talk to the President," Hammond said. "See about getting you a meeting."
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On the bridge of the Defiant, Sam hunkered over Buffy at the science station. "Massive atmospheric disturbances," Buffy said. "It seems their weather control system maybe acting up. Sam maybe you should round up the others and beam down? Willow, go with them."
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SG-1 and Willow beam down to the base of the Stargate where they find several people waiting.
Daniel bent his knees and bowed at the waist with his hands together. "Greetings Roham, Princess La Moor."
"It's the visitor's, Uncle," La Moor said.
Roham nodded. "We demand that you return the Touchstone."
"What? It's missing?" Willow said.
"Do not play games," Roham said. "You must return it at once."
"No games," Jack said as he took off his sunglasses. "We didn't take it."
"It is gone," Roham said. "Come … see for yourselves."
They follow Roham toward a temple.
"That explains the atmospheric disturbances," Willow whispered as she glanced at Sam. "The device isn't malfunctioning but gone. But who could have taken it?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't know."
Princess La Moor and Roham led the group down the stairs and into the temple. Jack approached the statue and examined the hand where the Touchstone was.
"Without the Touchstone to shield us, we shall soon be overtaken by the elements. It's only a matter of time before we begin to die because of your theft," Roham said.
Jack stepped down from the statue's pedestal. "All right … here's a question for you. If it was so important why wasn't it guarded?"
"It was guarded. We let down our guard because of your people," Roham said.
La Moor nodded. "We trusted you."
"We did NOT take it," Jack said.
Willow moved to the side and tapped her commbadge. "Enye to Defiant. Weather control device not malfunctioning. It has been taken. Leaving comsignal open so you can listen in."
"Had we taken the artifact, there would have been no need to return to this place," Teal'c said.
"There were witnesses," La Moor said.
"And what did these witnesses see?" Jack asked.
"A group of people taking the Touchstone in the dead of night," La Moor said. "They were dressed much as you are and carried weapons like yours."
"Did they see where these people went?" Jack asked.
Roham nodded. "They left by your Stargate."
"As you know, none of our people know how to use the portal," La Moor said.
Teal'c raised his eyebrow as Jack cocked his head.
"Guards … Disarm the wrongdoers," Roham said.
"HOLD IT!" Jack said as he pulled his Beretta and pointed it at the guards. "All right … we came here in peace; we expect to go in one … piece."
"Then explain yourself, but be warned. If your answers are not satisfactory, then we have no choice but to seek retribution," Roham said.
"Taking revenge on us will not return the Touchstone for we are not those who took it," Teal'c said.
Roham nodded. "Perhaps not, but it will lead us to those who did."
"Only if they care what happens to us," Willow said.
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Buffy frowned as she tapped her console. "Hail Deep Space Nine."
"Channel open," Xander said as Dawnara appeared on the viewscreen.
"Dawnara," Buffy said. "Contact General Hammond. And inform him that the Madoran's weather control device has been stolen and that the Madoran's believe one of the SG teams took it."
"Acknowledged," Dawnara said.
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"Look, let me give you a little life lesson on thieves. They're not really in touch with their feminine side," Jack said as Roham turned away from him disgustedly. He turned to look at La Moor, puzzedly. "Caring would be on a low priority."
"My uncle grows impatient," La Moor said.
"If the thieves took the Touchstone, used the Gate to escape, then the only hope to get it back is to let us go back," Willow said. "And if they did come from Earth, we have technology to help us find out who the thieves might have been."
"How do we know that you will not use the Gate to escape responsibility?" Roham asked.
"We don't need the gate for that," Jack said. "Commander Enye, a demonstration?"
Willow nodded. "Enye to Defiant. One to beam up. Energize!" She disappeared in a transporter beam.
"Where did she go?" Roham asked as Willow materialized a few seconds later behind him.
"She's behind you," Jack said as Roham turned around to see Willow. "Trust us?"
"We are a simple people, Colonel. We have no means to protect ourselves from this disaster. If my uncle decides to trust you this day, our entire future will depend on that decision," La Moor said.
"Ok, that's a little pressure! But we can handle that," Jack said.
Suddenly a high wind blew into the temple as thunder and lightning continue to crash outside. Two guards close the double doors.
"Let them go," Roham said as he looked choicelessly and desperately at Jack. "Please … help us."
"We will," Willow said as she tapped her commbadge. "Enye to Defiant. Five to beam up. Energize!"
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Jack, Buffy, Willow, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c materialize at the base of the ramp leading to the Stargate.
"I received Dawnara's report," Hammond said. "Let's talk in the briefing room."
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"Dawnara reported that the Touchstone was stolen," Hammond said. "She said it was believed to be by our own people."
"At least by people wearing SGC uniforms that came and went through the Stargate," Jack said.
"Well who was it?" Hammond asked.
"Everyone involved here would like to know that," Buffy said.
"I don't appreciate your implication, Captain Enye," Hammond said. "Why would I send you, your crew and SG-1 to study the thing if I knew it wasn't there?"
"I'm sure Captain Enye means no implication intended, sir, but circumstances do beg the next logical question … which is … Could any one of the other SG teams have gone through without your order?" Jack said.
Hammond shook his head. "Not without my knowing about it."
Buffy nodded. "To ease all of our minds. Do you mind if I have Willow check the dialing computer. Just to see if there are any signs of anyone … sneaking through the Gate … covertly, behind your back as it were."
Hammond shook his head. "Nothing happens regarding that Stargate without my knowing about it, If a person sneezes near it, I get a report."
Buffy sighed. "General, you and SG-1 have kept mine, Willow, my mom and Xander's secrets. All I am asking is to return the favor."
Hammond sighed and nodded as he looked to Willow. "Go ahead."
"I'm on it," Willow said.
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Willow sat at a computer searching it for records of an unscheduled Stargate activation. Or otherwise any tampering to hide evidence of a Gate activation.
"Anything yet?" Buffy asked.
Willow shook her head. "Nothing yet. But there is a lot of data to go through."
"Guys," Xander said as he ran in. "You got to see this." He moved to a keyboard and tapped in a command as it brought up a news report about a raging river.
"Chalk it up to the El Nino effect or just a run of bad luck, but another set of storms have stretched all over America, and in of all places, Phoenix, Arizona, causing widespread damage."
Images of people rowing a boat through the streets of a flooded town appeared on the monitor.
"Reports of injuries are still trickling in. We have flooding in Palm Springs, California and in Florida.
"And that's not all. There's record rainfall in Albuquerque, golf ball size hail in the Panhandle, and three major rivers are cresting," Xander said.
"Something is definitely altering our weather," Willow said.
"Do you think the Touchstone is here then?" Buffy asked.
"I'm thinking it is," Willow said. "There was a huge transitory glitch three days ago when SG-2 returned from a routine mission roughly the same hour as the Touchstone was taken."
"But SG-2's point of origin was nowhere near Madrona," Xander said.
Willow nodded. "Yeah, but the energy spike is off the charts. When I first noticed it I talked to Sam. She said that the last time the Gate's power supply was overloaded it jumped to a second Gate in the Antarctic."
"Hmm am I right in suspecting that you believe someone may have dialed out a split second after SG-2 dialed out?" Buffy asked.
"That's what I am thinking," Willow said. "And if I'm right, SG-2's log should have the same electronic signature that was present the last time the wormhole jumped its tracks." She worked at the keyboard and the monitor showed NO MATCH. "Nothing. Trying the backup log." She worked at the keyboard and again it came up NO MATCH. "Now, if someone did try to systematically erase all the relevant data, it would be easy to overlook a third-tier back up." She worked the console and this time … MATCH FOUND. "There it is. The second Gate had to have been used. The energy signal's identical."
"If I remember our briefings right. No one would have been authorized to use the second Gate," Xander said. "It was supposed to have been officially decommissioned."
Buffy nodded as she tapped her commbadge. "Enye to Hammond."
"Hammond here," Hammond said. "Go ahead, Captain."
"Was the second gate officially decommissioned?"
"Yes it was, why?" Hammond asked.
"Apparently the second Gate is being used," Buffy said.
"What? I was given top-level assurances that Gate was to be sealed," Hammond said.
"May I suggest you try contacting someone to confirm the status of the second Gate," Buffy said.
"I'm already on it," Hammond said. "But the President seems to not be coming to the phone. Every time I call, he's tied up. It's like someone is orchestrating his schedule to keep us from speaking today. Hmm now that I think about this. Back when the SG program began, there was a philosophical skirmish about its mandate. Some people wanted to make sure that any and all discoveries were brought back regardless of considerations like interplanetary diplomacy."
Buffy frowned. "And now you understand my reluctance to give you advanced technology before trust was garnered, General."
"I've always understood the reason, Captain. My superiors may not agree with it. But I have always understood the reasons behind it," Hammond said.
"Okay," Buffy said. "Do what you can, we'll continue trying to dig on our end. Enye out."
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"In an effort to determine whether the Touchstone was being used on Earth, Willow and I figured using the Defiant's sensors we would scan the doppler shift for gravitational and radiation emissions."
"What did you find?" Hammond asked.
"We've pinpointed it to somewhere in Nevada," Willow said. "Dawnara is narrowing down the location."
"Nevada?" Hammond asked.
Willow nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Something wrong?" Sam asked.
Hammond looked over at Buffy.
"Let me guess that is where the second gate went." Buffy said.
"Yes," Hammond said. "Nellis."
"Well, if the Gate is there, it makes sense that the Touchstone has at least been there," Jack said.
Hammond nodded. "You're going to love this, Colonel. Guess who just got himself reassigned to Nellis?"
"Do tell," Jack said.
"Colonel Maybourne," Hammond said.
"Oh, well, there's good news!" Jack said dryly.
"Nellis. That's the base we send the technology we bring back through the Gate, right?" Daniel said.
Hammond nodded. "Yes. The Groom Lake Facility."
"Area 51," Jack said.
Daniel looked sharply at Jack.
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Hammond came down the stairs into the control room. "What are we looking at?"
"Before we left," Buffy said. "We left a probe in Madrona orbit. This is its telemetry, being relayed by DS9. It's currently snowing on Madrona. Winds gusting up to 80 miles an hour."
Sam nodded. "It gets any more intense and their whole planet's a write-off."
"How much time do they have remaining?" Teal'c asked.
"Fourty-eight to seventy-hours," Willow said.
"Permission to take a little trip to Nevada, sir," Jack said.
Hammond nodded. "Ok. I'll call the Commander at Nellis and get you cleared."
"Uh, General. It's become pretty obvious that our own people are involved here. The government types, you know. How do you know who to trust?" Jack said as he looked at Hammond pointedly.
"SG-1 already has the necessary clearance level, sir," Sam said.
"Colonel, I need some documents hand delivered to the Groom Lake Facility," Hammond said.
"Are those documents sensitive enough to warrant a three-man team with Jaffa, Srrkarran, Betazoid and Bajoran escort?" Jack asked.
Hammond nodded. "Absolutely."
Jack nodded, a slight knowing smirk on his face.
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A white Chevy van drove into a garage entrance and stopped as an officer approached. SG-1, Willow, Xander and Buffy all got out.
"Colonel O'Neill. Major Reynolds, NID," Reynolds said as he saluted. "Welcome to Area 51."
"Yeah, nice to meet you," Jack said as he saluted back. "This is Captain Carter, Dr. Jackson, and Teal'c. Also with us is Captain Enye, Commander Enye and Lieutentant Commander Kade."
"Gentlemen, Ma'ams," Reynold said. "I can't tell you what an honor it is to meet you all. You guys are a bit of a legend around here."
Jack nodded. "Yeah … well … thanks. We were hoping to meet with Colonel Maybourne."
"He's been paged, sir. I'm sure if you'll come inside he'll find you there," Reynolds said.
"So … you obviously know who we are," Daniel said.
Reynolds nodded. "Of course, sir. If it wasn't for you and the other SG teams, we'd be out of business here. Follow me please."
Jack put on his cap and they follow him inside.
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"To your left is medical research. They're focusing on the potential cure for Alzheimer's that SG-5 brought back. The other side is geology, space metallurgy and artifacts study. That's where they're poring over your notes on that Heliopolis place, Dr Jackson. The meaning of life stuff. I love that," Reynods said.
"Dr Dobson, to room 483, Dr Dobson."
"This is the bioresearch lab," Reynolds said.
"This where you're keeping the little green men?" Jack asked as Buffy, Willow and Xander all rolled their eyes.
"There are no alien life forms at Area 51," Reynolds said, woodenly.
Jack turned and looked at Buffy, Willow, Xander and Teal'c. "Present company excluded, of course."
Reynolds regarded Teal'c, Buffy, Willow and Xander warily as Maybourne entered and approached the group.
"Colonel O'Neill," Maybourne said.
"Hello, Maybourne," Jack said.
Mayborne looked to Reynolds. "Major, if you'll excuse us," he said as Reynolds turned and left. "Teal'c, it's good to see you well."
"In my culture, I would be well within my rights to dismember you," Teal'c said.
"Well … that's interesting," Maybourne said as Jack smiled. "And I see our interesting visitors from another reality. Captain Enye, Commander Enye and Lieutenant Commander Kade." He looked at Jack. "Is there something I can do for you, Colonel O'Neill?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah. We assume the Touchstone was brought here."
"Excuse me?" Maybourne asked.
"Maybe you have a different name for it," Sam said. "The weather controller from Madrona PX7-941."
Maybourne shook his head. "It seems that someone has sent you on a fool's errand, Colonel. Nothing even remotely like that here."
"You are, however, aware of our mission," Teal'c said.
"I remember a reference to it, but correct me if I'm wrong, nothing came back from the survey," Maybourne said.
Buffy smiled. "Not with SG-1, no."
"I doubt seriously you would have brought it back, Captain. Your staunch refusal to give us technology. So it has to be another SGC team?" Maybourne asked.
"You tell me," Jack said.
"If you're looking for specific answers, I'd ask that you be a little less cryptic with your questions," Maybourne said.
"Has the second Stargate been activated?" Willow asked.
Maybourne shook his head. "It's been under complete lock-down since its arrival here. It hasn't even been powered up."
"Do you mind if we have a look?" Buffy asked.
"I guarantee it's been dormant since SG-1 came through it," Maybourne said.
"Then there's no harm in taking a look. Is there?" Xander said.
Maybourne turned to leave, nearly running into Teal'c. He looked at O'Neill and then walked around Teal'c looking very nervous. Teal'c smirked as they all smile at each other. Then they turn and follow Maybourne.
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"There it is. Happy now, Colonel?" Maybourne said as they walked into a room where the only thing in it is a large crate.
"Juliana," Buffy said.
"Carter," Jack said as he and Buffy unfastened the latches and raised the lid. Teal'c and Xander climb up on the crate. They move around the packing and see the Stargate in the crate.
"Satisfied?" Maybourne asked.
"Not really. Just proves it got packed up real nice after it was used," Jack said.
Maybourne shook his head. "I assure you that Gate has been in that crate since it was brought here from the Antarctic."
"Come on, Harry," Jack said as he took off his sunglasses. "You and I have been through this dance before."
"Neri, Colonel," Willow said as she waved her tricorder. "This Gate is plastic. There is not a trace of naquadah in it."
"What?" Maybourne asked.
Teal'c nodded. "Commander Enye is correct."
"That's ridiculous," Maybourne said as he charged over to the crate and touched the Gate just as Jack knocked on the Gate. They watched as he walked away from them looking concerned. "That's the Gate that was brought back from the Antarctic. It's been under lock and key since it got here."
"This Gate's plastic. Where's the real one?" Sam said.
"So … what the HELL happened to the Stargate?" Jack said.
"It's obviously been moved," Maybourne said.
Buffy tapped her commbadge, "Enye to Defiant. Start scanning for the second Stargate."
"Acknowledged," Dawnara said.
"I don't know who's giving you orders, Maybourne, but they better come from where the air is REAL thin," Jack said.
"Is that a threat, Colonel?" Jack said.
"You tell me the punishment for losing a Stargate," Jack said.
Maybourne shook his head. "That presumes there was no authorization to move the Stargate."
"So … who authorized it?" Willow asked.
"That's classified," Maybourne said.
"We have the highest clearance," Jack said.
Maybourne nodded. "Within the military, you do."
"Are you telling me this is a civilian operation?" Jack asked looking around.
"Gentlemen, Colonel O'Neill and his people need an escort back to their vehicle," Maybourne said as the guards approached.
"Who's pulling the strings, Maybourne?" Jack asked.
"Take a piece of advice, Jack. Let this one drop," Maybourne said.
"DROP IT?" Jack said, angrily.
Maybourne nodded. "Please … Don't make these gentlemen have to get disrespectful."
Buffy began laughing. "You do know we can beam these gentlemen out into deep space before they get disrespectful."
"You wouldn't dare," Maybourne said.
"Maybe," Buffy said. "Maybe not. We'll leave for now. But this isn't the end."
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Sam, Willow, Xander, Daniel, and Teal'c sat at the table in the briefing room as both Jack and Buffy remain standing while General Hammond walked in.
"We're operating under a virtual blackout," Hammond said as he sat at the head of the table. "No one will confirm or deny a thing."
"Well, this is too bizarre. The only other Stargate on the planet gets spirited away and it's business as usual," Sam said.
"There's nothing usual about it, Captain. Someone's clamped down on the communication channels," Hammond said.
"What of the Touchstone?" Teal'c asked.
"According to Defiant's sensor scans it's disappeared," Willow said.
"So either they've stopped using it or they've found a way to shield it from detection," Daniel said.
"Well, the weather anomalies seem to have abated on Earth," Sam said.
"They probably realized experimenting with it was causing too many problems or attracting unnecessary attention," Xander said.
"Exactly. Now, if we can't track the Touchstone, we can still track the second Gate on Earth," Buffy said. "I have already ordered Dawnara to look for any naquadah signature on Earth."
"Defiant to Captain Enye. I have located the second Stargate," Dawnara's voice came from Buffy's commbadge. "It is just south of the Black Mountains in Utah. About 48.3 miles west of Parowan."
"Acknowledge," Buffy said. "Standbye to beam us directly there."
"Acknowledged."
"General?" Buffy asked.
"You will be on your own," Hammond said. "Officially, we have no jurisdiction. One other thing. We don't know if the people who took the Gate and the Touchstone are friend or foe. Therefore, under no condition are you to fire on them. Understood?"
"Understood," Buffy said.
"What if they fire on us, sir?" Sam asked.
Hammond shook his head. "Then you are to take cover. Do not return fire unless it's the only option remaining in order to defend yourselves."
"General, I don't think that's going to—" Jack said.
"Those are my orders, Colonel," Hammond interrupted. "We're already going way out on a limb on this one. I don't want my people mortally wounding another American who may just be following orders. Understood?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, sir."
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Willow had her tricorder out and was searching for lifesigns. "We're clear," she said as they steadily headed through a gate and along the building to a door.
Seeing a broken window above him, Jack took out a periscope and positioned it for a look inside the building. He saw a large Stargate size crate, a white moving truck with the back raised and two men standing by the crate. Another man walked toward the crate carrying a small metal box.
Just then a C-5 transport landed on an airstrip nearby. With weapons ready, they all move into the building. The noise from the airplane covering. They spot two men standing at the crate and one kneeling down beside a small metal box.
"Stand to, gentlemen," Jack said a. "Keep those hands visible."
All three men raise their hands when they spot SG-1's guns.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the men asked.
"No one's damn business! Step away from the crate," Jack said as he walked past the men and to the crate. Just then the Gate activated. The man that dialed the DHD in the back of the truck, jumped down and grabbed for the small metal box.
"Stop!" Buffy said as she fired her phaser around the box. The man turned and jumped into the wormhole. Two more jump through. The last man tried to grab the small box. "Don't do it!" She fired her phaser again, hitting the man in the arm.
The NID man turned and jumped into the wormhole.
Daniel leapt up into the back of the truck to the DHD just as it blinked out. "Arrrgh!"
"What?" Jack and Buffy asked.
"I missed the address," Daniel said.
Sam opened the small metal box and took out the Touchstone. "At least we have this."
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SG-1, Willow, Buffy and Xander stepped through the Gate into the blizzard and walk toward the temple as Roham, Princess La Moor, and several others come out to meet them.
"They've come back, Uncle Roham! Just as I told you," La Moor said.
"Do they have the Touchstone?" Roham asked.
La Moor nodded. "They do."
Jack and Buffy approached Roham. "On behalf of the United Federation of Planets and Stargate Command. We return your Touchstone to you," Buffy said as Jack handed the Touchstone to Roham.
Roham turned several dials on the Touchstone and the weather began to quiet as they all walk into the temple and toward the statue.
Roham turned and gave the Touchstone to Princess La Moor, who placed it where it belonged.
"Thank You," Roham said as he bowed before them.
"You're very welcome," Jack said.
"We hope the faith and trust between our two worlds have been restored," Daniel said.
La Moor nodded. "You have lived up to your promises," she said as she bowed. "Let there always be peace between our worlds."
"We must remain vigilant, lest those that trespassed before come back to violate the sanctity of the Holy Touchstone," Roham said.
"Yeah, just make sure your guards are paying attention this time," Jack said.
"Blessings be upon you," Roham said.
Princess La Moor removed the cloak she had around her shoulders and stepped down from the statue's pedestal and walked over to the double door, opening them to revealing a bright blue sky.
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General Hammond, SG-1, Buffy, Willow and Xander are seated around the briefing room table.
"And everything should be back to normal within a few weeks both here and Madrona," Willow said.
"That's why we think they'll be happy when we return through the Gate or by the Defiant to do the studies we had hoped to do," Buffy said.
"Any ideas what happened, sir?" Jack said.
Hammond shook his head. "To be honest, it's still something of a shell game. The investigation has been taken out of my hands."
"By whom?" Jack asked.
"I'm still trying to find that out," Hammond said.
"So we may never know who those men were who went through the Gate," Daniel said.
Hammond shook his head. "Not unless you can tell me where they went. Well, until then, all SG units are to be on watch for four guys wandering around on other planets."
"Great! So all this could happen again, huh?" Jack said.
Hammond shook his head. "No, Colonel! This time I was able to ensure that our Stargate will be the only one in use."
"Sir, the second Stargate is being retired?" Sam asked.
"No," Hammond said. "Per Captain Enye's request and by the approval of the President himself. The second Stargate has been relocated to Deep Space Nine."
"And I have assured General Hammond," Buffy said. "We will not use it."
