It didn't take long for the O'Neills and the Grangers to get to where the Stargate was being housed now in the Cheyenne Mountain Base, going down the elevator before Jack, Matthew and Emma were taken to Major General Hammonds office. The General was in a blue suit behind his desk, working on some papers. In the corner of his desk was a red telephone, and in the other was a small American Flag and a lamp. Jack looked at Matthew and Emma before they were announced by Samuels.
"General Hammond," The Major said, making the General look up, "Colonel O'Neill, Captain Granger and Captain Granger."
"Retired." All three said at once, rolling their eyes before Samuels left the doorway.
"I can see that. Me, I'm on my last tour. Time to start getting my thoughts together, maybe write a book. You ever think of writing a book on all exploits in the line of duty?" The General asked as Matthew snorted.
"I've thought about it, but then I'd have to shoot anyone that actually read it." Jack returned as Emma sighed, shaking her head.
"That was a terrible joke, Jack," She said, "Even for you."
"Yes well," Jack tried to defend himself, "Most of my work the last ten years was classified."
"We know," Matthew nodded, "I would think it very obvious since we aren't dead yet."
Jack, seeing that he wasn't going to win, got them back on track, "Major Samuels mentioned something about the Stargate?"
Hammond nodded, standing up, "Down to business, I can do that."
He motioned the three to follow him, "This way."
They walked down through the base and into a lab where two figures were covered in cloth. A doctor uncovered one to show the face of a human male with a tattoo on his forehead, an oval with a snake like wiggle in the center. Emma looked over the body as Matthew growled, remembering Abydos. Jack looked at the body, his face calm indifference.
"Anyone you know, Colonel, Captains?" Hammond asked, giving the three a stern look.
"They're not human," The doctor added but was glared at by the three retired military.
"Ya think?" Jack snapped, sarcasm easily heard.
The Doctor rolled his eyes before pulling the cover down further to show the belly of the corpse, which had an X shape in it.
"Best we can tell, these slits are actually a pouch, similar to that found in a marsupial." The Doctor said, making Emma look at him.
That was until she pushed her hand into the punch of the man, then pulled it out with a small snake like worm creature. It, too, was dead though Jack grimaced at the thing.
"Was that necessary, Emma?" He asked, as she put the creature on the dead man's chest.
"Yes," She said, as a nurse came in with a bowl of hot water which allowed Emma to wash her hand off, "Seems the doctor here missed something."
"We didn't get to the autopsy yet," He said in his defense before Hammond spoke up.
"These people—or aliens—or whatever you want to call them…came through…killed four of my people and kidnapped another using advanced weapons."
Jack looked at him, "Weapon, sir?"
An airman went to the back of the room before he brought out a staff weapon that the Lotar of Ra had used, Jack took the Mo'tak staff and looked it over. Matthew was handed another one, which he took to look it over.
"We can't figure out how they operate." Samuels said, making Emma roll her eyes.
"Oh really? Have you tried the instruction manual?" She snarked at Samuels.
Samuels was about to make a remark before Jack activated and deactivated the staff, making Samuels jump from the suddenness of the noise.
"Seen one before, I take it?" Hammond asked.
Matthew grimaced, "Too bad we didn't bring a few back, these were one of them and the other staffs had extremely sharp spear heads at the end of them."
"Must have been a Ra thing," Emma added after a moment, "As a way to distinguish his best from the rabble."
"But," Jack added as he handed his staff back, "there are no creatures like this on Abydos. Those people were human. They were from Earth. Ra brought 'em there thousands of years ago."
"I know all about that. But your report said this Ra was in fact some kind of alien that lived inside a human body" Hammond said, looking at them as Matthew handed his weapon back.
Emma nodded, "Yeah, his eyes glowed. That was our first clue into that he wasn't fully human."
"Are you sure he's dead, Captain?" George Hammond said seriously, making Emma and Matthew frown.
"Unless he could survive a tactical nuclear warhead blowing up in his face," O'Neill said flatly, "I'm positive. Why?"
Hammond grimaced as he said, "These "people", or whatever they are, were guarding another man who retreated back through the Stargate. I got a good look at his eyes, Colonel. They glowed."
Emma hissed, Matthew snarled as Jack looked shocked at this revelation. That was until they were led back into the General's room.
Matthew and Emma were talking in hushed voices before looking up to see Hammond standing at the doorway to their "cell". He looked rather tired but he took a deep breath and nodded to them.
"Your daughter may still be out there," He said, making Emma feel hopeful, "Given that this new 'Ra' character took her alive. There is still a chance to rescue her, but given the circumstances, I believe it is time to bring back Mr. Potter."
"Why's that, sir?" Matthew asked, frowning, "Why would we have to bring back our son in all but blood?"
"Because," Hammond said, "he, along with Daniel Jackson, may have more answers to the questions we need. That and the Magical liaison from their government has politely asked that we bring back Mr. Potter to the States due to something that involves his Family Inheritance."
Matthew rolled his eyes, "Politics, mucking up everything."
Hammond nodded with a ruthfull smile, "Can't help but agree on that, Captain."