Chapter 8- SG-1 Forms and the Next Mission Starts
The next morning dawned cool and sunny, but since they were underground Cheyenne Mountain it couldn't be enjoyed. Everyone stood as Samuels opened the door. "Ladies and gentlemen, General Hammond," Samuels said and Hammond walked in briskly.
"People, what is spoken of in this room is classified as S.C.I. Top secret. Colonel, what do we know about these hostiles we didn't yesterday?" Hammond asked Jack.
"Not a heck of a lot, General. The Abydon boys who survived the attack on the base camp thought it was Ra," Jack said as they sat down.
"Uh, Dad, I thought he was dead. Which is it, Dad, Dr. Jackson?" Laura asked from her place next to Kawalsky and Carter.
"Oh, he's dead. He's definitely dead. I mean, the bomb- I mean, he's gotta be dead right?" Daniel asked Jack.
"Then who's coming through the stargate?" Hammond asked.
"The Goa'uld think that they are gods. So them. I study ancient Egyptian history. All the Goa'ulds are named after some god in the Egyptian hierarchy of gods. There's Ra, Hathor, Setesh, Isis, Osiris, Sokar, Apophis. There are even a few from other cultures. Nirrti, Yu, Baal. There is so many. I think I remember one named Tipacna. I think I also remember some named Lantash, Jolinar, Garshaw, Cordesh, Aldwin, Selmak, and Anise," Laura said, wrinkling her forehead.
"What?" Hammond asked.
"Those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head. Not as in "God" god. Ra played A god- the sun god that all Egyptian pharaohs' thought they were. He borrowed the religion and culture of the ancient Egyptians he brought through the gate and he used it to enslave them. You see, he wanted the people of Abydos to believe that he was the only one," Laura said.
"So you're saying Ra's not the last of his race after all?" Carter asked.
"Maybe he's got a brother Ray," Kawalsky joked.
"That's what we need," Jack said under his breath.
"If I am any indication the race is not dying. I mean, I look as human as any of you, but I have the knowledge of the Goa'uld or Tok'Ra that fathered me. By all rights the Goa'uld would kill me if they knew I existed. To them I am an abomination because of this," Laura said, tapping her head lightly.
"Wait a minute. The legend goes, Ra's race was dying. He survived by taking over the body of his human host, an Egyptian boy. But who's to say that more of his kind couldn't do the same? And since Laura is here the hosts can have human-looking children. But she's rare as Ra's race kills the human offspring as soon as they are born. I mean, this could have happened at any time, anywhere there's a gate. I mean, this could be happening right now," Daniel said.
"Colonel, you've had the most experience in fighting this hostile. Assuming you have to defend yourself in the field, are you up to it?" Hammond asked.
"We beat 'em once," Jack said.
"I'll take that as a maybe. Captain Carter, you're confident that the Stargate will take us where we want to go with this new information?" Hammond asked.
"Well, they're feeding the revised coordinates into the targeting computer right now. It'll take time to calculate, but it should spit out two or three destinations a month," Carter said.
"People, let's not fool ourselves here. This thing is both vast and dangerous. And we are so far over our heads we can barely see daylight. We would all be much better off if the Stargate had been left in the ground," Hammond said.
"With respect, Sir, we can't bury our heads in the sand. I mean, I got here. Something of the host survived to safe my life and leave me here. Think of how much we can learn. Think of what we could bring back," Laura said.
"What you could bring back is precisely what I am afraid of, little one. However, the President of the United States happens to agree with you. In the event your theories pan out, he has ordered the formation of nine teams whose duties will be to form reconnaissance, determine threats, and if possible to make peaceful contact with the peoples of theses worlds. These teams will operate on a covert, top-secret basis. No one will know of their existence, except the President and the joint chiefs. Not even the people at your school, Hanover Junior-High School, can know what you do in Cheyenne Mountain, Miss O'Neill or that you leave this planet sometimes. Colonel O'Neill?" Hammond asked.
"Sir?" Jack asked.
"Your team will be designated SG-1. The team will consist of yourself, your daughter, Captain Carter-" Hammond started to say.
"And me?" Daniel interrupted.
"Dr. Jackson, we need you to work as a consultant with the other SG teams from here. When Miss O'Neill isn't off-world she can help you do that. Your expertise in ancient languages and cultures are far too valuable-" Hammond started to say. Daniel broke him off.
"No. Um, look, I know this is your decision, but I just... I...I really have to be on their team. My wife is out there, General. I need to go," Daniel said.
"I'll take that under consideration. Major Kawalsky, you will head SG-2," Hammond said, turning to Kawalsky.
"I will?" Kawalsky asked, looking confused.
"Colonel O'Neill keeps telling me it's about time you had a command," Hammond said. Kawalsky looked at Jack.
"I had a moment of weakness," Jack said as someone handed Samuels a piece of paper.
"Ferretti's conscious, Sir," Samuels said.
"Dismissed," Hammond said as Jack bolted out the door.
They all raced into the infirmary and Sam took the computer from Ferretti who was busily typing. "I'll take over. Thanks," Sam said to the doctor. "Ferretti, Sam whispered softly.
"Ferretti, I know you're probably not feeling so hot, but we need something from you," Jack said. Laura looked at the computer.
"Looks like he's way ahead of you, Dad. These are the coordinates that I saw. The ones going to Chulak," Laura said as the seven symbols filled up the grid.
Both of you saw all seven symbols? This is where they went? You sure?" Jack asked Laura and Ferretti.
"Positive. Every Goa'uld or Tok'Ra knows the home world of the Jaffa. Right, Ferretti?" Laura asked. Ferretti groaned.
"Well, let's suit up," Jack said as they went to the weapons and uniform rooms to change.
