Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM but the words are mine. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own.


The New Dominion

AU/SG1/FO: Sam Carter's life is saved by a mysterious man but no one believes her until she brings him in as a valuable ally. Mystery shrouds him and his intentions. That's when the troubles for the galaxy begin. A new course has been charted.


Chapter 12

Major Endeavour

It has been almost two years since Dr. Elizabeth Weir departed for Atlantis with her expedition team and no one had heard of them since. General O'Neill was in his office going over the papers of the time. Yes, at the time it seemed like a great idea now he was not so sure of it. But this was trivia it was not so important. The past year had been trying for everyone.

Count de la Croix continued to make mysterious appearances here and there but as far as they were concerned his share of the world market had not changed – eleven percent. The only anomaly was the incessant mysterious donations made in the name of Project Blue Book. Of course being donations the source was protected by the law of anonymity though O'Neill was dying to know who stood behind them as the sums were not that small, actually they were huge sums of money.

Robert Diablo had been sighted too on numerous worlds across the galaxy. But what, why, they were never going to get the answers for that. They had been unable to make contact with him though Colonel Carter had certainly tried. Her last attempt was on a planet controlled by the SGC's new foe the Lucian Alliance. She had credible intel and though she did see him from afar she never got close. She had returned very disappointed and O'Neill couldn't get her out of her lab for days.

Ba'al, the last of the Goa'uld had not been seen either though they were hearing of him from time to time but the SGC could never get any close to him. The Replicators one day simply vanished. They were last seen in a far outer world departing with their ship through an anomaly much like the hyperspace window. They were not seen again for the past six months. The last planet they had visited the inhabitants swore the doppelganger of Carter had said that they were leaving the Milky Way Galaxy for good.

So everything had come back to the expedition team of Atlantis. O'Neill was getting almost weekly visits by Vice President Kinsey. He continued insisting for the SGC to try making contact with Atlantis but without a ZPM that's simply not possible. The power required to dial an address outside of the galaxy was simply enormous. But there were no ZPMs lying around so it was out of the question.

The only other option left to him was the new project that was a continuation of the X300 program. Their last attempt was the X303, the USS Prometheus but a disastrous mission involving a Goa'uld larva stranded the ship a long way from home. With the help of the Tok'Ra they got their crew back but not the ship for it was a lost cause. There had been far too much damage. The ship was unsalvageable. And this mission put an end to the program but in last days of the Goa'uld it was revived once more by General Hammond.

The X304 was almost ready as O'Neill was reading the report of last week in his office in this late hour at the SGC. It was been built in Area X4 in North Dakota under the direct supervision of the SGC and the Air Force. It was going to be a new generation of space ships. With the help of the Asgard they had now a fully operational hyperspace generator with more stable core. Of course, the grey bums had insisted on leaving one of their own to train the engineers, which made perfect sense. But it was driving Carter insane as O'Neill had come to notice on his last visit at the building site.


"General,"

O'Neill raised his eyes from the reports and saw the faithful Walter at the door. "Walter,"

"Major Heather Endeavour has arrived, sir."

"Ah, show her in," O'Neill said and got himself ready. Major Heather Endeavour was of the new additions to the SGC. She was British coming straight from Her Majesty's Air Force. Her record however was one of the most impressive O'Neill had ever come across. She had more medals than half the US Air Force, Marines and Infantry combined. He suspected the first time he saw it she was in the secret services as no one could possibly achieve this much on the field. And of course with that much medals he expected she would be a general by now.

The major entered following Walter. O'Neill had the time to take a look at her. She was maybe a year or two older than Carter, with straight black hair and heavenly blue eyes that scanned the surroundings like a praying hawk. She sat and waited. O'Neill straightened his uniform and marched into the briefing room. Major Endeavour was on her feet and saluting.

"General O'Neill, sir, Major Heather Endeavour, reporting for duty," She recited.

"Major, at ease," O'Neill said returning the salute. "Please be seated." She abided and he sat too. "Something to drink – we have coffee, milk, there is cake."

"No, sir,"

"Perhaps some tea with milk!"

"Not until afternoon, sir,"

"Ah right, rituals and staff,"

"Yes, sir,"

"Well then straight to business," O'Neill said. "After the tragic loss of SG2, the IOA has been getting itchy and outright irritant on my beloved backsides. And the President insisted that we involve our partners more into the project so here you are…fresh out of the mill and into the meat grinder."

"Sir?"

"The SGC is not like any other assignments you might have had, Major! Before we accept anyone into the program they undergo very serious training that prepares you for…"

"I can handle it." Major Endeavour interrupted. "You somehow believe that US training is the best in the world. Could it be possible you're wrong?"

"Major!" Walter exclaimed.

"It is alright, Walter. The major is entitled to an opinion." O'Neill calmed him. "And yes the SGC's training is the best in the world for none of the others actually deal with aliens on a daily basis and we do!"

"You just found the gate first that's all!" Major Endeavour countered.

"Opinionated and full of hatred of the big bad Americans, hugh?"

"No, sir, simply stating facts,"

"Really?"

"Yes, sir,"

"Major Endeavour, this is not about whose better. The SGC's program is bigger than that. It is about a privilege every soldier dreams of – Protecting the Planet. The world knows really nothing of this and they probably aren't going to ever learn of it. But it is our duty nevertheless. The reason other countries have not been allowed before is because the US military has the most experience in the field, not because we are the best or whatever."

"If you say so, sir,"

"And the reason, oh, sorry, the reasons you are here are many: for one your inability to follow orders, your opinionated nature and the many, many reprimands and sanctions filed against you by your fellow officers and your commanders. By all means, you should be out of the Air Force however your distinguished career and the many glorious medals have spared you that fate. This however is not going to happen here. You make one mistake and not only I'll have you out of the program but you will be dishonorably discharged from duty. Is this understood, Major?"

She eyed him and then answered. "Yes, sir,"

"Good," O'Neill said. "And secondly, Her Majesty herself asked for you to be here."

"Her Majesty?" Major Endeavour looked at him strangely.

"Yes and one of her lords has personally vouched for you. Now, they have put a lot of faith in you and I would hate to see it go to waste."

"Yes, sir, I shall not disappoint you."

"I hope so hence the reason I'm taking a risk too. I'm assigning you as leader to SG2. Walter will provide you with personnel files and by the end of this week you will pick up your team."

"Yes, sir,"

"Dismissed,"

Major Endeavour stood up and saluted. O'Neill reciprocated and she left the briefing room. Walter remained.

"Is there something else Walter?"

"It is rather controversial decision, sir."

"Yes, it is but Kinsey has been sniffing my back for it for the past few weeks. He wants us to give more room to our allies."

"Totally uncharacteristic for him, sir,"

"I know. Keep an eye on her."

"Yes, sir,"


Major Endeavour was given a room and the above mentioned files. She started reviewing when suddenly she closed her eyes. The usual noises of the base faded away and she was on a green field somewhere out there.

"I take it, it went well?"

"Yes, milord, I have been given SG2."

"Be careful with O'Neill, he is of the suspicion type."

"I can handle him."

"I like your enthusiasm, Heather, but do not get overconfident. O'Neill is an excellent commander toughened by experience."

"And I haven't? I have more experience that he can imagine."

"True but one of your flows is overconfidence and impulsiveness. I have sent you here for a specific reason try not to fail again."

"I did not fail last time."

"Really and what would you call it? I sent you to retrieve an item and you not only disobeyed your superiors but you also got into a fight that resulted in losing the item and your entire team not to mention half the garrison. One little mistake and a lot of people paid for it. All these years and you still can't learn responsibility for your actions. Everything has consequences, Heather. The SGC is your last chance. You will come to earn their trust and respect, and most importantly the sense of family."

"And yet my task is against them?"

"True relationships are complicated, very complicated. You are not betraying them."

"It can hardly be called helping them."

"Well you will be helping Earth. True it might seem controversial but I have great respect for the SGC and its commanders, and soldiers. I have fought with them side by side. But sooner or later, every path takes its own road. This task is as much for me as it is for you. Actually for you it is more. Don't miss this opportunity. You have great potential."

"You are the only one that sees it."

"That's why I'm such a thorn in everyone's eyes and buts. Don't let me down!"

"You are one of the lords that vouched personally for me? Does O'Neill know about that?"

"No, if he did, you'd be under constant surveillance. Of course, I'm sure he'd keep an eye on you anyway. Kinsey sought to that. He's been very persistent. But you need only win O'Neill and the rest will unfold on its own."

"Sucking up on him?"

"Heather!"

"I'm sorry, milord!"

"Do not be too prideful. Listen to your team; hear them and hell even follow them. And please stay out of trouble!"

"Trouble has a knack of finding me!"

"And you wonder why."

"Milord!"

"In order to be a leader, one must learn to follow."

"You're telling me that every time."

"And sadly you never listen."

"But you've never been this persistent in the past."

"Times change. I had…um…a lot of trouble after me back then. Now it is different."

"With Seudeny'vahtal at our doorstep I can hardly call it that."

"He is my concern not yours. You make sure the SGC survives. This is the time of the silence before the storm. They have to be strong or they will perish. Other than dire circumstances you are not to reveal what you can do. Use your abilities only when no one is watching. Is this clear?"

"Yes, Lord Diablo!"

"Good luck, Devil Guardian!"

The connection was severed and she was back at her quarters in the SGC. The last words of Diablo made her proud. He had never called her Devil Guardian before. It was the highest honor to be one before the level of mastery of the secret martial art known as 'Art at Deis' or the Art of the Gods (I.N.S.).

Heather had to admit the diversity of the SGC personnel was great. The files were extensive and the candidates perfect by any country's standards but she was looking for the naughty ones, the most indiscipline ones, those who cannot follow orders, those like her. For if she can get them in line she could get anyone else. When she finally presented her choice to O'Neill, he had stared at the names for a good hour without saying a word. Then he had sighed deeply and had them called in. It was obvious he had not been thrilled of the choice but he did tell her to pick up her team.


Her first assignment was surveillance over a newly established base of the Lucian Alliance on P5Q R14. It was a commerce planet hence the change in uniform. Her team had to blend in and being in the SGC's uniforms was not exactly helping.

"We will separate." She was saying to her team as they arrived on the planet through the Stargate. "I know each and every one of you has trouble being in a team and mostly taking orders hence the reason you will be operating alone. Our next meeting will be tomorrow by the town's square at…"

"Midnight?" Lieutenant Jeremy Barks asked. The lieutenant had passed the SGC's training fairly well. His only flaw was his knack to blow things without being ordered to and thus placing his teammates in unnecessary danger.

"Noon,"

"Broad daylight?" First Lieutenant Emily Tailor asked on her turn. Her specialty was infiltration among a long record of thieving activity. She had actually reached the rank of major but was demoted. "Wouldn't that be a bit suspicious?"

"Mixing with the crowd provides enough cover, Lieutenant." Heather replied. "Our meeting after that will be decided tomorrow."

"And about fallout should things go south?" Second lieutenant Nathan Johnson inquired. He was the geek in the group. His record also showed a lot of hacking skills and blunt disregard for procedures. Other than that he was a good soldier.

"Should things go south as you put it so eloquently, you are on your own. Each has the duty to report back to the SGC. You are not going to try making contact with the rest of us. Is this understood?"

"Perfectly,"

"Crystal clear," Emily said.

"You're the boss," Jeremy saluted.

"Good, now disperse and we shall meet tomorrow noon, town square. Good luck!"

Each took their own path. Heather headed straight for the town without taking any other routes. The town was fairly developed well not too much but just enough. The lack of the Goa'uld whip was visible. The people were happier.

Heather headed for the town's inn. The establishment was fairly common the crowd in too. She ordered herself some beverage and sat on a table observing the crowd and learning of each in there. It was not long before some undefined characters paid her a visit.

"Hey pretty one," One of them said sitting next to her and put his hand on her hip. "Want to play?"

"I'm not sure you're well equipped for that." She replied pushing his hand aside. This earned laughter from the others. "But he might be!" She stood up and circled one of them.

"Yes, I am." The lucky one said.

Heather noticed the sudden interest of a newly arrived visitor. "Well then shall we?" And she pulled his pants down earning more laughter from the others. "Hum, not as good as I thought." She said after taking a peek. "Is it a birth defect – the shrinking?" She asked and his friends were laughing harder.

"Bested by a wench!" The first one exclaimed.

"You are one to speak." Heather said and pulled his down. "Indeed, you're even worse. Sorry boys, you are not good enough! Go home and play with your hands. It seems you are better there."

"What?" The first one reached down and pulled his pants back on. "You'll pay for that whore."

"Any time, hand master," She mocked.

The first one attacked with his fist aiming at her jaw. She slightly moved out of his way and replied with a single hit at his throat. He was on his knees holding with both hands his throat and trying to breathe.

The second one moved to attack next and she had knelt down and with a spinning kick had put him on the floor. The other two moved in together but were not fast enough. She evaded their hits and again with a single hit put them out of commission.

"Another of this lovely beverage," Heather said as she put her glass on the bar. "It seems to give wings."

"Put it on my tab, Vector," The stranger whose interest she had noticed said. The bartender nodded.

Heather turned around to examine him more carefully. He was somewhat stalwart, dark short hair, brown eyes and tiny freckles covered his nose that made it rather cute. His posture however suggested military training. Given how he drank and moved she could easily say he was infantry and still on the field.

"Raining much lately, soldier?" She asked when she moved closer to him so only he can hear her. "The weather on the east must be gusty."

He scanned her from top to bottom. She could tell he was surprised of the quick assessment.

"South east, actually," He replied while continuing to assess her without any success. This woman was a mystery to him. "Not from around here,"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Indeed," He said. "But it can get into a lot of trouble."

"Well, trouble always finds me one way or the other."

"There may not be a way out."

"Who said I want it?" She asked taking his glass and drinking it in one gulp.

"Are you here to stay?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"How big the hole is!"

He did not quite understand that. "Hole?"

"Oh men, always so slow up there," She said taking her glass returning to her table.

He followed her though. He was definitely interested in her. "Maybe not," And he sat opposite of her. "You have some interesting talents."

"Are you offering?"

"Maybe, maybe not, but even if I did, it requires some proving…"

"Oh, really? Have you run out of muscles or perhaps brains?"

"You have a big mouth…"

"Among other things that are big," She interrupted standing up and sitting in his lap. She sniffed him. "It seems the burnt aroma comes from a broken bird. I hope you're not just as broke?" She placed her hand down and his cheeks took on a new color. "Oh, you are. How sad? Does it make you feel small?" and she regained her seat.

No man can take much of this abuse of manhood. "Small or not it has more substance than your empty words."

"Ah, bold," She said and stood up. "Thanks for the drink," And she left the inn. Looking in her pocket was the entire contents of the stranger's pockets. He had a lot of currency, some ID and a remote control device for a cargo class ship, alongside some chips. "Well, a cargo ship, gift from the Alliance, ha, ha,"

She found the ship fairly quickly and boarded it. The systems were powered and she took off, and engaged the cloak. From the window she saw him running in the direction where the ship used to be. "Sorry lover boy, this toy is mine!" And with smile, she drove the ship in the opposite direction. She found the perfect landing spot and then got to see what was in the cargo area. She found some fancy explosive devices.

"Oh, aren't we arming ourselves a little too much?" She took the time to examine the devices and had already started to hatch a plan.


The next day at noon, Heather was at the town square. Only Lieutenant Emily Tailor was present. Heather assumed the others were occupied. She had guessed correctly though as Emily informed her.

"Heather, no ranks," Heather whispered in her ear.

"The Lucians are here. Jeremy and Nathan have already infiltrated the base. Their security is for shit." Emily informed.

"What else?"

"They are planning something big. I don't know what yet but I will." Emily said. "I have their second in command tight in my grip."

"Oh, grifter's skills, very useful," Heather remarked. "Keep at it and find out where are their bases in the sector."

"We'll do." Emily said. "I hear you've had some excitement too. Nadir, the second commander, is pretty pissed."

"Remind me to send him a fruit basket. Tomorrow in the inn!"

"We'll do." Emily said then added a bit louder. "I'm sorry I don't have your price."

"Is there someone else?"

"Over the hill, east of here."

"Thank you for the kind information." Heather and Emily separated.

Heather took on a tour around the buildings. Information was gold. She overheard many conversations and got to know the people's minds. They were happy the Goa'ulds were gone but not so happy of the Lucian Alliance's presence. It seemed they have started active recruiting rather forcibly.

Around evening she was heading back to where she had parked the cargo ship but a dark shadow passed behind her and she sensed a sharp pain in her neck. Her vision became blurry and she lost consciousness. Sometime later, her eyelids flickered and her eyes opened. She was in a dim room though careful observation showed she was in a dirty cell. There were iron bars at the far end and a corridor beyond them.

She heard footsteps and closed her eyes. The footsteps grew near and then she heard the door of the cell being opened. Two pairs of strong arms lifted her and dragged her. She opened her eyes just a little bit to get her bearings. They were going down a corridor lit with torches. After two turns the corridor exited into a larger space with chairs and lots of boxes. Heather assumed it was the cargo area of the Lucian Alliance's hideout on the planet, and she was right.

She was left drop on the floor and left there. She heard a lot of footsteps around. There were at least forty people moving things around sometime after the footsteps subsided. For a time she was left completely alone though she was certain there were at least two guards by the aperture she was brought in and two other on the exit of the cave like space. The subtle sound of engines could be heard. She presumed she was separated from the ships by a wall therefore she was at the antechamber.

Footsteps were approaching again. By the sound she determined they were six people coming. She was picked up and put into a chair. A sound of metal and in the next second she was soaked wet. She had no choice but open her eyes though slowly. It was not good letting them know she had been awake all this time. Flickering once then twice she opened her eyes and took in the surroundings.

A man thirty eight years was sitting on a chair opposite her, brown hair, dark eyes. Behind him, she assumed was the second in command as Lieutenant Emily Tailor was hanging on his side. The second commander Nadir was the other one. He was throwing her angry flashes. Emily had mentioned he was rather pissed at her borrowing the cargo vessel without permission. The two goons on either her sides were simply goons – no one at least on first glance. The second glance showed her the man she stole the cargo from.

She assumed a more upright position as much as her restraints were allowing her and stared at the man before her with indignation and superiority. He smiled at her rather visible display of emotions.

"Who are you?" He asked starting the conversation without the usual greetings. Heather did not feel like answering though. He nodded at the man left of her and she received a nicely aimed hit in her abdomen that would have taken anyone's breath away but she resisted the hit as she was trained to. The man before her nodded again and the one left of her struck again with no result. He had to repeat the feat almost a dozen times before he was successful.

Heather redressed herself and assumed her superiority look mixed with mockery. The man before her smiled again. He was visibly impressed but annoyed at the same time. "Who are you?" Heather did not respond this time either. This time he nodded at the one on the right. Terrible pain coerced through her body. Her eyes fell on the tool. She had seen in the mission reports of SG1. It was a torture tool used by the Goa'uld.

The man before her however was not amused to see that it did not have the desired effect. "Again!" He commanded. She was branded again and again and again but she produced no sound. This seemed to innerve the man before her even more.

Heather noticed Emily's look and shook slightly head. She did not want her to intervene. It will blow effectively her cover that for now was impeccable. The man before her stood up and took the branding torture device and applied it himself in various areas of her body but did no better than his men. After the unsuccessful attempts he threw it away. "Take her back to her cell. A few days without water will make you more talkative." Heather wanted to tell him – keep dreaming – but refrained herself from any commentaries. She was brought back to the cell and was left. The only thing they did was add a few more restraints so her mobility was absolutely limited.


The next few days no one bothered her and the man kept his word – no water, no food. But he was delusional to think this will break her. The last time her master, Lord Diablo, put her through a similar diet and she lasted two months before it became unbearable. Despite the inconvenience of her restraints she assumed a meditative position and the lack of the goods of the earth passed unnoticed. It seems her captors had noticed that because she was not bothered for another week or so. Her torturer came to see her and left disappointed. The lack of food and water had not broken her spirit at all.

Heather was thinking O'Neill was going berserk by now. His team had been missing for more than a week. Her fellow teammates if their cover was perfect ought not to break it unless utterly necessary so she had instructed them even before leaving for the mission. She had to remind them again when they arrived on the planet and so far she was very satisfied with their performance. She had seen Jeremy and Nathan too over the passing days and with one look told them – no.

At sometime later, she was once more dragged to the main chamber where the man or the number one was sitting. He was extremely displeased of the lack of progress. He had ordered her beaten several times with fists, legs, and the torture device. He had left her without food and water the whole time and achieved absolutely nothing. That woman was unbreakable. He had never seen anyone able to resist for this long. Not even a Jaffa had such strength and that is what made it very impressive. Whoever can hire her services will be certain she would deliver without a hitch. But he had to know whom she worked for.

"I'm Natal first leader of the Beru Clan of the Lucian Alliance." He said.

She sighed shaking her head and let a relief laugh. "Finally,"

"Hugh?"

"Finally, a display of manners," She explained. He frowned. "All you had to do is display some manners." And she smiled.

"And what's your name?"

"I'm the Countess." Heather replied. It was true. It was her handle. "House of Endeavour, Guild of Masters known throughout the galaxy as the Mantis Bellatis."

Natal's expression changed drastically. Fear was seen in his eyes. He had heard of that guild before. Even his Goa'uld master feared them though he had used their services that were very expensive but they always deliver one way or the other, and they never travel alone. He looked around himself. It was very possible one of the people working for him was one of them. It was a very unsettling thought. They were hard damn to detect.

"What is your mission?" He asked after some time.

She stared at him and a dark smile appeared on her face. She had won this round. "Prevent the Lucian Alliance from attacking the Tauri by any means necessary."

"What is it to the Guild?"

"That's none of your business."

"Perhaps I could offer something…"

"And betray my commission," She raised her voice. "I don't think so. If you are going to kill me go ahead. Your life expectancy will be very short after that but then again it is your choice. I will carry out my mission."

"Perhaps we could come to some understanding – a compromise."

"And what has a low life at the bottom of the chain of the Lucian Alliance to offer for such a change of direction?"

His lips curled and his more or less calm emotional state quickly upgraded to anger. "Mind your words, Countess or your life expectance will not last much more than a minute."

"You wouldn't be offering a compromise if you were not afraid for your own skin so spare me your threats." She countered.

He sighed deeply. She was playing well her cards and he had been stupid enough to reveal his. He could still kill her but then he would have to run quickly as the Guild would be certain to come paying him a visit with retribution in mind. He had chosen again poorly his approach.

"Take me back to my cell!" She turned to the two next to her. "I shall say no more. You have nothing of value to the guild to offer."

"You don't give orders around here." The one standing on the left said and made it as though to hit her but she rolled to the side and evaded. The restraints on her legs had been inadvisably removed and her mobility was now greater. Back to her feet, she quickly disposed of the two around her. Anyone would think she would use the time to run but she had no such intention. She jumped straight at Natal and intertwined her legs around his neck pulling him down to the ground then she sat up still holding her prey.

"Make a single move and you will need a new leader." She shouted adamantly. "You, wench, make yourself useful." She turned to Emily. "Cut the bonds around my hands."

Emily, playing her role perfectly, looked helplessly at the second in command. He nodded. She moved to remove Heather's restraints and then retreated to her commander. Once free of the bonds, Heather scanned the surroundings for possible exit strategies.

"You…are…not…going…to…make…it…alive…out…of…here." Natal said struggling between breaths.

"Maybe but you will go first. You are my shield." She said standing up and rather brutally picking him up from the floor. Her hand was around his neck as firm as a vice. "Get out of my way." She dragged Natal with her keeping always between her and Natal's men. "Order your men to the cell, all of them." She hissed in his ear.

"Go to hell!" He spat.

"Have it your way!" She replied and broke one of his fingers. He winced in terrible pain then again when she broke another.

"Stop!" He said in pain.

"Order them all to come here and then march before me and you to the cell block area. Every time you refuse I shall break two fingers. You still have eight on the hands and ten on the toes then I will break an arm, then another one, then a leg, then the other one, then your spine and at long last I will kill you and then I'm going to get your second in command and repeat the procedure until my order is carried out. Oh, I forgot to mention after I'm done I will feed your manhood to the dogs or at least the ugliest creatures I can find or maybe while you're still alive."

The poor Natal did indeed hold dear his hide not to mention his manhood. He quickly gave the order. It was really a pitiful sight. Thirty nine men and women forced to obey the command of a single woman. He had hoped not all were present but the Countess had chosen the perfect moment to make her move.


They all marched to the cells and almost filled them in. "You three, stop!" Heather commanded her team. "Stand there!" They obeyed. "No, tie them all up!" The three obeyed the order and soon all of Natal's men and women were tied. "Close the cell doors!" The order was obeyed again. "Weld them!" After it was done, Heather nodded satisfied. "Enjoy your stay! Now, you three, move, forward to the cave!" Using Natal as shield they left the cell area.

"What now?" Nathan asked.

"Tie your boss to the front of the cargo ship." She replied.

"I won't do that." Nathan said. "You are still holding him."

"Very well then," She said. "Bring one of those there." And she pointed at one of the escape pods. Nathan and Jeremy went to pick it up while Heather took on a Zat from the nearby box of weapons. "Open it!" It was open. "Pass me those!" She gestured at a few restraints. Nathan tossed them and she tied Natal up then she threw him inside the pod. "There…"

"You won't get away with this. The Lucian Alliance will find you." He spat.

"You know even the Goa'uld feared the Guild and they feared it for a reason. The Lucian Alliance may have grown in boldness but they are still not foolish enough or strong enough to take on the Guild. The best thing the Lucians can do is stay out of our way. Now be quiet, I have three of your soldiers to kill!" She turned to the three and fired the Zat. One touch of it stuns, two kills and three vaporizes. She fired again and again and as far as Natal was concerned he just lost them.

"If I ever get out, you're dead. I will have such bounty on your head that every bounty hunter in the galaxy will come after your head."

"Save your strength Natal. You shall need it. Trust me I will shove you in place no one can find you or at least for the next few years though with luck till the day you die." She let a sinister laugh making the hairs on his back stand on edge, and then closed the pod. She then sighed. "Get up. We have much work to do."

"I can't believe he fell for that." Nathan said standing up. "Though I can't believe you went through all that hell just to escape now."

"Everything has its purpose, Lieutenant." Heather replied. "And mine was to keep him here and I succeeded. Jeremy, what do you have for me?"

"Well, your stalling paid off. I know the location of all bomb ships and their time frame. Thank you, Emily, for the latter,"

"You're welcome." Emily replied with a smile then added seriously. "I would think General O'Neill is hoping mad by now."

"Probably," Heather smiled at the thought. "But the point was to find the enemy and stop him and we are almost done at that."

"I will go to retrieve the GDOs." Jeremy said.

"First shove this one into the ship." Heather ordered. "I have to keep my promise."

"Where are you going to put him?" Emily asked.

"Not far from here. There is a small moon, perfectly livable but with no gate and no technology whatsoever."

"How far?"

"A few light years," Heather replied. "I'll be back by dawn. Make sure the others can't escape."

"We'll do, boss!"

Heather entered the cargo ship and powered it up. She took off and proceeded to the atmosphere. Reaching it she input the new course and engaged the hyper engines. The ship jumped into hyperspace.


A few light years afterwards, she dropped to normal space and moved to the back of the cargo ship. She opened the pod with Natal in it.

"Well, this is your final stop. You know if you had started the conversation properly the first time I would have been less inclined to be this harsh with you. My mission was to destroy your means to make war. I have no directives regarding you or your men. I suppose a compromise could have been the ship I took with its cargo and plus an additional compensation and I would have gone my way and you your way."

"How's that a compromise?"

"Well, it's preferable to leaving you here and your men rotting in those cells and destroying all of your weapons to me just taking one cargo ship and few thousand credits, wouldn't you agree?"

"We can still do that!"

"Oh, it is too late for that. You haven't forgotten the times you enjoyed yourself. They bear the price of today! You have your pride to thank for this development. Perhaps if you live long enough and find yourself in similar situation your manners would have improved sparing you the dire consequences. Goodbye Natal!" She closed the pod again and armed it. Entering the coordinates she deployed the pod and then put the ship on a reverse course for the planet she left.

She returned to the planet and by dawn she landed the ship back in the cave. Nathan was around packing all the weapon cases. Emily was sleeping. Heather left the ship.

"Where is Jeremy?"

"I'm here." His voice came from behind few boxes. He was placing explosives around the entrances. "I'm almost done."

"Good, Nathan, you and I shall start putting the cargo on the ship."

"We are taking it with us?"

"Well, we do need to stop the others."

"Right,"

"How are the prisoners?"

"They've been rather quiet." Jeremy replied.

"Go check on them. Quiet is never good."

Jeremy went to check on them. He returned shortly after laughing.

"What?"

"Go see for yourself. It is pitiful."

Emily had awakened. "I'll go." She returned shortly after. "They are very much awake and some have broken out of the bonds more or less."

"And the others?"

"Well, it seems they are negotiating with each other. Besides they can't get through the bars, at least for now."

"Suggestions?"

"Bread?"

"Go!"

Two hours later the cargo was loaded. Last arrangements were made and SG2 boarded the cargo ship. Heather took the ship to orbit while Jeremy activated remotely the explosives he had placed. The entrances were for certain blocked and even if the prisoners got out of the cells it would take them several days before they see the light.

"Now where?"

"Now, we go to take them down one after the other and then we go home!" Heather replied.

"Shouldn't we call home first?" Nathan asked.

"No, not until, we are done. We should maintain our cover."

"Speaking of which, how did you know about of Mantis Bellatis?" Jeremy asked.

"Isn't it obvious, Jeremy?" Emily interjected. "She's a guild member. He wouldn't have believed her otherwise."

"Are you, really?"

"I was a long time ago." Heather said.

"I imagine the SGC doesn't know that part?" Nathan inquired.

"You imagine right." Heather replied.

"Well then let's go kick some Lucians into the preverbal backsides." Jeremy said. Heather took the ship into the depths of hyperspace.


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Lordheaven