It didn't take long before Sam heard from Major Davis. She heard the results of the background checks from him personally. He showed up at her lab, escorted by one of the women who worked security, just after noon less than a week after Daniel left. Vikki and Scott tried to seem inconspicuous while he handed her a file. She opened it to reveal two confidentiality agreements.
"Now?"
"You have been given permission to discuss this with them. We feel that they may be more inclined to sign if they hear the information from you."
"Even though I am a civilian?"
"You understand the implications better than most."
"Ok. When?"
"I will return tomorrow for the answers and the signed documents. It would be preferable if you do not discuss this in any area where you may be overheard. We do have a facility at our disposal if you can not find a place suitable."
"I'll do it at my place."
"We will have men stationed around your apartment Dr. Carter."
"Uh, ok."
"No one will notice them."
"Ok."
"You have some specific instructions on what to tell them."
"I figured as much. Only what pertains to the project."
"Exactly. You may not mention our allies or any past missions that you were on."
"Can I discuss the gate?"
"No."
"No? How am I going to explain symbiotes?"
"You can find a way."
"Are they ever going to know?"
"If you choose to take them with you on phase two, then yes, they will be fully briefed then. For now, it's need to know basis only."
"Ok, I understand."
"Goodbye Ma'am."
Davis shook her hand, and walked away. Sam turned towards Vikki and Scott, who were looking guilty.
"You guys listening to my conversation?"
"No."
"Not for a lack of trying though." Sam grinned.
"You were too quiet. Next time speak up."
"You want to know what's going on Scott?"
"Uh, yeah. Why not."
"You and Vikki come to my place for pizza tonight. Say, uh, 6pm?"
"Sure. Where are you going?"
"I've got a few errands to run. Not like we're starting our new project yet. I'll see you guys later."
Sam pulled her jacket off her chair and swept out of the lab. She wanted a few hours to figure out how to tell them what they were about to help with, without actually telling them anything.
By six, Sam had figured out a way to tell them. The buzzer went and she let Vikki and Scott up. Taking their coats and guiding them to the table, she quenched the butterflies fluttering around in her midsection. Now was not the time for nervousness. Sam kept the conversation light over pizza and wine, as she didn't want to get into one of Scott's deep discussions before she broke her news. As the meal drew to a close, she could feel her hands shaking, and she knew her behaviour was drawing Vikki's concern. She invited them to sit down while she cleaned up, and calmed herself. She remembered the last time she had told someone of the program, other than Hailey, who she had shown the gate to. Her father had laughed and disbelieved her, until General Hammond had backed her up. He had still needed to see it for himself before he fully believed what she had been saying, and this time, she had no event horizon to show them, no planet to visit, nothing.
"I need to talk to you about something."
"What's wrong Sam? Are you ok?"
"Yes Vikki, I'm fine."
"You've been acting strange all night. What did that guy say earlier?"
"Don't worry about him, Scott. He's just someone I used to work with years ago."
"So what is it?"
Sam took a deep breath, and began.
"In this folder are confidentiality agreements. There is a project that I have accepted for the Air Force which is top secret. They are allowing me to choose my own team and I would be honoured if you guys would be it. Before I can give you the specifics you need to read and sign this document. Don't take it lightly. If you sign, you will be held to everything that is written there. No discussing this with anyone, other than myself and between each other. You will be charged with treason if you violate the rules and regulations stated. Any questions?"
Scott and Vikki looked at each other, then at Sam. Both were speechless as in a matter of moments the Sam they knew had changed from easy going, to having an air of authority that shone visibly from her.
"So that guy this morning, he's Air Force?" Scott was always the first with a quesiton, and usually many more to follow.
"Yes. He's Major Davis."
"You said you used to work with him."
"I did. I was a Colonel in the Air Force."
Scott's jaw dropped even further than Sam though it could possibly go.
"But you left."
"Shortly after I was married." Now it was Vikki's turn to gape at her.
"You were married?"
"Yes. I really don't want to discuss that."
"Ok. We won't."
"What did you do for the Air Force?"
"Theoretical astrophysics."
"Sure, you ever fly?"
"Yes Scott. Many times, many different aircraft."
"So why does they want you back now?"
"I'm not going back to the Air Force. They asked me to work on a project for them through work. I used to work on projects similar to this one, and I've already signed the agreement."
"Can you tell us more?"
"No. Not until you sign."
"Sam, what happens if we don't sign?"
"Vikki, if you don't, you don't. No hard feelings. It's up to you to decide, I'm not going to tell you what to do."
"Do we have to move or work somewhere else?" Sam understood Vikki's concern, as her entire family lived within 50 miles.
"No. We'll work out of the lab."
"Any other changes you can tell us about?"
"There will be a guard placed outside our door and any information we record will be locked up tightly every night. There will be no room for error."
"A guard! Are we going to be at risk?" Scott placed his arm protectively around Vikki.
"No. The project I am going to be working on is top secret. No one is to know what we are doing. Ever. Unless you are informed otherwise, but I wouldn't count on it."
"Is it a weapon?"
"I can't discuss the specifics with you yet."
"Uh, can we have a few moments?"
"Yeah, take all the time you need. Read the confidentiality agreement through, and please ask me if you have any concerns or questions. I'll be on the balcony."
Sam grabbed her cordless phone and let herself onto the balcony, closing the door firmly behind her. She dialed Daniel's number.
"Hello?"
"Daniel."
"Hi Sam. How's it going?"
"I'm not sure."
"You talked to them yet?"
"They're reading the agreement over. Nothing's signed yet."
Sam and Daniel talked until Scott came to get her. Sam looked at her watch, surprised that it was now almost 9pm. She sat down as Scott handed her the closed folder.
"Sam."
"Yes?" She had guessed it was a long shot. Without information on the project to base their decision on, she assumed they wouldn't sign.
"We've discussed this, and we have come to a decision."
"Can I look?"
"We signed. Both of us."
"Really!"
Sam ran over and gave them both a hug.
"Can I ask why?"
"You're doing it. It can't be too bad a deal. Also, you know me with secrets. I hate 'em." Sam grinned. Scott was notoriously bad for poking around in business that was not for him.
"Vikki, how do you feel?"
"I'm going with Scott on this. How can we get married if we have a secret at work between us."
"Ok, fair enough... wait, married?"
"Yes."
"When did this happen?"
"Just now."
"Wow. Congratulations guys. That's great news."
"So, what's the project?"
"I've got to ask a favour."
"Anything."
"Once I start, please don't stop me. Save your questions until I finish."
"Ok, Scott, say ok." Vikki hit her fiance lightly on the shoulder.
"Ok Sam, go ahead."
She sat down on the coffee table and began her speech. She spoke of a weapon being developed that was not harmful to humans or animal life. She explained as best she could, the urgent need for such a weapon, without talking about intergalactic travel, or aliens. She avoided looking at their faces in case their expressions of disbelief caused her to falter. Once she finished, she stood up, and started pacing around her coffee table, waiting for any comment.
"So you're saying that we're going to be developing a weapon, with no real use."
Now she forced herself to look at Scott. His forehead was furrowed in puzzlement as he tried to work it out.
"Not a use as you would think of one."
"So what's the purpose of it?"
"To defend a group of civilians and military personnel."
"Against what?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Will you ever be able to?" Vikki entered her first comment.
"I don't know, but I wouldn't count on it."
"We're definitely not going to be killing people or animals right?"
"No humans, animals, or vegetation."
"So it's a weapon, with a gas, that needs 'diluting' so it won't kill anything, completely harmless to humans, but the Air Force needs us to come up with the right formula?"
"Pretty much, yes."
"Oh, ok. Makes more sense now..." Scott trailed off, deep in thought.
"You guys can still back out. You aren't bound to any contract and neither am I."
"No. I want to see where this goes. You've got me Sam."
"Thanks Scott."
"When do we start?"
"Thanks Vikki. You have no idea how much it means to you that you're willing to do this with me."
"I have one last question."
"Shoot."
"You know more about this than we do, don't you?"
"About the project?" Sam was stalling, she had not been told not to say how much information she knew, she had only been told not to discuss it.
"Whatever this whole thing is. You know where it's going to be used and on what."
"I was in the Air Force for some time."
"Do you know?"
"I have an idea, but nothing has been confirmed."
"Ok." Sam could read Scott like a book. He was not satisfied with her answer, and knew there was more under the surface than she was letting on. She would have to be careful about what she said or hinted at.